Source: PEN USA

Please join us on February 16 when PEN USA and the Hammer Museum present an evening of poetry inspired by the events in Iran this past summer. In association with Iranian-American poet Sholeh Wolpé, author of "I Am Neda," we collected dozens of poems by prominent poets in support of those who speak out for freedom around the world.

The event will feature Maxine Hong Kingston, Eloise Klein Healy, James Ragan and Tony Barnstone reading the work they created specifically for this project, as well as actors reading the poems contributed by Yusef Komunyakaa, Annie Finch, Joy Harjo, Kim Addonizio, Andrew Hudgins, Sam Hamill, Marvin Bell, Carolyn Forché, David Wagoner, Robert Bly and Thomas Lux. All of the poets' submissions speak to the unjust circumstances of our world, as well as the hope for change and prosperity in the future.

The reading will take place in the Billy Wilder Theater at the Hammer Museum and will feature live musical accompaniment by Iranian vocalist Mamak Khadem. Broadsides of a selection of the featured poems will be available for purchase, with proceeds benefiting PEN USA's Emergency Writers Fund.

Save the date for this inspirational event on February 16 at 7 pm. Admission is free. Tickets are required, and available at the Billy Wilder Theater Box Office one hour prior to start time. Limit one ticket per person on a first come, first served basis. Hammer members receive priority seating, subject to availability. Reservations not accepted. Parking is available under the museum for $3 after 6:00pm.

HAMMER MUSEUM
10899 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90024

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PEN USA
PEN USA is a community of writers defending freedom of expression and building a literary culture. Its mission is to stimulate and maintain interest in the written word, to foster a vital literary culture, and to defend freedom of expression domestically and internationally.

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