Taos, New Mexico has long been a haven for the creative soul. Since the arrival of literary notables Willa Cather and D.H. Lawrence in the early twentieth century, literature has played a prominent role in the area’s rich cultural landscape. As the literary arts flourished, the need for formal community support became apparent, which ultimately led to the non-profit incorporation of SOMOS in 1983. Today, it has expanded into its present role as a respected resource center whose outreach extends to the greater community of Northern New Mexico – and beyond. Our live readings, workshops, conferences, and festivals are designed not only to showcase accomplished writers, but also to encourage creativity in novice writers from all walks of life.
SOMOS is a membership organization. The generosity of our supporters allows us to honor our commitment of presenting the very best of the literary arts to the Taos area at no cost, or for a minimal fee. We cordially invite you to join us in answering the call of the Muse of the Southwest.
SOMOS projects are made possible in part by New Mexico Arts, A Division of the Department of Cultural Affairs, and the National Endowment for the Arts; Mag Dimond; The Virginia Wellington Cabot Foundation; The Peter and Madeleine Martin Foundation for the Arts; Healy Foundation; and Taos County Lodgers Tax.
This Friday, 7/30
Melanie Sumner, novelist
Davida Singer, Poet
& Musical Guest Philip Handmaker from the
band Zanagroove
7:30 PM
At the RANE Gallery, 214 Ledoux Street
$8 and $6 for SOMOS members
and hot off the press:
CHOKECHERRIES 2009,
the Annual SOMOS Anthology
Chokecherries will be available for purchase for $14.
UPCOMING READINGS …………………
The book we are reading for the Wednesday, August 4th meeting at 6:30 p.m. is Joan Didion’s, “A Year of Magical Thinking” – a memoir about a year when her husband dies suddenly and her daughter slips into a coma. Email or call Jan Smith, 575-770-9047, jms@intuitcounselingservices.com for further information. All opinions welcome!
Curated by Jan Smith
Friday, August 6th, 2010, at 7:30 p.m. RANE Gallery 214 Ledoux Street, Taos
$8/$6 for members/seniors, high school students free
Natalie Goldberg, a long time resident of Taos, now living in Santa Fe, still teaches all her national retreats and workshops at the Mabel Dodge Luhan in Taos. She is the author of eleven books, including, “Writing Down the Bones”, which has sold over a million and a half copies and is translated into 14 languages, and “Old Friend From Far Away”, “Thunder and Lightning” and a novel, “Banana Rose”.
Eddie Lewis also lives in Santa Fe. His first novel, “Ray Had an Idea About Love”, was published by Simon & Schuster in 1995. He is currently working on essays and a novella. Goldberg and Lewis are ‘very old writing friends’ and as Natalie says, “Eddie has read every manuscript I’ve ever written before it goes to the publisher.” Both will be reading selections from their current writing.
at the SOMOS OFFICE on SATURDAYAugust 7
NEW HOURS! 10am-1pm
(Located next to the Enchanted Florist, across from Smith’s Food Market..233 B Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos, NM)
For more information, call 575-758-0081.
Email address: somos@somostaos.org
Celebrating Relationships to Land, Family and Friends
Performance, Open Mic, Discursive Community
Saturday the 7th of August
6:30 in the evening
Stewart S. Warren & Nathan Brown
with special guests
Joan Logghe & E.A. “Tony” Mares
at the home of Merimee Moffitt
816 Parkland Circle SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108
off Carlisle, south of Central Ave
In the Yard (weather permitting)
Desert and Finger-food Potluck (suggested)
Stewart S. Warren is author of six collections of poetry. His regional work has been referred to as American Folk Heart Poetry. As publishing coach and organizer of community events, Stewart assists others in deepening their creative experience and realizing their artistic visions. www.heartlink.com
Nathan Brown is a musician, photographer, and award-winning poet from Norman, Oklahoma. Nathan travels widely, offering readings, creativity workshops, and photography exhibitions in an effort to bring back the hint of a smile and the hope for a good story in poems… poems unafraid of making sense… poems that carry us to better places. www.brownlines.com
Joan Logghe, newly named Poet Laureate of Santa Fe, has been an integral part of New Mexico’s Poetry Renaissance. She writes poetry, non-fiction, and reviews, teaching writing as a key to emotional activism. www.joanlogghe.com
E. A.“Tony” Mares is a poet, playwright, short story and essay writer, and a historian. Mares was Professor Emeritus of English, University of New Mexico, and now continues to write, travel, and participate in select literary events. www.tonyscantina.com
NEXT WEEK, Friday, 7/30
Melanie Sumner, novelist
Davida Singer, Poet
At the RANE Gallery, 214 Ledoux Street
$8 and $6 for SOMOS members
UPCOMING READINGS …………………
8/27 Sawnie Morris and Jon Davis – poetry
CHOKECHERRIES ANTHOLOGY 2009 is coming soon!!!
The book launch planned for this Sunday at Mabel's has been cancelled!
Watch for a later date -
7:30 PM
At the RANE Gallery, 214 Ledoux Street
$8 and $6 for SOMOS members
A special evening with novelists:
Jonis Agee from Nebraska
& John Dufresne from Florida
UPCOMING READINGS…………………
with KEVIN Mahoney
Saturday, July 31
10 AM to 1 PM
@ The Taos Public Library
In this 3-hour lecture, attendants will be given an overview of how to write a screenplay, from conception to planning, to the finished script. Topics include structure, dramatic elements, character, and the ability to write visually. Highly recommended for aspiring writers and those interested in film as a unique art form.
$45/person, $40 for SOMOS members. To sign up, call SOMOS at 758-0081 or email
1/2 needs to be paid when registering.
CHOKECHERRIES ANOTHOLOGY 2009
Release Party at the Mabel Dodge House.
Sunday, July 18 has been cancelled