Poet and memoirist Carmen Bugan was born in Romania and emigrated to the United States in 1989. She earned a BA from the University of Michigan Residential College, an MA in creative writing from Lancaster University, and a MA and PhD, both in English Literature, from Oxford University. Bugan’s work reckons with the legacy of totalitarianism, including the crippling effects of the culture of surveillance that existed under Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.
Her visit is co-sponsored by the LSA Honors Program and the Residential College.
Local storyteller Jim Glenn performs a storytelling program on the history of English, beginning with the Roman invasion through to the end of the 15th century. For grade 8-adult.
7-8:30 p.m., AADL Westgate. Free. 327-4200.
Sept. 4 & 18. Open mike storytelling competition sponsored by The Moth, the NYC-based nonprofit storytelling organization that also produces a weekly public radio show. 10 storytellers are selected at random from among those who sign up to tell a 3-5 minute story on the themes of “Rivals” (Sept. 4) & “Extra Mile” (Sept. 18). The 3-person judging teams are recruited from the audience. Monthly winners compete in a semiannual Grand Slam (see Sept. 26 listing). Space limited, so it’s smart to arrive early.
7:30-9 p.m. (doors open and sign-up begins at 6 p.m.), Greyline, 100 N. Ashley. $8. 764-5118.
Poet and memoirist Carmen Bugan was born in Romania and emigrated to the United States in 1989. She earned a BA from the University of Michigan Residentail College, an MA in creative writing from Lancaster University, and a MA and PhD, both in English Literature, from Oxford University. Bugan’s work reckons with the legacy of totalitarianism, including the crippling effects of the culture of surveillance that existed under Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.
Her visit is co-sponsored by the LSA Honors Program and the Residential College.
Journalist and activist Herb Boyd discusses his new book, which covers such figures in Detroit history as abolitionist William Lambert, Motown founder Berry Gordy, the city’s first black mayor Coleman Young, and others.
7-9 p.m., AADL Downtown multipurpose rm. Free. 327-4200.
ToastMasters at SweetWaters is an opportunity to practice your personal and/or professional speaking as well as Leadership in a fun friendly atmosphere.
The club is open to everyone. Attendees have the opportunity to speak, give and receive feedback about speaking, presentations and current events.
We typically have 2-4 prepared speeches followed by (Kind and constructive evaluations) to provide feedback and growth. Attendees will have an opportunity for impromptu speaking as well.
Sweetwaters Cafe, 123 W Washington. Free. chrisjriley@hotmail.com
This Oakland University creative writing professor reads from and discusses his recent work. His short stories and comics blend the mundane with the fantastical, creating largely plausible narratives with small doses of the impossible.
7:30 p.m., Concordia University Kreft Center Recital Hall, 4090 Geddes. Free. 995-7389.
All-star storytelling showdown featuring the last 10 winners of the Ann Arbor Storyslams, the monthly open mike storytelling competitions sponsored by The Moth, the NYC-based nonprofit storytelling organization that also produces a weekly public radio show.
8 p.m., The Ark, 316 S. Main. $25 in advance at themoth.org and at the door. 761-1451.
Civil rights activists Brenda Travis and John Obee discuss their new book about Travis’ arrests in 1961 at age 16 for participating in a sit-in at a bus station and leading a walkout from her high school. She was released from jail the 2nd time on the condition that she leave Mississippi.
7-8:30 p.m., AADL Downtown multipurpose rm. Free. 327-4200.
Oct. 2 & 16. Open mike storytelling competition sponsored by The Moth, the NYC-based nonprofit storytelling organization that also produces a weekly public radio show. 10 storytellers are selected at random from among those who sign up to tell a 3-5 minute story on “Scandal” (Oct. 2) and “Disguises” (Oct. 16). The 3-person judging teams are recruited from the audience. Monthly winners compete in a semiannual Grand Slam. Space limited, so it’s smart to arrive early.
7:30-9 p.m. (doors open and sign-up begins at 6 p.m.), Greyline, 100 N. Ashley. $10. 764-5118. [map]