Language with Mike the Poet at The Last Bookstore

If you’re looking for a great way to beat the heat on Sunday afternoon, The Last Bookstore in Downtown Los Angeles is holding its monthly open mic event called Language With Mike The Poet.

When: Sunday, May 20th, 3 pm – 5 pm

Where: The Last Bookstore, 453 S. Spring Street in Downtown. 213.488.0599. Get Directions.

Who: Mike “The Poet” Sonksen is a 3rd-generation LA native acclaimed for poetry performances, published articles and legendary city tours. Poet, journalist, historian, tour guide, teacher, Sonksen graduated from U.C.L.A. and is the author of I Am Alive in Los Angeles, which is available on iTunes and has been added to the curriculum of several universities. Mike has performed his poetry coast to coast at college campuses, museums, bookstores, nightclubs and just about any venue you can imagine. See Mike The Poet in action on YouTube.

Featured poets for this month’s event are Traci Akemi and Gia Scott-Heron.

Traci Akemi is a multi-disciplinary artist, arts educator, community organizer and founder of the Tuesday Night Project. Author of a collection of poetry, Signaling (The Undeniables press), Traci tours universities, libraries and community events, presenting readings and workshops to diverse audiences, from performers to youth educators, high school students to senior citizens.

Gia Scott-Heron AKA “Miss Gia” has been writing songs and poetry since the age of 10. She began pursuing poetry full time after graduating with honors from Pitzer college in 2002. Miss Gia has performed at various venues, including Spreadin’ Love N Spoken Word, The World Stage, The Regent, ‘Da Poetry Lounge, Remedy, Reflections, Shades of Afrika, Green, and Natural High, to name a few. She has published books of poetry, including Introducing Me, Scott Free, and Contagias and produced an LP called Souletree, a compilation of 12 of her favorite poems set to music. Learn more about Miss Gia and her work at her website.

Other great Local poets, artists and performers scheduled to appear include: Armond Kinard, Joe Gardner, V. Lazaro Zamora, Allan Arnold Gamalinda Aquino, Cara Van Le, Irene Soriano, Edren Sumagaysay, Trevon Kelley, Jamal Carter, Forrest Wilson, Juan Bueno, Sho’ EslaBomba Kilson, Peter Woods, Jesse Bliss, Elena Secota, and me, Frank Mundo, your LA Books Examiner.

Get out of the house this weekend! Join Mike The Poet at The Last Bookstore for a great line-up of poetry and spoken-word performances from local writers and artists you don’t want to miss.

Frank Mundo is the author of The Brubury Tales and Gary, the Four-Eyed Fairy. Don’t forget to subscribe to my emails and follow me on Twitter @LABooksExaminer for the latest updates to LA Books Examiner.