EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS:
**I’m Director of Public Programs at Long Island City’s Socrates Sculpture Park. The 2018 season (May through October) of vibrantly diverse FREE public programs from outdoor cinema to yoga/tai chi/capoeira to performance to dance to huge festivals to concerts to kayaking to art-making for kids & families and much MORE – is now available! Check it out online HERE.
*For a list of literary resources & happenings in Queens I started compiling in 2013, visit the QUEENS LIT RESOURCES page at tinyurl.com/queenslit!
8/19/18 – Performing at Joaquin Capehart’s “WHAT IF I SAID” book release at Flor de Azalea in LIC, 5-8pm.
9/23/18 – Performing at Nancy Ruhling’s Astoria Characters Day at Variety Boys & Girls Club in Astoria, 2-4pm.
3/20/18 – OFFICIAL RELEASE OF MY THIRD BOOK of poetry and prose, “WILDLIGHT”!!! For purchase and further info, please click HERE.
PAST EVENTS
I’ve hosted, curated, read or performed at…
Previous- curating, hosting, and volunteering with Astoria Music & Arts 2008-2009, in bloom collective (co-founded) 2011-2012 for festivals and multi-disciplinary arts events.
*2011*
Likeness: A Question of Perception – Portraits by Liz Nieves
February 4th, 2011 – Hell Gate Social in Astoria
FEATURED WRITER
Poetry and Prose Readings by:
Audrey Dimola, Dennis Borowsky, Justin Finley, Jon Mills & Thomas Pepe
Music by DJ Sambarella
Read the press release
The Q Note presents – Commas & Coffee: It Could Have Been
February 9th, 2011 – Cafe Marlene in Sunnyside
FEATURED WRITER
Featuring the writings of:
Nancy Agabian, Alia Akkam, Rena Bonne, Dennis Borowsky, Audrey Dimola, Beatriz Gil, Robert Trabold & KC Trommer
Read the Daily News article from 2/8/11 (I’m quoted!)
BOWWOW #9
October 6th, 2011 – Bowery Poetry Club in NYC
FEATURED WRITER
Thursday, October 6th, a night of poetry and performance featuring New York City’s finest emerging talents. Featuring the poetry of: Paolo Javier, the Poet Laureate of Queens, Audrey Dimola, Advocate of Wordz, the host of the “Open Room” at the Nuyorican Poets Café, BOWWOW favorite Carina Del Valle Schorske, Sarah Feeley, and from New Haven, David Gorin, in addition to BOWWOW’s newest contributor, Nadia Parbo, and a special performance by musical guest, Tanya Betley.
Boundless Tales Readings Series
October 20th, 2011 – Waltz-Astoria in Astoria
FEATURED WRITER
Featured writers:
Audrey Dimola, Paddy Fitzgerald, Joseph Mulholland, Mike Stahl, and host Aida Zilelian-Silak.
Boundless Tales is one of the only reading series in Queens – more on the reading and info on submitting your work here.
*2012*
Boundless Tales Readings Series
March 15th, 2012 – Waltz-Astoria in Astoria
FEATURED WRITER
Featured writers:
Michael Alpiner, Robyn Burland, Audrey Dimola, Maddy Lederman, and Richard Marx Weinraub.
Boundless Tales is one of the only reading series in Queens – more on the reading and info on submitting your work here.
Queens Poets & Poems exhibition
April 2012 – Queens Borough Hall
WORK FEATURED
Not exactly a reading or performance, but I was thrilled to have my poem “validation” hand-picked for inclusion in the inaugural Queens Poets & Poems exhibition at Queens Borough Hall, curated by Queens Poet Laureate Paolo Javier for National Poetry Month 2012.
Some Kind of Nature
April 28th, 2012 – 571 Projects in NYC
WORK FEATURED
Featuring my poem, “voyage.” Directed by Patrice Miller: An interdisciplinary exploration of the figure through performance text and sculpture using classical texts and new material from contemporary authors written in response to the process and work of artist Julie Tremblay. Featuring work from Marcus Bowers, Edward Einhorn, Audrey Dimola, Justin Maxwell and others, Some Kind of Nature focuses on the intersection between the real and surreal, the body and the idea of the body, drawing inspiration from classic surrealists and writers like Jorge Luis Borges.
Boundless Tales Readings Series
June 21st, 2012 – Waltz-Astoria in Astoria
HOSTING & READING
Featured writers:
Ignas Bautrenas, Christian Diaz, Audrey Dimola (guest host & reader), Anthony Frisina, and Mickey Z.
Boundless Tales is one of the only reading series in Queens – more on the reading and info on submitting your work here.
Boundless Tales Readings Series
July 19th, 2012 – Waltz-Astoria in Astoria
CO-HOSTING
Featured writers:
Lisa Badner, Devin Doyle, Carrie Noel, Patrick Noyes, and host Aida Zilelian-Silak.
Boundless Tales is one of the only reading series in Queens – more on the reading and info on submitting your work here.
Renegade Reading Series
October 11th, 2012 – LaunchPad in Brooklyn
FEATURED WRITER
Cassandra Trascik, Nathaniel Kressen, Audrey Dimola, David Moscovich, Cory Leadbeater, Adina Lepp, Siobhan O’Loughlin, and Kelly Wehrle share their work at LaunchPad from 8pm to 11pm (Renegade’s FB page is here).
PARACHUTE: The Coney Island Performance Festival
October 13th, 2012 – New York Aquarium in Coney Island
PERFORMER
Performing an excerpt from Muriel Rukeyser’s play “Houdini” with The Believe Project as a site-specific poetry installation to welcome attendees to PARACHUTE: The Coney Island Performance Festival. Curated by Amanda Deutch and Becca Klaver. Parachute’s FB page is here.
Brooklyn Museum’s Target First Saturdays
December 1st, 2012 – Brooklyn Museum
PERFORMER
Invited by the Brooklyn Museum to reprise our Rukeyser performance (with even more pizzazz!) as part of their Target First Saturdays programming. So very cool! Parachute’s FB page is here.
*2013*
Honey and Poison
January 17th, 2013 – Two Moon Art House & Cafe in Brooklyn
FEATURED WRITER
Storytellers, poets, comedians, performance artists and… glass eaters. Really? Yes. Hosted by Siobhan O’Loughlin and featuring: Martin Dockery, Todd Anderson, Audrey Dimola, Abigoliah Schamaun, Matteo Lane, and Eli Reiter. Honey and Poison’s FB page is here.
Nature of the Muse fireside reading & live writing
January 27th, 2013 – LIC Bar in Queens
CURATOR & HOST
The debut of my reading and live writing event, fireside in the carriage house at LIC Bar! Featuring: Michael Stahl, Sweta Srivastava Vikram, Michael Alpiner, and Carrie Noel, with myself as host and Ace Elijah as special musical guest. View the program here.
Sycamore Stories
February 20th, 2013 – Sycamore in Brooklyn
FEATURED WRITER
Featuring candid stories, short fiction, and poetry by the talented and insightful: Stella Perry, Dan Combs, Jose Paez, Adam Selbst, Robert Semple, Kate Jones, Eric Nelson, William Spadaro, Raquel Penzo, Audrey Dimola, Kathy Karadza, Alex Clermont, and Moshe Schulman, with your erratic host Kelley Brannon. Sycamore’s FB page is here.
REZ Reading Series
March 7th, 2013 – Odradeks Coffee House in Kew Gardens
FEATURED WRITER
The triumphant return of REZ! Featuring Aida Zilelian, Audrey Dimola, Aaron Adler, Deborah Emin, Liza Charlesworth, Justin Martin, Vickie Byron, Alissa Heyman, Enrique Flores-Galbis and Mandy Gor. REZ’s FB page is here.
Nature of the Muse fireside reading & live writing
April 4th, 2013 – LIC Bar in Queens
CURATOR & HOST
The second edition of my reading and live writing series, Nature of the Muse! Featuring: Aida Zilelian-Silak, Joe Yoga, Tim Fredrick, and Greg Kirkorian, with special guests Siobhan O’Loughlan and Paul Weinfield. Find out more about Nature of the Muse here.
Boundless Tales Reading Series
April 18th, 2013 – Waltz-Astoria in Astoria
HOST
Featured writers:
Jeff Brandt, Susana H. Case, Kim Liao, Eric Nelson, and Malini Singh McDonald
Proud to be on the co-hosting team of Boundless with founder Aida Zilelian and Devin Doyle!
Oh, Bernice! Reading Series
April 20th, 2013 – Cafe Marlene in Sunnyside
FEATURED WRITER
Featuring: Brian Kim, Jenna Telesca, Sachiko Clayton, Audrey Dimola, John Rice as host, and one of the most hilarious event posters I’ve ever seen. Oh, Bernice’s website is here, and video from my performance that night is here.
WITH SPECIAL GUEST
May 7th, 2013 – The Delancey, NYC
FEATURED WRITER
Reading poetry with LIVE IMPROV CELLO ACCOMPANIMENT! Amazing! Featuring: M. Leona Godin (also fabulous host), Audrey Dimola, Kyle Erickson, and singing cellist Calum Ingram, later accompanied by Sho Handa on drums. FB invite for future events is here.
Coney Island Oasis
Originally May 11th/rescheduled for May 18th, 2013 – Coney Island, Brooklyn
CURATOR & HOST
Oh, adventures in outdoor event curating! In collaboration with Lola Star – featuring a yoga class on the beach taught by Dina Ivas, readings by Jonathan Fox, Sheila Maldonado, Greg Kirkorian, and Audrey Dimola, with music from SMAX Music and Amy Leo.
The 1st NYC Not Wedding
May 22nd, 2013 – Bathhouse Studios, NYC
PERFORMER (SPOKEN WORD OFFICIANT)
So fun – I faux-officiated a real couple’s vow renewal with some spoken word at the 1st NYC Not Wedding, a bridal show alternative in the form of a big, fake wedding with vendors, food, music, dancing, and more!
Boundless Tales Reading Series
June 20th, 2013 – Waltz-Astoria in Astoria
HOST
Featured writers:
Ignas Bautrenas, Greg Kirkorian, Anna Voisard, Vito Racanelli, and Joe Yoga
Proud to be on the co-hosting team of Boundless with founder Aida Zilelian and Devin Doyle!
REZ Reading Series
July 11th, 2013 – Odradeks Coffee House in Kew Gardens
FEATURED WRITER
Reading alongside featured reader Malini Singh McDonald as well as Devin Doyle, Josh Rivedal, and Valerie G. Keane.
Kea’s Spoken Word
July 19th, 2013 – Enigma Bookstore in Astoria
FEATURED WRITER
Reading with Kea DeVay, Aida Zilelian-Silak, Devin Doyle, and Greg Gordon as part of Enigma Bookstore’s soft opening and the debut of Kea’s new spoken word reading series.
The 3rd Annual NYC Poetry Festival
July 27th, 2013 – Governor’s Island
FEATURED WRITER
Representing Astoria’s own Boundless Tales Reading Series alongside Devin Doyle and Lisa Badner at the city’s biggest poetry fest! A clip from my performance is here.
First Tuesdays: A Neighborhood Reading Series in Queens
September 3rd, 2013 – Terraza 7 in Jackson Heights
FEATURED WRITER
Honored to grace their floating stage – the featured writer goes on after the fantastic open mic. First Tuesdays’ FB page is here, and video from my performance that night is here.
Astoria Art Festival – Instagram Photo Show
September 2013 – Sparrow Tavern in Astoria
FEATURED ARTIST
So very cool to have some of my Instagram photos chosen for inclusion in the 2nd annual Astoria Art Festival‘s Instagram Photo Show!
Newtown Literary Reading
October 11th, 2013 – Astoria Bookshop
FEATURED WRITER
Celebrating Newtown Literary‘s 2nd issue and the opening of Astoria Bookshop with a reading featuring LIC/Astoria writers Jeff Brandt, Audrey Dimola, Carlos Hiraldo, Daniel Damiano, Candice Mays & Jaclyn Majewski.
Boundless Tales Reading Series
October 17th, 2013 – Waltz-Astoria in Astoria
HOST
Featured writers:
Jeff Bakkensen, Rosebud Ben-Oni, Vickie Byron, Jared Harel, and Karen Levy
Proud to be on the co-hosting team of Boundless with founder Aida Zilelian and Devin Doyle!
Queens Literary Town Hall (inaugural event of Queens Council on the Arts’ 3rd Space series)
October 18th, 2013 – Queens Council on the Arts in Astoria
CURATOR & HOST
Part performance, part soapbox, and part networking opportunity, the first ever Queens Literary Town Hall brought diverse Queens literary organizations (from bookstores to reading series to festival organizers and more) together with writers and lit lovers to celebrate and strengthen the burgeoning literary community in the borough. Click here for more info, and go here for more info on Queens Council on the Arts’ 3rd Space program.
FAVORS Opening Reception – Writers Read on FAVORS
November 8th, 2013 – SPACE Gallery in LIC
FEATURED WRITER
Reading with Elisa Montesinos as part of artist Priscilla Stadler‘s FAVORS project opening reception, meant to “challenge the people of Queens, NYC and beyond to smash the stereotype that New Yorkers are cutthroat, competitive egoists by doing favors for friends, family and strangers”!
Trajectories: words and music
December 12th, 2013 – Aurora Gallery in Astoria
CO-CURATOR/FEATURED WRITER
Featuring music by composers from Queens-based new music ensemble thingNY and poets (Devin Doyle, Rosebud Ben-Oni, Safiel Vonay, Valerie G. Keane, and Thomas Fucaloro) curated by Audrey Dimola – an “exciting salon of spoken word and poetry and its intersection with classical and improvised music.”
*2014*
Nature of the Muse fireside reading & live writing
January 30th, 2014 – LIC Bar [Facebook]
CURATOR & HOST
The 2014 return of my reading/live writing series! Featuring: Jeff LaGreca, M. Leona Godin, Devin Doyle, Malini Singh McDonald, and John “Chance” Acevedo, with special musical guests Tyler Rivenbark and Thomas Graff.
In Celebration of The Year of the Horse: A Prose and Poetry Reading
February 2nd, 2014 – Bliss on Bliss Studio in Sunnyside [Facebook]
FEATURED WRITER
Seven writers – Jared Harel, Diane Chang, Rosebud Ben-Oni, Audrey Dimola, Jen Fitzgerald, Becca Klaver and Stephen Krauska – come to together to share their work and discuss what The Year of the Horse means to them. A Q&A will follow.
Beach Elements
February 6th, 2014 – Dougherty Gallery at Crescent Grill in LIC
FEATURED WRITER
A special poetry and prose reading for artist Nancy Gesimondo’s “Beach Elements” exhibition opening.
COFFEED Pop-up Art & Shop
February 13th, 2014 – COFFEED’s new event space in LIC [Facebook]
WORDS & MUSIC CURATOR/FEATURED WRITER
Poetry Teachers NYC’s The Unveiling Arrival
March 9th, 2014 – Bowery Poetry Club in NYC [Facebook]
FEATURED WRITER
Lecture on “Local Curating 101” for Intro to Creative Writing Class
March 11th, 2014 – Queens College
GUEST LECTURER
ETERNiDAY: the Queens Poet Lore Festival of the Language Arts
March 15th, 2014 – Queens Museum in Flushing Meadows Park [Facebook]
LOCAL PROGRAM CURATOR/FEATURED WRITER
IAM (Immigrant Advancement Matters) Open Mic
March 21st, 2014 – COFFEED in LIC [Facebook]
FEATURED PERFORMER
UNSTAGED: A Playwrighting & Performance Experiment at Rough Draft Festival
March 28th, 2014 – LaGuardia Performing Arts Center in LIC [Facebook]
CO-CURATOR & PERFORMER
Latimer Lounge presents: Latimer Creative Spark
April 4th, 2014 – Lewis H. Latimer House Museum in Flushing [Facebook]
FEATURED SPEAKER/POET
ASTORIA STAND UP local arts showcase in conjunction with “ASTORIA PARK” film
April 5th, 2014 – Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden in Astoria
CO-CURATOR & FEATURED PERFORMER
Audrey Dimola’s WORLD OF WORDS: QUEENS, A Celebration of Queens Literary Arts
April 12th, 2014 – LaGuardia Performing Arts Center in LIC [Facebook]
CURATOR & FEATURED WRITER/PERFORMER
Kea’s Spoken Word
April 25th, 2014 – Enigma Bookstore in Astoria [Facebook]
HOST
Mike Geffner’s THE INSPIRED WORD at COFFEED in LIC
May 7th, 2014 – FEATURED PERFORMER
ONGOING – HOST [Facebook]
International Women Artists’ Salon – Salon Radio
May 12th, 2014 – FEATURED ARTIST
A recording of the interview is available here. Listen to new and archived episodes on City World Radio – if you’re interested in joining as a woman creative of any discipline, email womenartsalon@gmail.com.
Atlas Park Reading Series at Atlas Park Shops in Glendale
May 22nd, 2014 – Shiro of Japan
HOST & FEATURED READER [Facebook]
IAM Open Sessions
June 5th, 2014 – Flushing Town Hall [Facebook]
FEATURED PERFORMER
Boundless Tales Reading Series
June 19th, 2014 (last reading of the season) – Astoria Bookshop [Facebook]
HOST
Queens Council on the Arts Block Party
June 21st, 2014 – Kaufman Arts District in Astoria [Facebook]
CURATOR/HOST OF LITERARY SLAM & FEATURED PERFORMER
Atlas Park Reading Series at Atlas Park Shops in Glendale
June 26th, 2014 – Shiro of Japan
HOST
QNSMADE Exhibition & Launch Party
July 18th, 2014 – 3rd Space at Queens Council on the Arts in Astoria [Website]
FEATURED ARTIST
3 Po3try NYC Presents – Hot House: A Summer Poetry Extravaganza
July 31st, 2014 – Organic Modernism in Brooklyn [Facebook]
FEATURED PERFORMER
Inspired Word All-Star Showcase at COFFEED LIC
August 14th, 2014 – COFFEED [Facebook]
FEATURED PERFORMER
Inspired Word All-Star Showcase at COFFEED LIC
September 11th, 2014 – COFFEED [Facebook]
HOST
International Women Artists Salon’s Monthly Salon
September 20th, 2014 – Dixon Place in NYC
FEATURED WRITER
Boundless Tales Reading Series
October 9th, 2014 – Astoria Bookshop
HOST
Canvas of Words’ Preserving Our Roots
October 11th, 2014 – Victoria Congregational Church in Jamaica, Queens [Facebook]
FEATURED POET
TRAVERSALS book launch & performance party
November 13th, 2014 – Q.E.D.: A Place to Show & Tell in Astoria
MY BOOK LAUNCH!
*2015*
Boundless Tales Reading Series
January 8th, 2015 – Astoria Bookshop [Facebook]
HOST
Queens Library Open Mic for Poets
January 11th, 2015 – Queens Central Library (main Jamaica branch) [Website]
FEATURED READER
Mike Geffner’s The Inspired Word 5-Year Anniversary Extravaganza
January 17th, 2015 – COFFEED LIC [Website]
FEATURED PERFORMER
Nature of the Muse fireside reading & live writing
January 29th, 2015 – LIC Bar [Facebook]
Featuring Marc Montfleury, Roya Marsh, Valerie G. Keane, Kevin Marquez, and special musical guests Jeanne Marie Boes and Geoff Ong.
CURATOR & HOST
Queens Lit in Action! with Audrey Dimola
March 6th, 2015 – Queens Council on the Arts in Astoria
Funded by Poets & Writers! Featuring readings from “TRAVERSALS” and new work AND discussion/free-write exercises playing with themes of wildness, nostalgia, and childhood from my upcoming show “THE WILD PAPERS” [Website]
Boundless Tales Reading Series
March 12th, 2015 – Astoria Bookshop [Website]
HOST
Nature of the Muse reading & live writing
March 26th, 2015 – LIC Bar [Facebook]
Featuring Crystal Rivera, Richard Jeffrey Newman, Jennifer Faylor, Billy Conahan, and Armando Chapelliquen, with special musical guests Samantha Leon and Providence!
CURATOR & HOST
Fringe Verses Open Mic & Poetry (part of Rough Draft Festival 2015)
March 31st, 2015 – LaGuardia Performing Arts Center [Facebook]
FEATURED POET
LIC Reading Series
April 14th, 2015 – LIC Bar [Facebook]
FEATURED READER (at the debut!)
No Bullsh%t Hip Hop Showcase
April 23rd, 2015 – Hail Hail Bar, Brooklyn [Facebook]
HOST
THE WILD PAPERS site-specific performance debut
May 9th, 2015
Lewis H. Latimer House (part of their #museumanarchy initiative) – Flushing [More info]
Conceived by and featuring: Audrey Dimola, Tyler Rivenbark, Jacob Horstmeier, and Kate Vander Velden, with Diana Benigno.
On May 9th, the Latimer House in Flushing, Queens will be home to the very first incarnation of “The Wild Papers” as a performance – a unique, site-specific experience in the house and its grounds, conceived with inventor/poet/draftsman Latimer’s spirit of the unconquerable, of innovation and creativity.
You will be led through a seamless presentation of vignettes of dreams and memories, told through music, dance, poetry, and theatrical elements both specific and universal, playful and haunting. “The Wild Papers” is an exploration of the joy and poignancy of nostalgia, what we bring with us as we go forward, and what makes us who we are.
CURATOR, PERFORMER, CO-CREATOR/WRITER
Public Faculty No. 9
May 14-17th, 2015 (workshop began Jan 2015)
Selected to work on Public Faculty No. 9 project – conversations about connection – in the field in Queens in conjunction with Queens Museum and visiting artist Jeanne Van Heeswijk.
PARTICIPATING ARTIST
THE WILD PAPERS site-specific performance ENCORE
June 20, 2015
Lewis H. Latimer House (part of their #museumanarchy initiative) – Flushing [More info]
CURATOR, PERFORMER, CO-CREATOR/WRITER
RAGE Readings – Astoria Summer Series
July 6, 2015 – Astoria Coffee [Facebook]
FEATURED READER
The Inspired Word’s LAST FRIDAYZ
July 31, 2015 – Local Project in LIC [More info]
FEATURED POET
Queens NYC Lit Festival produced by The Inspired Word & co.
August 1st & 2nd, 2015 – LIC Bar [More info]
A grassroots celebration of literary arts plus music, open mic, vendors, ALL QUEENS BASED! I’ll be hosting some of the open mic on both days & reppin’ my Nature of the Muse reading & live writing series with Michael Stahl, Sweta Vikram, M. Leona Godin, Kevin Marquez & Crystal Rivera performing (Aug 2nd).
HOST, PERFORMER, CO-CURATOR
Mike Geffner’s The Inspired Word open mic
August 25th, 2015 – Funkadelic Studios in NYC [More info]
HOST
Lecture on “Local Curating 101” for Intro to Creative Writing Class
September 28th, 2015 – Queens College
GUEST LECTURER
WORDS WITH WINGS all-poetry show
September 30th, 2015 – THE GRIND in LIC [Facebook]
CO-HOST, CO-CURATOR, FEATURED PERFORMER
The Inspired Word’s We Heart NYC Writers Night
October 8th, 2015 – Parkside Lounge, NYC [More info]
HOST
STAYING WILD: presentation on power, positivity & poetry
October 9th, 2015 – Long Island City High School (10 classes in a row!)
GUEST ARTIST/LECTURER
Audrey Dimola presents MASHUPS! performance/workshop
October 28th, 2015 – Queens Council on the Arts in Astoria [Facebook]
CURATOR & FEATURED PERFORMER
Nature of the Muse reading & live writing
November 12th, 2015 – LIC Bar [Facebook]
CURATOR/HOST
THE RISE OF NEON REBEL: a gathering of creatives
November 18th, 2015 – Q.E.D. in Astoria [Facebook]
CURATOR/CO-HOST/PERFORMER
Inspired Word NYC’s first ever Women Poets of the Q4
December 9th, 2015 – Q4 Hotel in LIC [Facebook]
FEATURED POET
Boundless Tales Reading Series
December 10th, 2015 – Astoria Bookshop [More info]
HOST
Queens Museum’s Warming Up Winter Holiday Market
December 13, 2015 – Queens Museum [Facebook]
Featured artist vendor as ART FOR THE WILD with April Tigerlily and Omi Plufs.
FEATURED ARTIST
Risk of Discovery
December 15th, 2015 – Astoria Coffee [More info]
FEATURED READER
Inspired Word NYC’s Wednesday night open mic
December 16th, 2015 – Q4 Hotel in LIC [More info]
HOST
*2016*
WOMEN WHO RUN WITH THE WOLVES: a fireside poetry/art/affirmation event
January 21st, 2016 – LIC Bar [Facebook]
HOST/CURATOR, PERFORMER
Boundless Tales Reading Series
March 10th, 2016 – Astoria Bookshop [Facebook]
HOST
Celebrating Queens Women Artists / The Enchanted Goddess Revue
organized by Joan Becht Willette for Women’s History Month
March 11th, 2016 – Queens Council on the Arts in Astoria[More info]
FEATURED POET / SPECIAL GUEST
Lecture on “Local Curating 101” for Intro to Creative Writing Class
March 14th, 2016 – Queens College
GUEST LECTURER
Queens Book Festival’s Q-Boro Lit Crawl – LIC
April 7th, 2016 – Corner Bistro stage (QBF/Wendy Angulo Productions) in LIC [Facebook]
FEATURED POET
Inspired Word’s We Heart NYC Writers Night
April 14th, 2016 – Parkside Lounge in NYC [More info]
HOST
Queens Library – Poets from Queens reading
with Queens Poet Laureate Maria Lisella and other distinguished local poets
April 16th, 2016 – Queens Library in Flushing (auditorium)
FEATURED POET
UNDER THE INFLUENCE: The Inspirational Legacy of a King from Queens
honoring Astoria graffiti legend DON1 with Louie “KR.ONE” Gasparro
April 16th, 2016 – QNS Collective in Astoria [Facebook]
FEATURED POET
Queens Book Festival’s Q-Boro Lit Crawl – Forest Hills
April 28th, 2016 – Sorry Not Sorry Bar & Lounge (as part of Canvas of Words stage) in Forest Hills [Facebook]
FEATURED POET
The Queens Bookshop Initiative’s Storytime in the Park
April 30th, 2016 – Russell Sage Playground, Forest Hills [Facebook]
FEATURED PERFORMER
Boundless Tales Reading Series
May 12th, 2016 – Astoria Bookshop [More info]
HOST
‘go slowly, see miracles’ at LIC Arts Open Festival 2016
May 18th-22nd, 2016 – 43-01 21st Street, LIC [Facebook]
Known throughout Queens for her explosive poetry, performance, and curatorial work, this is LIC native Audrey Dimola’s first art installation. ‘go slowly, see miracles’ is an immersive amalgam of hidden treasures and alcoves of memories, a cross between a lost boy’s wilderness hideaway, a secret grotto in the mind, and the gritty intersections of love, identity, and nostalgia. It features a variety of never before seen mixed media art pieces, 3D poetry, found objects, sound and visuals, and more- exploring wild spirituality, descents into darkness, reclamation and annunciation. The work is specially presented in this form for LICAO 2016.
INSTALLATION ARTIST
The Poets Settlement
July 12, 2016 – Brooklyn Colony [Facebook]
FEATURED POET
2nd Annual Queens Lit Fest
July 17, 2016 – LIC Landing [Facebook]
Representing my Nature of the Muse series (& other events) at Inspired Word’s 2nd annual Queens Lit Fest (July 16 & 17th) at LIC Landing, 3:30-4pm with Jack Feldstein, Timothy Bell & Tippy Rex.
FEATURED WRITER/CURATOR
Queens Book Festival
August 7th, 2016 – Kaufman Astoria Studios [Facebook]
Speaking on the Taking Poetry to the Streets panel with former Queens Poet Laureate Paolo Javier: Some may think of poetry as a writing style only for the lofty towers of higher education or the upper class, but these poets are taking their talents and love of poetry, and bringing it to everyone. These poets will elaborate on Audre Lorde’s statement, “Poetry is not a luxury. It is a vital necessity for our existence.” How is poetry a “light “in which we can put our hopes and dreams and use it to create change?
FEATURED POET/PANELIST
PETER PAN TURNS 30!
August 11th, 2016 – Local Project [Facebook]
MY 30th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION! Poetry, music, mashups, art, rainbowy food & potentially a water balloon fight.. The wildchild from Neverland turns 30, lost boy style!
CURATOR/PERFORMER… BIRTHDAY GIRL!
Boundless Tales Reading Series- 5 Year Anniversary
September 9th, 2016 – Queens Council on the Arts, Astoria [More info]
Boundless was the first reading series I read for and also the first reading series to give me a running gig as a host. Join us in celebrating this extra-special milestone!
CO-HOST
Visitor Experience Conference 2016
October 10th, 2016 – Philadelphia, PA
Speaking with the Lewis H. Latimer House Museum about my immersive theatrical experience, THE WILD PAPERS, on the “How to Let Visitors Create Their Own Experience” panel. View the presentation here.
One often under-represented group in the process of designing visitor experience are visitors themselves, who are really the core in experiencing cultural institutions. This session explores ways to involve visitors in creating their own experience through unconventional partnerships across cultural institutions, multidisciplinary artists, and community groups. Two projects being discussed here are Light On Sound art installation and Wild Papers theatre, both of which happened at Lewis H. Latimer House. The former incorporates the voice of local residents into an interactive installation, through community poetry workshops. The latter invited the audience to reinterpret the institutional space through a site-specific performance. The session will serve as a trigger for open conversations and collaboration proposals on more innovative ways to engage visitors to create their own cultural experience, either prior to or during their visit, and make a lasting impact on the institution through their experience.
FEATURED PANELIST
THE FIRE ROOM installation at LIC-A’s Fall Group Show
November 22nd, 2016 – 5-25 46th Ave, LIC [Facebook]
Special poetry graffiti installation with sharpie, spray cans, paint, candles, FIRE in THE FIRE ROOM at the LIC-A artists space through Dec 22, plus poetry performance on the opening night.
FEATURED POET/INSTALLATION ARTIST
The sisSTAR Loop Series: Authors & Writers Info Session
December 1st, 2016 – Novelty Nachos in the Bronx [Facebook]
FEATURED WRITER/PANELIST
Empyre Media Productions’ ArtistSpace 1 Year Anniversary
December 2nd, 2016 – Astoria, Queens [More info]
FEATURED SPEAKER
Boundless Tales Reading Series
December 8th, 2016 – The Local NYC in Long Island City, Queens [More info]
Hosting for Queens’ longest running reading series, Boundless Tales at their new venue The Local NYC! Submit your work if you’d like to read for a future date.
HOST
reliquary: the body premiere at LIC-A Winter Gala
December 22, 2016 – 5-25 46th Ave in Long Island City, Queens
Debut of brand new poetic theatre piece, reliquary: the body
FEATURED PERFORMER
*2017*
PUBLIC PROGRAMS at Socrates Sculpture Park!
Curated full season of Public Programs and Arts Education at Socrates Sculpture Park, live season May to October 2017
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROGRAMS
International Women Artists’ Salon’s Salon Radio
February 2nd, 2017 – City World Radio broadcast from NYC
Featured artist on City World Radio on International Women Artists’ Salon’s Salon Radio program discussing HOW WE CREATE & HOW WE COPE, listen LIVE online at cityworldradio.com, 8-8:55pm EST. *Listen to the recording by clicking “Listen to Archived Shows,” clicking the folder icon, and going to International Women Artists’ Salon 2-2-17.
FEATURED ARTIST
HOW WE CREATE & HOW WE COPE: intersections of art & mental health/mental illness
February 10th, 2017 – Queens Council on the Arts’ LAB space in Astoria [Facebook]
Queens native and poet/curator Audrey Dimola hosts a panel and performance evening aiming for safe space, honest talk, and open presentations about the too-often stigmatized topic of mental illness, particularly in connection to the creative experience. Throughout our cultural history, many of the legendary artists we know today grappled in this way- yet it becomes a passing line in their bio, a tragic footnote; and their brilliant work remains. In the present day, an increasing number of individuals of all ages are struggling in similar fashion, frequently in silence and shame, for fear of judgment and unanswered questions. How much of how we suffer makes us who we are and results in the art we create? How much of these feelings are the natural experience of the artist, and when is it time to seek help? What do those forms of help look like? A variety of local featured artists will present their stories, poetry, music, visual art, and more, in addition to facilitated discussion, Q&A, and sharing of resources/experiences on these topics. All are welcome, your voice is encouraged.
HOST, CURATOR, PERFORMER
Cyrus Second Saturdays Poetry Series
February 11th, 2017 – Cyrus Chai & Coffee in Bay Shore, Long Island [Facebook]
FEATURED POET
Generative Spaces & Social Change
February 13th, 2017 – The New School in NYC
Featured guest speaker representing Socrates Sculpture Park and my work as an independent poet/curator for P. Azzarello and J. Pirone’s incredible class on generative spaces and social change at The New School.
GUEST SPEAKER
LIC-A’s Valentines Night opening of 8 LOVES
February 14th, 2017 – Plaxall Gallery in Long Island City, Queens
Special dance/poetry multidisciplinary debut of “a memory is altered everytime you recollect it” with Alvin Ailey dancer Artemis Stamouli [Facebook]
FEATURED PERFORMER
What is Human? in a Figurative Sense – exhibition opening
February 17th, 2017 – The Factory in Long Island City, Queens
FEATURED POET
What is Human? in a Figurative Sense – exhibition closing
March 2nd, 2017 – The Factory in Long Island City, Queens [Facebook]
FEATURED POET
The Divine Female exhibition opening – Eduardo Anievas & Yelena Tylkina
March 4th, 2017 – The Local NYC in Long Island City, Queens [Facebook]
FEATURED POET
Boundless Tales Reading Series
March 9th, 2017 – The Local NYC in Long Island City [More info]
HOST
2nd annual Celebrating Queens Women Artists event
March 10th, 2017 – Queens Council on the Arts in Astoria [More info]
KEYNOTE SPEAKER & FEATURED PERFORMER
MDAD presents 5th Annual Women Empowerment Event
March 18th, 2017 – La Maison d’Art in Harlem, NYC [Facebook]
FEATURED POET
Inspired Word NYC’s Pre-Queens Lit Fest Open Mic
March 24th, 2017 – COFFEED in Astoria/Long Island City, Queens [Facebook]
FEATURED POET
NeverTheLess: A Night of Nasty Women
March 28th, 2017 – El Barrio’s Artspace PS 109 in NYC [Facebook]
FEATURED PERFORMER
Line Break Reading Series
April 1st, 2017 – Q.E.D.: A Place To Show & Tell in Astoria, Queens [Facebook]
FEATURED READER
Nasty Women Unite Fest
April 26, 2017 – The Paper Box in Brooklyn [Facebook]
Featured panelist for the panel on Nasty Women* and Community Engagement and Activism as part of Nasty Women Unite Fest (April 23-30)!
FEATURED PANELIST
Inspired Word NYC’s 3rd annual Queens Lit Fest
April 30, 2017 – LIC Landing in Gantry Plaza State Park [More info]
FEATURED POET
Boundless Tales Reading Series
June 8, 2017 – The Local NYC in Long Island City [Facebook]
HOST
JOURNEY OF DREAMS exhibition closing
June 15, 2017 – LIC Arts Open Gallery at The Factory [more info]
FEATURED POET
Organizing for Action’s ‘Rethink Plastic’ – film screening & discussion
September 9, 2017 – Variety Boys & Girls Club in Astoria, Queens [Facebook]
FEATURED PANELIST – representing Socrates Sculpture Park
NeverTheLess: A Night of Dualism
September 19, 2017 – El Barrio Art Space, NYC [Facebook]
FEATURED POET
Effie Pasagiannis’ Art & Poetry Salon
September 28, 2017 – Arlo NoMad, NYC [Facebook]
Reading original works inspired by paintings!
FEATURED POET
The 36th Asbury Short Film Concert
October 19, 2017 – Zukor Theatre at Kaufman Astoria Studios, Queens
Honored to join the ranks of Edie Falco, John Turturro, Adrian Grenier, Olympia Dukakis and Harvey Keitel to host for this series, in partnership with my wonderful friend and fellow curator Ann O’Connor who is working to create another stronghold for short film in Queens! Asbury Shorts USA’s mission is to keep great short films in theaters and public spaces for folks who don’t generally go to film festivals. [More info]
HOST
Mental health-themed benefit show for The Rainbow Foundation
October 24, 2017 – Lucky Jack’s, NYC [Facebook]
FEATURED POET
New York Writers Workshop reading – curated by Jen Fitzgerald
December 7, 2017 – The Red Room at KGB Bar in NYC [Facebook]
FEATURED POET
FREEDOM: NOTHING CAN STOP ME – curated by Yuko Kudo
December 28, 2017 – Bar Thalia in NYC [Facebook]
FEATURED POET
*2018*
CHURCH OF THE SACRED BODY
January 14, 2018 – LIC Bar [Facebook]
The debut of my show CHURCH OF THE SACRED BODY 5-7pm in the intimate, fireside carriage house at LIC Bar. this show is a call to honoring our bodies, the sacredness in sensuality and sexuality, healing and releasing trauma in our bodies, letting the body speak its truth, uncensored.
CURATOR, HOST, PERFORMER
Compass Project Poetry presentation for four 6th grade classes
January 18, 2018 – IS 126 Middle School
Presentation on “Compass Project Poetry! And other ways to reach the world with unexpected positivity” in collaboration with Community Word Project: “How to reach the people with your art, work and/or message? Guest Artist and leader of Socrates Sculpture Park, Audrey Dimola sharing the way she uses slogans, taglines and mottos via social media to inspire and promote change in the world. Our students then got a chance to create their own slogans we will turn into stickers as we continue our campaign against injustice in the world while promoting creativity.”
GUEST ARTIST/LECTURER
Three Rooms Press’ WOMEN LIKE US
March 2, 2018 – Cornelia Street Cafe in NYC [Facebook]
FEATURED POET
THEN SHE DID curated by Melissa McCaig-Welles & Lori Zimmer
March 3, 2018 – Plaxall Gallery in LIC [Facebook]
Site-specific full hallway of poetry graffiti – poem “lazarus was a house on fire (WOMAN)” – and performance included in new exhibition as part of Women’s Month, THEN SHE DID, at the Plaxall Gallery in LIC.
INSTALLATION ARTIST & FEATURED POET
Celebrating Queens Women Artists curated by Joan Becht Willette
March 23, 2018 – Queens Council on the Arts in Astoria [More info]
FEATURED AS PRACTICING ARTIST/ARTIST LEADER
“WILDLIGHT” book release and performance
March 24, 2018 – Q.E.D. Astoria [Facebook]
PERFORMER & CURATOR
IDLEWILD MAGAZINE issue No. 14 launch
March 24, 2018 – LetLove Inn in Astoria
My poem “lazarus was a house on fire (WOMAN)” is excerpted in the new issue celebrating Women’s History Month! [More info]
FEATURED POET
The Power of Your Voice’s THRIVE
March 30, 2018 – Bar Thalia in NYC [Facebook]
FEATURED POET
POETS OF QUEENS curated by Olena Jennings
April 4, 2018 – Ditmars Vintage in Astoria [More info]
FEATURED POET
HOW WE CREATE & HOW WE COPE: intersections of art & mental health/mental illness at Rough Draft Festival 2018
April 15, 2018 – LaGuardia Performing Arts Center in LIC [Facebook]
Thrilled and honored to return to LaGuardia Performing Arts Center’s ROUGH DRAFT FESTIVAL with the next generation of my show HOW WE CREATE & HOW WE COPE: intersections of art and mental health/mental illness, which originally debuted to a sold out crowd at Queens Council on the Arts in February 2017. How much of how we suffer makes us who we are and results in the art we create? How much of these feelings are the natural experience of the artist, and when is it time to seek help? A multidisciplinary exploration of creativity and mental health/illness.
CURATOR/HOST & FEATURED PERFORMER
WILDLIGHT & Scags Evening Reading
April 17, 2018 – Kew & Willow Books in Kew Gardens [Facebook]
Special reading for “WILDLIGHT” and “Scags at 45” at Kew & Willow Books in Kew Gardens (The Queens Bookshop Initiative’s brick and mortar bookstore!) with my wonderful friend and fellow writer Deborah Emin.
FEATURED POET
