For the Reporter
Poetry at the Rainbow Café presents the works of Lucas Smiraldo and Cindy Hutchings on Monday, Aug. 6.
The program is from 7 to 9 p.m. at the café, 112 E. Main St.
Coffee and conversation follow readings. It is an open mic opportunity. The public is invited.
About the poets
Smiraldo is a Pacific Northwest writer, performing poet and 12-time produced playwright with a 17-track CD (Voice of the Americas), a published book (“The Thing That Gathers”) and a three-episode Web series (“Slam Town”) to his credit.
In April 2013, Smiraldo was named the fifth poet laureate for the City of Tacoma. He marked his laureate term by producing Tacoma’s first ever “Laureate Listening” anthology. Smiraldo recorded more than 50 grassroots voices, all acknowledging the “spirit of place” through recorded poetry that represented neighborhoods and landmarks throughout the city. In 2014 Smiraldo was chosen as the artist in residence for the third National Race and Pedagogy Conference and convened a team of poets to act as “creative journalists” to capture the conversations and themes of the conference and present them as original poetic works.
During his two years as laureate, Smiraldo presented and organized more than 100 events, and his listening project became the focus of an NPR feature on KUOW.
Hutchings‘ first poetry chapbook, “Tree Talk”, was published by MoonPath Press. Her poetry is shared in print with “Espial 2012” and “Gifts of the Great Spirit – Volume IV – Legends,” and online with “Quill & Parchment and Whispers.”
She graduated from Green River College with an associate degree and high honors, and from University of Washington with a bachelor’s degree in English and women studies. There, she was initiated into Phi Beta Kappa Society. Hutchings is a member of the Northwest Renaissance and Striped Water Poets, and she helps organize poetry events in her community. She writes passionately about current events, nature and social causes.
The Rainbow Cafe, Striped Water Poets, the NorthWest Renaissance, Auburn Arts Commission, City of Auburn, and King County 4Culture make the program possible.
