PLEASE NOTE: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our Spring 2021 will be virtual. Thanks to funding from the Tennessee Arts Commission, we have reconfigured our beloved poetry series to a virtual offering, kicking off on January 15 at 7 pm with a portrait of the Line Breaks Literary Reading Series in a video co-produced with Line Breaks founder, Thandiwe Shiphrah, and artist Daniel Arite. Line Breaks, founded in 2002, is one of Nashville's oldest community-based poetry series, dedicated to fostering community by building bridges of understanding between people of diverse cultures.
January 29, 2021 - Thandiwe Shiphrah - The Poet as Storyweaver
February 12, 2021 - Kana Kavon and Alita Brielle Terry of Tamarind Jam - The Poet as Griot
March 12, 2021 - Kalai Mugilan and other immigrant poets TBA - The Story of U.S.
April 9, 2021 - Jaki Shelton Green - The Poet as Documentarian, Historian, Activist
May 14, 2021 - TBA - The Poet as Community Builder (awaiting confirmation)
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, Xanath Caraza, Claudia F. Savage and Matthew Shenoda, to name a few.
January 29, 2021 - Thandiwe Shiphrah - The Poet as Storyweaver
February 12, 2021 - Kana Kavon and Alita Brielle Terry of Tamarind Jam - The Poet as Griot
March 12, 2021 - Kalai Mugilan and other immigrant poets TBA - The Story of U.S.
April 9, 2021 - Jaki Shelton Green - The Poet as Documentarian, Historian, Activist
May 14, 2021 - TBA - The Poet as Community Builder (awaiting confirmation)
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, Xanath Caraza, Claudia F. Savage and Matthew Shenoda, to name a few.
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Line Breaks has been hosted by its founder and curator, Thandiwe Shiphrah since 2002. She stepped down in 2020 as host but continues to add her expertise in guiding the program. 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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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.