IAWA-East Welcomes Susan Lembo Balik and George Guida on Saturday, June 13, 2015 at Sidewalk Cafe
(May 14, 2015)
LIPS Magazine editor and award-winning poet Laura Boss sees Balik as "that rare voice filled with grace and compassion and a lack of cynicism" and finds "the haunting poems dealing with pets" in this impressive debut "among the most moving animal poems I have ever read."
The Italian American Writers Association (iawa) presents Susan Lembo Balik and George Guida on Saturday, June 13, 2015 at Sidewalk Cafe, 94 Avenue A (6th St.) East Village, NYC; 212-473-7373; www.sidewalkny.com. Readings begin with an Open Mic followed by featured readers and book sales.
Susan Lembo Balik’s first book of poetry, Sinatra, the Jeeperettes & me [4] was published in time to celebrate American icon Frank Sinatra's [5]100th birthday this year (Garden Oak Press [6], 2014). By day, she works with Maria Mazziotti Gillan [7] as the Associate Director of Cultural Affairs at Passaic County Community College [8]in Paterson, NJ (home to the Poetry Center [9]). Balik earned a Master’s degree in journalism from New York University, and has worked as a newspaper feature writer and columnist. Her poems have appeared in The Paterson Literary Review, Lips, Paddlefish, Tiferet, and the San Diego Poetry Annual. This is her first time featuring at IAWA.
George Guida is the author of eight books, including three out this year: the collections of poems Pugilistic [10](WordTech Editions, 2015) and The Sleeping Gulf [11](Bordighera Press, 2015), and Spectacles of Themselves: Essays in Italian American Popular Culture and Literature. His poems appeared most recently in The Little Patuxent Review and Oddball Magazine, and in the anthologies Rabbit Ears: T. V. Poems, Clash by Night: Poems Inspired by the Clash’s London Calling, and Double Kiss: Contemporary Writers on the Art of Billiards. His one-act play “The Deck” appears in the most recent issue of Voices in Italian Americana [12]. He is Professor in English at New York City College of Technology, [13]and Poetry Editor of 2 Bridges Review. [14]Guida is past president of the Italian American Studies Association [15] and past IAWA board member.
The Italian American Writers Association [16] (www.iawa.net [17]) Literary Readings is the longest running literary series at Cornelia St. Cafe. [18] Since 1991, IAWA has given voice to writers through its literary series every second Saturday of the month. IAWA-East is held even months at Sidewalk Café [19] and IAWA-West continues at Cornelia Street Café on odd months.
Event kicks off with Open Mic readings of five minutes.
DIRECTIONS: By Subway, F to Second Avenue or #6 to Bleecker Street
ABOUT IAWA: Since 1991, IAWA has given voice to writers through its literary series every second Saturday of the month. IAWA East is held even months at Sidewalk Café and IAWA West continues at Cornelia Street Café on odd months. For membership renewal, visit IAWA’s revamped website @ iawa.net where you will also find our monthly Newsletter
Press Contact: Maria Lisella; 718-777-1178; [email protected] [21]
Next Readings
July 11: Joseph Luzzi and Fred Misurella @ Cornelia St. Café
August 8: Louisa Calio and Carole Giagrande @ Sidewalk Café
Sept. 12: Nancy Caronia and Edvige Giunta @Cornelia St. Café
Oct. 10: Maria Mazziotti Gillan and Michael Palma @ Sidewalk Café
Nov.14: Bob Agnoli and Tommy Fucaloro @Cornelia St. Café
Dec. 12: Premiere of Student Partners Night @Sidewalk Café