Since 2002, the Line Breaks Literary Reading Series has been supporting local and visiting poets and storytellers from different cultures by hosting readings, writing workshops, performances, and special events. Line Breaks supports both emerging and renowned poets and has provided Nashville audiences with exceptional opportunities to engage with their work. The Series provides a forum for students and graduates of MFA programs at local universities (Vanderbilt, Middle Tennessee State University, Austin Peay University and more).
One of Nashville’s longest running literary arts programs -- and the only ongoing literary program dedicated to fostering community by building bridges of understanding between people of diverse cultures -- Line Breaks has provided an inspiring forum for emerging, national, and internationally-recognized writers. Some of our past guests have included Jimmy Santiago Baca, Raphael Campo, Nikky Finney, Joy Harjo, Brian Gilmore, Kurt Lamkin, E. Ethelbert Miller, David Mura, Alexs Pate, Sonia Sanchez, Jericho Brown, Li-Young Lee, Dr. Haki Madhubuti, Rajiv Mohabir, Maria Baca, Claudia F. Savage and Matthew Shenoda, to name a few.
One of Nashville’s longest running literary arts programs -- and the only ongoing literary program dedicated to fostering community by building bridges of understanding between people of diverse cultures -- Line Breaks has provided an inspiring forum for emerging, national, and internationally-recognized writers. Some of our past guests have included Jimmy Santiago Baca, Raphael Campo, Nikky Finney, Joy Harjo, Brian Gilmore, Kurt Lamkin, E. Ethelbert Miller, David Mura, Alexs Pate, Sonia Sanchez, Jericho Brown, Li-Young Lee, Dr. Haki Madhubuti, Rajiv Mohabir, Maria Baca, Claudia F. Savage and Matthew Shenoda, to name a few.
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Line Breaks is hosted by its founder and curator, Thandiwe Shiphrah. The season runs from October to May and offers a wealth of opportunities for artistic inquiry, teaching, and learning through presentations that integrate poetry, lecture, discourse, music, dance, and visual art. These include collaborations with musicians, dancers and visual artists to create multi-genre programs, such as A Whole Different Tone: 12 Artists, One Poem & A Celebration of Community, which uses poetry to explore creativity in other arts; Poetry & The African American Experience, which focuses on the history and culture of African Americans while examining poetry's relevance to modern life; and The Spirit of Lorca, The Soul of Flamenco, featuring the poetry of Federico Garcia Lorca and acclaimed musicians and flamenco dancers. Line Breaks also provides literary opportunities in area schools, the juvenile detention center, and for families of court-involved youth, all with a goal of meeting our mission to highlight the commonalities of all people and promote cross-cultural understanding and respect while building a more welcoming, inclusive community.
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Upcoming Line Breaks Literary Reading Series events are being re-scheduled due to COVID0-19, so stay tuned! Our fall reading and workshops with poet Jaki Shelton Green has been rescheduled for February 18 - 21, 2021. Also in the works is a special program featuring members of our Line Breaks Literary Writing Collective to celebrate the lives of two beautiful poets we lost in 2020 (Patricia and Montanez) and to honor our Line Breaks founder, Thandiwe, as she ponders relocating to closer to family.
Please click here to learn about upcoming poetry readings and writing workshops as new dates are finalized. |
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RECENT LINE BREAKS LITERARY READING SERIES READINGS & WORKSHOPS:
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All programs, including Line Breaks, of the Global Education Center are made possible with support from the Metro-Nashville Arts Commission, the Tennessee Arts Commission and National Endowment for the Arts.