For more than 20 years, Santa Ana College English professor Lee Mallory has been hosting monthly poetry readings. Factory Readings, also known as “the reading that will not die,” has persisted through seven different venues, hundreds of poets and thousands of lattes—and he has never missed a meeting. These days, it’s at the charmingly hip downtown Santa Ana Gypsy Den, a restaurant/coffee shop with an eclectic atmosphere and an even more diverse clientele. Held on the first Tuesday of the month, each session includes an open-mic segment, two featured poets and a musical act. This week, the entertainment includes an unofficial book-release party for Gary Nelson’s latest collection of verses, poets Bryn Cartwright and Lisa Meyers, and music by Annie Gholson. Bring a healthy attitude and a few bucks for a coffee—you’ve got to warm up those fingers for some snaps somehow.
Tue., June 2, 8 p.m., 2009