Raise Your Pen
A Benefit for Write Around Portland — Celebrating our 25th anniversary!
Saturday, October 12
5:30 PM General Admission | 5:00 PM Inkwell Early Entry
Oregon Contemporary (8371 N. Interstate Ave.)
Tickets are Sold Out!
Online Auction: Monday, Oct. 7 – Saturday, Oct. 12
Our online auction is live and FREE to peruse. All proceeds support Write Around’s mission to change lives through the power of writing.
Who’s up for a cosmic celebration? Join a galaxy of donors, volunteers, and writers as we toast to 25 years of respect, writing, and community! Raise Your Pen is our annual community gathering that features poetry readings, inspiring speakers, literary games, and a silent auction. Join us!
Schedule
5:30 PM Reception
Heavy hors d’oeuvres, wine and beer, games, and silent auction. Inkwell members may arrive at 5 pm for first dibs!
6:30 PM Program
Poetry readings, speakers, and entertainment
7:45 PM Post-Show Party
Dessert, music, and prize pick-up
We deeply apologize for scheduling this event so soon after Yom Kippur and we understand if the holiday prevents you from attending. We tried to avoid this date but it was the only one available for our venue.
Attire
Come as you are! We’re casual and easygoing at Write Around Portland, so we want you to be comfy.
Parking/Transit
We’re hosting the party at Oregon Contemporary in the Kenton neighborhood of North Portland. The venue is located within steps of the Kenton/N Denver Ave MAX station on the Yellow line.
Free street parking is available and you may use the Wells Fargo parking lot for free as well.
Accessibility
The venue is fully ADA accessible and has gender-neutral bathrooms.
Have other accessibility needs?
I’m an Introvert…Help!
Please know that many of our staff, volunteers, and board members identify as introverts as well! We still want you to come and we think you’ll have a good time.
We promise to include lots of activities and engaging entertainment to minimize stressful small talk.
If you want to help but can’t attend, consider making a donation to support our vital work.
Your Hosts for the evening
Armin Tolentino is thrilled to be hosting Raise Your Pen again this year! He serves as poet laureate for Clark County, WA and is the author of the poetry collection We Meant to Bring It Home Alive (Alternating Current Press 2019). Armin earned an MFA at Rutgers University in Newark, NJ and works for Multnomah County managing education and anti-poverty initiatives. He is a Write Around Portland facilitator, phenomenal clapper, a passable ukulele player, and a bumbling, but enthusiastic, fisherman. More info at www.armintolentino.com.
Briana Grace Hammerstrom‘s poetic journey has led her to stages across the U.S., including the prestigious Individual World Poetry Slam, the National Poetry Slam, the Southwest Shootout, Bigfoot Poetry Festival, Moab Pride’s Spit Love, and Grand Junction Pride’s Slamming Bricks, to name a few. Among her accolades rests the title of Haiku Deathmatch Champion from the 2022 Redwood Poetry Festival, and recently clinching 2nd Place at Slamming Bricks 2023. Serving as a poetry reader for Kitchen Table Quarterly and running the Flagstaff Poetry Slam from 2016 to 2019, Briana has shared her insights as a guest speaker at colleges and conducted poetry workshops for individuals at all stages in their writing careers. Her work traverses a spectrum from queer joy to sheer outrage, all via the enchantment of everyday language. Discover her world of words and upcoming performances at bghpoetry.wordpress.com.
Psst! Inkwell Members Get First Dibs!
With the purchase of a ticket, Inkwell members gain EARLY ACCESS to the event, including first dibs on auction items and expedited registration!
Not an Inkwell member? Begin your monthly gift here, then come back and buy your ticket.
Guest Stars in Attendance
We can’t wait to celebrate with former leaders of Write Around Portland as we reflect on 25 years of writing!
Liz Eslinger
Former Executive Director
Robyn Steely
Former Executive Director
Ben Moorad
Co-Founder
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsors
Wine Sponsors
Beer Sponsor
Print Sponsor
Venue Sponsor
