Let’s hang out!

Dearest readers,    You're invited! To several things!    First up, the inaugural meeting of our new Poetry Club:     This summer, Poetry Club will meet monthly over Zoom to discuss a selection of poems. The meetings will be informally facilitated by volunteers, and will focus on fostering community around a shared love of poetry and a mutual interest in learning.   Poetry Club is a space to shake loose from the idea that poetry is too academic or inaccessible, and is an opportunity to celebrate the beating heart of this art form with peers. Each meeting will close with short, optional writing prompts and ways to carry the spirit of these poems into the world with you. Sign up for 1, 2, or all 3 sessions!    Next, we're getting back to our roots as an organization with an in-person Happy Hour meetup for local writers:     Join us on Thursday, 6/26, from 5:00 – 7:00 pm at Sunset Social (a.k.a. Cira Green) for a happy hour with the Blue Stoop community and friends. Accessibility info and other important details available in the RSVP form. You can BYO (non-alcoholic) drinks and food, but there are also food and drinks available for purchase on site, starting at $3. We'd love to see you there!   Last but not least, summer classes will take place in July and August. We'll announce the first batch (if not all of them) within the next couple weeks — catch a sneak peek and join the waitlist here.  In solidarity,   Julian Shendelman Co-Director   P.S. Looking for more local literary connections? Check out our community calendar and resource pages. ON THE STOOP Wednesday, 6/11, 3:30 – 5:30 pm ET: Creative Coworking. Stop by for a few minutes or stay for the whole session — it’s totally up to you. Write, edit, read, daydream, or do whatever best serves your literary life. (FREE/VIRTUAL)   Tuesday, 6/24, 6:30 – 7:30 pm ET: Poetry Club. A peer-led poetry reading & discussion group, powered by Blue Stoop volunteers. Poems will be emailed out a few days before each meeting. Sign up for 1, 2, or all 3 sessions! (FREE/VIRTUAL)   Thursday, 6/26, 5:00 – 7:00 pm ET: Happy Hour. Join us at Sunset Social (a.k.a. Cira Green) for a casual meetup with Blue Stoop community members and friends. RSVP to learn more. (FREE/IN-PERSON) CLASSIFIEDS Got an event, organization, business, or book to promote?  Blue Stoop offers affordable ad space here and on our website.  BEYOND THE STOOP   Here's an excerpt from our community calendar. Adding an event is easy and free!   ~~~~~~~~~   Event title Local Author Speed Dating   Start time 6/11/2025 5:30pm   Location Philosophical Hall, 104 South Fifth Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106   Description On Wednesday, June 11th, 2025, the APS Press is hosting Local Author "Speed Dating" at our third Publishing Salon of the year. Join us for refreshments, networking, and a slew of local authors who will each have a few short minutes to share their exciting work with the audience. Books will be sold on site by Head House Books. Signed books make great gifts for yourself or someone else!   Participating local authors: Darrow Farr, Judith Giesberg, Tre Johnson, Ken Kalfus, Beth Kephart, Sophie Lewis, Kristen Martin, Jim Murphy, M. L. Rio, and C.J. Spataro.   Publishing salons are held every other month on a variety of topics related to the publishing industry. Please register for this free event at our website.   Link https://www.amphilsoc.org/events/publishing-salon-local-author-speed-dating   Contact info Allison Cadle, acadle@amphilsoc.org   Cost Free   ~~~~~~~~~   Event title Capability Pink Designs a Pleasure Garden With You   Start time 6/13/2025 6:00pm   Location GALLERY Land Collective - 57 North 2nd Street Philadelphia, PA 19106   Description For the second year in a row, GALLERY Land Collective is proud to present our Pride Month exhibition: Capability Pink Designs A Pleasure Garden With You! by Jeff Joseph Katz, a drag performance turned landscape architecture lecture. Every Friday in June, performances will take place opposite David Rubin's Antique Garden Tool Collection, with implements spanning the 18th through the 20th centuries.Performances are free, but due to capacity restrictions, registration is required. **Friday, June 13th will be a mask-mandatory performance.**   Link https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gallery-land-collective-presents-capability-pink-tickets-1360921315289?aff=oddtdtcreator   Contact info swilliams@land-collective.com   Cost Free with registration   ~~~~~~~~~   Event title Wild Indigo Poetry Presents Dilruba Ahmed & Regie Cabico   Start time 6/15/2025 5:00pm   Location Young American Cider, 6350 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia   Description June promises love and sustenance as we feature two wonders: local fab poet Dilruba Ahmed and NYC/DC joy Regie Cabico! Plus, you on the open mic. On the terrace at Young American Hard Cider, so twice the capacity! $5 suggested donation — more if you can. Delish cider, NA drinks, light fare for sale from our partner venue Young American. Wheelchair accessible.   Learn about this summer's essential resistance work from partner Reclaim Philadelphia and sign up to get involved!   Link https://bit.ly/wildindigoseries   Contact info wildindigo.poetry@gmail.com   Cost $5 suggested donation - more if you can!   ~~~~~~~~~   Event title Artist Town Hall for Performing Arts   Start time 6/16/2025 7:00pm   Location Asian Arts Initiative 1219 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 (215)-557-0455   Description Asian Arts Initiative's Artist Town Hall invites artists to come together to share their latest projects, make a pitch, and exchange resources. This year, we invite artists from across the performing arts to share their work and latest projects. No matter what stage you're at in your project (fledgling idea to fully produced work), come by to connect with fellow artists, hear about funding opportunities, or pitch an idea! Dance, theater, drag, spoken word - every practice is welcome! Please note that the share-out time is limited to around 1-5 minutes each per artist. Contact Dominique Chua at dominique@asianartsinitiative.org for registration information and questions.   Link https://asianartsinitiative.org/programs/artist-town-hall-for-performing-arts   Contact info dominique@asianartsinitiative.org   Cost FREE   ~~~~~~~~~   Event title 5-3-5 Poetry Salon featuring Tamiko Beyer, Patrycja Humienik, and Mia Kang   Start time 6/17/2025 6:35pm   Location RSVP for the address: tinyurl.com/3wkp85zd    Description Our next 5-3-5 poetry salon will take place on Tuesday, June 17, with incredible featured readers Tamiko Beyer, Patrycja Humienik, and Mia Kang. 5-3-5 is a dynamic night that includes featured readers, poems we love, and a generative poetry game. There will be an opportunity for folks to read poems by others (i.e., bring a copy of your favorite Tracy K. Smith piece, your top Dickinson, your Diane Seuss sonnet, etc.), and also a chance to generate new work through a creative, light-hearted poetry game. So, bring a notebook and pen, and if you feel so inclined, a drink or snack to share.    RSVP for the address. We'll be gathering in West Philly. Feel free to invite friends and beloved local writers. At this salon we will also be raising funds for an organization that supports people and families in crisis in Gaza.    Link tinyurl.com/3wkp85zd   Contact info monicagomery@gmail.com   Cost free   ~~~~~~~~~   Event title Lee Cole presents FULFILLMENT in conversation with Scott Gloden   Start time 6/17/2025 7:00pm   Location The Head & The Hand Bookstore   Description We’re delighted to welcome Lee Cole to H&H Books on Tuesday, June 17 to celebrate his sophomore novel, FULFILLMENT, on its release day! Author Scott Gloden (THE GREAT AMERICAN EVERYTHING: STORIES) will be in conversation with Lee. A Q&A and signing will follow their conversation.  Attendance is free, but registration via Eventbrite is highly encouraged. Email events@theheadandthehand.com with any questions.   Link https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lee-cole-presents-fulfillment-in-conversation-with-scott-gloden-tickets-1366117126099?aff=oddtdtcreator   Contact info events@theheadandthehand.com   Cost Free   ~~~~~~~~~   VIEW MORE EVENTS 1315 Walnut Street, Suite 300 Philadelphia, PA 19107, United States Unsubscribe or Manage Preferences