RASP: Redmond Association of Spokenword
Celebrating literary arts and poetry in Redmond since 1997
RASP was founded in 1997 to promote literary arts and activities in Redmond, Washington, and the surrounding area. We meet on the last Friday of each month from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM (Pacific time) for a featured presentation and an open-mic reading at Centro Cultural Mexicano. RASP also holds a monthly writing critique group via Zoom on the second Tuesday of each month from 6:30 PM to 8:45 PM (Pacific time). All events are open to the public and usually free. Please join us!
While literature is one of our best avenues for dealing with difficult subjects, remember that our meetings are open to a diverse audience, including young people. We ask that your reading does not attempt to normalize discrimination or mistreatment of others.
Click to join* our mailing list and receive announcements about the Reading Series, Poetry & Prose Circle, and other RASP events.
Coming This Month
RASP's regular monthly events are free and do not require registration.
Friday, January 31, 2025—Jack Straw Writers, featuring Gabriel Moseley, Mary Pan, and McKenna Princing (poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and fiction)
Reading/open mic starts at 6:30 pm (gathering begins at 6:15)
Gabriel Moseley's short story, "A Man Stands Tall," was awarded The Masters Review Anthology Prize in 2017, selected by Roxane Gay. Other honors and residencies include the General Motors' Future Fiction Scholarship, the Vermont Studio Center, the Centrum Artist Residency, and the Seattle Public Library's Writers' Room Residency.
Mary Pan is a writer and physician with a background in global health and narrative medicine. Her work has appeared in Fourth Genre, Creative Nonfiction, McSweeney's, Intima, and elsewhere. She has been selected for workshops, retreats, and residencies with Tin House, Hedgebrook, Kenyon Review, and Centrum, and is a Harvard Media & Medicine alum.
Joshua E. Griffin (who goes by Josh) lives life learning love(d). Experiences through travel and letting go of self, have allowed him to walk a decolonization path of unlearning and healing.
Elyse Hauser is an environmental writer who studied creative nonfiction at the University of New Orleans. Her work focuses on aquatic ecosystems, especially the deep sea and protecting the unknown.
MC—TBD
Upcoming Readings and Events
Friday, February 28, 2025—Peggy Sturdivant (nonfiction and poetry)
Peggy Sturdivant is founder of Ballard Writers, facilitates (since 2012) the It's About Time Writers' Series and has offered "Writing for the Moment" through Cancer Lifeline for 16 years. For ten years she wrote a weekly column, "At Large in Ballard," coauthored the nonfiction book Out of Nowhere, and coedited So, Dear Writer. In summers she offers Moving Words Writing Clinics to middle and high school students, and works with all ages throughout the year. Her takedown of The Goldfinch on Goodreads is, alas, her best-known work to date. She keeps meaning to update her eponymous website peggysturdivant.com.
MC—Michael Dylan Welch
Friday, March 28, 2025—TBD
Friday, April 25, 2025—Ching-In Chen (Redmond poet laureate)
Friday, May 30, 2025—Jana Harris (poet)
Friday, June 27, 2025—Peter Ludwin (poet)
Friday, July 25, 2025—TBD
We meet at Centro Cultural Mexicano
RASP's featured reading and open mic are held in the main office and meeting space of Centro Cultural Mexicano. The address is 16300 Redmond Way, Suite 100 on the corner of Redmond Way and Leary Way.
For more information about upcoming exhibits and Centro Cultural Mexicano, visit the gallery's website.
Note: Currently Centro keeps their doors locked at all times during our reading and open mic. We will station someone to open the door when you arrive but we ask that you please be patient.
Poetry and Prose Circle
Read your poetry or prose and then we'll discuss your work and offer ideas for improvement. Take away a new perspective on your creative work.
Day: Second Tuesday of each month
Time: 6:30 to approximately 9:00 PM (Pacific Time).
FREE: RASP's Poetry and Prose Circles are free and do not require registration.
Location: Zoom (see below).
Bring: Something written that you're willing to share and get feedback on. You will be able to share your screen so others can read your written words.
Join the monthly RASP Poetry and Prose Circle Zoom meeting beginning at 6:30 PM (Pacific Time)
Tuesday, December 10, 2024
— 2025 —
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
Look for us on social media
Look for our frequent messages and writing prompts on Facebook. Follow us, share us, enjoy us. Tweet about us, too, and retweet our tweets.
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/ RedmondAssociationOfSpokenword/
- Twitter: @RedmondRASP
- Contact us: contact.rasp.read@gmail.com
Our Monthly Open Mic
RASP's Open Mic gives you the opportunity to share your work with a receptive audience.
Each month, we open up the microphone to everyone to share their poetry and prose with a receptive audience. You can also participate by relaxing and listening to the words of others.
If you have written something you would like to read, show up early and sign up for a time slot. Time slots are scheduled before and after the featured reader. Details and guidelines are at our Open Mic page.
Other places for poetry and art
Duvall Poetry https://duvallpoetry.weebly.com/
Everett Poetry Nite https://duanekirbyjensen.wixsite.com/everett-poetry-night
Hugo House https://hugohouse.org/
Jack Straw Writers https://www.jackstraw.org/program/jack-straw-writers-program/
Redmond Poet Laureate https://www.redmond.gov/185/Arts-Culture
Redmond Arts & Culture Commission https://www.redmond.gov/489/Redmond-Arts-Culture-Commission-RACC
SoulFood Poetry Night https://sites.google.com/site/soulfoodpoetrynight
The Poetry Department (blog) https://thepoetrydepartment.wordpress.com/nw-lit-events/
VALA (Venue for Artists in the Local Area) https://www.valaeastside.org/
WUUC Poetry Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/wuucpoetry
Western Washington Poets Network https://www.westernwashingtonpoetsnetwork.org/
RASP promotes written and spoken arts in Redmond and East King County through inclusive performance events and educational programming.
Click to join* our mailing list and receive announcements about the Reading Series
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