GrottoNEWS tag:www.sfgrotto.org,2008-03-25://2 2010-05-07T19:28:46Z Movable Type Personal 4.1 ALL NEW SUMMER SCHEDULE OF CLASSES!! tag:www.sfgrotto.org,2010://2.130 2010-05-07T19:23:56Z 2010-05-07T19:28:46Z Matthew Check out our all-new summer schedule of classes!

(For more info, and to register, click HERE)

Weekly Classes:

Shaping Your Truth: Summer Memoir Workshop with Rachel Howard, Monday evenings, July 26 - August 30.

Weekend Workshops
 
How to Break into Travel Writing: A Travel Writing & Photography Workshop with Janis Cooke Newman & Chris Hardy, Saturday, June 5
 
How to Write Travel Essays and Features for Magazines: A Travel Writing Workshop  with Laura Fraser, Saturday, June 19
 
Grotto Cafe: A Shot of Espresso for the Writer's Brain with Janis Cooke Newman, Saturday, June 26 (Daily writing prompts begin June 21.)
 
Short Story Bootcamp with Elizabeth Bernstein, Saturday, July 10


Our fall classes begin the week of September 13. We'll be posting those classes sometime in June. To be the first to find out about them, subscribe to Grotto Class Notes (see link along the left side of this page).

]]> May Grotto Notes tag:www.sfgrotto.org,2010://2.129 2010-05-01T15:31:21Z 2010-05-01T15:47:52Z Here is the monthly news of books, art, classes, and more from The Grotto! May classes start this weekend and next, the Bookswap, and Laura's newest!*WHAT'S UP WITH GROTTO CLASSES (VOTED BEST OF THE BAY AREA BY SAN FRANCISCO MAGAZINE)... Matthew Here is the monthly news of books, art, classes, and more from The Grotto! May classes start this weekend and next, the Bookswap, and Laura's newest!

*

WHAT'S UP WITH GROTTO CLASSES (VOTED BEST OF THE BAY AREA BY SAN FRANCISCO MAGAZINE) ...

Last chance to sign up for these evening classes - beginning next week!


The Pang in Your Heart: A Short Story Workshop with Elizabeth Bernstein (ebernstein@aol.com), 6 Tuesday evenings, May 4-June 8 ($385)

Strictly Workshop/All genres with Janis Cooke Newman (j-newman@comcast.net), 6 Wednesday evenings, May 5-June 9 ($365)

Get Published: A Non-Fiction Intensive with Ethan Watters (ethanw1@mindspring.com), 6 Thursday evenings, May 6-June 10 ($365)

Or, enroll in these weekend workshops STARTING TOMORROW:

The Art of Craft with Laura Fraser (laura@laurafraser.com), THIS Saturday, May 1 ($155)

All About Magazines with Laura Fraser (laura@laurafraser.com), Saturday, May 8 ($155)

Bringing the Reader Inside the Story with Rachel Howard (rachel.howard@gmail.com), Saturday, May 8 ($155)

Imitation Is the Highest Form of Artistry: A Workshop with Rachel Howard (rachel.howard@gmail.com), Saturday, May 15. ($155)

And, two one-day workshops just added for June:

How to Break Into Travel Writing: A Travel Writing/Photography Workshop with Janis Cooke Newman (j-newman@comcast.net) and Chris Hardy, Saturday, June 5 ($155, 10% discount if taken with How to Write Travel Essays and Features for Magazines)

How to Write Travel Essays and Features for Magazines with Laura Fraser (laura@laurafraser.com), Saturday, June 19 ($155, 10% discount if taken with How to Break Into Travel Writing)


To register for any of these classes, please email the instructor. For a more complete class description, visit http://www.sfgrotto.org.

*

CHECK OUT CHRIS’ APRIL ARTICLES IN THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY GUARDIAN AND HIS INTERVIEW ON KALW

Christopher Cook is working as communications director for Revenue for All, a coalition of San Francisco groups fighting for progressive taxation and against harmful budget cuts. Check out his Guardian op-ed, Revenue for All, and his in-depth piece on a major labor trial, An Inconvenient War. He was a guest on KALW radio: Love's Labors Lost: Crosscurrents Interview on SEIU (see link below). Chris is seeking agents for his road adventure memoir, Postcards for Jack Kerouac. You can reach him through http://www.christopherdcook.com.

Revenue for All is at http://www.sfbg.com/2010/04/06/revenue-all

An Inconvenient War is at http://www.sfbg.com/2010/04/13/inconvenient-war

The KALW interview is at http://kalwnews.org/audio/2010/04/14/christopher-cook-loves-labors-lost-between-seiu-and-roselli_301230.html

*

LAURA FRASER'S NEW BOOK “ALL OVER THE MAP” DEBUTS JUNE 1ST, AND IS ALREADY RECEIVING RAVE REVIEWS

“All Over The Map makes you want to pack your bags, explore the world, mend your broken heart, and totally reclaim your life.” Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love and Committed

“Brave, honest, and compulsively readable. I truly laughed and cried.” Mary Roach, author of Stiff, Spook, and Bonk

“A winning coming-of-middle-age memoir.” Booklist

Please join Laura at one of these readings:

June 3rd, 7:30 PM, The Booksmith

June 5th, 4 PM, Book Passage (Corte Madera)

June 11th, 7 PM, Copperfields Books (Santa Rosa)

June 13th, 3 PM, Diesel Bookstore (Oakland)

June 16th, 7:30 PM, Capitola Book Caf頨Capitola)

June 22nd, 6:30 PM, San Francisco Public Library (100 Larkin Street)

June 23rd, 10:30 AM, Towne Center Books (Pleasanton)

June 27th, 3 PM, Clayton Books (Clayton)

To order an autographed copy personalized to you, go to: http://www.booksmith.com/book/9780307450630

For more information, go to http://www.laurafraser.com

*

THE BOOKSMITH BOOKSWAP HAPPENS ON FRIDAY, MAY 7!

Every two months, The Booksmith hosts BOOKSWAP, a very social evening where all the smart, creative lit-minded souls of San Francisco meet to enjoy good company, a swell atmosphere, delicious Reverie Food, free-flowing wine, wise discourse, hilarious anecdotes, and all the best in favorite books -- and the company of other book lovers, including guest authors/hosts. Bring a book -- a book you loved but can part with, and that you want to passionately tell others about -- and you'll receive one in return, plus we'll give you 20% off on any purchases for the evening.

Friday, May 07, 2010 6:30 PM

The Booksmith
1644 Haight Street
San Francisco, CA 94117

With special guest host author LEWIS BUZBEE!

Space is very limited -- these events sell out, so we urge you to get your tickets well in advance!
Online: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/90777
Or at the store:415-863-8688

*

THE MONTHLY RUMPUS CELEBRATES MAKING MISTAKES ON MAY 10TH

The Rumpus Proudly Presents: Fresh Starts and New Mistakes

May 10th at The Make-Out Room, 3225 22nd Street, 7pm.

Featuring authors Keith Lee Morris, Jillian Lauren, Beth Lisick, and Andrew Sean Greer!

With Comedy by Kyle Kinane. Music by Michael Mullen. Plus a special guest, our very own Ted Wilson! Food provided by The Girl From Empanada.

Also chances to win great prizes in our monthly porn raffle. $10, cheap! You can’t afford not to go.

Hosted by Rumpus editor Stephen Elliott, back from NYC!

Order your tickets here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/110107

NOTE: No one under 21 years old will be admitted.

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KATHRYN READS AT THE CHINESE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA ON MAY 18TH

Can't get to Shanghai for the World Expo 2010 this summer? Come hear Grottoite Kathryn Ma read at the Chinese Historical Society of America in San Francisco on Tuesday, May 18 at 6:00 pm.
More on the Chinese Historical Society of America in San Francisco here

*

MATTHEW ONE OF NEXT VICTIMS OF LITERARY DEATH MATCH

The Literary Death Match SF is proud to bring you Episode 29. The LDM features four readers fighting to survive in the harsh reality that is the literary world: a brutal smackdown of words, punctuation, and ideas.

Ep. 29 will be a literary variety show, spotlighting poetry, playwriting, and bedlam. 

Our show includes the accomplished Matthew Zapruder (author of three collections of poetry: American Linden, The Pajamaist, and Come On All You Ghosts), the dynamic Jeremy Hatch (film editor of TheRumpus.net), past beloved co-host/hula hooper/exotic dancer/playwright Braden Marks, and dreamboat poet Randall Mann (author of the collection of poems Breakfast with Thom Gunn).

The readers will be judged by the following experts: Andrew Leland, managing editor of the Believer and author of pseudo-erotic flash fiction on his website, Good Jobbbbbbbb; professional funny lady Emily Heller; and Bucky Sinister, a misunderstood poet and self-help author of Get Up: 12 Step Recovery for Misfits, Freaks, and Weirdos.

Co-hosted by Alanna Nemzoff Coby and LDM SF producer Elissa Bassist.

Four readers enter; one will remain. The LDM is a reading series that's competitive; it's great fun and an inspiring crucible of talent in a package that's all smiles and cheer and friendly intellectual combat.

Where: Elbo Room, 647 Valencia St. 
When: Doors at 6:30pm, show at 7:00pm (sharp)
Cost: $7 pre-order*; $10 at the door; $7 with a valid student ID. This event is free for Literary Death Match subscribers

*

BE SURE TO SIGN UP FOR THE NEXT POP-UP LIVE MAGAZINE EVENT!

Grotto sublettor Douglas McGray reports that Issue 3 of Pop-Up Magazine, on April 16 at Herbst Theatre, sold out in less than an hour. In fact, demand was so heavy it crashed the City Box Office servers. Pop-Up Magazine is the world's first live magazine, created for a stage, a screen, and a live audience. Issue 3 will showcase contributors to the New Yorker, This American Life, the New York Times Magazine, All Things Considered, Harper's, Outside, and Wired, plus Oscar-winning filmmakers, world-renowned photographers, and bestselling authors presenting new work live on stage. As always, the show is followed by drinks and mingling among audience and contributors. Join their mailing list to find out about future shows by emailing info@popupmagazine.com or visit http://www.popupmagazine.com

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THE GROTTO ON TWITTER

For late-breaking news about Grotto classes, the SF Bay Area lit scene, and happenings at the Grotto, follow us here:

http://twitter.com/sfgrotto

]]> Grotto news for April, 2010 tag:www.sfgrotto.org,2010://2.127 2010-04-19T21:31:35Z 2010-04-19T21:34:00Z Jason Roberts http://www.jasonroberts.net  
LAURA AND YANN MARTEL, TODD AND ROXANA SABERI: – IT’S ALL HAPPENING APRIL 21 AND 22

Wednesday, April 21: Grottoite LAURA FRASER in conversation with Life of Pi author YANN MARTEL
The Author of The Life of Pi Returns with Beatrice and Virgil for a Rare Public Talk!

Wednesday, April 21 
7:30 PM at Sundance Kabuki

YANN MARTEL
Beatrice and Virgil

Fate can take many forms. For Henry it arrives in an envelope from a stranger containing a story by Flaubert, a play featuring two characters named Beatrice and Virgil, and a note signed "Henry," with an address in the same city. From the moment Henry finds the address and steps into the taxidermist's shop, a place unlike anywhere he has ever been, his life is changed. In this extraordinary feat of storytelling, Yann Martel poses enduring questions about life and art, truth and deception, responsibility and complicity. And just as in Life of Pi, Martel's wit, pathos, and probing humanity will hold readers in thrall.

A brilliant exploration of the limitations of language in understanding who we are and what we are capable of doing in order to survive, Beatrice and Virgilwill elicit endless discussion among readers and is destined to become a storytelling classic. With all the spirit and originality that made Life of Piso beloved, this brilliant new novel takes the reader on a haunting odyssey.

"Life of Pi could renew your faith in the ability of novelists to invest even the most outrageous scenario with plausible life."— The New York Times Book Review_"A story to make you believe in the soul-sustaining power of fiction."— Los Angeles Times Book Review

The award-winning author of four previous books, the most recent of which is What Is Stephen Harper Reading? Yann Martel was born in Spain in 1963. He studied philosophy at Trent University, worked at odd jobs -- tree planter, dishwasher, security guard -- and travelled widely before turning to writing. He was awarded the Journey Prize for the title story in The Facts Behind the Helsinki Roccamatios. His second novel, Life of Pi, won the 2002 Man Booker, among other prizes. Yann Martel lives in Saskatoon with the writer Alice Kuipers and their son.

Laura Fraser talks with Yann Martel this evening. Fraser is a magazine writer and the author of An Italian Affair and the forthcoming All Over the Map, and an ardent Martell reader.

Sundance Kabuki Theater, 1181 Post Street at Fillmore, San Francisco
Tickets required: Brown Paper Tickets or 800-838-3006
Tickets are $15 per person; your ticket offers a 20% discount on Beatrice and Virgil.


Iranian American Journalist ROXANA SABERI in conversation with TODD OPPENHEIMER
Thursday, April 22 

ROXANA SABERI

BETWEEN TWO WORLDS:
MY LIFE AND CAPTIVITY IN IRAN

On the morning of January 31, 2009, Roxana Saberi, a brilliant and fearless Iranian-American journalist working in Iran, was dragged from her home by four men and secretly arrested. The intelligence agents who captured her accused her of espionage -- a charge she denied. For eleven days Saberi was cut off from the outside world, forbidden even a phone call. For weeks, neither her family, friends, nor colleagues had any knowledge of her whereabouts. __After a sham trial that made headlines around the world, the 32-year-old reporter was sentenced to eight years in Iran’s notorious Evin prison. But following broad-based international pressure, she was released on appeal on May 11, 2009. Now, Saberi breaks her silence to share the full story of her ordeal. _In this compelling and inspirational true story, she writes movingly of her imprisonment, her trial, her ultimate release, and the faith that helped her through it. Her recollections are interwoven with stories of her fellow prisoners -- many of whom were women, student and labor activists, researchers, and academics --many of whom were jailed for their pursuit of human rights, including freedom of speech and religious belief. BETWEEN TWO WORLDS is also a deeply revealing account of this complex nation and the six years Saberi lived there. A citizen of the United States and Iran, Saberi sheds new light on the Iranian regime’s inner political workings and the restrictions to basic freedoms that have intensified since President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s victory in 2005. __The recent uprisings in Iran -- and the astonishing outbreak of support for Iranian citizens from across the globe -- mark a critical turning point as the nation hangs on the precipice between democracy and dictatorship. From her nuanced perspective, Saberi offers a rich, dramatic, and illuminating portrait of the country as it undergoes a striking transformation.

Roxana Saberi was born in Belleville NJ, and raised in Fargo, ND. An “All-American Girl,” she won the “Miss North Dakota” contest in 1997, and was a top 10 finalist in the 1998 Miss America pageant, winning the Scholar Award. She has a Master’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism from Northwestern University, and a second master's degree from Cambridge in International Relations. She has reported for NPR, the BBC, ABC Radio, and Fox News. Saberi moved to Iran in 2003 and later began working on a book about the Iranian people. Following her imprisonment and release she returned to North Dakota, where she currently lives with her parents.

Co-hosting and moderating this evening is Todd Oppenheimer, a journalist working at The Writer’s Grotto, a San Francisco collective for freelance writers, filmmakers and others devoted to the narrative arts. During his 25 years as a journalist, Oppenheimer has won a variety of national awards for his writing and investigative reporting and has appeared on numerous radio and television programs, including ABC's "Nightline." His articles have appeared in Newsweek, The Atlantic Monthly, The Washington Post, Columbia Journalism Review, Mother Jones, and an assortment of daily and weekly newspapers

7:30 PM @ Hillside Club(2286 Cedar Street, Berkeley)

$12 advance (Brown Paper Tickets or 800-838-3006), $15 at the door
(Hillside members half price)




ACCOLADES FOR LITERARY LAUREATE KATHRYN, AND A PANEL ON APRIL 22

Grottoite Kathryn Ma, whose short story collection, All That Work and Still No Boys, has won awards and accolades, will be in the company of many amazing authors in April. She will be honored as an SF Public Library "Literary Laureate" on Friday, April 16. She's also part of a panel of "Emerging Asian American Women Writers" at University of San Francisco on Thursday, April 22 at USF at 7:30 pm, and part of the Stanford book fair at Stanford University on Saturday, April 24 (the event runs from 1:00 to 5:00 pm; Kathryn speaks at 2:30 - 3:10 pm). If you are heading to Denver for the AWP Conference, Kathryn has a book signing on Friday, April 9 from 11:00 am to noon at the University of Iowa Press booth at the book fair. More info on all these events can be found here. 

http://www.pshares.org/issues/article-detail.cfm?intArticleID=9333

http://kathrynma.com/pages/events.html

Come by and say hello!





CHRIS COVERS THE CITY LAYOFFS IN THE PUBLIC PRESS

Grottoite Chris Cook shares his latest, a quick read on the city layoffs and worker response, and the calls for an alternative to cutting workers and services. "Also check out The Public Press, they do great local news stuff, worth checking in a couple times a week at least. Thanks, Chris"

http://sfpublicpress.org/news/2010-03/city-workers-decry-layoffs-demand-alternatives



]]> March Grotto Notes tag:www.sfgrotto.org,2010://2.126 2010-03-12T16:24:34Z 2010-03-12T16:32:14Z Jason Roberts http://www.jasonroberts.net  PO’S “NURTURESHOCK” GARNERS BOOKS FOR BETTER LIFE AWARD AND MAKES OVER 30 BEST OF 2009 LISTS

Last Monday in New York City, Grotto co-founder Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman's NurtureShock won the Books for a Better Life Award. NurtureShock also made over thirty Best of 2009 lists, including those from Library Journal, iTunes, Discover, and The Onion's AV Club. It was one of Amazon's top 100 bestselling books of the year. Huge congratulations to Po and Ashley!



MARCH CLASSES AT THE GROTTO - TWO TERRIFIC WEEKEND WORKSHOPS!

- Travel Writing - From Pitching Editors to Deciding what to pack with Laura Fraser (laura@laurafraser.com) and Janis Cooke Newman (j-newman@comcast.net), Saturday & Sunday, March 13 & 14, 10 am - 4 pm, $275

In this weekend-long workshop, we'll cover everything you need to know to become a travel writer - from how to decide where to go, to coming up with an irresistible angle, to knowing where & how to pitch your story. We'll also do some in-class exercise to help you hone your travel writing skills. And we'll throw in a lesson on travel photography (from a nationally-known photojournalist). Whether you're interested in writing destination pieces for newspapers and magazine, travel essays, or even a full-length travel memoir, this class will give you the tools you need to become a travel writer.

- One-Day Story Story Bootcamp with Elizabeth Bernstein (ebernstein@aol.com), Saturday, March 20, 10 am - 4 pm, $155

In one information-filled Saturday, learn everything you need to know about writing, revising and publishing your short stories. This hands-on workshop will cover every aspect of the craft, using fun in-class exercises and discussion. You’ll learn about all about character, voice, story arc, and point of view, plus how to get started, write convincing dialogue, and create believable heroes and villains. You’ll discover how to use setting to underscore your story, how to fictionalize real people and events, and how to write powerful endings. We’ll talk about the revision process and editing and sharing your work, as well as overcoming procrastination and living the writer’s life. Finally, we’ll talk about publishing and selling your work, including contests and the growing market for flash fiction.

(To register, contact the instructor. For more information, visithttp://www.sfgrotto.org/classes.html



GERRY INTERVIEWED IN THE EXAMINER, PLUS HE’S FEATURED IN THE NEXT MONTHLY RUMPUS ON MARCH 8

Grotto dweller Gerry Jones is reading at the Monthly Rumpus on March 8 at The Makeout Room (see below). He also was interviewed recently in the online edition of the San Francisco Examiner, Examiner.com; check it out at http://www.examiner.com/x-37296-SF-Events-Examiner~y2010m2d23-What-do-comic-books-immigrants-imaginary-violence-and-the-Monthly-Rumpus-have-in-common?cid=email-this-article



SLEEP WITH FRIENDS AND GERRY AT THE MARCH MONTHLY RUMPUS THIS MONDAY

The Rumpus and McSweeney’s Proudly Present: 

Sleeping With Friends

March 8th at The Makeout Room, 3225 22nd Street, 7pm.
Get Advance Tickets! Click Here! http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/99612

Featuring authors Jesse Nathan, Jami Attenberg, Mark Morford, and The Grotto's own Gerard Jones!

With Performances by Chicken John and comedian Nato Green. Music by the one and only K. Flay. And food provided by The Girl From Empanada. Also chances to win great prizes in our monthly porn raffle. 

$10, cheap! You can’t afford not to go. Hosted by Rumpus editor, Grottoite Isaac Fitzgerald.

Order your tickets here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/99612



STEPHANIE’S “OFFICE MATE” CONTINUES TO GET GREAT PRESS, AND SHE GETS TO BE ON CBS

Chronic subletter Stephanie Losee’s two-year-old book “Office Mate” continues to generate press, possibly because the media seems finally to agree that office romance is losing its stigma. The book appeared in Sue Shellenbarger’s column in the Wall Street Journal[http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704182004575055191587179832.html?mod=WSJ_latestheadlines], which prompted CBS to ask Stephanie to appear on The Early Show[http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6231179n] to talk about the increasing acceptance of workplace relationships. Then the web show “Daytime in No Time” performed a skit [http://tv.yahoo.com/daytime/video/oprah-ellen-wendy-williams/17861278/] based on Stephanie’s remarks. Look for Stephanie’s review of Anne Lamott’s new novel “Imperfect Birds” next month in San Francisco magazine.



DON’T MISS MOLLY’S “THE QUIETEST MAN“ IN ONE STORY MAGAZINE

Grottoite Molly Antopol sends news that she has a new story in One Story Magazine – read about it at: http://www.one-story.com/index.php?page=story&story_id=132 



CATCH THE LAST DAYS OF JD’S LATEST PAINTING/PHOTO/FILM/VIDEO COMBINATIONS AT MERIDIAN GALLERY THROUGH THIS SATURDAY, MARCH 6

Grotto dweller JD Beltran’s new series, two years in the making, uses a novel combination of painting, photography, Super-8 film, and high definition video to evoke portraits of people and place. JD juxtaposes all of these materials in a single composition to explore how each material evokes its own singular language of meaning. View it at the Meridian Gallery through this Saturday. Meridian Gallery, 11 am – 5 pm, 535 Powell Street (between Sutter and Bush). Phone: 415.398.7229 or seehttp://meridiangallery.org/en/exhibitions/unexpected_reflections.htm

Preview the show at http://vimeo.com/8989596 

You can also read about the making of this body of work at http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/beltran/detail??blogid=85&entry_id=58004 , and see more of JD’s work athttp://www.jdbeltran.com



KATIE’S NEW NOVEL “MEN AND DOGS” WILL MAKE ITS DEBUT ON APRIL 12TH

Grottoite Katie Crouch's new novel, Men and Dogs (Little, Brown) is coming out on April 12th. (Early feedback: "accomplished and darkly funny" -PW). 
Some good-time events include a reading and launch after-party at the Booksmith on Haight Street (Wed., April 17th) and a kid-and-dog friendly cocktail hour at Charlie's Cafe on Precita Park (Sunday, April 25th). Mark your calendars!



TRAVEL TO LAURA’S WRITER’S OASIS IN SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE, AT A TERRIFIC DISCOUNT

Casita Laurita: Writer's Retreat in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Grotto Notes subscribers get a 25% discount if they rent Casita Laurita April 15-May 31. Go to www.casitalaurita.com for pix and info. Email phraze@me.com

]]> New show in the Grotto: woodcuts by Jill Storthz tag:www.sfgrotto.org,2010://2.125 2010-02-24T18:03:50Z 2010-02-24T18:14:43Z Jason Roberts http://www.jasonroberts.net  

Storthzart1.JPG

 

 

You're invited to a reception at the Grotto for our latest exhibiting artist, Jill Storthz! This Thursday, February 25 from 6-8 pm. 

Jill uses a reduction method in which a single block of wood is used to print multiple layers of color and texture, as opposed to traditional Japanese woodblock printing, in which more than 75 blocks may be used to create a piece. With this approach, there is no way to reverse the process and fix mistakes made in carving the wood, which is why it is also known as the "suicide" method. This process lends itself well in Jill’s playful approach to carving wood and printing.

 

]]> Grotto Notes for February tag:www.sfgrotto.org,2010://2.124 2010-02-03T16:57:44Z 2010-02-03T17:00:29Z Jason Roberts http://www.jasonroberts.net  ETHAN BANTERS WITH JON STEWART ON THE DAILY SHOW

Grotto Co-founder Ethan Watters graciously held his own recently on The DAILY SHOW with Jon Stewart, in discussing “Crazy Like Us,” his new book. See Ethan and Jon Stewart at 02:51 of the recap athttp://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/fri-january-29-2010/recap---week-of-1-25-10


JD DISCUSSES HER LATEST BODY OF WORK, “MATERIAL LANGUAGE” AT MERIDIAN GALLERY THIS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4TH

Also this Thursday, Grotto dweller JD Beltran will be discussing latest body of work, “Material Language” at an artist panel discussion, from 7:30 – 8:30. Her new series uses a novel combination of painting, photography, film, and video, whereby JD juxtaposes all of these materials in a single composition to explore how each material evokes its own singular language of meaning. JD’s work is featured on the entire first floor of the gallery. The exhibition “Unexpected Reflections,” curated by Terri Cohn, also highlights the work of artists Jim Campbell, Gigi Janchang, and Marion Grey on the other floors. Preview the show at http://vimeo.com/8989596 , and you can get more information athttp://meridiangallery.org/en/exhibitions/unexpected_reflections.htm See more of JD’s work at http://www.jdbeltran.com

]]> Ethan and Todd in conversation, February 4th! tag:www.sfgrotto.org,2009://2.123 2009-11-07T17:56:40Z 2010-02-01T22:11:40Z J.D. Beltran  

 

Ethan Watter's has been getting a lot of national attention (including a recent appearance on The Daily Show) for his new book Crazy Like Us. But this Thursday, February 4th, will be a unique event that promises to be particularly fascinating: Ethan will be interviewed by his fellow Grottoite Todd Oppenheimer for Berkeley Arts & Lectures

Tickets are $12 in advance; $15 at the door. The conversation begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Hillside Club (2286 Cedar Street, Berkeley. For more information, see the Berkeley Arts & Letters site,  brownpapertickets or call (800) 838-3006.

In case you haven't tapped into the buzz yet, nere's an overview of Crazy Like Us: 

American culture is homogenizing the way the world goes mad.  Our exportation of everything from movies to junk food is a well-documented phenomenon.  But neither our golden arches nor our bomb craters represent our most troubling impact on the world: the bulldozing of the human mind itself.  In CRAZY LIKE US, leading trend-spotter and science writer Ethan Watters shows that we are  not only changing the way the world treats and understands mental illness, we are actually changing the symptoms and prevalence of the diseases themselves.

In CRAZY LIKE US, Watters reveals how:

  • American versions of depression, post traumatic stress disorder and eating disorders are spreading around the world like contagions -- and we are the ones spreading them.
  • Western trauma counselors rush to far off countries to save the day without taking into account that the psychological reactions to trauma vary dramatically from culture to culture. (What would we have thought if New Guinea shamans arrived in New Orleans to counsel Katrina survivors)?
  • Anorexia rose in Hong Kong over the last two decades not only because of western fashion and diet crazes but because we exported the idea of the illness itself!
  • Our Western biomedical conception of mental illness has been show to increase the social stigma placed on the mentally ill around the world.
  • America believes it has a rightful place as the therapist to the world.  Given the state of mental health in our culture, Watters argues it is time to rethink our generosity.
  • Watters travels the world to illustrate the ways in which Western influences have changed mental illness.  In Hong Kong, he meets teenagers who have learned from American culture that anorexia is the modern way to express distress, and who began refusing food after a wave of Western celebrities and researchers began raising awareness.  In Zanzibar, he witnesses a much milder and more bearable form of schizophrenia than what we have in the States.  In Sri Lanka, he sees western crisis counselors bungle the treatment of tsunami victims and actually cause the community more distress. And in Japan, he tells the story of the drug companies selling depression itself to create a market for a new drug. 

Ethan Watters is the author of Urban Tribes, an examination of the mores of affluent “never marrieds” and the coauthor of Making Monsters, a groundbreaking indictment of the recovered memory movement.  A frequent contributor to The New York Times Magazine, Discover, Men’s Journal, Details, Wired, and NPR, he has appeared on such national media as Good Morning America, Talk of the Nation, and CNN. 

Todd Oppenheimer works as a journalist at The Writers Grotto. During his 25 years as a journalist, Oppenheimer has won a variety of national awards for his writing and investigative reporting and has appeared on numerous radio and television programs, including ABC's "Nightline." His articles have appeared in The New Yorker, Newsweek, The Atlantic Monthly, The Washington Post, Columbia Journalism Review, Mother Jones, and an assortment of daily and weekly newspapers. He is the author of The Flickering Mind: Saving Education from the False Promise of Technology, a finalist for the Investigative Reporters and Editors Book Award.

 

 

 

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TWO NEW ONE-DAY CLASSES ANNOUNCED FOR NOVEMBER/DECEMBER!

Two new Grotto Seminars have just been announced for November and December:

The Grotto Cafe - Come get a shot of espresso for your writer's brain!

TThis workshop begins with a week of daily writing prompts (administered by email), and ends with a Half-Day Writing/Reading/Craft Marathon at the Grotto Cafe (i.e. the Grotto conference room - scene of the daily Grotto lunch - turned into a cafe). The idea is to figure out how to write into the most creative part of your brain - and then to learn what to do with all that juicy material. This class is equally useful for beginners ad advanced writers, as well as writers of any genre.

Meeting times: This class will be offered Saturday, November 21, 10 am to 1 pm, Daily writing prompts begin Monday, November 16. Course fee: $75, which includes a week of daily writing prompts plus the half-day Grotto Café.

Instructor: Janis Cooke Newman

To register contact: j-newman@...


It's (Not) All About Me: The Art of the Personal Essay

This one-day workshop will teach you how to write a personal essay—and how to get it published. We’ll talk about which of your experiences have universal appeal, and when your personal writing is just too personal. We’ll also look at how to structure a personal essay, grabbing the reader’s attention and tugging them along to a satisfying ending. Come with some essay ideas.

Meeting times: This class will be offered Saturday, December 5, 10 am to 4 pm, with a 1 hour break. Course fee: $155

Instructor: Laura Fraser

To register contact: laura@...






PRAISE FOR ALLISON’S "THE MAN WHO LOVED BOOKS TOO MUCH" AND HER BIBLIODICK

Grotto dweller Allison Hoover Bartlett's THE MAN WHO LOVED BOOKS TOO MUCH has been getting praise the last month in print, radio and television. The LA Times calls it "Tautly written, wry, and thoroughly compelling" at http://www.latimes.com/features/books/la-et-book5-2009nov05,0,6077626.story .

You can listen to an interview on Minnesota Public Radio here:

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/11/03/midmorning2/f

And watch an in-depth interview with Allison and the "bibliodick" (no, it's not obscene, it's an amateur sleuth working the old-book beat) in her book on PBS/Utah at

http://www.kued.org/productions/utahnow/?action=viewShowDetails&id=184 (click on "watch").

And keep an eye out for an interview in the Boston Globe this Sunday, November 8th! To find out more, visit Allison's website at http://www.themanwholovedbookstoomuch.com






PO’S NURTURESHOCK A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER AND ONE OF AMAZON’S BEST SELLING BOOKS OF THE YEAR

Grotto co-founder Po Bronson’s NurtureShock has been a New York Times bestseller for over two months, and is listed by Amazon as one of their 100 bestselling books of the year. Interested readers can follow Po and Ashley's daily Newsweek column by joining at http://www.nurtureshock.com or going to http://twitter.com/nurtureshock.




KATHRYN’S LATEST NAMED A LOS ANGELES TIMES DISCOVERIES BOOK

Grottoite Kathryn Ma's book, ALL THAT WORK AND STILL NO BOYS, was named a Los Angeles Times "Discoveries" book: "Ma's stories are layered....there are no good guys, no bad guys, just the deep suffering that ripples through families -- the things that everyone knows and no one talks about."

Read the full review here:
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/arts/la-ca-discoveries18-2009oct18,0,4138170.story

Get more info at Kathryn's website at http://kathrynma.com/index.html








CHECK OUT ETHAN’S WEBSITE FOR “CRAZY LIKE US”

Grotto co-founder Ethan Watters will debut his new book early next year. Please visit his new website for: “CRAZY LIKE US: The Globalization of the American Psyche” at
http://crazylikeus.com/

Remember while you are there to sign up for the Email list and the Facebook Fan page.







JD APPOINTED TO THE SAN FRANCISCO ARTS COMMISSION

Grottoite JD Beltran has been appointed to the San Francisco Arts Commission by Mayor Gavin Newsom. The San Francisco Arts Commission oversees all commissions of public art by the City of San Francisco. The city’s admirable multi-million dollar public art program has always led the nation in terms of breadth of works in outdoor spaces, thanks in large part to the guaranteed percentage (up to 2%) of every public construction project’s budget that is dedicated to commissioning new work. Its grant program alone commissioned over $4.4 million in fiscal year 2008-2009. The grants serve all areas of the arts, including visual arts, performing arts, media arts, literary arts, film, architecture, and landscape architecture. Beltran also is serving on the Visual Arts Committee of the Arts Commission. For more information on the San Francisco Arts Commission see http://www.sfartscommission.org/index.htm

Beltran also is currently completing her newest body of work, “Material Language,” which combines painting, film, photography, and video. It will debut in a January 2010 exhibition at the Meridien Gallery in San Francisco.






POSTCARDS AND JOURNALISM FROM CHRIS

Grottoite Christopher Cook is currently working on a story for Columbia Journalism Review (see their next issue), and plugging away at his new road adventure book, Postcards for Jack Kerouac, which he read from at Litquake. He's also offering writing one-on-one coaching/tutoring for writers and journalists, and editorial and research consulting, if you have any such needs. Visit and reach him through his site, http://www.christopherdcook.com






CHECK OUT THE “GROTTO CLASS NOTES” - SUBSCRIBE NOW!

Like Grotto Notes (which you already know & love), with a bonus.

When you subscribe to Grotto Class Notes, you'll receive monthly updates on what's happening with Grotto classes, what courses we're offering, which workshops still have space, and last-minute additions to the schedule. As a bonus, we'll also include valuable writing tips from our teachers -- everything from craft, to the best books on writing, to how to trick yourself into putting words on paper.

Don't miss out! Subscribe at http://www.sfgrotto.org/class-newsletter.html






THE GROTTO ON TWITTER

The Grotto has a Twitter feed! For late-breaking news about Grotto classes, the SF Bay Area lit scene, and happenings at the Grotto, follow us here:

http://twitter.com/sfgrotto

]]> The Grotto Goes Crazy @ LitQuake/LitCrawl tag:www.sfgrotto.org,2009://2.122 2009-10-13T21:59:30Z 2009-10-13T22:19:33Z It's that time again -- the Grotto's annual LitQuake/LitCrawl show!PSYCHO BABBLE: STORIES ABOUT CRAZY PEOPLE AND CRAZY IDEASSaturady, Oct. 17Casanova Lounge (527 Valencia, bet 16th and 17th)Time: 6pm (sharp!) to 7pm Come out this Saturday evening and enjoy some true--and... Andy Raskin http://www.andyraskin.com It's that time again -- the Grotto's annual LitQuake/LitCrawl show!

PSYCHO BABBLE: STORIES ABOUT CRAZY PEOPLE AND CRAZY IDEAS
Saturady, Oct. 17
Casanova Lounge (527 Valencia, bet 16th and 17th)
Time: 6pm (sharp!) to 7pm

Come out this Saturday evening and enjoy some true--and truer-than-true--stories about crazy people, including sneak peeks at highly anticipated new books from Grotto writers! Grottoites are also reading at other LitQuake/LitCrawl venues, so check the schedule:

http://www.litquake.org

 

 

]]> September Grotto Notes tag:www.sfgrotto.org,2009://2.119 2009-09-01T15:25:19Z 2009-09-01T15:26:15Z J.D. Beltran PO’S ALREADY SUCCESSFUL “NURTURESHOCK” HITS THE AIRWAVES AND SOON, THE BOOKSTORES

If you didn't catch Grotto co-founder Po Bronson talking about his new book, NurtureShock, last Thursday on All Things Considered, he also was on Good Morning America Monday morning (this morning), and will be on CNN with Campbell Brown Monday night (tonight) at 8 pm. NurtureShock has already hit #15 on Amazon and surely will go higher as next week one of his and Ashley's chapters, "Why White Parents Don't Talk About Race," will be on the cover of Newsweek. Next Thursday night he'll be on Nightline and early the following week on Fresh Air. Po's events in the Bay Area don't start until the end up September, when he'll be with Ayelet Waldman ("Bad Mother") at the Commonwealth Club September 30th. Then he's at Book Passage October 4th and then doing a KPFA event with Berkeley Arts & Letters on October 6th. You can follow it all on http://www.nurtureshock.com.


]]> KATHRYN'S AWARD-WINNING "ALL THAT WORK AND STILL NO BOYS" OUT ON SEPTEMBER 1

Grotto dweller Kathryn Ma presents a "stellar collection of shorts" in her book, ALL THAT WORK AND STILL NO BOYS. The book, which won the Iowa Short Fiction Award, was selected by novelist Curtis Sittenfeld as "wonderful stories [with] the resonance of truth." Her book also was just named a "Notable Book" by the San Francisco Chronicle (see note below). Come see Kathryn at InsideStoryTime, West Coast Live, bookstores, and more. September events include:

Sept. 9, 2009
Bookshop West Portal
80 West Portal Ave.
San Francisco
7:00 pm

Sept. 12, 2009
West Coast Live Radio
San Francisco Ferry Building
(broadcast live on KALW 91.7 and other stations)
One Ferry Plaza
San Francisco
10 a.m. - noon

Sept. 17, 2009
InsideStoryTime
Cafe Royale
800 Post St.
San Francisco
6:30 - 8:30 pm

Sept. 22, 2009
Books Inc. Laurel Village
3515 California St.
San Francisco
7:00 pm

For more information and October events, please go to http://www.kathrynma.com

http://www.bookshopwestportal.com/

http://www.wcl.org/

http://www.insidestorytime.com/

http://www.booksinc.net/SFLaurel






ALLISON HOOVER BARTLETT'S THE MAN WHO LOVED BOOKS TOO MUCH ABOUT TO BE LAUNCHED

Indiebound just selected Grottoite Allison Hoover Bartlett's “The Man Who Loved Books Too Much” as an IndieNext pick, the SF Chronicle named it a Notable Book for September, and Book Passage announced it as one of "Elaine's Picks." The book will be released September 17, so please come to one of the readings this month. The first is at Booksmith (Haight Street, San Francisco) at 7:30 p.m., with CSPAN there to film the occasion for Book TV. Other Bay Area September readings include Book Passage in Corte Madera (Sept. 22), Kepler's in Menlo Park (Sept 23) and A Great Good Place for Books in Oakland (Sept 24).

Also check out Allison's story on dust jacket fraud in the LA Times:
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/arts/la-caw-off-the-shelf16-2009aug16,0,4959005.story

For more information visit Allison's website: http://www.allisonhooverbartlett.com.







STEVE’S “ADDERALL DIARIES” GARNERING GREAT REVIEWS – HE’S READING ALONG WITH KATIE AT THE MAKEOUT ROOM ON SEPTEMBER 15

Grotto dweller Stephen Elliott's true crime memoir, out this month, is getting great reviews, including a starred review in Kirkus and Booklist, an “A” from San Francisco Magazine, and five stars (their highest rating) from Time Out New York.

http://newyork.timeout.com/articles/books/77758/stephen-elliott-the-adderall-diaries-book-review

On September 14, at 7pm, Steve hosts The Monthly Rumpus at The Makeout Room, 3225 22nd Street. Featuring D.A. Powell, Robert Mailer Anderson, Minal Hajratwala, Sona Avakian, Ryan Boudinot, comedian Will Durst, and air guitar champion Dan Crane. Purchase tickets here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/78333

On September 15, 7pm Steve reads from his new book, The Adderall Diaries, at Booksmith on Haight Street (and Katie Crouch will be reading too!)

For people outside of San Francisco Stephen Elliott is doing a twenty-five city tour. More information here: http://therumpus.net/2009/08/the-adderall-diaries/






KATHRYN, STEPHEN, ALLISON, AND PO ALL MAKE THE “NOTABLE BOOKS” LIST OF THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE

Yes, the new books out by Grottoites Kathryn Ma, Stephen Elliot, Allison Hoover Bartlett, and Po Bronson all made the San Francisco Chronicle’s list of “Notable books, due out in September, by Bay Area authors.” Check out the list at

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/08/28/RVG517O47J.DTL&type=books

Congratulations to all!






MELANIE’S “SLIPPERY YEAR” GARNERS GLOWING REVIEWS, AND SHE’S READING AT THE MAIN LIBRARY ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 AND AT BOOK PASSAGE CORTE MADERA ON SEPTEMBER 10


It’s been an exciting month for Grottoite Melanie Gideon, beginning with her memoir, The Slippery Year: A Meditation on Happily Ever After slipping into the #35 spot on the New York Times Bestseller List! The book continued its run with glowing reviews from the Chronicle, the Christian Science Monitor, San Francisco Magazine, the New York Post and Elle, as well as being featured in O Magazine and the Daily Beast. It was chosen as an Amazon Book Club selection and an Indie Next Notable Book for September. Listen to Melanie on NPR’s the Diane Rehm Show.

Melanie will be reading at the San Francisco Public Library, Main Branch, at 7 p.m. this Thursday, 9/3/09 and at Book Passage, Corte Madera, 9/10/09 at 7 p.m.

See http://www.melaniegideon.com for more details on readings and events.


CSM review http://features.csmonitor.com/books/2009/08/13/the-slippery-year/
Chron review http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/07/31/RVHD18K7II.DTL
SF Mag review http://www.sanfranmag.com/story/snap-judgments-25
Diane Rehm show http://wamu.org/programs/dr/09/08/04.php







RACHEL READS AT SAINT MARY’S ON SEPTEMBER 23

Grottoite Rachel Howard will read from her memoir about her father’s unsolved murder, “The Lost Night,” at Saint Mary’s College in Moraga as part of the MFA program’s reading series on September 23. The reading and Q and A is free and open to the public and starts at 7:30 in Albert Hall Library. Saint Mary's College of California is located at 1928 St. Mary's Rd., Moraga. For more information, contact the MFA Program at (925)631-4457 or visit http://www.stmarys-ca.edu/news-and-events/item-event.html?ID=3335. For more about Rachel, visit http://www.rachelhoward.com.






CHECK OUT LAURA’S NEW BLOG “DISPATCHES”

Grotto dweller Laura Fraser has a new blog, "dispatches," about her travels. This month she's in Southern Italy, and then boarding a ship in St. Petersburg, Russia, through the Baltic Sea and all the way down the coast of Europe to Lisbon. You can follow her at http://www.laurafraser.com/notes






FALL GROTTO WRITING CLASSES NOW ACCEPTING ENROLLMENT!

This fall, the Grotto’s ongoing weekly and one-day classes will cover everything from publishing your non-fiction to writing from personal experience, travel writing to historical fiction, memoir to magazines. There are even workshops on the art & craft of fiction and finding your story. Visit http://www.sfgrotto.org/classes.html for more information, or to register. But hurry - classes are filling fast!





MEET THE TEACHER (AND VISIT THE GROTTO) NIGHT - WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

Join us at the Grotto on SEPTEMBER 9TH for a glass of wine and the finest snacks Trader Joe's can offer. This is a terrific opportunity to check out the Grotto, as well as chat with our teachers (and some of their students) about upcoming classes. 5:30 pm until 7:30 pm. No need to register, just come on by.






CHECK OUT ETHAN’S SEPTEMBER WRITING CLASSES


Grotto co-founder Ethan Watters is offering two classes, which begin next month:

**ONE DAY SEMINAR : How to Get Your Non-Fiction Writing Published**

Number of sessions: 1
Meeting times: This course will be offered September 5th, 2009 10 am to 4 pm.
Course fee: $165. Class will be limited to 12 People.
Full payment in advance is required for a reserved seminar seat. Contact: ethanw1@..., 415-515-5506


This class will put beginning and intermediate writers on a path to getting published. We will focus on how to sell magazine pieces and non-fiction book projects. Topics will include

-Writing effective query letters for magazine
-Crafting book proposals
-Understanding the magazine/book market place
-Establishing and developing relationships with editors and agent
-The five most common mistakes of beginning writers


**EIGHT WEEK CLASS: Non-Fiction Writing**

Number of sessions: 8
Meeting times: Thursday evenings, 6:30 to 9:30, September 17 through November 5, 2009
Course fee: $495.00
Spots reserved with $200 deposit. Full fee due by the second class. Contact: ethanw1@..., 415-515-5506

This class will put beginning and intermediate writers on a path to publishing non-fiction magazine articles, essays and books. An emphasis will be placed on getting students to begin pitching ideas to magazine editors and agents. Students will learn how to:

-Find and develop ideas for non-fiction writing
-Write effective query letters for magazine
-How to craft book proposals and magazine features
-Understand the magazine market place
-Develop relationships with editors and agents
-Critiquing and re-writing first drafts

Students will be expected to draft two magazine projects during the class or one book proposal. These will be work-shopped during class. There will be a reader and short weekly writing assignments both in and out of class. Class size limited to 13 people.

Instructor bio: Ethan Watters has been a freelance writer for 20 years. He has taught non-fiction writing at Berkeley, Stanford and is currently an adjunct professor in the masters writing program at California College of the Arts. He's written for The New York Times Magazine, Men's Journal, Outside, Esquire, Discover, Spin, Mother Jones, GQ, Details, HG, and San Francisco Magazine, among other national and regional publications. He has also created pieces for Public Radio International's This American Life. He has written three books: Making Monsters, Therapy's Delusions and Urban Tribes. Ira Glass has purchased the movie rights to Urban Tribes and is writing a feature film based on the book. In 1994 he co-founded the San Francisco Writers' Grotto. He is currently on a book, Crazy Like Us, about America's influence on mental illness around the world. For more about Ethan visit:

http://web.mac.com/ethanwatters/Writing_coaching_1/Writing_Coach.html








WRITE YOUR CREATIVE NONFICTION BOOK IN RACHEL'S ONLINE CLASS

Grottoite and memoirist Rachel Howard's online creative nonfiction class for Stanford Continuing Studies filled immediately--so the Online Writer's Studio opened a second section, with registration now open. The ten-week course starts September 22:

“Writing the Creative Nonfiction Book: Getting a Full Draft”

So you¹ve written the opening pages of a memoir. Or you¹ve been mulling over ideas for a book of creative nonfiction and a concept has clicked into focus. You¹re over the biggest hurdle - getting started - and you¹re on to the most fulfilling but trickiest part. Maintaining momentum requires keeping your eye on the book’s “big picture” and giving yourself freedom to experiment with the "small picture," then staying flexible as your discoveries inform an evolving plan.

In this course, we will keep you writing toward a full draft, and look at how various creative nonfiction books work on the big-picture and small-picture levels. Weekly writing assignments will help you discover and strengthen the style, tone, and structure of your creative nonfiction book. Each student will complete a new chapter for workshop response.

Rachel Howard is the author of the memoir, “The Lost Night: A Daughter¹s Search for the Truth of Her Father¹s Murder,” one of the San Francisco Chronicle¹s Best Books of 2005. Her personal essays have appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle and O, The Oprah Magazine. Her advice is quoted extensively in The Autobiographer¹s Handbook: The 826 National Guide to Writing Your Memoir. She received an MFA in fiction writing from Warren Wilson College.


Visit http://continuingstudies.stanford.edu/courses/onlinewriters.php to see the full catalogue, and
http://continuingstudies.stanford.edu/courses/course.php?cid=20082_EGL%20321%20W to view Rachel¹s course.








JD IN “THE BEST OF NEW YORK” EXHIBITION IN NYC THIS MONTH, PLUS SHE’S TEACHING AN ADVANCED FINE ARTIST CLASS AT THE SAN FRANCISCO ART INSTITUTE

If you’re in New York the next few weeks, Grottoite JD Beltran will be exhibiting new work in “The Best of New York” exhibition at the Broadway Gallery, sponsored by the New York Arts Magazine. The opening reception is on September 9th, from 6 – 8 pm, and the show will run from September 1 – 15th. 473 Broadway, 7th Floor, NY, NY 10013. More information at http://www.broadwaygallerynyc.com/2009/08/the-best-of-new-york-part-one/

Plus, JD will be teaching “Advanced Portfolio Preparation and Critique” for fine artists, which will begin on September 8. Engage in advanced art critique sessions, develop your portfolio, and learn about requirements, alternative presentation forms, strategies for applying to gallery exhibitions, alternative and commercial ventures, and other art and non-art venues. Gain skills in applying for grants, fellowships, and residencies, as well as in documenting your work and preparing materials to market yourself. Each session will feature reviewing your work and advising you on directions in which you can improve your presentation and best represent your work and interest in making art. More information at http://activeweb.sfai.edu/academics/community/ace.aspx

This past summer, JD and her collaborator and partner Scott Minneman completed a successful exhibition at Cleveland’s IngenuityFest, where their “Magic Story Table” was one of the most popular pieces of the annual 3-day new media festival. See the write-up on JD’s San Francisco Chronicle blog at:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/beltran/detail?entry_id=43727





GROTTOITE AND BIG UGLY REVIEW FOUNDER ELIZABETH BERNSTEIN OPENS UP SHOP WITH EBC BOOKS

Are you stuck in your writing project and want coaching, in-depth feedback and support? Have you finished a draft and need help polishing it before you show it to agents? Or have you sold your book, and want to get it in top shape before sending it to your publisher? No matter where you are in the writing process, Grottoite Elizabeth Bernstein can help you tell your story. She’s opened up shop as a full-service editor, offering comprehensive manuscript feedback, detailed line editing, copyediting and proofing. Visit her new website at http://www.ebc-books.com




DAVID & XANDRA'S "FULL GROWN MEN" HIT THE SMALL SCREEN!

Grottofilms' whimsical road comedy "Full Grown Men" will have its home video release August 25th through Liberation Entertainment. Winner of the 2007 Undiscovered Gems Sundance Channel Audience Award, the film was written by Grotto filmmakers David Munro and Xandra Castleton, directed by David and produced by Xandra. "Full Grown Men" tells the story of a hopelessly nostalgic man who learns the hard way that the best years of his life may still lie ahead. Stars Matt McGrath, Judah Friedlander (30 Rock), Amy Sedaris (Strangers With Candy), Alan Cumming (X-Men 2, Cabaret), and Deborah Harry (Blondie). You can pre-order on Amazon or save on your Netflix queue by clicking links below. If it's not at your neighborhood video store, contact us via our website and we'll make sure it is. You can read about the "making of" in our series of Filmmaker Diaries for the SF Chronicle (see the link below), and there's a new blog about the current state of indie film distribution at Filmmaker Magazine blog. More information at http://www.fullgrownmenthemovie.com


Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Full-Grown-Men-Judah-Friedlander/dp/B002AWM0SG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1248837777&sr=1-1

Netflix - http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Full_Grown_Men/70101351?lnkce=seRtLn&trkid=222336&strkid=179505843_0_0&strackid=169faaa5d813e1b4_0_srl

Filmmaker Diaries - http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/qws/columns/fmd?term=full+grown+men&smode=and&Submit=S&dmode=preset&period=all&year=2006&Go.x=30&Go.y=12

Filmmaker Magazine - http://www.filmmakermagazine.com/blog/2009/07/david-munro-on-burst-bubble.php#comments






COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY JOURNALISM SCHOOL ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS FOR THE LUKAS AWARDS

Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism is now taking submissions for the 3 categories of 2009 J. Anthony Lukas Awards:

-American Non-Fiction for a 2009 published book-length work of narrative nonfiction on a topic of American political or social concern.

- History for a 2009 published book-length work of narrative history, on any subject.

-Non-fiction Works-In-Progress of a significant work of nonfiction on a topic of American political or social concern

For more information and guidelines, please go to:
http://www.journalism.columbia.edu/cs/ContentServer/jrn/1165270069782/page/1175374449484/JRNSimplePage2.htm





THE GROTTO IS NOW ON TWITTER

The Grotto now has a Twitter feed! For late-breaking news about Grotto classes, the SF Bay Area lit scene, and happenings at the Grotto, follow us here:

http://twitter.com/sfgrotto







_______________________________________________________________
JD’S ART PICKS FOR SEPTEMBER


“SEND ME A LINK” EXHIBITION OF CASSANDRA JONES AT BAER RIDGWAY THROUGH SEPTEMBER 5

Jones' process involves collecting thousands of photographs - professional and amateur, new and old, print and digital - from every Web-based source imaginable. She then organizes them in a variety of ways. She creates videos and "snap-motion reanimations" (that is, re-creating a event, such as a sunset or a flying bird, or inventing a "new reality," such as a spinning car fire or floating snowball) that illustrate motion and narrative, and she deconstructs single images by erasing them of context and reducing them to a particular shape. (Nirmala Nataraj)

Through September 5. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tues.-Sat. Baer Ridgway Exhibitions, 172 Minna St., S.F. (415) 777-1366. http://www.baerridgway.com

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/07/30/NS5M18TTFJ.DTL&type=art#ixzz0PmWvDf5t





“TAKING PICTURES” AND “SURVEILLANCE AND NOSTALGIA” AT STEVEN WOLF GALLERY OPENS ON SEPTEMBER 11
In Taking Pictures, Nicholas Knight haunts the galleries of art museums, photographing people in the act of taking pictures. And Jo Babcock could go down in history as the only photographer to successfully crack the competitive field of San Francisco Bay Area assemblage by making pinhole cameras from found objects. September 11 through October 10. Steven Wolf Gallery, 49 Geary Street, Suite 411, San Francisco, CA 94108, more information at http://www.stevenwolffinearts.com/




“WALLWORKS” AT THE YERBA BUENA CENTER FOR THE ARTS

The artists have taken over the walls at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts! The curatorial debut of Betti-Sue Hertz, YBCA's new Director of Visual Arts. Wallworks celebrates the unique qualities of YBCA's building designed by acclaimed architect Fumihiko Maki, by commissioning artists to create new large-scale works directly on the walls of both its galleries and its public spaces. These local, regional and international artists use the literal aspects of YBCA's architectural space as a starting point for their contribution to the exhibition. Through October 25. Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission Street, San Francisco, 94103-3138, telephone 415.978.2700. More information at http://www.ybca.org/tickets/production/view.aspx?id=9241

See Jesse Hamlin’s review at http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/07/24/PK3318PC17.DTL&type=art






Happy September!


There is only one success – to be able to spend your life in your own way.

Christopher Morley

]]> Meet the Teacher Night - Wednesday, Sept. 9th tag:www.sfgrotto.org,2009://2.120 2009-08-30T22:21:31Z 2009-09-22T16:17:49Z Join us at the Grotto for a glass of wine and the finest snacks Trader Joe's can offer.This is a terrific opportunity to check out the Grotto, as well as chat with some of our teachers (and their students) about... Janis Cooke Newman Join us at the Grotto for a glass of wine and the finest snacks Trader Joe's can offer.

This is a terrific opportunity to check out the Grotto, as well as chat with some of our teachers (and their students) about all our upcoming classes. 5:30 pm until 7:30 pm. No need to register, just come on by.

 

]]> Full Grown Men DVD Release Aug 25 tag:www.sfgrotto.org,2009://2.118 2009-07-31T19:18:05Z 2009-08-01T05:56:28Z Xandra Casleton http://www.grottofilms.com fgmdvd.jpg

Grottofilms' whimsical road comedy "Full Grown Men" will have its home video release August 25th through Liberation Entertainment. Winner of the 2007 Undiscovered Gems Sundance Channel Audience Award, the film was written by Grotto filmmakers David Munro and Xandra Castleton, directed by David and produced by Xandra. "Full Grown Men" tells the story of a hopelessly nostalgic man who learns the hard way that the best years of his life may still lie ahead. Stars Matt McGrath, Judah Friedlander (30 Rock), Amy Sedaris (Strangers With Candy), Alan Cumming (X-Men 2, Cabaret), and Deborah Harry (Blondie). You can pre-order on Amazon or save on your Netflix queue by clicking links below. If it's not at your neighborhood video store, contact us via our website and we'll make sure it is. You can read about the "making of" in our series of Filmmaker Diaries for the SF Chronicle (see the link below), and there's a new blog about the current state of indie film distribution at Filmmaker Magazine blog. More information at http://www.fullgrownmenthemovie.com.

Amazon, Netflix, Filmmaker Diaries, Filmmaker Magazine

]]> August Grotto Notes: Accolades! Melanie, Steve, Kathryn, and Allison! tag:www.sfgrotto.org,2009://2.117 2009-07-31T18:05:12Z 2009-07-31T18:07:21Z J.D. Beltran MELANIE’S “THE SLIPPERY YEAR” GARNERS STELLAR NEW YORK TIMES AND NEW YORKER BOOK BENCH REVIEWS – DON’T MISS THE BOOK LAUNCH ON AUGUST 12-13

We're in for a new spate of Grotto books this late summer and fall, and the accolades are already coming in. Hot off the press is Melanie’s profile in the July 30th New York Times (see link below). And Andrea Walker reviewed Melanie's book in the online New Yorker Book Bench, stating, “By the end of the book I felt like I had just spent several hours knocking back drinks with an especially funny friend. Which is some of my highest praise.” (As Grottoite Caroline Paul remarked, “I like the way the reviewer starts her review all crotchety and at the end wants to have a drink with Melanie. Wait in line, girl. We all want a drink with Melanie.”)

]]> Please join Grottoite Melanie Gideon as she launches her new book The Slippery Year: A Meditation on Happily Ever After in Oakland at A Great Good Place for Books on August 12 at 7 pm and in San Francisco at Books Inc. (Chestnut Street), August 13 at 7 pm. See http://www.melaniegideon.com for more information on details about readings and other events.

Check out the New York Times profile here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/30/books/30slippery.html?_r=1&hpw


Check out the New Yorker Book Bench review here:
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/books/5.html

Huge congratulations to Melanie!


STEPHEN DEBUTS “THE ADDERALL DIARIES” ON AUGUST 27, AND IS NAMED "BEST LOCAL WRITER" IN BEST OF THE BAY BY THE BAY GUARDIAN!


Grottoite and The Rumpus founder Stephen Elliott debuts his memoir this month, and was just named “Best Local Writer” by the Bay Guardian! This is an especially terrific tribute because the Best of the Bay awards are chosen not by just one opinionated critic, but through a vote of the people – so Steve, we like you, we really really like you!

Don't miss the August 27th book release party for Steve’s true-crime memoir, The Adderall Diaries, which will also feature Bucky Sinister, Tobias Wolff . There will be short readings and some snacks. $20 Admission includes a signed hardcover of The Adderall Diaries. August 27, 7-9 pm. Amnesia, 853 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA 94110


For tickets, go to: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/76665 or call (415) 970-0012

Check out Steve in “The Best of the Bay” at:

http://www.sfbg.com/printable_entry.php?entry_id=8921

Also, for an interview with Grottoite Stephen Elliott on Chuck Palahniuk's website, The Cult, check out:

http://chuckpalahniuk.net/interviews/authors/stephen-elliott-interview

Kudos to Stephen!








KATHRYN’S AWARD-WINNING “ALL THAT WORK AND STILL NO BOYS” OUT ON SEPTEMBER 1

Grotto dweller Kathryn Ma presents a "stellar collection of shorts," according to an early review of her forthcoming book, ALL THAT WORK AND STILL NO BOYS. The book, which won the Iowa Short Fiction Award, was also just featured by novelist Curtis Sittenfeld on The Daily Beast; in her review, Sittenfeld remarked that when Kathryn becomes really famous and wins a Pulitzer, she wants to pretend she discovered her. Kathryn's book will be published on September 1, 2009. Watch the September Grotto Notes for readings and events. For more information, see http://www.kathrynma.com

Check out the Examiner review at:
http://www.examiner.com/x-706-East-Bay-Literary-Examiner~y2009m5d20-Kathryn-Ma-Presents-a-Stellar-Collection-of-Shorts

Check out Curtis Sittenfeld’s Daily Beast review at:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-07-28/curtis-sittenfelds-favorite-books/3/

Congratulations to Kathryn!








ALLISON’S “THE MAN WHO LOVED BOOKS TOO MUCH” GARNERS A B&N “DISCOVER GREAT NEW WRITERS” AWARD

Grottoite Allison Hoover Bartlett's The Man Who Loved Books Too Much: The True Story of a Thief, a Detective, and a World of Literary Obsession, which will be released September 17th, is one of fourteen books selected for the Barnes and Noble "Discover Great New Writers" program. See more at http://www.allisonhooverbartlett.com

Congratulations to Allison!









DON’T MISS KATIE CROUCH, DOCTOR POPULAR, WHOLPHIN, AND STEVE ALMOND AT THE AUGUST MONTHLY RUMPUS ON AUGUST 10TH

It’s time for the August Monthly Rumpus, and this month there is a terrific line-up. Don’t miss it, and mark your calendar for August 10th.

WHEN: Monday, August 10th, 7pm
WHERE: The Makeout Room, 3225 22nd Street, San Francisco
WHO and WHAT: Readings and performances from authors Skip Horack, Joshua Mohr, Katie Crouch, and Steve Almond!

Short film by Wholphin
Performance by yo-yo genius Doctor Popular
Hilarious music by DJ Real
Hosted by Grottoite Isaac Fitzgerald

Purchase Tickets: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/73241

More information at http://therumpus.net/sections/rumpus-events/


CHECK OUT ETHAN’S SEPTEMBER WRITING CLASSES


Grotto co-founder Ethan Watters is offering two classes, which begin next month:


**ONE DAY SEMINAR : How to Get Your Non-Fiction Writing Published**

Number of sessions: 1
Meeting times: This course will be offered September 5th, 2009 10 am to 4 pm.
Course fee: $165. Class will be limited to 12 People.


Full payment in advance is required for a reserved seminar seat. Contact: ethanw1@..., 415-515-5506


This class will put beginning and intermediate writers on a path to getting published. We will focus on how to sell magazine pieces and non-fiction book projects. Topics will include

-Writing effective query letters for magazine
-Crafting book proposals
-Understanding the magazine/book market place
-Establishing and developing relationships with editors and agent
-The five most common mistakes of beginning writers


**EIGHT WEEK CLASS: Non-Fiction Writing**

Number of sessions: 8
Meeting times: Thursday evenings, 6:30 to 9:30, September 17 through November 5, 2009
Course fee: $495.00
Spots reserved with $200 deposit. Full fee due by the second class. Contact: ethanw1@..., 415-515-5506

This class will put beginning and intermediate writers on a path to publishing non-fiction magazine articles, essays and books. An emphasis will be placed on getting students to begin pitching ideas to magazine editors and agents. Students will learn how to:

-Find and develop ideas for non-fiction writing
-Write effective query letters for magazine
-How to craft book proposals and magazine features
-Understand the magazine market place
-Develop relationships with editors and agents
-Critiquing and re-writing first drafts

Students will be expected to draft two magazine projects during the class or one book proposal. These will be work-shopped during class. There will be a reader and short weekly writing assignments both in and out of class. Class size limited to 13 people.

Instructor bio: Ethan Watters has been a freelance writer for 20 years. He has taught
non-fiction writing at Berkeley, Stanford and is currently an adjunct professor in the masters writing program at California College of the Arts. He's written for The New York Times Magazine, Men's Journal, Outside, Esquire, Discover, Spin, Mother Jones, GQ, Details, HG, and San Francisco Magazine, among other national and regional publications. He has also created pieces for Public Radio International's This American Life. He has written three books: Making Monsters, Therapy's Delusions and Urban Tribes. Ira Glass has purchased the movie rights to Urban Tribes and is writing a feature film based on the book. In 1994 he co-founded the San Francisco Writers'
Grotto. He is currently on a book, Crazy Like Us, about America's influence on
mental illness around the world. For more about Ethan visit:

http://web.mac.com/ethanwatters/Writing_coaching_1/Writing_Coach.html






FABULOUS EARLY REVIEW’S FOR PO’S UPCOMING “NURTURESHOCK”

Early reviews for Po and Ashley's new book NurtureShock have begun coming in. New York Family Magazine proclaimed to be the "Must Read Parenting Book of the Year." It was a pick of BookExpo for the librarians' book panel, and the talk of the floor at the American Library Assoc. convention; libraries around the nation are also featuring it on "Fall Hot Lists." While the book tour is still in the planning stages, already Po and Ashley are slated to speak in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York City, Boston, Chicago, Washington DC, Miami, Seattle, Sacramento, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, Camden ME, Nashua NH, Wyoming, Connecticut, and Austin, TX. And that's just the list for September and October! Keep yourself posted at http://www.nurtureshock.com/








REGISTER NOW FOR RACHEL’S ONLINE CREATIVE NONFICTION CLASS

Grottoite and memoirist Rachel Howard will be teaching creative nonfiction for Stanford Continuing Studies’ Online Writer’s Studio this fall. Registration opens August 17 for “Writing the Creative Nonfiction Book: Getting a Full Draft”:

So you’ve written the opening pages of a memoir. Or you’ve been mulling over ideas for a book of creative nonfiction and a concept has clicked into focus. You’re over the biggest hurdle—getting started—and you’re on to the most fulfilling but trickiest part. Maintaining momentum requires keeping your eye on the book’s “big picture” and giving yourself freedom to experiment with the “small picture”—then staying flexible as your discoveries inform an evolving plan.

In this course, we will keep you writing toward a full draft, and look at how various creative nonfiction books work on the big-picture and small-picture levels. Weekly writing assignments will help you discover and strengthen the style, tone, and structure of your creative nonfiction book. Each student will complete a new chapter for workshop response.

Rachel Howard is the author of the memoir, The Lost Night: A Daughter’s Search for the Truth of Her Father’s Murder, one of the San Francisco Chronicle’s Best Books of 2005. Her personal essays have appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle and O, The Oprah Magazine. Her advice is quoted extensively in The Autobiographer’s Handbook: The 826 National Guide to Writing Your Memoir. She received an MFA in fiction writing from Warren Wilson College.


Visit http://continuingstudies.stanford.edu/courses/onlinewriters.php to see the full catalogue, and http://continuingstudies.stanford.edu/courses/course.php?cid=20082_EGL%20321%20W to view Rachel’s course.




GROTTOITE AND BIG UGLY REVIEW FOUNDER ELIZABETH BERNSTEIN OPENS UP SHOP WITH EBC BOOKS

Are you stuck in your writing project and want coaching, in-depth feedback and support? Have you finished a draft and need help polishing it before you show it to agents? Or have you sold your book, and want to get it in top shape before sending it to your publisher? No matter where you are in the writing process, Grottoite Elizabeth Bernstein can help you tell your story. She’s opened up shop as a full-service editor, offering comprehensive manuscript feedback, detailed line editing, copyediting and proofing. Visit her new website at http://www.ebc-books.com






DAVID & XANDRA'S "FULL GROWN MEN" HITS THE SMALL SCREEN!

Grottofilms' whimsical road comedy "Full Grown Men" will have its home video release August 25th through Liberation Entertainment. Winner of the 2007 Undiscovered Gems Sundance Channel Audience Award, the film was written by Grotto filmmakers David Munro and Xandra Castleton, directed by David and produced by Xandra. "Full Grown Men" tells the story of a hopelessly nostalgic man who learns the hard way that the best years of his life may still lie ahead. Stars Matt McGrath, Judah Friedlander (30 Rock), Amy Sedaris (Strangers With Candy), Alan Cumming (X-Men 2, Cabaret), and Deborah Harry (Blondie). You can pre-order on Amazon or save on your Netflix queue by clicking links below. If it's not at your neighborhood video store, contact us via our website and we'll make sure it is. You can read about the "making of" in our series of Filmmaker Diaries for the SF Chronicle (see the link below), and there's a new blog about the current state of indie film distribution at Filmmaker Magazine blog. More information at http://www.fullgrownmenthemovie.com


Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Full-Grown-Men-Judah-Friedlander/dp/B002AWM0SG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1248837777&sr=1-1

Netflix - http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Full_Grown_Men/70101351?lnkce=seRtLn&trkid=222336&strkid=179505843_0_0&strackid=169faaa5d813e1b4_0_srl

Filmmaker Diaries - http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/qws/columns/fmd?term=full+grown+men&smode=and&Submit=S&dmode=preset&period=all&year=2006&Go.x=30&Go.y=12

Filmmaker Magazine - http://www.filmmakermagazine.com/blog/2009/07/david-munro-on-burst-bubble.php#comments







CHRIS AT THE PUBLIC PRESS BUDGET WATCHDOG

While teaching journalism at SF State, Christopher Cook is working as project editor for the Public Press Budget Watchdog, a great noncommercial journalism project (check us out at www.public-press.org). Chris is writing a road/travel adventure book, and is seeking an agent and publisher for The Writer Without Hands, his memoir of disability, labor, and life in the computer age. He's also taking clients for one-on-one coaching and editing work. For more visit http://www.christopherdcook.com.








COMING SOON - THE GROTTO'S FALL SESSION OF WRITING CLASSES!

This Fall, the Grotto will be offering a terrific selection of one-day and multi-week classes. Look for workshops and seminars in fiction, nonfiction, writing for magazines, and writing from personal experience - plus more. Classes begin the week of September 12.

Check the Grotto website http://www.sfgrotto.org/classes.html beginning August 7 for details, and to register.








JD IN “THE BEST OF NEW YORK” EXHIBITION IN NYC IN SEPTEMBER

If you’re in New York next month, Grottoite JD Beltran will be exhibiting new work in “The Best of New York” exhibition at the Broadway Gallery, sponsored by the New York Arts Magazine. The opening reception is on September 9th, and the show will run from September 1 – 14th. 473 Broadway, 7th Floor, NY, NY 10013. More information to come soon at http://www.nyartsmagazine.com/ and http://www.broadwaygallerynyc.com/

And JD and her collaborator and partner Scott Minneman just completed a successful exhibition at Cleveland’s IngenuityFest, where their “Magic Story Table” was one of the most popular pieces of the annual 3-day new media festival. See the write-up on JD’s San Francisco Chronicle blog at:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/beltran/detail?entry_id=43727




THE GROTTO IS NOW ON TWITTER

The Grotto now has a Twitter feed! For late-breaking news about Grotto classes, the SF Bay Area lit scene, and happenings at the Grotto, follow us here:

http://twitter.com/sfgrotto







_______________________________________________________________
JD’S ART PICKS FOR AUGUST




“WALLWORKS” OPENS TONIGHT AT THE YERBA BUENA CENTER FOR THE ARTS

The artists have taken over the walls at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts! Celebrate the opening TONIGHT of Wallworks with a fabulous opening party featuring entertainment by Mexico City’s international sensation, Mexican Institute of Sound, an “infectious mix of electronica, dub, mambo, spoken word and other musical surprises,” as well as sets by DJ Lengua and Chris Brown’s Rogue Wave, featuring Chris Brown, Guillermo Galindo and Joanna Poethig. Plus films by avant-garde artist Paul Sharits in the screening room, Campari cocktails and the fabulous YBCA crowd!

More information at:
http://www.ybca.org/tickets/production/view.aspx?id=9160&utm_source=YBCA&utm_medium=Sidebar-WebOffer&utm_campaign=Wallworks-VA


See Jesse Hamlin’s review at http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/07/24/PK3318PC17.DTL&type=art





'BUDDY SYSTEM': A CONVERSATION IN ART

"Buddy System" is a group show inspired by the interwoven networks, sheltering communities and nurturing friendships that sustain makers when they're tempted to just chuck it in. For "Buddy System," curator and artist Kelly Lynn Jones asked four artists - Caitlin Gallupe, Clare Grill, Jess Wheaton and David Wilson, from the Bay Area and elsewhere - to show. Those artists then each asked another maker to participate: respectively, Bridget Moser, Aline Cautis, Matt Momchilov and Nathaniel Russell. Through Aug. 30. Noon-7 p.m. Tues.-Sat., noon-6 p.m. Sun. Rare Device, 1845 Market St., S.F. (415) 863-3969. http://www.raredevice.net.






SQUEAK CARNWATH AT THE OAKLAND MUSEUM OF ART THROUGH AUGUST 23

This survey reflects Carnwath’s groundbreaking artistry and stature as one of California’s leading contemporary artists. Karen Tsujimoto, senior curator of art at the museum, has chosen more than forty works from the past fifteen years—the period since Carnwath’s last major exhibition. As the title indicates, a painting is “no ordinary object” for the artist. Her recurring motifs reflect personal and universal themes; each meticulously applied layer of glaze carries meaning and inquiry. Through August 23rd. More information at http://www.museumca.org/exhibit/exhi_carnwath.html







ROBERT FRANK’S “THE AMERICANS” AT THE SAN FRANCISCO MUSEUM OF MODERN ART THROUGH AUGUST 23

I spent hours at this exhibition, went to it twice, and was stunned by its timeliness, prescience, poignancy, and beauty. Robert Frank's The Americans is widely celebrated as the most important photography book since World War II. Including 83 photographs made largely in 1955 and 1956 while Frank traveled around the United States, the book looked beneath the surface of American life to reveal a profound sense of alienation, angst, and loneliness. With these prophetic photographs, Frank redefined the icons of America, noting that cars, jukeboxes, gas stations, diners, and even the road itself were telling symbols of contemporary life. Frank's style — seemingly loose, casual compositions, with often rough, blurred, out-of-focus foregrounds and tilted horizons — was just as controversial and influential as his subject matter. The exhibition celebrates the 50th anniversary of the book's publication by presenting all 83 photographs from The Americans in the order established by the book, and by providing a detailed examination of the book's roots in Frank's earlier work, its construction, and its impact on his later art. Through August 23rd. More information at http://www.sfmoma.org/events/series/1310

Happy August!


Anyone who lives within their means suffers from lack of imagination.

Oscar Wilde

]]> July Grotto Notes tag:www.sfgrotto.org,2009://2.115 2009-07-06T01:28:40Z 2009-07-06T01:29:36Z J.D. Beltran DON’T MISS JILL SOBULE, COMEDY, MUSIC, AND SEX AT THIS TUESDAY’S RUMPUS SHOW

This Tuesday, July 7, 7pm The Rumpus and Kink.com present:

Sex-Music-Comedy Night featuring JILL SOBULE

Hosted by Grottoite Stephen Elliott and Co-sponsored by The Center for Sex and Culture

WHERE: The Makeout Room, 3225 22nd Street, San Francisco

Featuring readings and performances from sex worker authors: Zak Smith, Kirk Read, Michelle Tea, and Madison Young

Comedy by Los Angeles based comedian Kyle Kinane

Songstress burlesque by Mariel a la Mode

Music by Sig Hafstrom

And Special Guest Musician JILL SOBULE

Purchase Tickets: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/70578

Catered reception, 5pm at The Latin American featuring the artists and special guests from Kink.com

$20 event, $55 event and reception. More information at http://therumpus.net/sections/rumpus-events/


JULY IS THE MONTH TO TAKE A SUMMER WRITING CLASS AT THE GROTTO!

This summer, we're offering a terrific bunch of one-day and shorter multi-week classes. And the Grotto was just awarded a mention in the 2009 BEST OF THE BAY: BEST WRITING CLASSES [see the link at http://www.sanfranmag.com/story/write-novel ], so check it out for yourself!


]]>

Writers' Sampler Menu - A tapas menu of different non-fiction genres: Travel Writing (July 8), Food Writing (July 15), Personal Essay and Memoir (July 22), Better Blogging and Breaking into Magazines (July 29). Sign up for one or more of these 2 hour (7 pm to 9 pm) sessions - $45 per class, or $150 for the series. Taught by Laura Fraser, author of 'An Italian Affair,' contributor to 'Travel & Leisure,' 'Gourmet,' 'The New York Times,' and winner of an International Association of Culinary Professionals Award for Essay Writing. To register, contact Laura at laura@...

Fiction Bootcamp - Everything you wanted to know (and didn't know you wanted to know) about the craft of writing fiction. This one-day, hands-on workshop will teach you how to plot, organize, and write a terrific story (or novel). Saturday, July 11, 10 am - 4 pm. $155. Taught by Janis Cooke Newman, author of the novel, 'Mary,' chosen as a BookSense Year-End Pick, the Best Historical Novel of 2006 by USA Today, and a Finalist for an LA Times Book Prize. To register, contact Janis at j-newman@....

Memoir Writing: Fact is Not Truth - Memoir and the Art of Honesty - What does truth in memoir really mean? This class will help writers examine the personal story they're trying to tell, and how they can best tell it. Using a combination of in-class writing and reading, students will find the truth that drives their story. Three Monday evenings, August 3 - 17, with an optional fourth session for personal critique. $195 (optional critique session $75). Taught by Rachel Howard, author of 'The Lost Night: A Daughter's Search for the Truth of Her Father's Murder, one of the SF Chronicles Best Books of 2005. To register, contact Rachel at rachel.howard@...

For more information on classes visit the SF Writers Grotto website: http://www.sfgrotto.org/classes.html







ANDY RASKIN READS AT BOOK PASSAGE, KEPLER'S

Grottoite Andy Raskin will read from his SF Chronicle bestseller THE RAMEN KING AND I at Book Passage (Corte Madera) on Tuesday, July 7, and at Kepler's (Menlo Park) on Thursday, July 9.

For times and more info, visit http://www.andyraskin.com






PO’S UPCOMING “NURTURESHOCK” HONORED WITH EVEN MORE AWARDS

Grotto co-founder Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman's ongoing work on the surprising science of children was just honored with two more awards. The first was a Clarion Award, the second was a Mensa Press Award. Their book, NurtureShock, will be published September 1st, with a Newsweek cover story. The foreign rights have already been sold in 8 countries. You can watch the book trailer video and learn more at http://www.nurtureshock.com.





DON’T MISS CHRIS’ “A TALE OF TWO ZIP CODES”

Grotto dweller Christopher Cook has a new story out, A Tale of Two Zip Codes (at http://urbanhabitat.org/rights/recession ) chronicling wealth and poverty in San Francisco. He's teaching journalism at SF State this summer, and working as a project editor for the Public Press' City Budget Watchdog. Chris invites you to attend our Budget Watchdog fundraiser at the Grotto July 13, 6-8 pm, and to make a small donation to help fund this exciting non-profit journalism venture (http://spot.us/pitches/203).




CHRIS COLIN ON CO-HOUSING, 24-HOUR DONUTS AND WHERE TO EAT SOUP IN SAN FRANCISCO

Grottoite Chris Colin wrote in the New York Times last month about the co-housing movement and a cozy, handmade restaurant in the Sunset district:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/11/garden/11cohousing.html and
http://events.nytimes.com/2009/06/28/travel/28bites.html

And if 3 a.m. beer, donuts or fried ham are your thing, read his profile of San Francisco's ancient Silver Crest diner, where the mom-and-pop owners haven't locked their front door -- or slept much -- in four decades:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2009/06/10/onthejob061009.DTL




KATHRYN WINS IOWA SHORT FICTION AWARD

New Grottoite Kathryn Ma has won the Iowa Short Fiction Award for her book All That Work and Still No Boys, forthcoming in September 2009 (University of Iowa Press). The book was recently featured on The New Yorker at http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/books/2009/05/titlespotting-super-catchy.html (click on the second slide). Check out Kathryn's new website at http://www.kathrynma.com/





JD’S “DOWNTOWN MIRROR” RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF THE TOP PUBLIC ARTWORKS IN THE COUNTRY

Grotto artist JD Beltran’s public artwork for the city of San Jose was just recognized as one of the top public artworks in the country for 2009 by the Public Art Network. Read more at http://www.artsusa.org/networks/public_art_network/year_in_review/default_001.asp

JD and collaborator Scott Minneman also will be debuting another iteration of their interactive artwork “The Magic Story Table” featuring stories, prose, secrets, and urban legends of the Greater Cleveland area at next week’s IngenuityFest, July 10-12. It was featured recently in the Cleveland Plain Dealer at http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2009/06/ingenuityfest_collects_stories.html

Read more about The Magic Story Table at http://ingenuitycleveland.com/jd-beltran-scott-minneman





ESCAPE TO THE PERFECT WRITING RETREAT THIS FALL, AT A DISCOUNT

The perfect writing retreat: Rent Casita Laurita in San Miguel de Allende this fall at a 20% Grotto discount.

"If you're sitting there wondering, hmmm, should I send in another annoying application to Yadoo or rent Casita Laurita, I'd do the latter. It's such a nice place to write. I've almost finished my novel after being stuck for months. It is an amazing pad. It's also a great base for jaunting off to less American-inhabited towns." --Katie Crouch, author, “Girls in Trucks”

Go to http://www.casitalaurita.com




EARLY BUZZ BUILDING FOR MELANIE GIDEON’S THE SLIPPERY YEAR!

Although Grottoite Melanie Gideon’s The Slippery Year won’t be on bookshelves until August 4th, it’s already building a nice little buzz. The Slippery Year was included in Time Magazine’s Summer Preview of Books. It also made the Daily Beast’s 13 Hottest Summer Reads list. Check out a preview at http://www.amazon.com/Slippery-Year-Melanie-Gideon/dp/030727067X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1243882429&sr=8-1






DON'T MISS THE ZYZZYVA SHOW AT MINA DRESDEN GALLERY THIS MONTH

Mina Dresden Gallery honors ZYZZYVA editor Howard Junker with an exhibition featuring small works on paper done in black and white by artists who have appeared in the journal during its first 24 years.

June 20 – July 18, 2009 at the Mina Dresden gallery, 312 Valencia at 14th st., San Francisco 94103. Gallery open by appointment. 415-863-8312, or see http://www.minadresden.com





THE GROTTO IS NOW ON TWITTER

The Grotto now has a Twitter feed! For late-breaking news about Grotto classes, the SF Bay Area lit scene, and happenings at the Grotto, follow us here:

http://twitter.com/sfgrotto







_______________________________________________________________
JD’S ART PICKS FOR JULY

LORI DEL MAR, SUSAN MARTIN, CANAN TOLON AT THE SFMOMA RENTAL GALLERY

These three artists share an interest in formalism, abstract patterns, and repetition. Martin's sculptures are made of found objects, which she manipulates by tying, joining, binding, grouping, stacking, bundling, folding, bending, twisting, wrapping, or laminating. Del Mar's work employs layers of oil on sheets of aluminum, drawing the eye deeper into the painting from the surface, and from the beveled edges toward the center. Canan Tolon creates abstract canvases with complex repeating patterns reminiscent of a television screen with spotty reception. Through July 10. More information at http://www.sfmoma.org/pages/artists_gallery_exhibitions




ALICE SHAW AT GALLERY 16 – SHOW EXTENDED TO JULY 11

In her exhibition entitled (Auto)biography, Alice Shaw has employed others, such as a handwriting analyst and a psychic, to tell her information about herself that she may not have been aware of. She has taken what she has learned from these sessions and made artwork in response to this new knowledge.

For this show, Shaw, primarily known as a photographer, has also used painting, printmaking, drawing, and other media to illustrate her responses. Shaw looks at the theory that 'digital photography is more closely akin to painting than traditional photographic techniques because of its malleability.' She also believes that the digital arts has created a 'society of skeptics.' Auto(biography) sets out to satisfy these skeptics, and suggests 'we should not always believe what we see.'

Shaw currently has a show in Tel Aviv, Israel and she is participating in two group shows. Sisyphus Office opened May 8th in Houston and Gold Rush opened at The Lab in San Francisco on May 15th. For additional information, see http://gallery16.com/index.php?page=exhibitions






SQUEAK CARNWATH AT THE OAKLAND MUSEUM OF ART

This survey reflects Carnwath’s groundbreaking artistry and stature as one of California’s leading contemporary artists. Karen Tsujimoto, senior curator of art at the museum, has chosen more than forty works from the past fifteen years—the period since Carnwath’s last major exhibition. As the title indicates, a painting is “no ordinary object” for the artist. Her recurring motifs reflect personal and universal themes; each meticulously applied layer of glaze carries meaning and inquiry. Through August 23rd. More information at http://www.museumca.org/exhibit/exhi_carnwath.html





ROBERT FRANK’S “THE AMERICANS” AT THE SAN FRANCISCO MUSEUM OF MODERN ART

I spent a few hours at this exhibition last month and was stunned by its timeliness, prescience, poignancy, and beauty. Robert Frank's The Americans is widely celebrated as the most important photography book since World War II. Including 83 photographs made largely in 1955 and 1956 while Frank traveled around the United States, the book looked beneath the surface of American life to reveal a profound sense of alienation, angst, and loneliness. With these prophetic photographs, Frank redefined the icons of America, noting that cars, jukeboxes, gas stations, diners, and even the road itself were telling symbols of contemporary life. Frank's style — seemingly loose, casual compositions, with often rough, blurred, out-of-focus foregrounds and tilted horizons — was just as controversial and influential as his subject matter. The exhibition celebrates the 50th anniversary of the book's publication by presenting all 83 photographs from The Americans in the order established by the book, and by providing a detailed examination of the book's roots in Frank's earlier work, its construction, and its impact on his later art. Through August 23rd. More information at http://www.sfmoma.org/events/series/1310




ENDS ON SUNDAY!!! NICK CAVE AT THE YERBA BUENA CENTER FOR THE ARTS

This spring, YBCA debuted the largest scale presentation of work by Chicago-based artist, Nick Cave, featuring forty of his "Soundsuits"—multi-layered mixed-media, wearable sculptures named for the sounds made when the sculptures are worn. As reminiscent of African and religious ceremonial costumes as they are of haute couture, Cave's work explores issues of ceremony, ritual, myth and identity. He does this through a layering of concepts, highly-skilled techniques and varied traditions, using materials such as fabrics, beads, sequins, old bottle caps, rusted iron, sticks, twigs, leaves and hair. Mad, humorous, elaborate, grotesque, glamorous and unexpected, the Soundsuits are created from scavenged ordinary materials—detritus from both nature and culture—that Cave re-contextualizes into visionary masterpieces. See more information at http://www.ybca.org/tickets/production/view.aspx?id=8191






Happy Summer!





Freedom is nothing else but a chance to be better.
Albert Camus

]]> Grotto Writing Classes -- SF Mag's Best of the Bay! tag:www.sfgrotto.org,2009://2.114 2009-06-27T00:37:05Z 2009-06-29T21:46:10Z Andy Raskin http://www.andyraskin.com San Francisco Magazine hails the Grotto writing classes in its Best of the Bay Area issue! http://www.sanfranmag.com/story/write-novel

Summer classes start in July...get more info at http://www.sfgrotto.org/classes

 

 


]]> Mina Dresden Gallery showcases ZYZZYVA artists tag:www.sfgrotto.org,2009://2.113 2009-06-10T17:21:35Z 2009-06-10T17:41:04Z Elizabeth Bernstein http://www.elizabethbernstein.com Mina Dresden Gallery honors ZYZZYVA editor Howard Junker with an exhibition featuring small works on paper done in black and white by artists who have appeared in the journal during its first 24 years.

June 20 – July 18, 2009

Opening reception: Saturday, 20 June, 6-8 pm

Mina Dresden Gallery, 312 Valencia at 14th st., San Francisco 94103

Gallery open by appointment. 415-863-8312.  www.minadresden.com

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