San Francisco's poetry aficionados are in for a treat as the esteemed former Poet Laureate of the United States, Joy Harjo, will grace the Las Palmas Branch Library tomorrow for a not-to-be-missed cultural soirée. With her pen that has danced across the pages of numerous award-winning collections, Harjo is slated to lead the evening with readings from her evocative book, "For a Girl Becoming." Also on the night's roster, San Antonio's own Adriana Garcia will bring local flair with her illustrative talents, alongside poets Xelena González, Laurie Ann Guerrero, and an opening act by Destiny Hernandez, according to the City of San Antonio.
For those looking to absorb some transformative prose, mark your calendars for tomorrow, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The event signals a new leaf for the Las Palmas Branch Library, which has recently risen like a phoenix from the ashes of a $7 million renovation, completed last November. Harjo, whose tenure as the Poet Laureate spanned from 2019 to 2022, has been pivotal in the literary world — not to mention her historical significance as the first Native American to claim the title.
Attendees can expect to snag a free copy of “For a Girl Becoming” while the supplies last, a gesture enabling attendees to take a piece of the evening's magic home. The event's backing comes from an array of supporters, including the Latino Collection and Resource Center at the San Antonio Public Library, the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, and the San Antonio Book Festival, among others, as per the City of San Antonio's website.
Harjo is the author of 11 volumes of poetry, along with plays, children’s books, nonfiction works, and memoirs. Her accomplishments include receiving the Poetry Society of America’s 2024 Frost Medal. Through her writing and her role as editor of three anthologies, she has established a prominent voice in Native American literature. More information about programs, locations, and services is available on the San Antonio Public Library’s website. Residents may also contact the library directly at 210-207-2500.
