Saying Good-bye is Hard to Do

Wednesday, June 30, 7 p.m.

We’ve all heard that breaking up is hard to do, but at Hugo House, heartache takes a backseat to saying good-bye, something we aren’t so good at doing either.

On June 30, we regretfully bid farewell to Hugo Huts writers-in-residence Cienna Madrid and Storme Webber and youth writers-in-residence Hannah Wood and Ema Mclean-Riggs.

They will each read from new work created during their residencies at Hugo House and reminisce on the fond times they’ve had with us. Current writer-in-residence Karen Finneyfrock will also read. 

Elizabeth Austen’s Book Release Party

Tuesday, June 29, 7 p.m.

Poet and Hugo teacher Elizabeth Austen celebrates the release of her debut chapbook, “The Girl Who Goes Alone,” published by Floating Bridge Press. Elizabeth reads from the collection, of which the title poem was originally commissioned by Hugo House as part of Visiting Hours, the second event in last season’s Literary Series. FREE. More info here.

Works in Progress

Monday, July 12, 7-9 p.m.

Hugo House’s monthly open mic happens a week later than normal in July because of the holiday. Despite the change in date, the same rules apply—come by 6:30 to sign up and bring your newest pieces of writing to share.

Classes

S--- Happens

But why? For writers, it is in sentences that we find truth—both in writing and reading. This summer, we’ll sharpen our pencils and excavate, find purpose behind our pain, extract emotional wisdom from our travails.We will mold our memories into short and long works of art and then hone those works for the world to see. When we’re not writing, we’ll read “Survival Stories; Memoirs of Crisis” edited by Kathryn Rhett, which includes the astonishing memoirs of writers Lucy Grealy, William Styron, Rick Moody, Reynolds Price and more.

Instructor: Roberta Brown Root

Meets: Tuesdays, July 6 - July 27, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

General: $165 Member: $148.50

The Best American Poetry from 2006 to 2009

Based on the Scribner’s anthology “The Best American Poetry of 2006” (and that of 2007, 2008 and 2009, edited by Billy Collins, Heather McCue, Charles Wright, and David Wagoner, respectively) we’ll cover one year per class meeting. We’ll read, we’ll critique, and we’ll try to define what makes these poems “the best.” (It is not necessary to buy the books.)

Instructor: David Wagoner

Meets: Monday, July 12 - Thursday, July 15, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

General: $165 Member: $148.50

Writers’ Chop Shop

Do you have old pieces of writing in a drawer that you’ve been meaning to get back to? You know the ones—they contain some element that still excites you, a great character or the perfect first line, but overall just don’t go anywhere. In this class we will salvage the parts that still excite you from these abandoned epics and noble failures, and combine them with new elements from myth, history, current events and even visual art to create compelling stories and plays that really take off.

Instructor: Stephanie Timm

Meets: Monday, July 19 - Thursday, July 22, 4-6 p.m.

General: $165 Member: $148.50

To register, give us a ring at (206) 322-7030, or visit our online catalog.

 Seeking Development Intern

Want to learn about raising money for a nonprofit? Interested in seeing what goes on behind-the-scenes with arts management? Best of all, want to help Hugo House improve our online giving experience? Have we got the internship for you! More info here.

Paul Martinez Pompa and Aaron Michael Morales Read at El Centro

Thursday, June 24, 6 p.m.

El Centro de la Raza presents a special reading from Paul Martinez Pompa, author of the poetry collection “My Kill Adore Him,” and Aaron Michael Morales, author of “Drowning Tuscon.” More info at elcentrodelaraza.org

Become a Member of Richard Hugo House.