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, September 30, 2022—Vikram Madan
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
We've moved!
Centro Cultural Mexicano, and RASP meetings, moved around the corner
Important! Centro Cultural Mexicano has moved around the corner. That means RASP has a new home, too, and we think you'll enjoy meeting here. You will now find us on the first floor/street level at 16300 Redmond Way, the NE corner of the intersection between Redmond Way and NE Leary Way (in the store where the dress shop used to be). If you find yourself at the old gallery, just walk to Redmond Way and turn right. For more information about upcoming exhibits and Centro Cultural Mexicano, visit the gallery's website.
Upcoming Readings and Events
Friday, October 28, 2022—Poets Table group reading, featuring Nan Harty, Michael Magee, Darren Nordlie, Cathy Ross, Ken Schiovitz, and Sue Lovgren-Wade
Poets Table was formed after a University of Washington certificate of poetry class decided to continue meeting after their class was over. The group has been meeting monthly for more than twenty years to share and critique poetry.
Nan Harty is a community poet sharing her poems and listening to other poets in open mic venues throughout the Seattle area. She published The Telling of the Trees in 2021.
Michael Magee’s poems and plays have been produced and published in the United States, England, and Greece. His latest book is Terra Firma: Sacred Ground.
Darren L. Nordlie is the 2022 first place winner in Poetry for EPIC Group Writers and his work has appeared on the Washington state poet laureate website. He serves as vice president of the Redmond Association of Spokenword.
Cathy Ross’s poems reflect a woman’s journey through the middle years and often reveal unexpected layers within an ordinary life. Her latest book is What the Tulips Said.
Ken Shiovitz, former animal behaviorist, real estate broker, and poetry venue host, has published birdsong research, essays, and poetry. Books are Rules of the Universe and Illuminating the Void.
Sue Lovgren-Wade is a poet from Woodinville, Washington who writes what might best be described as miscellaneous poetry, ranging from centipedes to PTSD. Publishing seems to be a new adventure on the horizon.
MC—Rose Ramm
Friday, November 18, 2022—TBA
Moved ahead one week to avoid Thanksgiving holiday
Reading/open mic starts at 7:00 PM (Pacific Time)
Friday, December 2, 2022—Holiday Party at Centro Cultural Mexicano
This event starts at 6:00 PM (Pacific Time)
Friday, December 30, 2022—Scott Ferry (poet)
Upcoming readings for 2023
Friday, January 27, 2023—TBA
Friday, February 24, 2023—Priscilla Long
Photo by Anne Herman
Priscilla Long is a Seattle-based writer of poetry, creative nonfiction, science, history, and fiction, and a long-time independent teacher of writing. Her seventh book is Dancing with the Muse in Old Age (Coffeetown, 2022). Her two poetry books are Holy Magic (MoonPath Press) and Crossing Over: Poems (University of New Mexico Press). Her how-to-write book is The Writer's Portable Mentor: A Guide to Art, Craft, and the Writer's Life. She grew up on a dairy farm on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. For more info go to www.priscillalong.com
MC—TBD
Friday, March 31, 2023—Dierdre Lockwood
Friday, April 28, 2023—TBA
Friday, May 26, 2023—TBA
Friday, June 30, 2023—TBA
Friday, July 28, 2023—Mary Lou Sanelli (essayist, memoirist)
Friday, August 25, 2023—TBA
Friday, September 29, 2023—TBA
Friday, October 27, 2023—TBA
Friday, November 17, 2023—TBA
Moved ahead one week to avoid Thanksgiving holiday
Reading/open mic starts at 7:00 PM (Pacific Time)
Friday, December 29, 2023—TBA
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.
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, September 13, 2022
This will be a virtual gathering using ZOOM (see link and details above).
Tuesday, October 11, 2022
Tuesday, November 8, 2022
Tuesday, December 13, 2022
P&P Circles for 2023
Tuesday, January 10, 2023
Tuesday, February 14, 2023
Tuesday, March 14, 2023
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
Tuesday, May 9, 2023
Tuesday, June 13, 2023
Tuesday, July 11, 2023
Tuesday, August 8, 2023
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
Tuesday, October 10, 2023
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
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 links
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
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.
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