Do you like reading? Championing diversity and inclusion? Are you a fan of poetry, art, and culture? How about FREE books? If you say, “YASS QUEEN!” then join us at ***Freedom to Read! A Diverse Book and Culture Fair*** at PSU’s Hoffman Hall, Sat., Sept. 21, 2024 from 11am – 5pm.
Event details:
***Freedom to Read! A Diverse Book and Culture Fair**
Portland State Univ.
Hoffman Hall, 1833 SW 11th Ave.
Sat., Sept. 21, 2024 from 11am – 5pm.
This FREE event (donations welcome) is ALL AGES (minors must bring an adult) with walk-up registration at the door. Face masks are encouraged.
Getting there:
We encourage mass transit use, but parking is near — Parking Structure 3 (PS3), 1631 SW 12th Ave.
The Portland Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Order of Benevolent Bliss & Portland State University’s Queer Resource Center present:
Freedom to Read! A Diverse Book and Culture Fair’s main purpose is to amplify queer and minority voices via written word, art, and culture. There will be FREE books, FREE healthy snacks, beverages, and other giveaways, as well as terribly terrific tabling, epic live performances, and bliss-filled opportunities to soak in all the JOYS!
Entrancing entertainment:
Our headliner is Portland’s pioneering BIPOC clown Nikki Brown Clown who is joined by authors and poets reading their wonderful work. Dragsters and other entertainment artists will wow us with epic ideas and performances. Theater Diaspora will delight us all, and Nikki with some of the Dragsters will serve up some delightful Kid’s Storytime fun.
Feeling like reading some of your own original work? Poet Alex Dang hosts our open mic session where you can channel your inner Kerouac. Our Angel Stumptown Sleestak (Portland Sleestak) will also be on hand adding flair and squeals of glee.
Performances and Entertainment:
Nikki Brown Clown
Theater Diaspora
Kitty KariAll
Cruz Daniels
Klaws Mawnsta
Kherry Okay
Mona Chrome
Tony J. Carmichaels
Daizy Dukes
Cruz Daniels
Chris Alice
Clare Apparently
Portland Sleestak (Angel Stumptown Sleestak)
Poetry and Open Mic:
Alex Dang (host)
Keinya Kohlbecker
Kamil Khan
RJ Equality Ingram
Literacy Advocacy:
Nikki Brown Clown
Ana Felicia Carrillo Acosta
Book Readings:
Reid Vanderburgh
RJ Equality Ingram
Alderin Ordell
Jamison Green (Trans Elder and activist)
Geeta Lewis
Kid’s Storytime:
Nikki Brown Clown
Kitty KariAll
Sister Shiso Panda
Terribly Terrific Tabling!
Pop Up Bookstores:
Books With Pictures
Always Here Books
Up Up Books
Bishop & Wilde
Honeyed Words
Maggie Mae’s Bookstore
Jan’s Beaverton
Authors and Publishers:
Timothy Arliss OBrien
Lindsey Danae Perez
Frances Pai
Alderin Ordell
RJ Equality Ingram
Pile Press
Lindsey Danae Perez
Reid Vanderburgh
Merchants, Makers & Artists tables:
Lisa Marie David Native American Artist
Amrapali Heritage Boutique and Indian Henna Artist
Scandals East
Geeta Lewis Portraiture Artist
Jamie Goshorn Friendship Bracelets
Libraries and Museums:
Lake Oswego Public Library
Portland Chinatown Museum
Little Diverse Free Libraries
Nonprofits and Social Organizations:
Northwest Gender Alliance
PFLAG Portland
Free MOM Hugs
We LOVE donations! We’ll accept donations at this FREE event, plus part of the vendor’s proceeds will go towards our Community Grants Fund www.portlandsisters.org/grants/
Your generosity helps us present accessible community events to all who want more joy and bliss in their life. You can donate anytime — like now! — via Venmo (@pdxsisters), or Cash App ($pdxsisters). The Portland Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, all donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
Sponsors:
This event would not be possible without our generous sponsors. THANK YOU for helping us build stronger communities:
Scandals East (scandalspdx.com—opening soon)
Peacock Productions (peacockinthepark.org)
VancouBears
Heathen Brewing Feral Public House (heathenbrewing.com/feral-public-house)
The Hearth Team (thehearthteam.com)
Extra special thanks to Portland State University’s Queer Resource Center (pdx.edu/queer-resource-center/) for partnering with us to make all this magic happen!