SAL/ON

A Blog of Seattle Arts & Lectures

Introductions: Michael Schur

By Rebecca Hoogs, Executive Director It is now my great pleasure and greater intimidation to introduce Michael Schur. We are here tonight to learn how to be perfect as we celebrate the publication of his first book, How to Be Perfect: The Correct Answer to Every Moral Question. Michael Schur is the creator, or co-creator, […]

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“War Zone” by Avni Rao

And as dusk neared, The laughs were replaced with nonchalance, For it was dark and unsafe now One mustn’t do something to provoke— An ill-fated destiny corsets hung from old, battered joints An urge to for slim, slender, small, shrunken Gasping, choking, fighting They were struck by the intonation Of its missed, beautiful dictation of […]

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“This Bowl of Soup” by WITS Student Marcus Frantela

The times I smell the sweet and sourness of the broth I know the night with be filled with joy. The pork so tender Just slips off the bone Like slipping into a fantasy of other worlds and imagination Infused with the taste of the broth It’s the kind of meat just by thinking about […]

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Introductions: Charles Yu

By Rebecca Hoogs, Executive Director Charles Yu is the author of four works of fiction, including Interior Chinatown, which won the 2020 National Book Award for fiction. Previously, he received the National Book Foundation’s 5 Under 35 Award, which he was selected for by Richard Powers, whom we will see on this stage in April. […]

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“Marco Strong” by WITS Student Aquel Paine

One day, a person came to his house and asked, “Could you come and fix my door frame? The outer wood is starting to crack.” “Oh my!” Marco responded. “I can do that. Just give me a few hours to do it.” “Thank you!” the person said gratefully. So Marco spent the next 4 hours […]

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“Peace” by WITS Student Gwyneth Febus

Peace and I met at 2 in the morning with my head hanging out the window to catch snow on my tongue He was so cold and refreshing and new He breathed out white clouds And the light of the moon reflecting on his skin So I vowed to make him my friend Peace and […]

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Unmastering English: On the Work of Cathy Park Hong

This essay is part of a series in which Seattle Arts & Lectures partners with Poetry Northwest to present reflections on visiting writers from SAL’s 2021/22 Season. On Friday, January 28, Cathy Park Hong will be in conversation with Ijeoma Oluo at Langston Performing Arts Institute, and the event will also be streamed live. Although […]

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Introductions: Bernardine Evaristo

By Rebecca Hoogs, Executive Director I came to Bernardine Evaristo after she won the 2019 Booker Prize for her novel, Girl, Woman, Other. Her win was notable for several reasons. It was the first time that the Booker had been shared by two writers—Margaret Atwood was the other winner for The Testaments. Evaristo describes the […]

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“Truth” by WITS Student Suhayb Ismail

My name is truth … but you could call me right on my ancestors’ history, because being right is telling stories with meaning… Remember me.    I believe in equality for my brother’s children … I am built from glass which reflects truth and shatters with lies… Remember me.   I come from strength that my African ancestors have shown in true times of peril … My […]

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