This I Believe

In another NPR related post, there's a segment of "This I Believe" that features the perspective of Joan Tower, who's spent over 60 years performing and composing music. How she feels about music resonates with me deeply because in many ways it's how I feel about poetry and writing.

Give it a listen if you get a chance.

Last Night I Dreamed Of Peace

Over at NPR they had a great story the other day about Dang Thuy Tram's diary of her experiences as a North Vietnamese doctor who was killed during the war.

Many are equating it to a story on par with The Diary of Anne Frank, and it's apparently a huge best seller in Vietnam already.

It will be translated into English as "Last Night I Dreamed Of Peace" and released in 2007.

I'm not that keen regarding the voice they used to read Dang Thuy Tram's work in this report, but overall the audio version is quite effective. This looks like it's going to be one to watch next year.

Minneapolis Reading This Saturday

Storyteller and anthropologist David Zander is announcing the second series of cultural readings and storytelling events in North Mpls. starting the season with:

An Evening Celebration of Hmong New Year
With local poets and writers: Pacyinz Lyfoung, Bryan Thao Worra and Mhonpaj Lee.

Special Guest: Hmong Anthropologist and novelist Gary Yia Lee in his historic world debut public reading of his creative work.

Saturday. Nov. 25, 2006
7 – 9 p.m.
Camden Coffee
1500 44th. Ave North.
(Corner of Humboldt Ave North and 44th Ave North)

MC: David Zander

Everyone is invited!

Outsiders Within Aftermath

Jae Ran over at the new Harlow's Monkey has a post up about the Outsiders Within book release party in Minneapolis, MN that pretty well sums it up. It was a cold night, but a packed house. Emotions were intense, but I would say this easily falls under the category of what we would call great moments of soul in all of our lives. Thanks to everyone who supported us, whether in-person or from afar. Your energy made a difference.

Here's a brief video clip from my reading that evening. Hopefully I'll have the opportunity to post more throughout the week!