THE POETRY SÉANCE IS AN ELEGANT LITERARY SERIES CURATED TO ENLIVEN POETRY SHOWS AND EMBOLDEN LOCAL WRITERS.

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Performances feature an ever-shifting roster of poets, artists, musicians, and multidisciplinary collaborations; each show is unique in curatorial vision.

A poetry reading event at a venue called The Poetry Séance, with a woman reading on stage in front of an audience in a brick-walled room decorated with flowers and candles.
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A young man with short dark hair and a checkered shirt sitting in front of a large black-and-white portrait of a woman's face projected on the wall behind him.

  • Since its start in 2021, this series has strived to reinvigorate the space of poetry readings with intentionality, elegance, and verve. Underlying each offering is the belief that the spoken tradition of poetry is sacred, energetically transformative, and meant to be shared. Respect for the artist is paramount, therefore, curation of each show is thoughtful and collaborative, and each performer is paid for their contribution.

    At a Poetry Séance show, the multiplicity of voices is integral to the co-created uniqueness of each evening.

    Artists are invited to bring work that is gusty, edgy, and courageous. Audiences are encouraged to bring their voices into the room as to signal moments of resonance to the performers. Purposeful ambience imbues each show with peculiar energy—sometimes whimsical, sometimes moody, always punctuated by our emblem of the candelabra. This is not your quiet, open-mic-behind-a-podium kind of show—it’s a night on the town. The PS summons you to dress up, to be your strange self, to open your heart and mind to the space of poetry collectively created.

    While we keep the dreams big for this series, we humbly hold its grassroots beginnings as imperative to the authenticity and sustainability of our growth. Since our first show—which featured ten readers at Damn the Weather in Pioneer Square, with no mic and a cut-out paper banner—we’ve learned together what nuances and intents truly light up the poetry show.

  • The Poetry Séance is curated by Seattle-based poet, Emily J. Mundy, whose work reveres the mystical nature of language and often explores spirituality. A public extension of her personal poetic practice, this series is sustained by her belief in poetry as a force that transforms, connects, and illuminates us collectively. With reverence for all that creative community inspires, Emily finds deep meaning in creating this platform wherein artists can showcase their work in brave and joyful ways. Emily’s debut book of poems, What Blooms in the Dark, is published with Moon Tide Press (October, 2024).

  • ☼ Amber Flame ☼ Amy Hirayama ☼ Chris Kessler ☼ Connor Cash Colbert ☼ Corbin Louis ☼ Courtney LeBlanc ☼ Derrick C. Brown ☼ Dia Roth ☼ Elizabeth Byrd ☼ Eric M. Acosta ☼ Eryn Berg ☼ Esther Loopstra ☼ Harry Lee ☼ Joe Milutis ☼ K Van Petten ☼ Lori Goldston ☼ Natalie Meek ☼ Quenton Baker ☼ Ran Park ☼ Rhea Melina ☼ Selah Saterstrom ☼ Serena Chopra ☼ Sky O’ Brien ☼ Sullivan Forderhase ☼ Theo Williams ☼ Troy Osaki

A white, ornate candelabra with five lit candles arranged symmetrically.
Indoor event with an audience seated in darkness, stage decorated with candles and plants, creating a warm, intimate atmosphere, with light patterns projected onto ceiling and walls.
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GALLERY

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TICKETS

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CONTACT