Barbara Brandon-Croft, Tara Nakashima, Michael French, Will Alpers, Richard Loranger, and Toni Rizzo

On the 131/24 edition of Dr. Andy’s Poetry and Technology Hour:

Dr. Andy begins this jam-packed episode by speaking with Barbara Brandon-Croft, Tara Nakashima and Micahel French about an exhibit they coordinated called, “STILL: Racism in America, a Retrospective in Cartoons.” Brandon-Croft shares the serendipity of her occupation as a cartoonist, and how the exhibit, and talks of a book centered on it, came to be due to Nakashima’s coaxing and guidance. French provides further details about how to view the exhibit. Next Will Alpers introduces his new poetry book that encapsulates his travels, retreats, and experiences as a substitute teacher. He is the featured poet at Sacramento’s SIlver Linings Piano Bar  on Thursday, February 8th. Alpers reads a poem of his about backpacking in Big Sur. Richard Loranger joins the episode and discusses his return to teaching and the fluidity of poetry before reading a poem from his most recent book “Mammal” that explores gender identity. Finally, Toni Rizzo shares information about an upcoming art competition with a pro wrestling twist called “Art Mania.” The event will take place at Sudwerk starting at 6pm on Saturday, February 10th.

Barbara Brandon-Croft was the nation’s first Black woman cartoonist to cross the color line into the mainstream press in 1989 with her cartoon feature “Where I’m Coming From,” which appeared in The Detroit Free Press. In 1991 Universal Press Syndicate began distributing her comic strip in more than sixty mainstream newspapers internationally until 2005. Barbara continues to post new comics online today.

Tara Nakashima Donahue curated “STILL: Racism in America, a Retrospective in Cartoons.” She also curated the “From Panel to Panel” cartoon/comic art series for Medialia Gallery in NYC from 2008 to 2020. She has curated and consulted for the Brumsic Brandon Jr. Art Trust since 2015, and is also Director of Blueprint, a Supported Education program in New York City.

Michael G. French is an arts and theatre events marketing specialist for the UC Davis College of Letters and Science. 

Will Alpers recently self-published his book of poems and drawings, “The Demon is Curious About My $45 Lunch.” He was raised in Davis, California, and attended UC Davis and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. 

Richard Loranger is a multi-genre writer, educator, performer, musician, visual artist, and all-around squeaky wheel currently residing in Oakland, CA. Their recent book of poetry and flash prose, Mammal, was released by Roof Books in October 2023. They’ve penned five other books and ten chapbooks, and have writing in over 100 magazines and journals. They are soon to start teaching workshops for the San Francisco Creative Writing Institute. 

Toni Rizzo is a painter and co-founder of Secret Spot, a local art and music lounge coming to Davis soon. Her signature style combines serene and psychedelic backgrounds with high realism portraiture. 

The Poetry Night Reading Series is excited to feature poets Cami Rothmuller and Iris Jamahl Dunkle at 7 PM on Thursday, February 15th, 2024, on the first floor of the John Natsoulas Gallery, 521 1st Street in Davis.

Find out more about Dr. Andy's Poetry Night Reading Series in Davis, California by visiting http://www.poetryindavis.com. Invite your friends to sign up for the mailing list. To learn more about Dr. Andy’s tiny media fiefdom, subscribe to his weekly newsletter at https://andyjones.substack.com.