2019-2020 Events
Fall 2019 Events
Houston Poetry Fest
The Houston Poetry Fest 2019 began a dynamic opening session, featuring an impressive lineup of poets who brought their unique voices and perspectives to the stage.
Opening Session: With Guest Poet Michael D. Snediker, whose transformative poetry challenges societal norms, alongside Featured Poet Denise Thompson, celebrated for her emotionally resonant work and deep connection to community, this session was a celebration of the diverse, ever-evolving world of poetry. Audiences were also introduced to Juried Poets Kendra Leonard, Sharon Gehbauer, Kristina McDonald, Matthew Riley, Ann Boutté, Vanessa Zimmer-Powell, and Sandi Stromberg, each offering their distinct poetic visions that speak to both personal and collective experiences.
Panel Discussion: Moderated by the insightful Chuck Wemple, the panel "Turning Into the Wave" delved into the fluidity of poetic expression and the transcendent nature of poetry in contemporary culture. Panelists Amir Safi, Ayokunle Falomo, and Stacy Nigliazzo shared their perspectives on how poetry can shift the tides of societal change, exploring how the written word transforms not only the writer but also the world around them.
Traditional Open Reading: Hosted by the charismatic Robert Clark, the Traditional Open Reading provided an intimate space for poets to share their work with an eager and appreciative audience. This event is always a festival favorite, allowing both established poets and newcomers to voice their stories in a community of shared creativity.
Guest Poets & Juried Poets: Throughout the fest, audiences were treated to Guest Poets like Alex Lemon and Gayle Bell, whose thought-provoking pieces about identity and belonging captivated attendees. Alongside them, Juried Poets like Courtney O’Banion Smith, Autumn Hayes, and Cindy Huyser presented poems that ranged from reflective and quiet to bold and provocative, each poet engaging with issues of human connection, loss, and self-discovery.
Final Session: The final session brought together another stellar group of Guest Poets such as Kevin Prufer and Nancy Thorleifson, whose work touches on themes of hope, struggle, and the power of narrative. With additional contributions from Juried Poets including Lesley Clinton, Cindy Childress, and Patricia Nommensen, the audience experienced a poetic journey that felt both personal and universal, with each poet offering a new lens through which to view the world.
Opening Session of Houston Poetry Fest 2019
October 11, 2019
UHD Welcome Center, 3rd floor, Girard St. Bldg.
7:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
With Guest Poet Michael D. Snediker
Featured Poet Denise Thompson, and Juried Poets Kendra Leaonard, Sharon Gehbauer,
Kristina McDonald, Matthew Riley, Ann Boutté, Vanessa Zimmer-Powell, and Sandi Stromberg
Panel Discussion
October 12, 2019
UHD Welcome Center, 3rd floor, Girard St. Bldg.
2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Panel Discussion, Moderator Chuck Wemple
Panel topic: "Turning Into the Wave"
Panelists: Amir Safi, Ayokunle Falomo, and Stacy Nigliazzo.
Afternoon
4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
Hosted by Robert Clark
Traditional Open Reading
Evening
7:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Guest Poets Alex Lemon and Gayle Bell, and Juried Poets Courtney O’Banion Smith, Autumn
Hayes, Cindy Huyser, Alex Shapiro, Lisa Morano, P.W. Covington, Janet McCann, and
Sarah M. Sala
Guest Poets Reading
October 13, 2019
UHD Welcome Center, 3rd floor, Girard St. Bldg.
2:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Guest Poets Kevin Prufer, Nancy Thorleifson, Michael J. Galko, and Sharon Klander,
and Juried Poets Lesley Clinton, Cindy Childress, Patricia Nommensen, Fran Abrams,
Weasel, and Sean Johnson
For more information visit, Houston Poetry Fest.
UHD 9th Annual Outdoor Halloween Film Screening - "Ganja & Hess"
October 24, 2019
7 p.m., North Deck of Main Building
Celebrate the eerie season with UHD's 9th Annual Outdoor Halloween Film Screening, featuring the cult classic Ganja & Hess. This bold and thought-provoking film takes viewers on a psychological journey that intertwines horror, mysticism, and social commentary. Directed by Bill Gunn, the film is a re-imagining of the vampire genre, offering a unique narrative that explores the themes of addiction, identity, and the supernatural.
Set against the backdrop of Halloween, this outdoor screening invites audiences to immerse themselves in a chilling cinematic experience under the stars. Whether you’re a fan of independent cinema, a lover of horror, or simply seeking a night of spine-tingling thrills, this film is sure to spark conversation and intrigue. Bring a blanket, enjoy some popcorn, and join us for a night where the horrors of the unknown collide with the cultural richness of this unforgettable film.
Free and open to the public
Sponsored by UHD Cultural Enrichment Center, the Department of English and Fandom
UHD
South Korean Novelist Jung Young Moon, Author of Seven Samurai Swept Away
Reading and Talk
Monday, October 28
11:30 a.m. in Milam Room
Join us for a captivating evening with Jung Young Moon, the renowned South Korean novelist behind the critically acclaimed work Seven Samurai Swept Away. In this special reading and talk, Moon will share insights from his unique narrative style and the complex, multilayered storytelling that defines his writing. Seven Samurai Swept Away explores themes of identity, memory, and the dislocation of modern life, blending elements of traditional literature with innovative techniques that challenge conventional narrative forms.
In this event, Moon will discuss the inspiration behind his work, the themes that resonate across his novels, and the ways in which his writing reflects contemporary South Korean society. A thought-provoking session for anyone interested in literature, cultural exploration, or the way that fiction bridges global divides. Don’t miss the opportunity to hear directly from one of the most exciting voices in modern literature.
Seven Samurai Swept Away (Deep Vellum Publishing) recounts South Korean writer’s Jung Young Moon’s time spent at an artist’s and writers residency in small-town Texas. In an attempt to understand what a “true Texan should know,” the author reflects on his outsider experiences in this most unique of places, learning to two-step, musing on cowboy hats and cowboy churches, blending his observations with a meditative rumination on the history of Texas and the events that shaped the state, from the first settlers to Jacky Ruby and Lee Harvey Oswald, all while accompanied by a fictional cast of seven samurai who the author invents and carries with him.
Jung made his literary début in 1996 with the novel A Man Who Barely Exists. In 1999 he won the 12th Dongseo Literary Award with his collection of short stories, A Chain of Dark Tales. In 2012, he won the Han Moo-suk Literary Award, the Dong-in Literary Award, and the Daesan Literary Award for his novel A Contrived World. His short story collection A Most Ambiguous Sunday and Other Stories was published by Dalkey Archive in 2014. His novel Vaseline Buddha Deep Vellum Publishing) appeared in 2016.
Hernan Diaz Reading
November 14, 2019
2:30 p.m. in UHD Welcome Center
Don’t miss the opportunity to hear Hernan Diaz, the critically acclaimed author of In the Distance, read from his Pulitzer Prize finalist novel. This evocative work explores themes of identity, isolation, and the American frontier, following the journey of a Swedish immigrant navigating the vast expanses of 19th-century America. Diaz’s novel has garnered widespread acclaim for its complex narrative and rich character development, making it a must-read for any fan of contemporary literature.
As part of this special event, Diaz will share insights into the writing process and the inspiration behind In the Distance, while offering a deeper look at the historical and emotional landscape of his novel. This event is free and open to the public, but tickets are required to attend. Sponsored by the Cultural Enrichment Center and the Department of English, this reading is a fantastic opportunity for literature enthusiasts and those interested in American history, immigration stories, and the art of storytelling.
This event is free and open to the public, tickets are required to attend.
Sponsored by the Cultural Enrichment Center, and the department of English.