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RASP: Redmond Association of Spokenword

Celebrating literary arts and poetry in Redmond for more than 20 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 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM (Pacific Time). RASP also holds a monthly writing critique group at the Redmond Regional Library on the second Tuesday of each month from 6:30 PM to 8:45 PM (Pacific Time). All events are free. Please join us!.

RASP acknowledges that it meets on the ancestral lands of the Coast Salish, Duwamish, and Snoqualmie people.

Click to join* our mailing list and receive announcements about the Reading Series, Poetry & Prose Circle, and other RASP events.

Coming This Month
RASP events are free and do not require registration.

Friday, May 27, 2022—Laura Da’ (poet)
Reading/open mic starts at 7:00 PM (Pacific Time)

Laura Da’ is a poet and teacher who studied at the Institute of American Indian Arts. She is the author of Tributaries, American Book Award winner, and Instruments of the True Measure, Washington State Book Award winner. Da’ is Eastern Shawnee. She is the 2022–2024 Redmond poet laureate. Da’ lives near Renton, Washington with her family. Visit Laura at http://laurada.com/.

MC—Michael Dylan Welch

RASP meetings are held at Centro Cultural Mexicano

Join us at Centro Cultural Mexicano at 7945 Gilman St. in Redmond, between McDonalds Books and Redmond Vacuum, two doors down from Victor's Coffee. For more information about upcoming exhibits, visit the gallery's website.

Click here for a Google map
and directions.

Upcoming Readings and Events

Friday, June 24, 2022—Vikram Madan (poet and artist)

Vikram Madan writes humorous poetry for the young at heart. His collection A Hatful of Dragons appeared on six 2020 Best Book lists (including those of Kirkus Reviews and the New York Public Library). Two earlier collections, The Bubble Collector and Lord of the Bubbles, both won Moonbeam Book Awards for Children’s Poetry. Learn more at VikramMadan.com and follow him at @ArtByVikram.

MC—Michael Heavener

Friday, July 29, 2022—Jack Straw Writers

Friday, August 26, 2022—David Lasky (graphic novelist)

David Lasky coauthored the graphic novel Carter Family: Don’t Forget This Song, which won comics’ Eisner Award in 2013. He has been writing poetry in his spare time for more than 20 years, and often combines art forms to make “poetry comics.” David has been a graphic novel instructor for 15 years, teaching to all age and skill levels, and is currently teaching Haiku Comics online. David's website is www.laskycomics.com

MC—TBD

Friday, September 30, 2022—Mary Lou Sanelli (essayist, memoirist)

Mary Lou Sanelli, author, speaker, and master dance teacher, has published five collections of poetry and four works of nonfiction. Her latest collection of essays, Every Little Thing, has been nominated for a Pacific Northwest Book Award, a Pushcart Prize, and a Washington State Book Award. Her first novel, The Star Struck Dance Studio of Yucca Springs, was released in 2020 and her first children's book, Bella Likes to Try, will be published in the spring of 2022. For more information about her and her work, visit www.marylousanelli.com.

MC—TBD

Friday, October 28, 2022—TBD

Friday, November 18, 2022—TBD
Moved ahead one week to avoid Thanksgiving holiday

Friday, December 30, 2022—TBD

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 as a virtual gathering using ZOOM (see link and details below).
FREE:, no registration required
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.

Zoom link for Poetry & Prose Circles

RASP events are free and do not require registration.

We have contacted the King County Library System and the Redmond Regional Library to find out when they will allow in-person gatherings. Until a decision is made, Poetry and Prose Circles will continue to be online using ZOOM.

Join the monthly RASP Poetry and Prose Circle Zoom meeting beginning at 6:30 PM (Pacific Time)

We recommend that you log in about 5 minutes before we start, to make sure your internet connection is working.

You may download and import this iCalendar (.ics) file to your calendar system.

Tuesday, May 10, 2022
This will be a virtual gathering using ZOOM (see link and details above).

Tuesday, June 14, 2022

Tuesday, July 12, 2022

Tuesday, August 9, 2022

Tuesday, September 13, 2022

Tuesday, October 11, 2022

Tuesday, November 8, 2022

Tuesday, December 13, 2022

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.