RASP: Redmond Association of Spokenword
Celebrating literary arts and poetry in Redmond for more than 25 years
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, August 30, 2024—Alex Smith (poetry)
Alexander Smith has been a longtime participant and featured reader at open mic venues throughout the Pacific Northwest, and he also sits in on harmonica with blues bands. Alex has developed a harmonica/poetry style to add to his spoken word, and his poetry is typically ironic free verse. Originally from California, Alex has lived in Seattle since 1989, and is the father of three grown children who "all put their clothes on by themselves and have jobs" he says proudly.
MC—Pamela Denchfield
NOTE this change: We now meet at Centro Cultural Mexicano's office
RASP's featured reading and open mic have moved to the main office and meeting space of Centro Cultural Mexicano. The address is 16300 Redmond Way, Suite 100.
For more information about upcoming exhibits and Centro Cultural Mexicano, visit the gallery's website.
Upcoming Readings and Events
Friday, September 27, 2024—Michael Keen (fiction)
Michael Keen is a writer from Puyallup, Washington. He has a PhD in English from the University of Louisana at Lafayette, an MFA from Syracuse University, and an MSW from Columbia University. He has worked for many years as a social worker, primarily with people suffering from severe and persistent mental illness. In recent years he has worked as a medical social worker in hospice. His debut novel, Notes from the Trauma Party, was published by Tailwinds Press in 2023.
MC—Darren Nordlie
Friday, October 25, 2024—Julene Tripp Weaver (poet)
Julene Tripp Weaver, a psychotherapist and writer in Seattle, has four poetry collections: Slow Now with Clear Skies (MoonPath Press, 2024); Truth Be Bold: Serenading Life & Death in the Age of AIDS (Finishing Line Press, 2017), which won the Bisexual Book Award, four Human Relations Indie Book Awards, and was a finalist for the Lambda Literary Awards; No Father Can Save Her (Plain View Press, 2011); and a chapbook, Case Walking: An AIDS Case Manager Wails Her Blues (Finishing Line Press, 2007). Her poems have appeared in many journals and anthologies, including I Sing the Salmon Home. Visit https://julenetrippweaver.com/.
MC—TBD
Friday, November 22, 2024—Josh Tuininga (graphic novelist)
Moved ahead one week to avoid Thanksgiving holiday weekend
Friday, December 13, 2024—Holiday Party
Friday, December 27, 2024—No reading scheduled
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 regular monthly events 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, July 9, 2024
Tuesday, August 13, 2024
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Tuesday, December 10, 2024
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
VALA (Venue for Artists in the Local Area) https://www.valaeastside.org/
SoulFood Poetry Night https://sites.google.com/site/soulfoodpoetrynight
APex - Artists Personal exchange https://www.facebook.com/groups/357724264707997/
Duvall Poetry https://duvallpoetry.weebly.com/
Everett Poetry Nite https://duanekirbyjensen.wixsite.com/everett-poetry-night
Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park https://www.thirdplacebooks.com/event/local-author-open-mic
WUUC Poetry Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/wuucpoetry
The Poetry Department (blog) https://thepoetrydepartment.wordpress.com/nw-lit-events/
Redmond Poet Laureate https://www.redmond.gov/185/Arts-Culture
Redmond Arts & Culture Commission https://www.redmond.gov/489/Redmond-Arts-Culture-Commission-RACC
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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