RASP: Redmond Association of Spokenword
Celebrating literary arts and poetry in Redmond for more than 25 years
RASP was founded in 1997 to promote literary arts and activities in Redmond, Washington, and the surrounding area. We meet on the last Friday of each month at Centro Cultural Mexicano for a featured presentation and an open-mic reading. Beginning in January 2024, meetings are from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM (Pacific time). RASP also holds a monthly writing critique group via Zoom on the second Tuesday of each month from 6:30 PM to 8:45 PM (Pacific time). All events are open to the public and usually free. Please join us!
Click to join* our mailing list and receive announcements about the Reading Series, Poetry & Prose Circle, and other RASP events.
Coming This Month
RASP's regular monthly events are free and do not require registration.
Friday, December 8, 2023—RASP Holiday Party
Party starts at 6:00 PM (Pacific Time)
Join us for RASP's holiday party, the largest public holiday party for writers on the eastside! It's our 15th (or maybe it's the 16th) annual get together.
- Bring friends!
- Bring snacks to share, potluck style (optional)—RASP will provide drinks, cups, paper plates, and plastic utensils.
- Wear a holiday hat or sweater, or come as you are.
- Bring poems to share in our open mic (holiday-themed for bonus points).
- Socializing!
- Writing and other games!
- Decorations and ambiance!
- Before or after the party, we can all visit the Redmond Lights installations at nearby Downtown Park!
Be sure to RSVP by clicking "Going" on our Facebook page.
We meet at Centro Cultural Mexicano's Mi Casa gallery
RASP's featured reading and open mic are conducted in the Mi Casa gallery and meeting space, part of Centro Cultural Mexicano. The address is 7945 Gilman St., next to what was McDonald Books, now part of Mi Casa.
For more information about upcoming exhibits and Centro Cultural Mexicano, visit the gallery's website.
Upcoming Readings and Events
No reading in December 2023
— 2024 —
Friday, January 26, 2024—Paul Hunter (poet)
Friday, February 23, 2024—Lyn Fleury Lambert (presentation on artist Dudley Carter)
Friday, March 29, 2024—Laura Lee Bennett, Elizabeth Hayden, and Chi Chi Stewart (poetry)
Friday, April 26, 2024—Sara Quinn Rivara (poetry)
Friday, May 31, 2024—Janae Lu (poetry)
Friday, June 28, 2024—Mary Lou Sanelli (nonfiction, poetry)
Friday, July 26, 2024—Erin Malone (poetry)
Poetry and Prose Circle
Read your poetry or prose and then we'll discuss your work and offer ideas for improvement. Take away a new perspective on your creative work.
Day: Second Tuesday of each month
Time: 6:30 to approximately 9:00 PM (Pacific Time).
FREE: RASP's regular monthly events are free and do not require registration.
Location: Zoom (see below).
Bring: Something written that you're willing to share and get feedback on. You will be able to share your screen so others can read your written words.
Join the monthly RASP Poetry and Prose Circle Zoom meeting beginning at 6:30 PM (Pacific Time)
You may download and import this iCalendar (.ics) file to your calendar system.
— 2023 —
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
This will be a virtual gathering using ZOOM (see link and details above).
— 2024 —
Tuesday, January 9, 2024
Tuesday, Febrary 13, 2024
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Tuesday, June 11, 2024
Tuesday, July 9, 2024
Look for us on social media
Look for our frequent messages and writing prompts on Facebook. Follow us, share us, enjoy us. Tweet about us, too, and retweet our tweets.
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/ RedmondAssociationOfSpokenword/
- Twitter: @RedmondRASP
- Contact us: contact.rasp.read@gmail.com
Our Monthly Open Mic
RASP's Open Mic gives you the opportunity to share your work with a receptive audience.
Each month, we open up the microphone to everyone to share their poetry and prose with a receptive audience. You can also participate by relaxing and listening to the words of others.
If you have written something you would like to read, show up early and sign up for a time slot. Time slots are scheduled before and after the featured reader. Details and guidelines are at our Open Mic page.
Other places for poetry and art
VALA (Venue for Artists in the Local Area) https://www.valaeastside.org/
SoulFood Poetry Night https://sites.google.com/site/soulfoodpoetrynight
APex - Artists Personal exchange https://www.facebook.com/groups/357724264707997/
Duvall Poetry https://duvallpoetry.weebly.com/
Everett Poetry Nite https://duanekirbyjensen.wixsite.com/everett-poetry-night
Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park https://www.thirdplacebooks.com/event/local-author-open-mic
WUUC Poetry Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/wuucpoetry
The Poetry Department (blog) https://thepoetrydepartment.wordpress.com/nw-lit-events/
Redmond Poet Laureate https://www.redmond.gov/185/Arts-Culture
Redmond Arts & Culture Commission https://www.redmond.gov/489/Redmond-Arts-Culture-Commission-RACC
RASP promotes written and spoken arts in Redmond and East King County through inclusive performance events and educational programming.
Click to join* our mailing list and receive announcements about the Reading Series
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