RASP:
Upcoming Reading Series

The Redmond Association of Spokenword (RASP) is pleased to announce the resumption of its monthly reading series. Every month, we will host a featured reader and offer an open mic opportunity for writers to read their work in a comfortable, welcoming environment. Please join us …

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   Welcome to RASP
   About RASP
   Gallery of readers

The last Friday of every month starting at 7:00 PM

At the Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center (ORSCC) at 16600 NE 80th Street, Redmond, WA 98052—Directions to ORSCC

Friday, February 26 — featuring Rebecca Meredith

RASP features the City of Redmond's first poet laureate, Rebecca Meredith. Join us to celebrate this historic appointment!

Rebecca Meredith is a poet, writer, and psychotherapist, as well as a RASP cofounder, who served as its coordinator and president for years. Her work has been published in numerous literary magazines and anthologies, and performed in such venues as the Burning Word Poetry Festival, the Seattle Moon Viewing Festival, Redmond's Arts in the Park, and on KUOW's The Beat. Her chapbook, Intergenerational Delta Blues, was published by Pudding House Press. She is a fellow of the Jack Straw Writers' Program, an alumna of Hedgebrook Women Writers' Colony, and was recently appointed the first Poet Laureate of the City of Redmond.

Read about Rebecca's appointment in the Redmond Reporter.

February's emcee: Michael Dylan Welch

Upcoming Readers

Add these coming events—and featured readers—to your calendar

Friday, March 26 — featuring Jared Leising

Jared Leising is the author of a chapbook, The Widows and Orphans of Winesburg, Ohio, and his poems have appeared in various Washington publications, such as Pontoon, Crab Creek Review, StringTown, as well as on Metro Buses and local radio. He has worked as a writer-in-residence for Ballard and Nathan Hale High Schools, been a nominee for Seattle Poet Populist, and before moving to Seattle, he received his M.F.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Houston. Currently, he teaches English at Cascadia Community College, serves on the board of directors at 826 Seattle, and is the curator for the 2010 Jack Straw Writers Program.

March's emcee: TBD

Friday, April 30 — Reader to be announced

Friday, May 28 — featuring Gerri Russell

Gerri Russell Gerri Russell has done it all when it comes to writing; she’s worked as a broadcast journalist, newspaper reporter, magazine columnist, technical writer and editor, and instructional designer, which all finally led her to follow her heart’s desire of being a romance novelist. A two-time recipient of the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart award, and winner of the American Title II competition sponsored by Dorchester Publishing and Romantic Times BOOKreviews Magazine, she resides in Bellevue, Washington with her husband and three children.

May's emcee: Michael Heavener

What is an Open Mic?

Open Mic allows authors to share their work with a receptive audience. Time slots are scheduled before and after the featured reader at each month's Reading Series. If you have written something you would like to read, show up early and sign up for a time slot. Be sure to follow the guidelines for Open Mic. You can also participate by relaxing and listening to the words of others.

What are the guidelines for Open Mic?

Please limit reading to approximately three (3) minutes.
The Reading Series and Open Mic are conducted in a working retail environment, open to all ages. Bold work is encouraged but please respect public sensibilities. Remember, families with children may be present due to the proximity of a cinema theater.
Be supportive of and show respect for the readers.
Be open to new experiences.

RASP promotes written and spoken arts in East King County through inclusive education programming and performance events.

RASP: Upcoming Reading Series