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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260821T190000
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UID:10050805-1787338800-1787346900@www.artsatl.org
SUMMARY:Can't Stop Change: Queer Climate Stories from the Florida Frontlines -- Film Screening & Discussion
DESCRIPTION:Join us for a screening of Can’t Stop Change: Queer Climate Stories from the Florida Frontlines\, followed by a Q&A and discussion. \nThis program takes place in-person at Charis Books & More\, 184 S Candler Street\, Decatur\, GA 30030. This event is free but we encourage you to RSVP as space is limited — https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cant-stop-change-queer-climate-stories-from-the-florida-frontlines-tickets-1993871874450?aff=oddtdtcreator \nAbout the film \nCan’t Stop Change: Queer Climate Stories from the Florida Frontlines is an independent documentary from Queers 4 Climate Justice and co-directed by Vanessa Raditz\, Natalia Villarán-Quiñones\, Yarrow Koning\, Shoog McDaniel\, and Jess Martínez. Can’t Stop Change weaves interviews with 15 LGBTQ2S+ organizers\, artists\, and educators across Florida into an intersectional climate justice narrative. The film simultaneously uplifts queer and trans resistance\, joy\, and dreams for liberation in Florida\, the Southeast\, and beyond. \nCan’t Stop Change is not yet rated. It contains brief nudity (non-sexual) and occasional adult language. It also contains hurricane footage and discussions of colonialism\, white supremacy\, and anti-LGBTQ+ violence that may be distressing to some viewers. The film will be screened with subtitles. Find out more at linktr.ee/cantstopchange. \nWhat to expect\n6:45: Seating begins\n7 p.m. – Welcome & film begins\n8:45 p.m. – Discussion and Q&A facilitated by the film’s Co-Director and Impact Campaign Coordinator Yarrow\n9:15 p.m. – Event ends \nAbout the co-director \nYarrow Koning (they/them) is a queer\, trans\, and non-binary environmental educator\, climate justice organizer\, multimedia storyteller\, and bookseller based in Decatur\, GA. Yarrow holds a Master of Education in Environmental Education from Florida Atlantic University and specializes in education that centers equity\, justice\, queer ecologies\, and multispecies liberation. Alongside their work as a full-time bookseller at Charis Books and More\, Yarrow is the Co-Director and Impact Campaign Coordinator for the Queers 4 Climate Justice documentary Can’t Stop Change: Queer Climate Stories from the Florida Frontlines. In their free time\, Yarrow enjoys hosting queer ecologies outings\, workshops\, and events\, including the monthly Queer Ecologies Book Club at Charis Books and More. \nPlease read the event guidelines below to be sure you can participate in the event. \nEvent guidelines\n– Masks required and provided.\n– If you need to reserve a seat for accessibility reasons\, email info@chariscircle.org\nWe will begin seating people at 6:45pm ET. Seating is limited & RSVP-ing does not reserve/ensure you will get a seat\, so come early to grab a seat!\n– RSVP here – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cant-stop-change-queer-climate-stories-from-the-florida-frontlines-tickets-1993871874450?aff=oddtdtcreator\n– As a reminder: If you are not feeling well\, please do not come to the event. \nIf you have any questions regarding these guidelines or to request specific accessibility accommodations\, please contact info@chariscircle.org or call the store at 404-524-0304. Detailed accessibility details can be found on our website. \nAccessibility \nCharis has both stairs and an elongated ramp at the entrance. Accessible parking is to the left of the building. Charis Books is a fully wheelchair accessible space with on site van accessible parking\, two ramps\, and additional overflow accessible parking nearby. Most of our shelves are on wheels and can be moved to provide additional access. The insides are all level and flat with ramps to access various areas of the space. Our bathrooms are wheelchair accessible and gender neutral with motion activated fixtures. Both bathrooms have wheelchair accessible baby changing tables. Our directional signs are written in braille. \nPlease contact us at info@chariscircle.org or 404-524-0304 if you would like ASL interpretation at this event. If you have other accessibility needs please don’t hesitate to reach out to info@chariscircle.org. \nBy attending our event\, you agree to our Code of Conduct: Our event seeks to provide a harassment-free experience for everyone\, regardless of gender\, gender identity and expression\, age\, sexual orientation\, disability\, physical appearance\, body size\, race\, ethnicity\, religion (or lack thereof)\, class\, or technology choices. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Unsolicited sexual language and imagery are not appropriate. Anyone violating these rules will be expelled from this event and all future events at the discretion of the organizers. Please report all harassment to Charis staff immediately or email info@chariscircle.org
URL:https://www.artsatl.org/event/cant-stop-change-queer-climate-stories-from-the-florida-frontlines-film-screening-discussion/
LOCATION:Charis Books & More\, 184 S Candler Street\, Decatur\, GA\, 30030\, United States
CATEGORIES:Film + TV
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.artsatl.org/wp-content/uploads/Facebook-Cant-Stop-Change-8.21.26-Charis-.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260815T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260815T140000
DTSTAMP:20260804T183529Z
CREATED:20260804T183529Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260804T183529Z
UID:10051047-1786791600-1786802400@www.artsatl.org
SUMMARY:Hearts & Crafts: A Queer Romance Crafternoon & Book Swap
DESCRIPTION:This event is free and takes place in person at Charis Books & More\, 184 S Candler Street\, Decatur\, GA 30030. \nJoin the Charis Queer Romance Book Club for an afternoon of crafts & camaraderie in celebration of Bookstore Romance Day! This event is hosted by the Queer Romance Book Club but is open to all. \nCome hang out with us and learn more about our Queer Romance Book Club! You can also find out more info here: https://charisbooksandmore.com/queer-romance-book-club \nWhat to expect\n– Baked goods for sale on the porch\, courtesy of Queerdough\n– Bring a queer romance book to swap (or buy one from Charis)!\n– This is a drop in space! Feel free to stop by at any point from 11:00am – 2:00pm.\n– Gently guided crafts:\n– Book Cover Collages at 11:30am\n– Pipe Cleaner Bouquets at 1:00pm\n– Supplies will be provided for all crafts \nAbout Queer Romance Book Club Facilitators \nKira Apple (she/her) has been a bookseller at Charis since the summer of 2020. Originally from Pennsylvania\, she first discovered a love of romance through fan fiction and fantasy novels. Now\, she reads broadly across fantasy\, sci-fi\, and romance\, and is a huge fan of queer lit and media. In addition to swooning over romantic things\, Kira enjoys tabletop roleplaying\, video games\, crocheting\, writing\, and wrangling her cats. You can find her on Instagram – @kiapple. \nKate Harlan (she/her) is an aspiring librarian who has lived in Atlanta her whole life. She loves queer stories\, devouring queer romance\, fantasy\, and sci-fi books with both her ears and her eyes at what some say is an alarming rate. When she’s not reading (and\, honestly\, sometimes while she’s listening to books)\, she’s gardening with children in her neighborhood\, doing jigsaw puzzles\, petting dogs\, or knitting. You can find her on Instagram- @meetingmeonce \nEvent guidelines:\n– Masks required and provided.\n– As a reminder: If you are not feeling well\, please do not come to the event. \nIf you have any questions regarding these guidelines or to request specific accessibility accommodations\, please contact info@charisbooksandmore.com or call the store at 404-524-0304. Detailed accessibility details can be found on our website. \nAccessibility \nCharis has both stairs and an elongated ramp at the entrance. Accessible parking is to the left of the building. Charis Books is a fully wheelchair accessible space with on site van accessible parking\, two ramps\, and additional overflow accessible parking nearby. Most of our shelves are on wheels and can be moved to provide additional access. The insides are all level and flat with ramps to access various areas of the space. Our bathrooms are wheelchair accessible and gender neutral with motion activated fixtures. Both bathrooms have wheelchair accessible baby changing tables. Our directional signs are written in braille. Please contact us at info@chariscircle.org or 404-524-0304 if you would like ASL interpretation at this event. If you have other accessibility needs please don’t hesitate to reach out to info@chariscircle.org. \nThe event is free and open to all people\, especially to those who have no income or low income right now\, but we encourage and appreciate a solidarity donation in support of the work of Charis Circle\, our programming non-profit. Donate via this link: www.chariscircle.org/donate \nBy attending our event\, you agree to our Code of Conduct: Our event seeks to provide a harassment-free experience for everyone\, regardless of gender\, gender identity and expression\, age\, sexual orientation\, disability\, physical appearance\, body size\, race\, ethnicity\, religion (or lack thereof)\, class\, or technology choices. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Unsolicited sexual language and imagery are not appropriate. Anyone violating these rules will be expelled from this event and all future events at the discretion of the organizers. Please report all harassment to Charis staff immediately or email info@chariscircle.org
URL:https://www.artsatl.org/event/hearts-crafts-a-queer-romance-crafternoon-book-swap/
LOCATION:Charis Books & More\, 184 S Candler Street\, Decatur\, GA\, 30030\, United States
CATEGORIES:Books
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.artsatl.org/wp-content/uploads/Hearts-Crafts-1920-x-1080-px.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260812T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260812T200000
DTSTAMP:20260723T193036Z
CREATED:20260723T193036Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260723T193036Z
UID:10050989-1786557600-1786564800@www.artsatl.org
SUMMARY:Monthly Sapphic Writing Group
DESCRIPTION:This is an free\, in-person only event\, which takes place at Charis Books and More. Please read the in-person event guidelines at the bottom of this page to be sure you can participate in the event. \nCharis Books and More & Sapphic Creative Writing Group are excited to bring our community a monthly space for sapphic\, trans\, and non-binary people to write and socialize. This space will include writing prompts and time to share your work and receive feedback from fellow participants. No prior writing experience is necessary – all skill levels are welcome. Our aim is to create a safe space for sapphic\, trans\, and non-binary people to foster creativity\, encourage self-expression\, and a sense of community. The Sapphic Writing Group will meet at Charis on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. Join us on Wednesday\, August 12th at 6:00pm EST! \nAugust’s meeting will be hosted by Kena. Kena is from Marietta\, Georgia and a recent grad from Oglethorpe University with an English Literature degree! She loves all things books\, writing\, and going for runs when she’s not snuggling her cat\, Heather. \nFollow @charisbooksandmore\, @sapphiccreativewriting\, and @scw.atl on Instagram to stay updated. \nEvent Details\n– All attendees must wear a face mask during the event.\n– We will begin seating people at 5:30 PM.\n– As a reminder: If you are not feeling well\, please do not come to the event. \nIf you have any questions regarding these guidelines or to request specific accessibility accommodations\, please contact info@charisbooksandmore.com or call the store at 404-524-0304. \nAccessibility \nCharis has both stairs and an elongated ramp at the entrance. Accessible parking is to the left of the building. Charis Books is a fully wheelchair accessible space with on site van accessible parking\, two ramps\, and additional overflow accessible parking nearby. Most of our shelves are on wheels and can be moved to provide additional access. The insides are all level and flat with ramps to access various areas of the space. Our bathrooms are wheelchair accessible and gender neutral with motion activated fixtures. Both bathrooms have wheelchair accessible baby changing tables. Our directional signs are written in braille. Please contact us at info@chariscircle.org or 404-524-0304 if you would like ASL interpretation at this event. \nThe event is free and open to all people\, but we encourage and appreciate a donation of $5-20 in support of the work of Charis Circle\, our programming non-profit. Donate via our website: www.chariscircle.org/donate or in person at the event. \nBy attending this event\, you agree to our Code of Conduct: Our event seeks to provide a harassment-free experience for everyone\, regardless of gender\, gender identity and expression\, age\, sexual orientation\, disability\, physical appearance\, body size\, race\, ethnicity\, religion (or lack thereof)\, class\, or technology choices. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Unsolicited sexual language and imagery are not appropriate. Anyone violating these rules will be expelled from this event and all future events at the discretion of the organizers. Please report all harassment to Charis staff immediately.
URL:https://www.artsatl.org/event/monthly-sapphic-writing-group-12/
LOCATION:Charis Books & More\, 184 S Candler Street\, Decatur\, GA\, 30030\, United States
CATEGORIES:Books
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.artsatl.org/wp-content/uploads/AUGUST-2026.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260811T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260811T203000
DTSTAMP:20260706T173045Z
CREATED:20260706T173045Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260706T173045Z
UID:10050338-1786476600-1786480200@www.artsatl.org
SUMMARY:Don't Buy What I'm Selling & Consented -- Lu Chekowsky & Zed Zha in Conversation
DESCRIPTION:This event takes place on Crowdcast\, Charis’ virtual event platform. This event is free\, but registration is required. Register here: https://www.crowdcast.io/c/chekowsky-zha \nCharis welcomes Lu Chekowsky & Zed Zha in conversation to celebrate the release of their books Don’t Buy What I’m Selling: On Breaking Up with Advertising and Finally Learning to Love My Whole\, Fat Self and Consented: A Doctor’s Call to End Medical Violence and Reclaim Patient Autonomy. \nAbout Don’t Buy What I’m Selling: On Breaking Up with Advertising and Finally Learning to Love My Whole\, Fat Self \nPart memoir\, part manifesto\, this is the “fascinating\, smart\, and hilarious look” (Christie Tate) of a woman determined to go deep inside advertising so she could save the world—and herself. What could possibly go wrong? \nAs a high-level advertising creative director for 14 years\, Lu Chekowsky willed inanimate objects to life and made people want to buy stuff they didn’t need. Her colleagues called her “Mary Manifesto” because she could whip up an emotional ad campaign like no one else. Need someone to channel Michael Jordan so people will line up and buy his latest sneaker? That’s Lu. Need to convince a cranky teen heartthrob to take his shirt off for an ad designed to get teenage girls across America to swoon? That’s her too. It was a regular workday when she made same-day cross-country trips between New York and LA to satisfy the CEOs who counted on her to pump up their profits—ignoring her own voice and using it in service of their company’s bottom line. Chekowsky was great at her job because she’d trained for it her whole life. She’d gotten the memo about how worthless her body was at moving products—because she was the one who wrote it. \nAs someone whose body was always far from what the world held up as ideal\, Chekowsky grew up trying to find a place where she could fit in. Everywhere she looked\, the images she saw were designed to make girls feel terrible. The only person who could make her feel worthy was her larger-than-life mom; but even that was complicated when her mother got sick with cancer when she was just eleven years old. For years\, Chekowsky tried to look past what it felt like to be underestimated by her male colleagues\, the 14-hour work days spent satisfying the demands of the latest celebrity/boss/pop star/social media app\, and her work that required her to\, every day\, perpetuate unrealistic beauty standards\, before she went home and binged alone on bags of takeout. \nDon’t Buy What I’m Selling is a dishy peek behind the curtain of a billion-dollar industry\, but it’s also the journey of one former ad executive who lived a life of contradictions—until she couldn’t anymore. With honesty and heart\, interspersed with behind-the-scenes looks at the real-world tactics brands use to prey on consumers\, it is perfect for readers of Roxane Gay\, Aubrey Gordon\, and Lori Gottlieb—and anyone who’s bought a product from an Instagram ad and instantly regretted it. \nAbout Consented: A Doctor’s Call to End Medical Violence and Reclaim Patient Autonomy \nA physician’s bold critique of medical rape culture—and her call for a new model of care that centers consent and empowers patients \nMedical culture has a problem with consent—and it’s not just a few bad doctors. That’s the conclusion of Dr. Zed Zha in Consented\, a groundbreaking look at how the healthcare industry ignores patients’ agency and perpetuates violence. \nEven the best and most caring doctors can fall prey to what Dr. Zha identifies as medical rape culture: a system of beliefs and practices that enable and normalize the violation of patients’ autonomy. Dr. Zha shows how this culture is historically entrenched—from the invention of the speculum to eugenics—and argues that we need a sea change in our healthcare system to stop repeating the same mistakes. She interlaces these hidden histories of medicine with first-hand patient stories and her own personal journey\, identifying four key problems of consent within medical practice: \n– Non-consent (“Doctors know what’s best for the patient.”)\n– Forced consent (“If patients are noncompliant\, their voices cease to matter.”)\n– Inadequate consent (“Doctors can decide what patients need to know.”)\n– Contractual consent (“Sign here\, then forever hold your peace.”) \nThis fundamental misunderstanding of consent robs patients of the right to control what happens to their own bodies\, and can cause serious harm. Instead\, Dr. Zha offers a radical new vision of medical consent culture—one that embraces collectivity\, accessibility\, and compassion. This provocative book will validate anyone who has felt ignored\, gaslight\, or violated in the doctor’s office and inspire those working in the healthcare system to push for change. \nAbout the Authors \nLu Chekowsky [she/they] is a writer and Emmy Award–winning creative director. In Lu’s most recent job in the advertising industry\, she was lead creative director for video at Facebook. Before that\, Lu was the SVP of brand creative at Comedy Central\, where they developed campaigns for shows like The Daily Show with Trevor Noah\, South Park\, Nathan for You\, and Broad City. Previously\, Lu was VP\, creative director at MTV\, where they made ads for Teen Wolf\, Jersey Shore\, The Real World\, and the Video Music Awards. Before working in entertainment\, Lu was a creative director and copywriter at Wieden+Kennedy\, where she over- saw work for brands such as Jordan\, Noxzema\, Delta Airlines\, and The National MS Society. Lu is a 2023 New York State Council on the Arts / New York Foundation for the Arts Fellow in nonfiction literature\, and their writing has been supported by MASS MoCA\, Vermont Studio Center\, Craigardan\, and Tin House. Her essays and poetry have been published in The Rumpus\, Pigeon Pages\, and Autofocus\, and her pieces about the cultural impacts of advertising have appeared in Ad Age and Muse by Clios. Lu lives in the Hudson Valley. \nZed Zha\, MD\, is a physician\, writer\, and medical cultural critic. In her book Consented: A Doctor’s Call to End Medical Violence and Reclaim Patient Autonomy (North Atlantic Books\, 2026)\, she argues that what medicine calls “consent” is often anything but\, and calls for a reimagining of care rooted in autonomy\, transparency\, and trust. She writes Ask The Patient\, a widely read newsletter where she gives language to experiences many patients have felt but never been able to name. \nThe event is free and open to all people\, but we encourage and appreciate a donation of $5-20 in support of the work of Charis Circle\, our programming non-profit. Donate on Crowdcast or via our website: www.chariscircle.org/donate. \nPlease contact us at info@chariscircle.org or 404-524-0304 if you would like ASL interpretation at this event. If you would like to watch the event with live AI captions\, you may do so by watching it in Google Chrome and enabling captions: Instructions here. If you have other accessibility needs or if you are someone who has skills in making digital events more accessible please don’t hesitate to reach out to info@chariscircle.org. \nBy attending our event\, you agree to our Code of Conduct: Our event seeks to provide a harassment-free experience for everyone\, regardless of gender\, gender identity and expression\, age\, sexual orientation\, disability\, physical appearance\, body size\, race\, ethnicity\, religion (or lack thereof)\, class\, or technology choices. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Unsolicited sexual language and imagery are not appropriate. Anyone violating these rules will be expelled from this event and all future events at the discretion of the organizers. Please report all harassment to Charis staff immediately or email info@chariscircle.org.
URL:https://www.artsatl.org/event/dont-buy-what-im-selling-consented-lu-chekowsky-zed-zha-in-conversation/
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Books
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.artsatl.org/wp-content/uploads/Facebook-Chekowsky-Zha-8.11.26-Virtual-1920-x-1080-px.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260811T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260811T203000
DTSTAMP:20260710T223830Z
CREATED:20260710T223830Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260710T223830Z
UID:10050743-1786474800-1786480200@www.artsatl.org
SUMMARY:Queer Romance Book Club Reads: Flirting Lessons
DESCRIPTION:The Queer Romance Book Club is a group of adults that reads and discusses queer romance stories of all kinds. From new releases to older stories\, contemporary to historical settings (with even some fantasy on occasion!)\, the books we’ll read will also feature diverse pairings/configurations\, sexualities\, and gender expressions. Join us on the second Tuesday of every month to go deep on the themes\, tropes\, and emotions that connect the titles we read\, or drop in for your favorite books or sub-genres! All are welcome! \nRegistration is required\, register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/TXMhbVCETAamP-iws1Kg9g \nThis Month’s book is Flirting Lessons by Jasmine Guillory \nSummary: \nAvery Jensen is almost thirty\, fresh off a breakup\, and she’s tired of always being so uptight and well-behaved. She wants to get a hobby\, date around (especially women)\, flirt with everyone she sees\, wear something not from the business casual section of her closet—all the fun stuff normal people do in their twenties. One problem: Avery doesn’t know where to start. She doesn’t have a lot of dating experience\, with men or women\, and despite being self-assured at work\, she doesn’t have a lot of confidence when it comes to romance. \nEnter Taylor Cameron\, Napa Valley’s biggest flirt and champion heartbreaker. Taylor just broke up with her most recent girlfriend\, and her best friend bet her that she can’t make it until Labor Day without sleeping with someone. (Two whole months? Without sex? Taylor?!?!) So\, she offers to give Avery flirting lessons. It should keep her busy and stop her from texting people she shouldn’t. And it might take her mind off how inadequate she feels compared to her friends\, who all seem much more settled and adult than Taylor. \nAt first\, Avery is stiff and nervous\, but Taylor is patient and encouraging\, and soon\, Avery looks forward to their weekly lessons. With Taylor’s help\, Avery finally has the life she always wanted. The only issue is: now she wants Taylor. Their attraction becomes impossible to ignore\, despite them both insisting to themselves and everyone else that it isn’t serious. When Taylor is forced to confront her feelings for Avery\, she doesn’t know what to do—and most importantly\, if she’s already ruined the best thing she’s ever had. \nIdentities/Themes/Tropes: contemporary\, Black MCs\, f/f \n2026 Books: \nJANUARY – When the Tides Held the Moon by Venessa Vida Kelley \nFEBRUARY – Make Room for Love by Darcy Liao \nMARCH – Ocean’s Echo by Everina Maxwell \nAPRIL – The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow \nMAY – I Think They Love You by Julian Winters \nJUNE – Moonlighters: A Novella Collection by Anita Kelly \nJULY – A Gentleman’s Gentleman by TJ Alexander \nAUGUST – Flirting Lessons by Jasmine Guillory \nSEPTEMBER – Oh! You Pretty Things by Jane Hadley \nOCTOBER – Ladies in Hating by Alexandra Vasti \nAbout the facilitators: \nKira Apple (she/her) has been a bookseller at Charis since the summer of 2020. Originally from Pennsylvania\, she first discovered a love of romance through fan fiction and fantasy novels. Now\, she reads broadly across fantasy\, sci-fi\, and romance\, and is a huge fan of queer lit and media. In addition to swooning over romantic things\, Kira enjoys tabletop roleplaying\, video games\, crocheting\, writing\, and wrangling her three cats. You can find her on Instagram – @kiapple. \nKate Harlan (she/her) is an aspiring librarian who has lived in Atlanta her whole life. She loves queer stories\, devouring queer romance\, fantasy\, and sci-fi books with both her ears and her eyes at what some say is an alarming rate. When she’s not reading (and\, honestly\, sometimes while she’s listening to books)\, she’s gardening with children in her neighborhood\, doing jigsaw puzzles\, petting dogs\, or knitting. You can find her on Instagram- @meetingmeonce \nThe event is free and open to all people\, especially to those who have no income or low income right now\, but we encourage and appreciate a solidarity donation in support of the work of Charis Circle\, our programming non-profit. Donate via this link: www.chariscircle.org/donate \nCharis Circle’s mission is to foster sustainable feminist communities\, work for social justice\, and encourage the expression of diverse and marginalized voices. \nBy attending any Charis Circle virtual event you agree to our Code of Conduct: Our event seeks to provide a harassment-free experience for everyone\, regardless of gender\, gender identity and expression\, age\, sexual orientation\, disability\, physical appearance\, body size\, race\, ethnicity\, religion (or lack thereof)\, class\, or technology choices. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Sexual language and imagery are not appropriate. Anyone violating these rules will be expelled from this event and all future events at the discretion of the organizers. Please report all harassment to info@chariscircle.org immediately.
URL:https://www.artsatl.org/event/queer-romance-book-club-reads-flirting-lessons/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Books
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.artsatl.org/wp-content/uploads/AUG-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260809T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260809T160000
DTSTAMP:20260710T223923Z
CREATED:20260710T223923Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260710T223923Z
UID:10050741-1786284000-1786291200@www.artsatl.org
SUMMARY:Community Art Making!
DESCRIPTION:Come out to Community Art Making at Charis! This monthly event is a free creative kickback for our community\, hosted by local trans and disabled artists Barry Lee and Noah Grigni. This is a safe and accessible space for collective healing through art\, which welcomes all skill levels\, all art forms\, and all ages. Art supplies will be provided potluck-style; we will share what we have\, and we invite you to do the same! The events are on the second Sunday of each month. No reservation or ticket is required. Masks are required inside the store. \nThis event is free and open to all people\, especially to those who have no income or low income\, but we encourage and appreciate a solidarity donation in support of the work of Charis Circle\, our programming non-profit. Charis Circle’s mission is to foster sustainable feminist communities\, work for social justice\, and encourage the expression of diverse and marginalized voices. \nBy attending this event\, you agree to our Code of Conduct: Our event seeks to provide a harassment-free experience for everyone\, regardless of gender\, gender identity and expression\, age\, sexual orientation\, disability\, physical appearance\, body size\, race\, ethnicity\, religion (or lack thereof)\, class\, or technology choices. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Unsolicited sexual language and imagery are not appropriate. Anyone violating these rules will be expelled from this event and all future events at the discretion of the organizers. Please report all harassment to Charis staff immediately.
URL:https://www.artsatl.org/event/community-art-making-12/
LOCATION:Charis Books & More\, 184 S Candler Street\, Decatur\, GA\, 30030\, United States
CATEGORIES:Art + Design
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.artsatl.org/wp-content/uploads/FacebookTwitter-Community-Art-Making-11.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260806T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260806T203000
DTSTAMP:20260710T223917Z
CREATED:20260710T223917Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260710T223917Z
UID:10050740-1786042800-1786048200@www.artsatl.org
SUMMARY:Queer Ecologies Book Club Reads -- Salt Lakes: An Unnatural History
DESCRIPTION:THIS BOOK CLUB HAS BEEN EXTENDED AND WILL GO THROUGH OCTOBER 2026. Check back in the fall to see if it will continue in 2027! \nThis group will meet regularly in-person at Charis on the first Thursday of each month at 7pm. \nAbout the book club:\nQueer Ecologies is an emerging field that illuminates queerness in the natural world. Through a mix of non-fiction\, speculative fiction\, and poetry\, the Queer Ecologies Book Club introduces readers to the queer\, non-binary\, and downright bizarre beings found all over planet Earth. Simultaneously\, we consider what it means to live queerly on and practice care for this rapidly transforming planet we call home. The Queer Ecologies Book Club centers queer\, trans\, and gender expansive people\, ideas\, experiences\, and ways of being\, but is open to all community members. Participants are encouraged to read the month’s book before our gatherings. However\, doing so is not required – come as you are\, regardless of how much you’ve read! Participants are expected to treat each other with respect in all group conversations and interactions. This book club is facilitated by Charis bookseller & queer ecologist\, Yarrow Koning. \nAbout our August book: \nSalt Lakes: An Unnatural History by Caroline Tracey \nAn acclaimed nature writer’s dazzling love letter to a strange ecosystem and a moving odyssey into her own identity. \nMore than a hundred salt lakes dot Earth’s surface\, most of them hidden away in remote desert valleys. But today nearly all of them are at risk of drying up. Their death is a harbinger of rising sea levels\, life-threatening dust storms\, and environmental collapse. \nWriter and geographer Caroline Tracey didn’t know this when she began crossing paths with salt lakes during her early twenties. From the Great Salt Lake to the Aral Sea\, across the American West and around the world\, the unusual beauty of these shimmering\, uncanny bodies of water captured her imagination. In Salt Lakes\, Tracey travels across four continents to seek out and describe these extraordinary vanishing lakes and the people dedicated to saving them. She takes readers along on her adventures by train in Kazakhstan and on an inflatable raft in California\, on her encounter with Mormon environmentalists in Utah and an Australian Aboriginal painter seeking to capture her country for her children. In evocative prose\, she traces shorebirds’ seasonal migration and the history of water law. \nAs Tracey chronicles the decline of the lakes\, she also experiences dramatic changes in her own life and conception of self. Running parallel to Tracey’s environmental journey is an intimate\, human one: her story of finding queer love and building a home in a world fast being remade by ecological crises. By the end of Salt Lakes\, she shows us how seeing the environment through a queer lens could help save our water system. \nAn exquisite blend of travel writing\, memoir\, and reportage\, Salt Lakes is an inspiring call to fight for all that is fragile in our lives. \n2026 Books: \nJanuary: Queer Ducks (and Other Animals): The Natural World of Animal Sexuality by Eliot Schrefer\nFebruary: Fearless\, Sleepless\, Deathless: What Fungi Taught Me about Nourishment\, Poison\, Ecology\, Hidden Histories\, Zombies\, and Black Survival by Maria Pinto\nMarch: Forest Euphoria: The Abounding Queerness of Nature by Patricia Ononiwu Kaishian\nApril: Unfurl: Survivals\, Sorrows\, and Dreaming by Eli Clare\nMay: What A Fish Looks Like by Syr Hayati Beker\nJune: Love After the End: An Anthology of Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer Speculative Fiction edited by Joshua Whitehead\nJuly: Rachel Carson and the Power of Queer Love by Lida Maxwell\nAugust: Salt Lakes: An Unnatural History by Caroline Tracey\nSeptember: Scapegoat: What the Invasive Species Story Gets Wrong by Clare Follmann\nOctober: The Disordered Cosmos: A Journey into Dark Matter\, Spacetime\, and Dreams Deferred by Chanda Prescod-Weinstein \nIn-person event guidelines:\n– All attendees must wear a face mask.\n– We will begin seating people at 6:45 PM ET.\n– As a reminder: If you are not feeling well\, please do not come to the event. \nIf you have any questions regarding these guidelines or to request specific accessibility accommodations\, please contact info@charisbooksandmore.com or call the store at 404-524-0304 \nThe event is free and open to all people\, but we encourage and appreciate a donation of $5-20 in support of the work of Charis Circle\, our programming non-profit. Donate online at www.chariscircle.org/donate or in person at the event. \nBy attending our event you agree to our Code of Conduct: Our event seeks to provide a harassment-free experience for everyone\, regardless of gender\, gender identity and expression\, age\, sexual orientation\, disability\, physical appearance\, body size\, race\, ethnicity\, religion (or lack thereof)\, class\, or technology choices. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Unsolicited sexual language and imagery are not appropriate. Anyone violating these rules will be expelled from this event and all future events at the discretion of the organizers. Please report all harassment to info@chariscircle.org immediately.
URL:https://www.artsatl.org/event/queer-ecologies-book-club-reads-salt-lakes-an-unnatural-history/
LOCATION:Charis Books & More\, 184 S Candler Street\, Decatur\, GA\, 30030\, United States
CATEGORIES:Books
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260802T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260802T163000
DTSTAMP:20260710T223913Z
CREATED:20260710T223913Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260710T223913Z
UID:10050739-1785682800-1785688200@www.artsatl.org
SUMMARY:Black Feminist Book Club Reads -- The War Before: The True Life Story of Becoming a Black Panther\, Keeping the Faith in Prison\, and Fighting for Those Left Behind
DESCRIPTION:The Black Feminist Book Club reads books written by Black transgender\, gender expansive\, and/or women writers\, which center the liberation\, struggle\, and lived experiences of oppressed people/marginalized groups through a Black feminist perspective. The group celebrates classic and contemporary Black authors of fiction and nonfiction\, all in the comfort of a historic feminist bookstore where many of these authors once read or shared their works! Our goal is for these texts to be welcoming and accessible regardless of your background or familiarity with the books. \nYemisi Combahee\, a senior organizer with Black Feminist Future is the facilitator of this group. Yemisi will not be present for August’s gathering and the book club gathering will be led by Jalessah T. Jackson. All community members are invited to attend with the acknowledgment that this is a space that centers Black women and gender expansive folks’ thoughts\, creativity\, and lived experiences. We encourage folks to read the months book before our gathering but it is not required – come as you are\, regardless of how much you’ve read! \nThis group meets in-person at Charis on the first Sunday of each month at 3pm. \nNOTE: Next month’s book club meeting will take place on Sunday\, September 20th at 3:00pm ET. \nAbout our August book: \nThe War Before: The True Life Story of Becoming a Black Panther\, Keeping the Faith in Prison\, and Fighting for Those Left Behind by Safiya Bukhari \nIn 1968\, Safiya Bukhari witnessed an NYPD officer harassing a Black Panther for selling the organization’s newspaper on a Harlem street corner. The young pre-med student felt compelled to intervene in defense of the Panther’s First Amendment right; she ended up handcuffed and thrown into the back of a police car. \nThe War Before traces Bukhari’s lifelong commitment as an advocate for the rights of the oppressed. Following her journey from middle-class student to Black Panther to political prisoner\, these writings provide an intimate view of a woman wrestling with the issues of her time—the troubled legacy of the Panthers\, misogyny in the movement\, her decision to convert to Islam\, the incarceration of outspoken radicals\, and the families left behind. Her account unfolds with immediacy and passion\, showing how the struggles of social justice movements of the past have paved the way for the progress—and continued struggle—of today. \nWith a preface by Bukhari’s daughter\, Wonda Jones\, a forward by Angela Y. Davis\, and edited by Laura Whitehorn\, The War Before is a riveting look at the making of an activist and the legacy she left behind. \n2026 Books: \nJanuary: The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw \nFebruary: A Black Women’s History of the United States by Daina Ramey Berry & Kali Nicole Gross \nMarch: Gorilla\, My Love by Toni Cade Bambara \nApril: Love Poems by Nikki Giovanni \nMay: The Gilda Stories by Jewelle Gomez \nJune: The Cancer Journals by Audre Lorde \nJuly: The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi \nAugust: The War Before: The True Life Story of Becoming a Black Panther\, Keeping the Faith in Prison\, and Fighting for Those Left Behind by Safiya Bukhari \nSeptember: Sassafrass\, Cypress & Indigo by Ntozake Shange \nOctober: Belly of the Beast: The Politics of Anti-Fatness as Anti-Blackness by Da’Shaun L. Harrison \nNovember: Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga \nIn-person event guidelines:\n– All attendees must wear a face mask.\n– We will begin seating people at 2:45 PM ET.\n– As a reminder: If you are not feeling well\, please do not come to the event. \nIf you have any questions regarding these guidelines or to request specific accessibility accommodations\, please contact info@charisbooksandmore.com or call the store at 404-524-0304 \nThe event is free and open to all people\, but we encourage and appreciate a donation of $5-20 in support of the work of Charis Circle\, our programming non-profit. Donate online at www.chariscircle.org/donate or in person at the event. \nBy attending our event you agree to our Code of Conduct: Our event seeks to provide a harassment-free experience for everyone\, regardless of gender\, gender identity and expression\, age\, sexual orientation\, disability\, physical appearance\, body size\, race\, ethnicity\, religion (or lack thereof)\, class\, or technology choices. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Unsolicited sexual language and imagery are not appropriate. Anyone violating these rules will be expelled from this event and all future events at the discretion of the organizers. Please report all harassment to info@chariscircle.org immediately.
URL:https://www.artsatl.org/event/black-feminist-book-club-reads-the-war-before-the-true-life-story-of-becoming-a-black-panther-keeping-the-faith-in-prison-and-fighting-for-those-left-behind/
LOCATION:Charis Books & More\, 184 S Candler Street\, Decatur\, GA\, 30030\, United States
CATEGORIES:Books
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260728T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260728T203000
DTSTAMP:20260615T174552Z
CREATED:20260615T174552Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260615T174552Z
UID:10049415-1785265200-1785270600@www.artsatl.org
SUMMARY:Kidliterate Book Club Reads: Harbor Me
DESCRIPTION:Kidliterate invites you to join a group of quirky adults who enjoy reading and discussing Young Adult and Middle Reader books. Drop-ins welcome! The Kidliterate Book Club meets on Zoom on the 4th Tuesday of every month\, 7-8:30 PM EST. \nRegistration is required\, register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/53H41bEaTmaubGLTIzcvMg \nThis month’s book is Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson. \nIt all starts when six kids have to meet for a weekly chat–by themselves\, with no adults to listen in. There\, in the room they soon dub the ARTT Room (short for “A Room to Talk”)\, they discover it’s safe to talk about what’s bothering them–everything from Esteban’s father’s deportation and Haley’s father’s incarceration to Amari’s fears of racial profiling and Ashton’s adjustment to his changing family fortunes. When the six are together\, they can express the feelings and fears they have to hide from the rest of the world. And together\, they can grow braver and more ready for the rest of their lives. \n2026 Book Club Picks: \nJanuary: The Flicker by H.E. Edgmon\nFebruary: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz\nMarch: Some Places More Than Others by Renée Watson\nApril: Rumble Fish by S.E. Hinton\nMay: The Eyes and the Impossible by Dave Eggers\nJune: A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher\nJuly: Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson\nAugust: Furia by Yamile Saied Méndez\nSeptember: The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex\nOctober: Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas\nThe event is free and open to all people\, especially to those who have no income or low income right now\, but we encourage and appreciate a solidarity donation in support of the work of Charis Circle\, our programming non-profit. Donate via this link: www.chariscircle.org/donate \nCharis Circle’s mission is to foster sustainable feminist communities\, work for social justice\, and encourage the expression of diverse and marginalized voices. \nBy attending any Charis Circle virtual event you agree to our Code of Conduct: Our event seeks to provide a harassment-free experience for everyone\, regardless of gender\, gender identity and expression\, age\, sexual orientation\, disability\, physical appearance\, body size\, race\, ethnicity\, religion (or lack thereof)\, class\, or technology choices. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Sexual language and imagery are not appropriate. Anyone violating these rules will be expelled from this event and all future events at the discretion of the organizers. Please report all harassment to info@chariscircle.org immediately.
URL:https://www.artsatl.org/event/kidliterate-book-club-reads-harbor-me/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Books
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.artsatl.org/wp-content/uploads/JULY-copy.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260726T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260726T140000
DTSTAMP:20260624T210528Z
CREATED:20260624T210528Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260624T210528Z
UID:10049875-1785070800-1785074400@www.artsatl.org
SUMMARY:How Queer Bookshops Changed the World: A Celebration with A.J. West and Queer Booksellers
DESCRIPTION:This event takes place on Zoom. This event is free\, but registration is required. Click here to register – https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/OKWvKln2S9qt3WwrG5gUPw#/registration. PLEASE NOTE: You must register using an email address that is connected to a Zoom account. This is a security measure to minimize bots and ill-intentioned attendees. \nCharis welcomes Irish author\, A.J. West\, and a panel of booksellers from veteran and newer queer and feminist bookstores in celebration of How Queer Bookshops Changed the World. Together we’ll explore the legacy of queer and feminist bookstores in the U.S. and globally\, and talk about what the recent resurgence of queer\, feminist\, and radical bookshops means for print culture and politics. We invite anyone who is interested in queer literature and community building to join us for the conversation\, but we especially welcome booksellers new and old who work in queer and/or feminist bookstores who would like to share stories and build connections. Panelists details forthcoming! \nAbout the book \nThe remarkable tale of how queer bookshops built communities\, nourished minds\, redefined literature – and changed the world. \nFor over a century\, LGBTQ+ bookshops have been the unsung heroes of queer liberation. Home not only to books but chaotic community noticeboards\, vicious rescue cats and countless meet cutes\, queer bookshops have always been more than just bookshops\, offering friendship\, solidarity and sanctuary. \nA. J. West explores the remarkable history of these bookstores. Tracing their evolution from under-the-counter operations to beloved out-and-proud institutions\, West reveals how the queer bookshop stood at the vanguard of LGBTQ+ rights\, offering support and vital information through the AIDS crisis and bringing the fight to book bans. \nA powerful testament not only to bookshops but to the courage of queer booksellers\, from Sylvia Beach hiding books from the Nazis in laundry baskets to Craig Rodwell facing off against the police at the Stonewall riots\, A. J. West celebrates the shops and booksellers that brought queer literature and lives into the mainstream. \nAbout the author \nA. J. West is an award-winning journalist and was the first openly gay BBC television newsreader in Northern Ireland. He is a former director of a national UK queer charity. His last novel The Betrayal of Thomas True was a No.2 Sunday Times bestseller. He has written extensively about queer issues for Gay Times\, Attitude\, the Independent\, Daily Mail\, Sun\, Telegraph. He regularly appears on network television and radio as a panelist on current affairs programs\, often discussing queer topics. \nThe event is free and open to all people\, but we encourage and appreciate a donation of $5-20 in support of the work of Charis Circle\, our programming non-profit. Donate on Crowdcast or via our website: www.chariscircle.org/donate. \nPlease contact us at info@chariscircle.org or 404-524-0304 if you would like ASL interpretation at this event. If you would like to watch the event with live AI captions\, follow the instructions here to turn them on. If you have other accessibility needs or if you are someone who has skills in making digital events more accessible please don’t hesitate to reach out to info@chariscircle.org. \nBy attending our event\, you agree to our Code of Conduct: Our event seeks to provide a harassment-free experience for everyone\, regardless of gender\, gender identity and expression\, age\, sexual orientation\, disability\, physical appearance\, body size\, race\, ethnicity\, religion (or lack thereof)\, class\, or technology choices. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Unsolicited sexual language and imagery are not appropriate. Anyone violating these rules will be expelled from this event and all future events at the discretion of the organizers. Please report all harassment to Charis staff immediately or email info@chariscircle.org.
URL:https://www.artsatl.org/event/how-queer-bookshops-changed-the-world-a-celebration-with-a-j-west-and-queer-booksellers/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Books
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.artsatl.org/wp-content/uploads/Facebook-How-Queer-Bookshops-Changed-the-World-7.26.26-Virtual-1920-x-1080-px.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260725T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260725T110000
DTSTAMP:20260615T174559Z
CREATED:20260615T174559Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260615T174559Z
UID:10049414-1784973600-1784977200@www.artsatl.org
SUMMARY:LGBTQ+ Book Club Reads: Queer Villains of Myth and Legend: A Revelry of Queer Rogues and Outlaws through the Ages
DESCRIPTION:The LGBTQ+ Book Club is a group for LGBTQ+ folks and allies to read queer-themed books and books by queer authors! We aim to have diverse thought-provoking discussions about queer identity\, history\, and topical issues. All are welcome to join! \nThe LGBTQ+ Book Club meets on Zoom on the 4th Saturday of every month\, 10:00 -11:30 AM EST. \nRegistration is required\, register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/fka5Uo6YQxqwCYfRARyOuw#/registration \nAbout our July book: \nQueer Villains of Myth and Legend: A Revelry of Queer Rogues and Outlaws through the Ages by Dan Jones \nThe wicked companion book to Queer Heroes of Myth and Legend. Featuring 50 profiles and select B&W illustrated portraits\, Queer Villains of Myth & Legend is a celebration of those delightfully villainous queer mystical beings. \nEvery good hero needs a villain! Explore the hidden world of magnetic and mysterious villains\, often cast aside and misunderstood in tales of mythology and folklore. Through the pages of Queer Villains of Myth and Legend\, discover a diverse community of fascinating characters\, ranging from seductive and cunning to powerful and awe-inspiring. \nExperience the dark allure of Circe and Medusa through to David Bowie’s Jareth in Labyrinth and delve into their complex and multifaceted personalities and motivations. Take a deep dive into the intersection of queerness and villainy\, re-examine some of our favorite characters\, and discover why so many ‘bad’ characters are queer-coded. \nFrom ancient mythology to contemporary pop culture\, Queer Villains of Myth and Legend celebrates the fascinating stories of these often-overlooked characters. Join Dan Jones on a journey of discovery\, as he explores the hidden depths of queer villainy and sheds light on the queer identities of these compelling figures. It’s a powerful celebration of queerness through the ages in all its legendary complexity. \n2026 Book Club Picks: \nJANUARY – Spent by Alison Bechdel \nFEBRUARY – These Heathens by Mia McKenzie \nMARCH – The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin \nAPRIL – Open Throat: A Novel by Henry Hoke \nMAY – How to Tell When We Will Die: On Pain\, Disability\, and Doom by Johanna Hedva \nJUNE – Be Gay\, Do Crime: Sixteen Stories of Queer Chaos edited by Molly Llewellyn and Kristel Buckley \nJULY – Queer Villains of Myth and Legend: A Revelry of Queer Rogues and Outlaws through the Ages by Dan Jones \nAUGUST – I Keep My Exoskeletons to Myself: A Novel by Mac Crane \nSEPTEMBER – Uncanny Valley Girls: Essays on Horror\, Survival\, and Love by Zefyr Lisowski \nOCTOBER – Anno Dracula by Kim Newman \nThe event is free and open to all people\, especially to those who have no income or low income right now\, but we encourage and appreciate a solidarity donation in support of the work of Charis Circle\, our programming non-profit. Donate via this link: www.chariscircle.org/donate \nCharis Circle’s mission is to foster sustainable feminist communities\, work for social justice\, and encourage the expression of diverse and marginalized voices. \nBy attending any Charis Circle virtual event you agree to our Code of Conduct: Our event seeks to provide a harassment-free experience for everyone\, regardless of gender\, gender identity and expression\, age\, sexual orientation\, disability\, physical appearance\, body size\, race\, ethnicity\, religion (or lack thereof)\, class\, or technology choices. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Sexual language and imagery are not appropriate. Anyone violating these rules will be expelled from this event and all future events at the discretion of the organizers. Please report all harassment to info@chariscircle.org immediately.
URL:https://www.artsatl.org/event/lgbtq-book-club-reads-queer-villains-of-myth-and-legend-a-revelry-of-queer-rogues-and-outlaws-through-the-ages/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Books
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.artsatl.org/wp-content/uploads/july-3.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260723T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260723T203000
DTSTAMP:20260604T190118Z
CREATED:20260604T190118Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260604T190118Z
UID:10049316-1784833200-1784838600@www.artsatl.org
SUMMARY:Kidliterate Book Club Reads: A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking
DESCRIPTION:Kidliterate invites you to join a group of quirky adults who enjoy reading and discussing Young Adult and Middle Reader books. Drop-ins welcome! The Kidliterate Book Club meets on Zoom on the 4th Tuesday of every month\, 7-8:30 PM EST. \nRegistration is required\, register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/53H41bEaTmaubGLTIzcvMg \nThis month’s book is A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher \nFourteen-year-old Mona isn’t like the wizards charged with defending the city. She can’t control lightning or speak to water. Her familiar is a sourdough starter and her magic only works on bread. She has a comfortable life in her aunt’s bakery making gingerbread men dance. \nBut Mona’s life is turned upside down when she finds a dead body on the bakery floor. An assassin is stalking the streets of Mona’s city\, preying on magic folk\, and it appears that Mona is his next target. And in an embattled city suddenly bereft of wizards\, the assassin may be the least of Mona’s worries… \n2026 Book Club Picks: \nJanuary: The Flicker by H.E. Edgmon\nFebruary: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz\nMarch: Some Places More Than Others by Renée Watson\nApril: Rumble Fish by S.E. Hinton\nMay: The Eyes and the Impossible by Dave Eggers\nJune: A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher\nJuly – Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson\nAugust – Furia by Yamile Saied Méndez\nSeptember – The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex\nOctober – Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas \nThe event is free and open to all people\, especially to those who have no income or low income right now\, but we encourage and appreciate a solidarity donation in support of the work of Charis Circle\, our programming non-profit. Donate via this link: www.chariscircle.org/donate \nCharis Circle’s mission is to foster sustainable feminist communities\, work for social justice\, and encourage the expression of diverse and marginalized voices. \nBy attending any Charis Circle virtual event you agree to our Code of Conduct: Our event seeks to provide a harassment-free experience for everyone\, regardless of gender\, gender identity and expression\, age\, sexual orientation\, disability\, physical appearance\, body size\, race\, ethnicity\, religion (or lack thereof)\, class\, or technology choices. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Sexual language and imagery are not appropriate. Anyone violating these rules will be expelled from this event and all future events at the discretion of the organizers. Please report all harassment to info@chariscircle.org immediately.
URL:https://www.artsatl.org/event/kidliterate-book-club-reads-a-wizards-guide-to-defensive-baking/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Books
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260716T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260716T203000
DTSTAMP:20260615T174820Z
CREATED:20260615T174820Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260615T174820Z
UID:10049413-1784230200-1784233800@www.artsatl.org
SUMMARY:Cliterati Open Mic Featuring: FreeQuency in celebration of (On |Un-)Becoming
DESCRIPTION:This event takes place in person at Charis. \nCharis and Cliterati pair up to present an inviting and fierce open mic & reading series that celebrates new voices and seasoned veterans alike. Co-hosted by Karen G. and Theresa Davis\, all are welcome to come and share their work. If you would like to participate as a reader or performer\, all you need to do is arrive by 7:15 pm ET to sign up on the list. If you are a non-acoustic musician and would like to plug your instrument into our sound system\, please contact info@chariscircle.org ahead of time to let us know so we can have the right setup for you! There are no genre\, style\, or form requirements\, but please keep your set to under five minutes to allow everyone to have a turn! \nThis month’s featured poet is FreeQuency in celebration of (On |Un-)Becoming. \n(On |Un-)Becoming is a collection of stories\, reflections\, forgivenesses and offerings rooted in conversations and conflicts with FreeQuency’s mother\, chosen family & other selves. The anti disciplinary project liberates the concept of “transitioning” from the realm of Westernized notions of gender and expands|explores|explodes the concept of (un)becoming in relationship to international Blackness\, migration|movement\, geographic and corporeal displacement\, spiritual|mental health and the ties between personal and communal transformation. \nStory|teller\, organizer\, host\, workshop leader\, chaos collagist\, youth worker & performance artist\, FreeQuency is a gender-renegade Kenyan e|immigrant who is masculine off center\, femme adjacent\, an AunTea and|or a prettyboi. FreeQuency’s anti-disciplinary work interrogates and occupies the in between while exploring the nuances and stark contradictions of existence under racialized capitalism. This humanoid is the 2018 Women of the World Poetry Slam Champion\, the founder of Paza Sauti: Kenya & has been featured in or written for numerous outlets. Their work has amassed millions of views online including a TED talk that almost didn’t get released. Learn more at www.FreeQuencySpeaks.com. \nThe event is free and open to all people\, but we encourage and appreciate a donation of $5-20 in support of the work of Charis Circle\, our programming non-profit. Donate on our website: www.chariscircle.org/donate or in person at the event. \nCharis Books is a fully wheelchair accessible space with on site van accessible parking\, two ramps\, and additional overflow accessible parking nearby. Additional accessibility information can be found on the Accessibility page of our website. \nEvent guidelines:\n– All attendees must wear a face mask.\n– We will begin seating people at 7:00 PM ET.\n– As a reminder: If you are not feeling well\, please do not come to the event. \nIf you have any questions regarding these guidelines or to request specific accessibility accommodations\, please contact info@charisbooksandmore.com or call the store at 404-524-0304. \nPlease contact us at info@chariscircle.org or 404-524-0304 if you would like ASL interpretation at this event. If you have other accessibility needs please don’t hesitate to reach out to info@chariscircle.org. \nBy attending our event you agree to our Code of Conduct: Our event seeks to provide a harassment-free experience for everyone\, regardless of gender\, gender identity and expression\, age\, sexual orientation\, disability\, physical appearance\, body size\, race\, ethnicity\, religion (or lack thereof)\, class\, or technology choices. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Unsolicited sexual language and imagery are not appropriate. Anyone violating these rules will be expelled from this event and all future events at the discretion of the organizers. Please report all harassment to Charis staff immediately or email info@chariscircle.org.
URL:https://www.artsatl.org/event/cliterati-open-mic-featuring-freequency-in-celebration-of-on-un-becoming/
LOCATION:Charis Books & More\, 184 S Candler Street\, Decatur\, GA\, 30030\, United States
CATEGORIES:Books
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260714T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260714T203000
DTSTAMP:20260615T174828Z
CREATED:20260615T174828Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260615T174828Z
UID:10049412-1784055600-1784061000@www.artsatl.org
SUMMARY:Queer Romance Book Club Reads: A Gentleman's Gentleman
DESCRIPTION:The Queer Romance Book Club is a group of adults that reads and discusses queer romance stories of all kinds. From new releases to older stories\, contemporary to historical settings (with even some fantasy on occasion!)\, the books we’ll read will also feature diverse pairings/configurations\, sexualities\, and gender expressions. Join us on the second Tuesday of every month to go deep on the themes\, tropes\, and emotions that connect the titles we read\, or drop in for your favorite books or sub-genres! All are welcome! \nRegistration is required\, register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/TXMhbVCETAamP-iws1Kg9g \nThis Month’s book is A Gentleman’s Gentleman by TJ Alexander \nSummary: \nThe notoriously eccentric Lord Christopher Eden is a “man of unusual make” and even more unusual habits: he prefers to live far from the prying eyes and ears of the ton\, and would rather have the comfortable company of his childhood cook and his aged butler than the swarm of servants and hangers-on befitting a man of his station. But Christopher’s pleasant\, if occasionally lonely life is upended when he receives word from his lawyers that\, according to his late father’s will\, he must find a wife by the end of the Season if he intends to keep his family’s fortune and the Eden estate. Christopher cannot imagine a worse fate: as he isn’t attracted to women\, his chances of making a wife happy are slim. Furthermore\, if his quest to marry has any hope of succeeding\, he must move to London posthaste and acquire some more suitable staff. \nEnter James Harding\, Christopher’s new\, distractingly handsome—if rigidly traditional—valet. After a rocky start\, the two strike up a fragile friendship amid the throes of the London Season . . . a friendship that threatens to shatter under the looming shadow of Christopher’s impending nuptials—and the secrets both men are keeping. With its heady combination of dry wit\, slow-burn romance\, and a nuanced portrait of trans identity\, A Gentleman’s Gentleman stands to transform the historical romance genre as we know it. \nIdentities/Themes/Tropes: historical; trans m/trans m \n2026 Books: \nJANUARY – When the Tides Held the Moon by Venessa Vida Kelley \nFEBRUARY – Make Room for Love by Darcy Liao \nMARCH – Ocean’s Echo by Everina Maxwell \nAPRIL – The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow \nMAY – I Think They Love You by Julian Winters \nJUNE – Moonlighters: A Novella Collection by Anita Kelly \nJULY – A Gentleman’s Gentleman by TJ Alexander \nAUGUST – Flirting Lessons by Jasmine Guillory \nSEPTEMBER – Oh! You Pretty Things by Jane Hadley \nOCTOBER – Ladies in Hating by Alexandra Vasti \nAbout the facilitators: \nKira Apple (she/her) has been a bookseller at Charis since the summer of 2020. Originally from Pennsylvania\, she first discovered a love of romance through fan fiction and fantasy novels. Now\, she reads broadly across fantasy\, sci-fi\, and romance\, and is a huge fan of queer lit and media. In addition to swooning over romantic things\, Kira enjoys tabletop roleplaying\, video games\, crocheting\, writing\, and wrangling her three cats. You can find her on Instagram – @kiapple. \nKate Harlan (she/her) is an aspiring librarian who has lived in Atlanta her whole life. She loves queer stories\, devouring queer romance\, fantasy\, and sci-fi books with both her ears and her eyes at what some say is an alarming rate. When she’s not reading (and\, honestly\, sometimes while she’s listening to books)\, she’s gardening with children in her neighborhood\, doing jigsaw puzzles\, petting dogs\, or knitting. You can find her on Instagram- @meetingmeonce \nThe event is free and open to all people\, especially to those who have no income or low income right now\, but we encourage and appreciate a solidarity donation in support of the work of Charis Circle\, our programming non-profit. Donate via this link: www.chariscircle.org/donate \nCharis Circle’s mission is to foster sustainable feminist communities\, work for social justice\, and encourage the expression of diverse and marginalized voices. \nBy attending any Charis Circle virtual event you agree to our Code of Conduct: Our event seeks to provide a harassment-free experience for everyone\, regardless of gender\, gender identity and expression\, age\, sexual orientation\, disability\, physical appearance\, body size\, race\, ethnicity\, religion (or lack thereof)\, class\, or technology choices. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Sexual language and imagery are not appropriate. Anyone violating these rules will be expelled from this event and all future events at the discretion of the organizers. Please report all harassment to info@chariscircle.org immediately.
URL:https://www.artsatl.org/event/queer-romance-book-club-reads-a-gentlemans-gentleman/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Books
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260713T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260713T200000
DTSTAMP:20260406T135904Z
CREATED:20260406T135904Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260406T135904Z
UID:10047749-1783969200-1783972800@www.artsatl.org
SUMMARY:Chuck Tingle in Celebration of Fabulous Bodies
DESCRIPTION:This event takes place at the Decatur Library. This event is free and open to the public but registration is requested. Click here to register – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chuck-tingle-in-celebration-of-fabulous-bodies-tickets-1986549734733?aff=oddtdtcreator. \nCharis and the Georgia Center for the Book welcome Chuck Tingle for a celebration of Fabulous Bodies\, a supernatural joyride where Drive meets Beetlejuice. \nPoppy Stringer was born to be a star. \nAn aspiring fashion influencer by day\, Poppy moonlights as a grave robber to make ends meet\, wheeling and dealing dead bodies across Palm Springs. \nWhen her hero\, the flamboyant\, piano-slamming rockstar Eddie Michaels\, unexpectedly dies\, Poppy gets a call to retrieve his body from the medical examiner’s office for a lucrative sum. It could be the last job she’ll ever need—if everything goes to plan. But the night’s delivery quickly veers off course when Eddie wakes up. \nNow Poppy must fight for her life if she hopes to survive this blood-soaked joyride of carnage and extravagant entertainment. \nAbout the Author \nCHUCK TINGLE is the USA Today bestselling author of Camp Damascus\, Bury Your Gays\, Lucky Day\, Fabulous Bodies\, and Straight. He is a Locus Award winner\, and a finalist for the Bram Stoker and CALIBA Golden Poppy Awards. Tingle is a mysterious force of energy behind sunglasses and a pink mask. He is also an anonymous author of romance\, horror\, and fantasy who lives in Los Angeles\, California. Tingle writes to prove love is real\, because love is the most important tool we have when resisting the endless cosmic void. Not everything people say about Tingle is true\, but the important parts are. \nAbout the venue: \n– All books will be pre-signed. There will not be a signing line/personalizations after the event but Chuck will be available for photos.\n– Masks are encouraged but not required.\n– This event takes place in the auditorium of the Decatur Library. It is fully wheelchair accessible with free parking right outside the building. \nThe event is free and open to all people\, but we encourage and appreciate a donation of $5-20 in support of the work of Charis Circle\, our programming non-profit. Charis Circle’s mission is to foster sustainable feminist communities\, work for social justice\, and encourage the expression of diverse and marginalized voices. Donate via our website: www.chariscircle.org/donate. \nPlease contact us at info@chariscircle.org or 404-524-0304 if you would like ASL interpretation at this event. \nBy attending our event\, you agree to our Code of Conduct: Our event seeks to provide a harassment-free experience for everyone\, regardless of gender\, gender identity and expression\, age\, sexual orientation\, disability\, physical appearance\, body size\, race\, ethnicity\, religion (or lack thereof)\, class\, or technology choices. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Unsolicited sexual language and imagery are not appropriate. Anyone violating these rules will be expelled from this event and all future events at the discretion of the organizers. Please report all harassment to Charis staff immediately or email info@chariscircle.org.
URL:https://www.artsatl.org/event/chuck-tingle-in-celebration-of-fabulous-bodies/
LOCATION:Decatur Library\, 215 Sycamore St.\, Decatur\, GA\, 30030\, United States
CATEGORIES:Books
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260708T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260708T200000
DTSTAMP:20260624T210534Z
CREATED:20260624T210534Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260624T210534Z
UID:10049876-1783533600-1783540800@www.artsatl.org
SUMMARY:Monthly Sapphic Writing Group
DESCRIPTION:This is an in-person only event\, which takes place at Charis Books and More. This space is free but we recommend you RSVP to reserve your spot because space is limited – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/monthly-sapphic-writing-group-tickets-1992368845851?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true. Please read the in-person event guidelines at the bottom of this page to be sure you can participate in the event. \nCharis Books and More & Sapphic Creative Writing Group are excited to bring our community a monthly space for sapphic\, trans\, and non-binary people to write and socialize. This space will include writing prompts and time to share your work and receive feedback from fellow participants. No prior writing experience is necessary – all skill levels are welcome. Our aim is to create a safe space for sapphic\, trans\, and non-binary people to foster creativity\, encourage self-expression\, and a sense of community. The Sapphic Writing Group will meet at Charis on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. Join us on Wednesday\, July 8th at 6:00pm EST! \nJuly’s meeting will be hosted by Kena. Kena is from Marietta\, Georgia and a recent grad from Oglethorpe University with an English Literature degree! She loves all things books\, writing\, and going for runs when she’s not snuggling her cat\, Heather. \nFollow @charisbooksandmore\, @sapphiccreativewriting\, and @scw.atl on Instagram to stay updated. \nEvent Details\n– All attendees must wear a face mask during the event.\n– We will begin seating people at 5:30 PM.\n– RSVP to reserve your spot because space is limited – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/monthly-sapphic-writing-group-tickets-1992368845851?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true\n– As a reminder: If you are not feeling well\, please do not come to the event. \nIf you have any questions regarding these guidelines or to request specific accessibility accommodations\, please contact info@charisbooksandmore.com or call the store at 404-524-0304. \nAccessibility \nCharis has both stairs and an elongated ramp at the entrance. Accessible parking is to the left of the building. Charis Books is a fully wheelchair accessible space with on site van accessible parking\, two ramps\, and additional overflow accessible parking nearby. Most of our shelves are on wheels and can be moved to provide additional access. The insides are all level and flat with ramps to access various areas of the space. Our bathrooms are wheelchair accessible and gender neutral with motion activated fixtures. Both bathrooms have wheelchair accessible baby changing tables. Our directional signs are written in braille. Please contact us at info@chariscircle.org or 404-524-0304 if you would like ASL interpretation at this event. \nThe event is free and open to all people\, but we encourage and appreciate a donation of $5-20 in support of the work of Charis Circle\, our programming non-profit. Donate via our website: www.chariscircle.org/donate or in person at the event. \nBy attending this event\, you agree to our Code of Conduct: Our event seeks to provide a harassment-free experience for everyone\, regardless of gender\, gender identity and expression\, age\, sexual orientation\, disability\, physical appearance\, body size\, race\, ethnicity\, religion (or lack thereof)\, class\, or technology choices. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Unsolicited sexual language and imagery are not appropriate. Anyone violating these rules will be expelled from this event and all future events at the discretion of the organizers. Please report all harassment to Charis staff immediately.
URL:https://www.artsatl.org/event/monthly-sapphic-writing-group-11/
LOCATION:Charis Books & More\, 184 S Candler Street\, Decatur\, GA\, 30030\, United States
CATEGORIES:Books
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.artsatl.org/wp-content/uploads/JULY-26.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260705T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260705T193000
DTSTAMP:20260625T170753Z
CREATED:20260625T170753Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260625T170753Z
UID:10049874-1783276200-1783279800@www.artsatl.org
SUMMARY:After the 4th of July\, Begin the World Over: A Listening Party and Alternative Future Building Conversation with Kung Li Sun & Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson
DESCRIPTION:Join organizer and author\, Kung Li Sun\, for a listening party and conversation in celebration of the release of the audiobook of their alternative history novel\, Begin the World Over. Kung Li will be joined in conversation by Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson. \nThe day after the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States\, come together with activists and fellow visionaries to explore the possibilities of the 5th of July. What comes after the United States of America as we have known it? What stories and histories can we tell about the past so that we can build the futures that will allow everyone to thrive? What lingering stories must be released so that we can all be more free? \nYou do not have to have read the novel to join in the listening party and conversation. \nAbout the Book \nA revolutionary tale of Black and Indigenous insurrection. History as it should have been. \nBegin the World Over is a counterfactual novel about the Founders’ greatest fear–that Black and Indigenous people might join forces to undo the newly formed United States of America–coming true. \nIn 1793\, as revolutionaries in the West Indies take up arms\, James Hemings has little interest in joining the fight for libert –talented and favored\, he is careful to protect his relative comforts as Thomas Jefferson’s enslaved chef. But when he meets Denmark Vesey\, James is immediately smitten. The formidable first mate persuades James to board his ship\, on its way to the revolt in Saint-Domingue. There and on the mainland they join forces with a diverse cast of characters\, including a gender nonconforming prophetess\, a formerly enslaved jockey\, and a Muskogee horse trader. The resulting adventure masterfully mixes real historical figures and events with a riotous retelling of a possible history in which James must decide whether to return to his constrained but composed former life\, or join the coalition of Black revolutionaries and Muskogee resistance to fight the American slavers and settlers. \nAbout the Author \nKung Li Sun is a lifelong southerner raised in an immigrant family and currently based on the Gulf Coast. As a public interest attorney\, she brought class-action lawsuits on behalf of people in prisons and jails. Sun left lawyering to support undocumented and abolitionist organizers as a strategist and trainer\, and to write. Their first novel\, Begin the World Over\, was published by AK Press in 2022 and is part of the Emergent Strategy series. \nAbout the Conversation Partner \nAsh-Lee Woodard Henderson is an Affrilachian (Black Appalachian) woman from the working class\, born and raised in Southeast Tennessee. She is the first Black woman to serve as Co-Executive Director of the Highlander Research & Education Center in New Market\, TN. As a member of multiple leadership teams in the Movement for Black Lives (M4BL)\, Ash-Lee has thrown down on the Vision for Black Lives and the BREATHE Act. Ash-Lee has served on the governance council of the Southern Movement Assembly\, the advisory committee of the National Bailout Collective\, and is an active leader of The Frontline. She is a long-time activist who has done work in movements fighting for workers\, for reproductive justice\, for LGBTQUIA+ folks\, for environmental justice\, and more. \nThe event is free and open to all people\, but we encourage and appreciate a donation of $5-20 in support of the work of Charis Circle\, our programming non-profit. Donate on Crowdcast or via our website: www.chariscircle.org/donate or in person at the event. \nCharis Books is a fully wheelchair accessible space with on site van accessible parking\, two ramps\, and additional overflow accessible parking nearby. Additional accessibility information can be found on the Accessibility page of our website. \nPlease read the event guidelines at the bottom of this page to be sure you can participate in the event. \nEvent guidelines:\n– All attendees must wear a face mask during the event.\n– We will begin seating people at 6:00 PM ET.\n– As a reminder: If you are not feeling well\, please do not come to the event. \nIf you have any questions regarding these guidelines or to request specific accessibility accommodations\, please contact info@charisbooksandmore.com or call the store at 404-524-0304. \nPlease contact us at info@chariscircle.org or 404-524-0304 if you would like ASL interpretation at this event. If you would like to watch the event with live AI captions\, you may do so by watching it in Google Chrome and enabling captions: Instructions here. If you have other accessibility needs or if you are someone who has skills in making digital events more accessible please don’t hesitate to reach out to info@chariscircle.org. \nBy attending our event\, you agree to our Code of Conduct: Our event seeks to provide a harassment-free experience for everyone\, regardless of gender\, gender identity and expression\, age\, sexual orientation\, disability\, physical appearance\, body size\, race\, ethnicity\, religion (or lack thereof)\, class\, or technology choices. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Unsolicited sexual language and imagery are not appropriate. Anyone violating these rules will be expelled from this event and all future events at the discretion of the organizers. Please report all harassment to Charis staff immediately or email info@chariscircle.org.
URL:https://www.artsatl.org/event/after-the-4th-of-july-begin-the-world-over-a-listening-party-and-alternative-future-building-conversation-with-kung-li-sun-ash-lee-woodard-henderson/
LOCATION:Charis Books & More\, 184 S Candler Street\, Decatur\, GA\, 30030\, United States
CATEGORIES:Books
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.artsatl.org/wp-content/uploads/Facbeook-Begin-the-World-Over-7.5.26-Charis-.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260705T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260705T163000
DTSTAMP:20260615T174839Z
CREATED:20260615T174839Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260615T174839Z
UID:10049411-1783263600-1783269000@www.artsatl.org
SUMMARY:Black Feminist Book Club Reads: The Death of Vivek Oji
DESCRIPTION:The Black Feminist Book Club reads books written by Black transgender\, gender expansive\, and/or women writers\, which center the liberation\, struggle\, and lived experiences of oppressed people/marginalized groups through a Black feminist perspective. The group celebrates classic and contemporary Black authors of fiction and nonfiction\, all in the comfort of a historic feminist bookstore where many of these authors once read or shared their works! Our goal is for these texts to be welcoming and accessible regardless of your background or familiarity with the books. \nYemisi Combahee\, a senior organizer with Black Feminist Future is the facilitator of this group. All community members are invited to attend with the acknowledgment that this is a space that centers Black women and gender expansive folks’ thoughts\, creativity\, and lived experiences. We encourage folks to read the months book before our gathering but it is not required – come as you are\, regardless of how much you’ve read! \nThis group meets in-person at Charis on the first Sunday of each month at 3pm. \nAbout our July book: \nThe Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi \nWhat does it mean for a family to lose a child they never really knew? \nOne afternoon\, in a town in southeastern Nigeria\, a mother opens her front door to discover her son’s body\, wrapped in colorful fabric\, at her feet. What follows is the tumultuous\, heart-wrenching story of one family’s struggle to understand a child whose spirit is both gentle and mysterious. Raised by a distant father and an understanding but overprotective mother\, Vivek suffers disorienting blackouts\, moments of disconnection between self and surroundings. As adolescence gives way to adulthood\, Vivek finds solace in friendships with the warm\, boisterous daughters of the Nigerwives\, foreign-born women married to Nigerian men. But Vivek’s closest bond is with Osita\, the worldly\, high-spirited cousin whose teasing confidence masks a guarded private life. As their relationship deepens—and Osita struggles to understand Vivek’s escalating crisis—the mystery gives way to a heart-stopping act of violence in a moment of exhilarating freedom. \nPropulsively readable\, teeming with unforgettable characters\, The Death of Vivek Oji is a novel of family and friendship that challenges expectations—a dramatic story of loss and transcendence that will move every reader. \n2026 Books: \nJanuary: The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw \nFebruary: A Black Women’s History of the United States by Daina Ramey Berry & Kali Nicole Gross \nMarch: Gorilla\, My Love by Toni Cade Bambara \nApril: Love Poems by Nikki Giovanni \nMay: The Gilda Stories by Jewelle Gomez \nJune: The Cancer Journals by Audre Lorde \nJuly: The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi \nAugust: The War Before: The True Life Story of Becoming a Black Panther\, Keeping the Faith in Prison\, and Fighting for Those Left Behind by Safiya Bukhari \nSeptember: Sassafrass\, Cypress & Indigo by Ntozake Shange \nOctober: Belly of the Beast: The Politics of Anti-Fatness as Anti-Blackness by Da’Shaun L. Harrison \nNovember: Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga \nIn-person event guidelines:\n– All attendees must wear a face mask.\n– We will begin seating people at 2:45 PM ET.\n– As a reminder: If you are not feeling well\, please do not come to the event. \nIf you have any questions regarding these guidelines or to request specific accessibility accommodations\, please contact info@charisbooksandmore.com or call the store at 404-524-0304 \nThe event is free and open to all people\, but we encourage and appreciate a donation of $5-20 in support of the work of Charis Circle\, our programming non-profit. Donate online at www.chariscircle.org/donate or in person at the event. \nBy attending our event you agree to our Code of Conduct: Our event seeks to provide a harassment-free experience for everyone\, regardless of gender\, gender identity and expression\, age\, sexual orientation\, disability\, physical appearance\, body size\, race\, ethnicity\, religion (or lack thereof)\, class\, or technology choices. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Unsolicited sexual language and imagery are not appropriate. Anyone violating these rules will be expelled from this event and all future events at the discretion of the organizers. Please report all harassment to info@chariscircle.org immediately.
URL:https://www.artsatl.org/event/black-feminist-book-club-reads-the-death-of-vivek-oji/
LOCATION:Charis Books & More\, 184 S Candler Street\, Decatur\, GA\, 30030\, United States
CATEGORIES:Books
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.artsatl.org/wp-content/uploads/JULY-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260702T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260702T203000
DTSTAMP:20260611T195245Z
CREATED:20260611T195245Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260611T195245Z
UID:10049402-1783018800-1783024200@www.artsatl.org
SUMMARY:Queer Ecologies Book Club Reads: Rachel Carson and the Power of Queer Love
DESCRIPTION:THIS BOOK CLUB HAS BEEN EXTENDED AND WILL GO THROUGH OCTOBER 2026. Check back in the fall to see if it will continue in 2027! \nThis group will meet regularly in-person at Charis on the first Thursday of each month at 7pm. \nAbout the book club:\nQueer Ecologies is an emerging field that illuminates queerness in the natural world. Through a mix of non-fiction\, speculative fiction\, and poetry\, the Queer Ecologies Book Club introduces readers to the queer\, non-binary\, and downright bizarre beings found all over planet Earth. Simultaneously\, we consider what it means to live queerly on and practice care for this rapidly transforming planet we call home. The Queer Ecologies Book Club centers queer\, trans\, and gender expansive people\, ideas\, experiences\, and ways of being\, but is open to all community members. Participants are encouraged to read the month’s book before our gatherings. However\, doing so is not required – come as you are\, regardless of how much you’ve read! Participants are expected to treat each other with respect in all group conversations and interactions. This book club is facilitated by Charis bookseller & queer ecologist\, Yarrow Koning. \nAbout our July book: \nRachel Carson and the Power of Queer Love by Lida Maxwell \nAfter the success of her first bestseller\, The Sea Around Us\, Rachel Carson settled in Southport\, Maine. The married couple Dorothy and Stanley Freeman had a cottage nearby\, and the trio quickly became friends. Their extensive and evocative correspondence shows that Dorothy and Rachel did something more: they fell in love. \nIn this moving new book\, Lida Maxwell explores their letters to reveal how Carson’s masterpiece\, Silent Spring\, grew from the love these women shared for their wild surroundings and\, vitally and increasingly\, for each other. Carson had already demonstrated a profound environmental awareness by the time she purchased her home in Maine; Maxwell proposes that it took her love for Dorothy to open up a more powerful space for critique. As their love unsettled their heteronormative ideas of bourgeois life\, it enabled Carson to develop an increasingly critical view of capitalism and its effects on nonhuman nature and human lives alike\, and it was this evolution that made the advocacy of Silent Spring possible. \nIn Rachel Carson and the Power of Queer Love\, Silent Spring’s expos of the dangerous and loveless exhaustion of nature for capitalism’s ends is set in bold relief against the lovers’ correspondence\, in which we see the path toward a more loving use of nature and a transformative political desire that\, Maxwell argues\, should inform our approach to contemporary environmental crises. \n2026 Books: \nJanuary: Queer Ducks (and Other Animals): The Natural World of Animal Sexuality by Eliot Schrefer\nFebruary: Fearless\, Sleepless\, Deathless: What Fungi Taught Me about Nourishment\, Poison\, Ecology\, Hidden Histories\, Zombies\, and Black Survival by Maria Pinto\nMarch: Forest Euphoria: The Abounding Queerness of Nature by Patricia Ononiwu Kaishian\nApril: Unfurl: Survivals\, Sorrows\, and Dreaming by Eli Clare\nMay: What A Fish Looks Like by Syr Hayati Beker\nJune: Love After the End: An Anthology of Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer Speculative Fiction edited by Joshua Whitehead\nJuly: Rachel Carson and the Power of Queer Love by Lida Maxwell\nAugust: Salt Lakes: An Unnatural History by Caroline Tracey\nSeptember: Scapegoat: What the Invasive Species Story Gets Wrong by Clare Follmann\nOctober: The Disordered Cosmos: A Journey into Dark Matter\, Spacetime\, and Dreams Deferred by Chanda Prescod-Weinstein \nIn-person event guidelines:\n– All attendees must wear a face mask.\n– We will begin seating people at 6:45 PM ET.\n– As a reminder: If you are not feeling well\, please do not come to the event.\n– If you have any questions regarding these guidelines or to request specific accessibility accommodations\, please contact info@charisbooksandmore.com or call the store at 404-524-0304 \nThe event is free and open to all people\, but we encourage and appreciate a donation of $5-20 in support of the work of Charis Circle\, our programming non-profit. Donate online at www.chariscircle.org/donate or in person at the event. \nBy attending our event you agree to our Code of Conduct: Our event seeks to provide a harassment-free experience for everyone\, regardless of gender\, gender identity and expression\, age\, sexual orientation\, disability\, physical appearance\, body size\, race\, ethnicity\, religion (or lack thereof)\, class\, or technology choices. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Unsolicited sexual language and imagery are not appropriate. Anyone violating these rules will be expelled from this event and all future events at the discretion of the organizers. Please report all harassment to info@chariscircle.org immediately.ability\, physical appearance\, body size\, race\, ethnicity\, religion (or lack thereof)\, class\, or technology choices. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Unsolicited sexual language and imagery are not appropriate. Anyone violating these rules will be expelled from this event and all future events at the discretion of the organizers. Please report all harassment to info@chariscircle.org immediately.
URL:https://www.artsatl.org/event/queer-ecologies-book-club-reads-rachel-carson-and-the-power-of-queer-love/
LOCATION:Charis Books & More\, 184 S Candler Street\, Decatur\, GA\, 30030\, United States
CATEGORIES:Books
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.artsatl.org/wp-content/uploads/JULY.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260624T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260624T203000
DTSTAMP:20260518T140402Z
CREATED:20260518T140402Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260518T140402Z
UID:10049201-1782329400-1782333000@www.artsatl.org
SUMMARY:Body Weather: Notes on Chronic Illness in the Anthropocene -- Lorraine Boissoneault in conversation with Micaela Blei
DESCRIPTION:This event takes place on Crowdcast\, Charis’ virtual event platform. This event is free\, but registration is required. Register here – https://www.crowdcast.io/c/body-weather \nCharis welcomes Lorraine Boissoneault in conversation with Micaela Blei for a celebration of Body Weather: Notes on Chronic Illness in the Anthropocene. \nScience writer Lorraine Boissoneault has been in pain for most of her adult life. Unable to control or make sense of her chronic illness diagnoses\, she began describing the ebb and flow of her symptoms as “body weather.” At first an imaginative approach to coping with flare-ups\, the phrase has become a waypoint in Lorraine’s explorations of the intimate relationship between our fragile bodies and the world around us. \nVisceral and poetic\, these braided essays traverse science\, history\, and memoir to explore the interconnected relationships between the human body and Earth’s meteorology—two chaotic systems that inform every cell of our beings. Boissoneault surveys her own “body weather\,” relating her dysregulated thyroid to global temperature fluctuations; her arrhythmic heart to chaotic thunderstorms; her inflamed joints to wildfires beyond control. \nBody Weather is a lyrical exploration that reimagines the cloudy stages of grief and challenges us to reexamine universal questions lodged deep within: how do we find comfort and meaning in a fevered world? \nAbout the Author \nLorraine Boissoneault is a writer and a journalist covering science\, history\, travel\, and current events. Author of The Last Voyageurs\, Boissoneault has previously been a staff writer for Smithsonian Magazine and editor for The Weather Channel. Her work has appeared in The New Yorker\, National Geographic\, The Atlantic\, Playboy Magazine\, Catapult\, Audubon\, Slate\, and many other outlets. \nAbout the Conversation Partner \nMicaela Blei is a two-time NYC Moth GrandSLAM champion and former\, founding Director of Education at The Moth\, where she designed the storytelling curriculum now used by thousands worldwide. Micaela’s own stories have been featured on This American Life\, The Moth Radio Hour\, and a bunch of other places. Her 2024 Audible Original memoir “You Will Not Recognize Your Life” was a category bestseller\, and her full-length memoir is forthcoming from HarperOne in 2027. She specializes in helping people figure out that they’re actually very\, very interesting. \nThe event is free and open to all people\, but we encourage and appreciate a donation of $5-20 in support of the work of Charis Circle\, our programming non-profit. Donate on Crowdcast or via our website: www.chariscircle.org/donate. \nPlease contact us at info@chariscircle.org or 404-524-0304 if you would like ASL interpretation at this event. If you would like to watch the event with live AI captions\, you may do so by watching it in Google Chrome and enabling captions: Instructions here. If you have other accessibility needs or if you are someone who has skills in making digital events more accessible please don’t hesitate to reach out to info@chariscircle.org. \nBy attending our event\, you agree to our Code of Conduct: Our event seeks to provide a harassment-free experience for everyone\, regardless of gender\, gender identity and expression\, age\, sexual orientation\, disability\, physical appearance\, body size\, race\, ethnicity\, religion (or lack thereof)\, class\, or technology choices. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Unsolicited sexual language and imagery are not appropriate. Anyone violating these rules will be expelled from this event and all future events at the discretion of the organizers. Please report all harassment to Charis staff immediately or email info@chariscircle.org.
URL:https://www.artsatl.org/event/body-weather-notes-on-chronic-illness-in-the-anthropocene-lorraine-boissoneault-in-conversation-with-micaela-blei/
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Books
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.artsatl.org/wp-content/uploads/Facebook-Body-Weather-6.24.26-Virtual-1920-x-1080-px.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260622T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260622T193000
DTSTAMP:20260513T174023Z
CREATED:20260513T174023Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T174023Z
UID:10049180-1782153000-1782156600@www.artsatl.org
SUMMARY:Never Tell a Black Girl How to Black Girl: Essays-- Amena Brown in conversation with Tayari Jones
DESCRIPTION:This event is free and open to the public\, but registration is encouraged. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/never-tell-a-black-girl-how-to-black-girl-amena-brown-tayari-jones-tickets-1988212875231?aff=oddtdtcreator. This event takes place at the Auburn Avenue Research Library\, 101 Auburn Ave NE\, Atlanta\, GA 30303. Doors open at 6pm. Event begins promptly at 6:30pm. \nCharis and the Auburn Avenue Research Library welcome Amena Brown in conversation with Tayari Jones for a celebration of Never Tell a Black Girl How to Black Girl: Essays. \nAn irresistible delight\, this hilarious and heartwarming essay collection gathers essential tales about growing up in the South\, the pitfalls of date night\, and why no one should ever tell a Black girl how to Black Girl. \nBlack women always find a place to meet: in the natural hair aisle\, at Beyoncé concerts\, even online in memes and catchphrases. This book is one of those places: a living room where readers can contemplate how a well-picked afro can defy the laws of physics and why boob sweat has to exist in the first place. Here\, Black Girl is a verb. Here\, Black women can Black Girl in every way we want to. \nAmena Brown’s Never Tell a Black Girl How to Black Girl blends storytelling\, humor\, and pop culture commentary to traverse the magic and wisdom she’s gleaned from being raised by Southern Black women\, and supported by the community of Black women who hold her down today. After graduating from the International Black Girl Headquarters (the renowned HBCU Spelman College)\, Amena has built a career telling stories and celebrating Black womanhood. In her book\, she shares stories of dancing in Janelle Monae’s “Tightrope” music video and partnering with Tracee Ellis Ross to compose odes to natural hair. She imparts essential life lessons from the Real Housewives of Atlanta\, and tells hair tales\, including wisdom on the ideal style for her first speaking gig at Essence Fest (box braids\, 100 percent). \nIn the end\, Brown shares that Black women are a whole world. A galaxy of customs\, language\, code\, and unspoken understandings\, all explored with humor and heart in this unforgettable book. \nAbout the author \nAmena Brown is a celebrated speaker and spoken word poet who has collaborated with Tracee Ellis Ross’ PATTERN Beauty\, The Moth\, Pantene\, and the Essence Festival of Culture\, and has shared the stage with Mindy Kaling\, Glennon Doyle\, Michelle Buteau\, and Sonia Sanchez\, among many others. She’s known for warmly inviting audiences into her world\, and she does so with unmatched flavor and authenticity in her new essay collection NEVER TELL A BLACK GIRL HOW TO BLACK GIRL (Tiny Reparations Books; on-sale June 16\, 2026). \nAbout the conversation partner \nTayari Jones is the author of five novels. An American Marriage was an Oprah’s Book Club selection and also appeared on Barack Obama’s summer reading list and his year-end roundup. It won the Women’s Prize for Fiction\, the Aspen Words Literary Prize\, and an NAACP Image Award and has been published in two dozen countries. Jones is the C.H. Candler Professor of English and Creative Writing at Emory University and lives in Atlanta. Her most recent novel\, Kin\, was published in February. \nAbout the Venue / Accessibility\n– Masks are encouraged but not required.\n– The entire building is wheelchair accessible with ramps\, including the front and back entrances. Both entrances have powered doors. There are wheelchair accessible bathroom stalls.\n– AARL has a free parking lot accessible via Courtland street. There are three dedicated wheelchair accessible parking spots. Please park and enter the library to get a guest pass and place it on your dashboard before getting settled in the auditorium. \nThe event is free and open to all people\, but we encourage and appreciate a donation of $5-20 in support of the work of Charis Circle\, our programming non-profit. Charis Circle’s mission is to foster sustainable feminist communities\, work for social justice\, and encourage the expression of diverse and marginalized voices. Donate via our website: www.chariscircle.org/donate. \nPlease contact us at info@chariscircle.org or 404-524-0304 if you would like ASL interpretation at this event. \nBy attending our event\, you agree to our Code of Conduct: Our event seeks to provide a harassment-free experience for everyone\, regardless of gender\, gender identity and expression\, age\, sexual orientation\, disability\, physical appearance\, body size\, race\, ethnicity\, religion (or lack thereof)\, class\, or technology choices. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Unsolicited sexual language and imagery are not appropriate. Anyone violating these rules will be expelled from this event and all future events at the discretion of the organizers. Please report all harassment to Charis staff immediately or email info@chariscircle.org.
URL:https://www.artsatl.org/event/never-tell-a-black-girl-how-to-black-girl-essays-amena-brown-in-conversation-with-tayari-jones/
LOCATION:Auburn Avenue Research Library\, 101 Auburn Ave. N.E.\, Atlanta\, GA\, 30303\, United States
CATEGORIES:Books
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.artsatl.org/wp-content/uploads/Facebook-Never-Tell-a-Black-Girl-How-to-Black-Girl-6.22.26-AARL-1920-x-1080-px.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260618T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260618T203000
DTSTAMP:20260514T143036Z
CREATED:20260514T143036Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260514T143036Z
UID:10049188-1781811000-1781814600@www.artsatl.org
SUMMARY:Cliterati Open Mic Featuring: Stevie Edwards in celebration of The Weather Inside
DESCRIPTION:This event takes place in person at Charis. \nCharis and Cliterati pair up to present an inviting and fierce open mic & reading series that celebrates new voices and seasoned veterans alike. Co-hosted by Karen G. and Theresa Davis\, all are welcome to come and share their work. If you would like to participate as a reader or performer\, all you need to do is arrive by 7:15 pm ET to sign up on the list. If you are a non-acoustic musician and would like to plug your instrument into our sound system\, please contact info@chariscircle.org ahead of time to let us know so we can have the right setup for you! There are no genre\, style\, or form requirements\, but please keep your set to under five minutes to allow everyone to have a turn! \nThis month’s featured poet is Stevie Edwards in celebration of The Weather Inside. \nIn The Weather Inside\, Stevie Edwards measures the emotional atmosphere of a mind navigating bipolar disorder\, complex PTSD\, generalized anxiety disorder\, and alcoholism while forging intimacy and creative resilience in a rapidly declining world. \nBoth as someone who has struggled with mental health and as a feminist approaching middle age\, Edwards interrogates parenthood and marriage: What forms of nurturing survive when traditional roles and certainties do not? Can bringing children into a collapsing world still be an act of hope? When your partner does not want children\, where should you divert your surfeit of love? The poet grieves\, “I am chanting the name of a daughter / my husband doesn’t want / enough\, the child I’ve spent years / not being sure I deserved.” \nThis fiercely honest and intimate collection offers a vision of adulthood shaped by the capacity to inhabit an embattled inner world. With clarity and dark wit\, Edwards probes the uneasy border between solitude and connection\, asserting the relationship between caring for oneself and caring for the wider world. \nDr. Stevie Edwards is an Assistant Professor at Clemson University and Poetry Editor of The South Carolina Review. Stevie’s poems have appeared in Poetry\, American Poetry Review\, TriQuarterly\, The Southern Review\, and elsewhere. She is the author of Quiet Armor (Northwestern University Press\, 2023)\, Sadness Workshop (Button Poetry\, 2018)\, Humanly (Small Doggies Press\, 2015)\, and Good Grief (Write Bloody Publishing\, 2012). Her next book\, The Weather Inside\, is forthcoming from the University of Arkansas Press in Spring 2026 as part of the Miller Williams Poetry Series edited by Patricia Smith. She holds a PhD from the University of North Texas and an MFA from Cornell University. Originally a Michigander\, she now lives in South Carolina with her spouse and a small herd of rescue pitbulls. \nThe event is free and open to all people\, but we encourage and appreciate a donation of $5-20 in support of the work of Charis Circle\, our programming non-profit. Donate on our website: www.chariscircle.org/donate or in person at the event. \nCharis Books is a fully wheelchair accessible space with on site van accessible parking\, two ramps\, and additional overflow accessible parking nearby. Additional accessibility information can be found on the Accessibility page of our website. \nEvent guidelines:\n– All attendees must wear a face mask.\n– We will begin seating people at 7:00 PM ET.\n– As a reminder: If you are not feeling well\, please do not come to the event. \nIf you have any questions regarding these guidelines or to request specific accessibility accommodations\, please contact info@charisbooksandmore.com or call the store at 404-524-0304. \nPlease contact us at info@chariscircle.org or 404-524-0304 if you would like ASL interpretation at this event. If you have other accessibility needs please don’t hesitate to reach out to info@chariscircle.org. \nBy attending our event you agree to our Code of Conduct: Our event seeks to provide a harassment-free experience for everyone\, regardless of gender\, gender identity and expression\, age\, sexual orientation\, disability\, physical appearance\, body size\, race\, ethnicity\, religion (or lack thereof)\, class\, or technology choices. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Unsolicited sexual language and imagery are not appropriate. Anyone violating these rules will be expelled from this event and all future events at the discretion of the organizers. Please report all harassment to Charis staff immediately or email info@chariscircle.org.
URL:https://www.artsatl.org/event/cliterati-open-mic-featuring-stevie-edwards-in-celebration-of-the-weather-inside/
LOCATION:Charis Books & More\, 184 S Candler Street\, Decatur\, GA\, 30030\, United States
CATEGORIES:Books
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.artsatl.org/wp-content/uploads/Facebook-Cliterati-Stevie-Edwards-6.18.26-Charis.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260617T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260617T203000
DTSTAMP:20260514T143306Z
CREATED:20260514T143306Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260514T143306Z
UID:10049182-1781724600-1781728200@www.artsatl.org
SUMMARY:Earthly Playing Field: Radhika Singh in Conversation with Holiday Simmons
DESCRIPTION:This event takes place in person at Charis and on Crowdcast\, Charis’ virtual event platform. This event is free\, but registration is required for virtual attendance. Click here to register to attend virtually – https://www.crowdcast.io/c/earthly-playing-field. Please read the in-person event guidelines at the bottom of this page to be sure you can participate in the event. \nCharis welcomes Radhika Singh in conversation with Holiday Simmons for a discussion of Earthly Playing Field\, a novel that traces love and revolution in a crumbling world order. \nRoma has a steady job\, a mortgage\, and a surrogate family in Queens. But as she moves through her daily routines\, the powerful Empire that rules her world bares its teeth elsewhere-crushing freedom movements across the planet\, including the Punjabi farmers’ uprising where her younger brother struggles on the frontlines. \nRoma’s life is upended when her older brother entrusts her with a strange gift: an ordinary-looking plant that manifests a sophisticated bioengineered technology. The ‘cell’ opens a portal for an extraterrestrial spirit-body bearing news of a liberated future-and the potential to hack AI warfare–propelling Roma and her family into the core of a rising resistance. \nAs dreams and dialectics converge\, Roma meditates on the role of faith–ruminating on mystic poetics and anticolonial legacies while yearning for a bewitching woman whose heart will only ever belong to the revolution. \nAbout the Author \nRadhika Singh lives\, writes and teaches in Queens\, New York. Her fiction speculates on the presence of magic in this world\, the connection to spirit and consciousness\, and the power of the people to organize for collective liberation. Her novel Earthly Playing Field connects ongoing People’s movements against global imperialism through a queer\, Sufi love story. Her novel Weirdly Tuned Antennae\, winner of the 2025 Sukenick Prize for Innovative Fiction\, is forthcoming from FC2 Press. For more information visit: rhsingh.work. \nAbout the Conversation Partner \nHoliday Simmons\, MSW (he/him) is the founder and Lead Practitioner at Southern Soul Wellness\, a holistic mental health and spiritual wellness practice. Through somatic coaching\, organizational wellbeing support\, and generative conflict mediation\, Southern Soul Wellness supports individuals and social justice organizations in the healing and transformation of mind\, body\, community\, and the planet. Holiday has over two decades of experience in social work\, social justice organizing and healing justice. He makes his home in the Muscogee Creek territories of Atlanta\, GA and the Zinu territories of Cartagena\, Colombia. \nThe event is free and open to all people\, but we encourage and appreciate a donation of $5-20 in support of the work of Charis Circle\, our programming non-profit. Donate on Crowdcast or via our website: www.chariscircle.org/donate or in person at the event. \nCharis Books is a fully wheelchair accessible space with on site van accessible parking\, two ramps\, and additional overflow accessible parking nearby. Additional accessibility information can be found on the Accessibility page of our website. \nIn-person event guidelines:\n– All attendees must wear a face mask during the event.\n– We will begin seating people at 7:00 PM ET.\n– This event will be live-streamed via Crowdcast. Click here to register to attend virtually – https://www.crowdcast.io/c/earthly-playing-field\n– As a reminder: If you are not feeling well\, please do not come to the event. \nIf you have any questions regarding these guidelines or to request specific accessibility accommodations\, please contact info@charisbooksandmore.com or call the store at 404-524-0304. \nPlease contact us at info@chariscircle.org or 404-524-0304 if you would like ASL interpretation at this event. If you would like to watch the event with live AI captions\, you may do so by watching it in Google Chrome and enabling captions: Instructions here. If you have other accessibility needs or if you are someone who has skills in making digital events more accessible please don’t hesitate to reach out to info@chariscircle.org. \nBy attending our event\, whether in person or virtually\, you agree to our Code of Conduct: Our event seeks to provide a harassment-free experience for everyone\, regardless of gender\, gender identity and expression\, age\, sexual orientation\, disability\, physical appearance\, body size\, race\, ethnicity\, religion (or lack thereof)\, class\, or technology choices. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Unsolicited sexual language and imagery are not appropriate. Anyone violating these rules will be expelled from this event and all future events at the discretion of the organizers. Please report all harassment to Charis staff immediately or email info@chariscircle.org.
URL:https://www.artsatl.org/event/earthly-playing-field-radhika-singh-in-conversation-with-holiday-simmons/
LOCATION:Charis Books & More\, 184 S Candler Street\, Decatur\, GA\, 30030\, United States
CATEGORIES:Books
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.artsatl.org/wp-content/uploads/Facebook-Earthly-Playing-Field-6.17.26-Hybrid-1200-x-630-px-1920-x-1080-px.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260616T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260616T200000
DTSTAMP:20260604T190113Z
CREATED:20260604T190113Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260604T190113Z
UID:10049317-1781632800-1781640000@www.artsatl.org
SUMMARY:Monthly Sapphic Writing Group
DESCRIPTION:This is an in-person only event\, which takes place at Charis Books and More. This space is free but we recommend you RSVP to reserve your spot because space is limited. RSVP here – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/monthly-sapphic-writing-group-tickets-1990588899985?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true. PLEASE NOTE: June’s gathering is on a Tuesday\, not the groups usually meeting day. \nCharis Books and More & Sapphic Creative Writing Group are excited to bring our community a monthly space for sapphic\, trans\, and non-binary people to write and socialize. This space will include writing prompts and time to share your work and receive feedback from fellow participants. No prior writing experience is necessary – all skill levels are welcome. Our aim is to create a safe space for sapphic\, trans\, and non-binary people to foster creativity\, encourage self-expression\, and a sense of community. PLEASE NOTE: June’s gathering is on a Tuesday\, not the groups usually meeting day. Join us on Tuesday\, June 16th at 6:00pm EST! \nJune’s meeting will be hosted by Kait. Kait (she/they) is a queer writer and actor based in Atlanta\, GA. Their independent study in magical realism earned them the Anne Rivers Siddons prize for short fiction in 2019\, and their films can be found on various streaming platforms. Kait is fascinated by people\, personal expression\, and is passionate about connecting to and uplifting her local queer community. \nFollow @charisbooksandmore\, @sapphiccreativewriting\, and @scw.atl on Instagram to stay updated. \nPlease read the in-person event guidelines at the bottom of this page to be sure you can participate in the event. \nEvent Details\n– All attendees must wear a face mask during the event.\n– We will begin seating people at 5:30 PM.\n– RSVP to reserve your spot because space is limited! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/monthly-sapphic-writing-group-tickets-1990588899985?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true\n– As a reminder: If you are not feeling well\, please do not come to the event. \nIf you have any questions regarding these guidelines or to request specific accessibility accommodations\, please contact info@charisbooksandmore.com or call the store at 404-524-0304. \nAccessibility \nCharis has both stairs and an elongated ramp at the entrance. Accessible parking is to the left of the building. Charis Books is a fully wheelchair accessible space with on site van accessible parking\, two ramps\, and additional overflow accessible parking nearby. Most of our shelves are on wheels and can be moved to provide additional access. The insides are all level and flat with ramps to access various areas of the space. Our bathrooms are wheelchair accessible and gender neutral with motion activated fixtures. Both bathrooms have wheelchair accessible baby changing tables. Our directional signs are written in braille. Please contact us at info@chariscircle.org or 404-524-0304 if you would like ASL interpretation at this event. \nThe event is free and open to all people\, but we encourage and appreciate a donation of $5-20 in support of the work of Charis Circle\, our programming non-profit. Donate via our website: www.chariscircle.org/donate or in person at the event. \nBy attending this event\, you agree to our Code of Conduct: Our event seeks to provide a harassment-free experience for everyone\, regardless of gender\, gender identity and expression\, age\, sexual orientation\, disability\, physical appearance\, body size\, race\, ethnicity\, religion (or lack thereof)\, class\, or technology choices. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Unsolicited sexual language and imagery are not appropriate. Anyone violating these rules will be expelled from this event and all future events at the discretion of the organizers. Please report all harassment to Charis staff immediately.
URL:https://www.artsatl.org/event/monthly-sapphic-writing-group-10/
LOCATION:Charis Books & More\, 184 S Candler Street\, Decatur\, GA\, 30030\, United States
CATEGORIES:Books
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.artsatl.org/wp-content/uploads/JUNE-2026-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260614T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260614T160000
DTSTAMP:20260514T143043Z
CREATED:20260514T143043Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260514T143043Z
UID:10049187-1781445600-1781452800@www.artsatl.org
SUMMARY:Community Art Making: Cyanotype Printing with Cait!
DESCRIPTION:Come learn the art of cyanotype printing using UV-sensitive chemicals and the sun. We will arrange pressed plants alongside images related to collective liberation to create stunning blue & white prints! Led by local artist & art therapist Cait Fogerty (@ecoarttherapist) \nThis monthly event is a free creative kickback for our community\, hosted by local trans and disabled artists Barry Lee and Noah Grigni. This is a safe and accessible space for collective healing through art\, which welcomes all skill levels\, all art forms\, and all ages. Art supplies will be provided! Community Art Making happens on the second Sunday of each month. No reservation or ticket is required. Masks are required inside the store. \nThis event is free and open to all people\, especially to those who have no income or low income\, but we encourage and appreciate a solidarity donation in support of the work of Charis Circle\, our programming non-profit. Charis Circle’s mission is to foster sustainable feminist communities\, work for social justice\, and encourage the expression of diverse and marginalized voices.
URL:https://www.artsatl.org/event/community-art-making-cyanotype-printing-with-cait/
LOCATION:Charis Books & More\, 184 S Candler Street\, Decatur\, GA\, 30030\, United States
CATEGORIES:Art + Design
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.artsatl.org/wp-content/uploads/JUNE-2026.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260613T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260613T203000
DTSTAMP:20260526T132316Z
CREATED:20260526T132316Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260526T132316Z
UID:10049276-1781377200-1781382600@www.artsatl.org
SUMMARY:Queer Archival Film Night: Screening of Outlaw (1994)
DESCRIPTION:This program takes place in-person at Charis Books & More\, 184 S Candler Street\, Decatur\, GA 30030. $10 suggested donation\, no one turned away for lack of funds – RSVP here – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/queer-archival-film-night-screening-of-outlaw-1994-tickets-1990037131631?aff=oddtdtcreator! \nCharis & Lavender Lens are teaming up for QUEER ARCHIVAL FILM NIGHT\, a new film series at Charis celebrating historic queer movies & documentaries! \nJoin Lavender Lens and Charis for a film screening of Outlaw (1994)\, by Alisa Lebow. Raw and confrontational\, this documentary follows Leslie Feinberg\, a self-identified “gender outlaw”\, as ze speaks with passion and intelligence about zir experiences. \nWe will also be sharing some clips from a recording of Leslie’s first event at Charis in 1993. \nAbout the film \nLeslie Feinberg\, a self-identified “gender outlaw” who has spent much of zir life passing as a man\, speaks with passion and intelligence about zir experiences in this film manifesto. Raw and confrontational\, this film asks its audience to examine their assumptions about the “nature” of gender and calls for more sensitivity and awareness of the human rights and the dignity of transgendered people. Feinberg is the author of STONE BUTCH BLUES (Firebrand)\, an account of a working-class lesbian who passes as a man. \nAbout our Partner \nThe goal of Lavender Lens is to raise awareness about the importance of supporting queer films made by queer filmmakers. It’s not just about appreciating the work—it’s also about fostering meaningful discussions after the screenings\, encouraging both critique and celebration. These conversations are vital for pushing the boundaries of queer cinema\, striving for greater diversity and better representation in the media we consume. Learn more and check out upcoming events at: https://www.carriemillerfilms.com/lavender-lens-1 \nPlease read the event guidelines at the bottom of this page to be sure you can participate in the event. \nEvent guidelines:\n– Masks required and provided.\n– If you need to reserve a seat for accessibility reasons\, email info@charisbooksandmore.com.\n– We will begin seating people at 6:30pm ET. Seating is limited & RSVP-ing does not reserve/ensure you will get a seat\, so come early to grab a seat!\n– RSVP here https://www.eventbrite.com/e/queer-archival-film-night-screening-of-outlaw-1994-tickets-1990037131631?aff=oddtdtcreator! $5-$10 suggested donation\, no one turned away for lack of funds!\n– As a reminder: If you are not feeling well\, please do not come to the event. \nIf you have any questions regarding these guidelines or to request specific accessibility accommodations\, please contact info@charisbooksandmore.com or call the store at 404-524-0304. Detailed accessibility details can be found on our website. \nAccessibility \nCharis has both stairs and an elongated ramp at the entrance. Accessible parking is to the left of the building. Charis Books is a fully wheelchair accessible space with on site van accessible parking\, two ramps\, and additional overflow accessible parking nearby. Most of our shelves are on wheels and can be moved to provide additional access. The insides are all level and flat with ramps to access various areas of the space. Our bathrooms are wheelchair accessible and gender neutral with motion activated fixtures. Both bathrooms have wheelchair accessible baby changing tables. Our directional signs are written in braille. Please contact us at info@chariscircle.org or 404-524-0304 if you would like ASL interpretation at this event. If you have other accessibility needs please don’t hesitate to reach out to info@chariscircle.org. \nBy attending our event\, you agree to our Code of Conduct: Our event seeks to provide a harassment-free experience for everyone\, regardless of gender\, gender identity and expression\, age\, sexual orientation\, disability\, physical appearance\, body size\, race\, ethnicity\, religion (or lack thereof)\, class\, or technology choices. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Unsolicited sexual language and imagery are not appropriate. Anyone violating these rules will be expelled from this event and all future events at the discretion of the organizers. Please report all harassment to Charis staff immediately or email info@chariscircle.org
URL:https://www.artsatl.org/event/queer-archival-film-night-screening-of-outlaw-1994/
LOCATION:Charis Books & More\, 184 S Candler Street\, Decatur\, GA\, 30030\, United States
CATEGORIES:Film + TV
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.artsatl.org/wp-content/uploads/Facebook-Outlaw-Screening-6.13.2026-1920-x-1080-px.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260610T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260610T203000
DTSTAMP:20260519T181909Z
CREATED:20260519T181909Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260519T181909Z
UID:10049222-1781119800-1781123400@www.artsatl.org
SUMMARY:Meet Me There: Featuring Nicholas Goodly & Jericho Brown
DESCRIPTION:This event takes place in person at Charis and on Crowdcast\, Charis’ virtual event platform. This event is free\, but registration is required for virtual attendance. Click here to register to attend virtually – https://www.crowdcast.io/c/june-2026-meet-me-there. Please read the in-person event guidelines at the bottom of this page to be sure you can participate in the event. \n“Meet Me There” is a monthly intergenerational poetry\, fiction\, and creative non-fiction experience curated by trans/genderqueer poet and sound artist Samuel Ace. Writers exploring genre and gender boundaries will be a special focus of this series. This event usually takes place on the second Thursday of each month at 7:30pm ET. Some months our readings will take place at Charis Books with an option to watch virtually\, and some months the event will be fully virtual\, so be sure to check the listing! \nJune’s featured poets are Nicholas Goodly and Jericho Brown in celebration of their collections\, Star Power and The Tradition. \nFeatured Poets \nNicholas Goodly\, PhD. is the author of Star Power (Scribner Press\, 2026) and Black Swim (Copper Canyon\, 2022). Nicholas is a team member of the performing arts platform Fly on a Wall and writing editor of WUSSY Magazine. Goodly is a finalist for the 2020 Jake Adam York Prize\, the runner-up for the 2019 Cave Canem Poetry Prize and recipient of the 2017 Poetry Society of America Chapbook Fellowship. Goodly has appeared in Poetry Magazine\, The New Yorker\, Boston Review\, BOMB\, The Poetry Project\, Lambda Literary\, Narrative Magazine\, and elsewhere. \nJericho Brown is the author of three collections of poetry: The Tradition (2019)\, a finalist for the 2019 National Book Award and the winner of the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry; The New Testament (Copper Canyon 2014)\, won the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award and was named one of the best of the year by Library Journal\, Coldfront\, and the Academy of American Poets; and Please (New Issues\, 2008)\, which won the 2009 American Book Award. He is also the editor of the anthology How We Do It: Black Writers on Craft\, Practice\, and Skill (Amistad\, 2023)\, and The Selected Shepherd (University of Pittsburgh Press\, 2024)\, a new retrospective on the work of the important Black\, gay poet Reginald Shepherd. \nBrown is the recipient of a MacArthur “Genius” Award (2024)\, the Whiting Writers Award\, and fellowships from the The Academy of American Poets\, John Simon Guggenheim Foundation\, the National Endowment for the Arts\, the Radcliffe Institute at Harvard University\, the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference\, and the Krakow Poetry Seminar in Poland. He was a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award\, the Thom Gunn Award\, and the Hurston Wright Poetry Prize\, and was elected an Academy Chancellor in 2024. His poems have appeared in The Nation\, The New Yorker\, The New Republic\, and The Best American Poetry. \nBrown lives in Atlanta where he is the Charles Howard Candler Professor of English and Creative Writing and Interim Director of Creative Writing at Emory University. \nHost Poet \nSamuel Ace is a trans/genderqueer writer and sound artist. His latest books are I want to start by saying (Cleveland State University Poetry Center 2024)\, Our Weather Our Sea (Black Radish 2019)\, and Meet Me There: Normal Sex & Home in three days. Don’t wash. (Belladonna* 2019). Ace is the recipient of the Astraea Lesbian Writer Award and the Firecracker Alternative Book Award in Poetry\, as well as a repeat finalist for both the Lambda Literary Award and the National Poetry Series. Recent work can be found in Personal Best: Makers on Their Poems that Matter Most\, Essential Queer Voices of U.S. Poetry\, Fence\, BathHouse\, The Texas Review\, Poetry\, We Want it All: An Anthology of Radical Trans Poetry\, Best American Experimental Poetry\, and many other journals and anthologies. \nThe event is free and open to all people\, but we encourage and appreciate a donation of $5-20 in support of the work of Charis Circle\, our programming non-profit. Donate on crowdcast or via our website: www.chariscircle.org/donate or in person at the event. \nIn-person event guidelines:\n– All attendees must wear a face mask.\n– We will begin seating people at 7:00 PM ET.\n– This event will be live-streamed via Crowdcast. Click here to register to attend virtually.\n– As a reminder: If you are not feeling well\, please do not come to the event. \nIf you have any questions regarding these guidelines or to request specific accessibility accommodations\, please contact info@charisbooksandmore.com or call the store at 404-524-0304 \nPlease contact us at info@chariscircle.org or 404-524-0304 if you would like ASL interpretation at this event. If you would like to watch the event with live AI captions\, you may do so by watching it in Google Chrome and enabling captions: Instructions here. If you have other accessibility needs or if you are someone who has skills in making digital events more accessible please don’t hesitate to reach out to info@chariscircle.org. \nBy attending our event\, whether in person or virtual\, you agree to our Code of Conduct: Our event seeks to provide a harassment-free experience for everyone\, regardless of gender\, gender identity and expression\, age\, sexual orientation\, disability\, physical appearance\, body size\, race\, ethnicity\, religion (or lack thereof)\, class\, or technology choices. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Unsolicited sexual language and imagery are not appropriate. Anyone violating these rules will be expelled from this event and all future events at the discretion of the organizers. Please report all harassment to info@chariscircle.org immediately.
URL:https://www.artsatl.org/event/meet-me-there-featuring-nicholas-goodly-jericho-brown/
LOCATION:Charis Books & More\, 184 S Candler Street\, Decatur\, GA\, 30030\, United States
CATEGORIES:Books
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260609T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260609T203000
DTSTAMP:20260511T125447Z
CREATED:20260511T125447Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260511T125447Z
UID:10049153-1781031600-1781037000@www.artsatl.org
SUMMARY:Queer Romance Book Club Reads: Moonlighters: A Novella Collection
DESCRIPTION:The Queer Romance Book Club is a group of adults that reads and discusses queer romance stories of all kinds. From new releases to older stories\, contemporary to historical settings (with even some fantasy on occasion!)\, the books we’ll read will also feature diverse pairings/configurations\, sexualities\, and gender expressions. Join us on the second Tuesday of every month to go deep on the themes\, tropes\, and emotions that connect the titles we read\, or drop in for your favorite books or sub-genres! All are welcome! \nRegistration is required\, register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/TXMhbVCETAamP-iws1Kg9g \nThis Month’s book is Moonlighters: A Novella Collection by Anita Kelly \nSummary: \nWelcome to the Moonlight Caf \, where the drinks are cheap\, the karaoke is nostalgic\, and the queer community is free. \nThis collection includes the three novellas in the Moonlighters series: Sing Anyway (nb/f)\, Our Favorite Songs (m/m)\, and Wherever Is Your Heart (butch/butch)\, along with a bonus short story\, I Didn’t Sign Up for This\, and a brief essay from the author about the origin of the series. \nIdentities/Themes/Tropes: contemporary\, nb/f\, butch/butch\, m/m \n2026 Books: \nJANUARY – When the Tides Held the Moon by Venessa Vida Kelley \nFEBRUARY – Make Room for Love by Darcy Liao \nMARCH – Ocean’s Echo by Everina Maxwell \nAPRIL – The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow \nMAY – I Think They Love You by Julian Winters \nJUNE – Moonlighters: A Novella Collection by Anita Kelly \nJULY – A Gentleman’s Gentleman by TJ Alexander \nAUGUST – Flirting Lessons by Jasmine Guillory \nSEPTEMBER – Oh! You Pretty Things by Jane Hadley \nOCTOBER – Ladies in Hating by Alexandra Vasti \nAbout the facilitators: \nKira Apple (she/her) has been a bookseller at Charis since the summer of 2020. Originally from Pennsylvania\, she first discovered a love of romance through fan fiction and fantasy novels. Now\, she reads broadly across fantasy\, sci-fi\, and romance\, and is a huge fan of queer lit and media. In addition to swooning over romantic things\, Kira enjoys tabletop roleplaying\, video games\, crocheting\, writing\, and wrangling her three cats. You can find her on Instagram – @kiapple. \nKate Harlan (she/her) is an aspiring librarian who has lived in Atlanta her whole life. She loves queer stories\, devouring queer romance\, fantasy\, and sci-fi books with both her ears and her eyes at what some say is an alarming rate. When she’s not reading (and\, honestly\, sometimes while she’s listening to books)\, she’s gardening with children in her neighborhood\, doing jigsaw puzzles\, petting dogs\, or knitting. You can find her on Instagram- @meetingmeonce \nThe event is free and open to all people\, especially to those who have no income or low income right now\, but we encourage and appreciate a solidarity donation in support of the work of Charis Circle\, our programming non-profit. Donate via this link: www.chariscircle.org/donate \nCharis Circle’s mission is to foster sustainable feminist communities\, work for social justice\, and encourage the expression of diverse and marginalized voices. \nBy attending any Charis Circle virtual event you agree to our Code of Conduct: Our event seeks to provide a harassment-free experience for everyone\, regardless of gender\, gender identity and expression\, age\, sexual orientation\, disability\, physical appearance\, body size\, race\, ethnicity\, religion (or lack thereof)\, class\, or technology choices. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Sexual language and imagery are not appropriate. Anyone violating these rules will be expelled from this event and all future events at the discretion of the organizers. Please report all harassment to info@chariscircle.org immediately.
URL:https://www.artsatl.org/event/queer-romance-book-club-reads-moonlighters-a-novella-collection/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Books
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260609T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260609T210000
DTSTAMP:20260604T185811Z
CREATED:20260604T185811Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260604T185811Z
UID:10049323-1781028000-1781038800@www.artsatl.org
SUMMARY:The Risk It Takes to Bloom: On Life and Liberation -- Raquel Willis in conversation with Alicia Garza
DESCRIPTION:This event is free and open to the public\, but registration is encouraged. Register here: https://www.raquelwillis.com/bloom. This event takes place at the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs 504 Fair St SW\, Atlanta\, GA 30313. \nRaquel Willis will be in conversation with Alicia Garza for a celebration of the paperback release of The Risk It Takes to Bloom: On Life and Liberation\, a passionate\, powerful memoir by a trailblazing Black transgender activist\, tracing her life of transformation and her work towards collective liberation. A book signing will follow. \nIn 2017\, Raquel Willis stepped onto the stage at the National Women’s March just hours after the inauguration of Donald Trump. Mid-speech\, her microphone was cut. The moment was brief\, barely noticed by most — but for Willis\, it crystallized a truth she had been circling her entire life: visibility is not the same as power\, and inclusion is not the same as liberation. \nThe Risk It Takes to Bloom begins there and moves backward\, tracing how a Black queer child from Augusta\, Georgia\, became the woman holding that microphone and what was required of her to keep speaking. Raised by devout Black Catholic parents\, Willis grew up surrounded by love but isolated by silence\, with little language for her gender or queerness. At the University of Georgia\, she found her first glimpses of possibility: queer community\, chosen family\, romance\, and early explorations of self. Then her father died suddenly\, and grief cracked her life open. After college\, Willis entered journalism and went back into hiding\, believing living stealth was the price of survival. But as violence against trans women of color intensified and trans youth succumbed to suicide\, she came to understand that silence was its own kind of harm. Her professional coming out became an act of resistance against a world that preferred people like her to stay silent and unseen. \nStructured in seasons — rooting\, budding\, pruning\, and blooming — this memoir is not a story of linear triumph\, but of ongoing transformation. With lyrical precision and moral clarity\, Willis examines what liberation truly demands: not certainty\, but courage; not perfection\, but truth; not simply survival\, but the risk of a fully lived life. \nAbout the author \nRaquel Willis (she/her) is a writer\, activist\, and media strategist dedicated to collective liberation. She is the co-founder of the Gender Liberation Movement\, a national organization fighting for bodily autonomy\, self-determination\, and the pursuit of fulfillment for all. Raquel made history as the first openly Black transgender woman to hold a senior editorial role at a major U.S. magazine (Out\, executive editor)\, and later as director of communications at the Ms. Foundation for Women. She has also worked as a national organizer for the Transgender Law Center\, and her writing appears in Black Futures\, edited by Kimberly Drew and Jenna Wortham\, and Four Hundred Souls\, edited by Ibram X. Kendi and Keisha N. Blain. Her multimedia storytelling has earned her multiple GLAAD Media Awards\, as well as recognition from ADCOLOR and the National Association of Black Journalists. In 2025\, she was honored as one of Time’s Women of the Year and named to the Time 100 Most Influential People list. The Risk It Takes to Bloom is her first book. \nAbout the conversation partner \nAlicia Garza is the author of The Purpose of Power and co-founder of the Black Futures Lab and #BlackLivesMatter. \nAlicia believes that Black communities deserve what all communities deserve — to be powerful in every aspect of their lives. An author\, political strategist\, organizer\, and cheeseburger enthusiast\, Alicia founded the Black Futures Lab in 2018 to make Black communities powerful in politics. In 2023\, the Black Futures Lab conducted the Black Census Project — the largest survey of Black communities in US history. \nAlicia is the co-creator of #BlackLivesMatter and the Black Lives Matter Global Network\, an international organizing project to end state violence and oppression against Black people. The Black Lives Matter Global Network now has 40 chapters in four countries. \nShe currently serves as the Senior Vice President for Movement Infrastructure and Explorations at the Freedom Together Foundation.
URL:https://www.artsatl.org/event/the-risk-it-takes-to-bloom-on-life-and-liberation-raquel-willis-in-conversation-with-alicia-garza/
LOCATION:Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs\, 504 Fair St SW \,\, Atlanta\, 30313
CATEGORIES:Books
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260608T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260608T203000
DTSTAMP:20260514T143119Z
CREATED:20260514T143119Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260514T143119Z
UID:10049186-1780947000-1780950600@www.artsatl.org
SUMMARY:Say Nephew: On Boyhood\, Unclehood\, and Queer Mentorship -- Steven Pfau in Conversation with Charles Stephens
DESCRIPTION:This event takes place in person at Charis and on Crowdcast\, Charis’ virtual event platform. This event is free\, but registration is required for virtual attendance. Click here to register to attend virtually – https://www.crowdcast.io/c/say-nephew. Please read the in-person event guidelines at the bottom of this page to be sure you can participate in the event. \nCharis welcomes Steven Pfau in conversation with Charles Stephens for a discussion of Say Nephew: On Boyhood\, Unclehood\, and Queer Mentorship\, a profound and illuminating exploration of the mythology of gay uncles and the meaning of queer bonds across generations. \nIn Say Nephew\, Steven Pfau blends memoir and criticism to celebrate the gay uncles who shape our sense of queer identity\, culture\, and history. The most influential figure in Pfau’s gay boyhood—the mentor who set the standard for all his future mentors—was his uncle Bruce. \nA charismatic storyteller with a Burt Reynolds–esque bravado (and a mustache\, leather jacket\, and pair of cowboy boots to match)\, Bruce came out in 1950s Memphis and lived in New York City through many of the defining events of the gay liberation era. Bruce was both a unique fixture in his nephew’s upbringing and a link in a long lineage of uncles\, literal and figurative\, who have offered various forms of queer tutelage to younger men. \nBut what role is the nephew supposed to play in these relationships? And who does he become once his uncles are no longer there to guide him? Both a coming-of-age story and a wide-ranging study\, Say Nephew is a wholly original and expansive consideration of queer mentorship. \nAbout the Author \nSTEVEN PFAU is a writer and editor based in Los Angeles. He graduated from the University of Idaho’s MFA program\, and his work has appeared in DIAGRAM\, Guernica\, The Iowa Review\, The Offing\, Passages North\, and other publications. \nAbout the Conversation Partner \nCharles Stephens is an Atlanta-based writer. His work has been supported by Tin House\, Kimbilio\, Lighthouse Writers Workshop\, AWP\, Periplus\, and the Hambidge Center. His writing can be found or is forthcoming in Copper Nickel\, StoryQuarterly\, Obsidian: Literature & Arts in the African Diaspora\, and elsewhere. Charles has also published essays and criticism in Atlanta Magazine\, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution\, Them\, ArtsATL\, and the Advocate. In 2014\, he co-edited the anthology Black Gay Genius: Answering Joseph Beam’s Call which was a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award. Charles has been and continues to be active in community organizations such as Canopy Atlanta where he serves as Board Chair. He is the Founder and Executive Director of the Counter Narrative Project. \nThe event is free and open to all people\, but we encourage and appreciate a donation of $5-20 in support of the work of Charis Circle\, our programming non-profit. Donate on Crowdcast or via our website: www.chariscircle.org/donate or in person at the event. \nCharis Books is a fully wheelchair accessible space with on site van accessible parking\, two ramps\, and additional overflow accessible parking nearby. Additional accessibility information can be found on the Accessibility page of our website. \nIn-person event guidelines:\n– All attendees must wear a face mask during the event.\n– We will begin seating people at 7:00 PM ET.\n– This event will be live-streamed via Crowdcast. Click here to register to attend virtually – https://www.crowdcast.io/c/say-nephew\n– As a reminder: If you are not feeling well\, please do not come to the event. \nIf you have any questions regarding these guidelines or to request specific accessibility accommodations\, please contact info@charisbooksandmore.com or call the store at 404-524-0304. \nPlease contact us at info@chariscircle.org or 404-524-0304 if you would like ASL interpretation at this event. If you would like to watch the event with live AI captions\, you may do so by watching it in Google Chrome and enabling captions: Instructions here. If you have other accessibility needs or if you are someone who has skills in making digital events more accessible please don’t hesitate to reach out to info@chariscircle.org. \nBy attending our event\, whether in person or virtually\, you agree to our Code of Conduct: Our event seeks to provide a harassment-free experience for everyone\, regardless of gender\, gender identity and expression\, age\, sexual orientation\, disability\, physical appearance\, body size\, race\, ethnicity\, religion (or lack thereof)\, class\, or technology choices. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Unsolicited sexual language and imagery are not appropriate. Anyone violating these rules will be expelled from this event and all future events at the discretion of the organizers. Please report all harassment to Charis staff immediately or email info@chariscircle.org.
URL:https://www.artsatl.org/event/say-nephew-on-boyhood-unclehood-and-queer-mentorship-steven-pfau-in-conversation-with-charles-stephens/
LOCATION:Charis Books & More\, 184 S Candler Street\, Decatur\, GA\, 30030\, United States
CATEGORIES:Books
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