Spring schedule released for WeHo Reads series

Independent Staff Report

WEST HOLLYWOOD — The city has announced the spring schedule for the WeHo Reads literary and music series. All events will be held virtually.

Among the featured authors and poets will be Charles Yu, Terry Wolverton and Arthur Dong.

Four of the seven events also will feature special musical guests. Among the featured musicians are Mariachi Arcoiris de Los Angeles, which is proud to have Natalia Melendez, the first transgender female in the history of mariachi, as one of its members.

The series begins March 3 with Casey Schreiner presenting “The Modern Hiker’s Guide to Griffith Park,”

an in-depth slideshow presentation on L.A.’s largest urban park.

On March 17, in celebration of Women’s History Month, Myriam Gurba talks to 2020 Creative Capital Awardee Randa Jarrar about her new memoir, “Love is an Ex-Country.” They will be joined by musical guest Kelly Caballero.

On April 7, poets will read and discuss representation in relation to the history of the local LGBTQ rights movement. Gustavo Hernandez and Rocío Carlos will lead the discussion, which will feature musical guests Mariachi Arcoiris de Los Angeles.

On April 14, West Hollywood City Poet Laureate Brian Sonia-Wallace brings together other poets for an exploration of language, gender, generation and geography in celebration of National Poetry Month. Featured poets include Terry Wolverton, Alyesha Wise-Hernandez, féi hernandez, Alan Pelaez Lopez and Harry Giles.

On May 12, in celebration of Asian American History Month, the city will host a conversation between Arthur Dong and Charles Yu.

On May 19,  the city will host a reading and conversation between James Sie, author of “All Kinds of Other,” and Skylar Kergil, author of “Before I Had the Words.” Musical guest Jiaqing Wilson-Yang will perform.

On June 16, the city will celebrate LGBT Pride Month with poets who will read and discuss works by mentors they have never met. Taking part will be Rajiv Mohabir, author of “The Cowherd’s Son,” Dare Williams and Jubi Arriola-Headley, author of “Original Kink.” Musical guest Jayson Joseph of Elephants With Guns will perform.

All events are free to attend and take place on Wednesday evenings at 6 p.m.

WeHo Reads is the city’s literary series that presents new and noteworthy authors of interest to the community. Past authors and presenters have included André Aciman, Andrew Rannells, Arlene and Alan Alda, Armistead Maupin, Bianca Del Rio, Bryan Fuller, Carrie Brownstein, Charles Phoenix, Chris Kraus, David Ulin, Eileen Myles, Eloise Klein Healy, Emma Donoghue, Erwin Chemerinsky, Henry Rollins, Jacob Tobia, LeVar Burton, Lillian Faderman, Lorna Luft, Luis J. Rodriguez, Michael York, Michelle Visage, Natalie Goldberg, Natasha Deón, Nina Revoyr, Patrisse Cullors, Patt Morrison Richard Blanco, Ryan Gosling, Sarah Silverman, Seymour Stein, Stephen Chbosky, Tananarive Due, and Tim & Eric (Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim).

The 2021 spring series is presented by the city’s Arts Division, and produced by Amanda Fletcher and Dare Williams.

For more information, contact Mike Che, arts coordinator, at (323) 848-6377.