NOW HEAR THIS Story & Music Performance Series Returns this Month

NOW HEAR THIS: A Story & Music Performance Series presents an evening of dynamic short stories, read by actors, set to original music, played live. The series is produced by Atim Udoffia, with original music by Clifford Childers. The next event will take place on Saturday, April 22, 2017 at Gold Lion Arts, 2733 Riverside Blvd., Sacramento, 95818.

THE SERIES

NOW HEAR THIS is back for its quarterly performance this coming April, bringing together writers, actors and musicians in an entertaining presentation of short stories. This unique show offers a new way to embrace the art of listening - to the written word read aloud, to the pulse of the musical accompaniment, to storytelling delivered in a fresh format. The stories are brought to life by seasoned actors and talented musicians who turn literature into a stimulating performance!

Since its inception in the fall of 2015, Now Hear This has featured the work of such celebrated national authors as Best American Short Stories writer Mark Wisniewski, PEN/Faulkner Award winner Amy Hempel, Arizona-based novelist Tawni Waters and New York fiction writer Glendaliz Camacho. Acclaimed Sacramento authors Joey Garcia, Anthony D'Juan, Tigh Rickman and Maureen O'Leary have also been featured.

THE STORIES

April's installment features a little something different, as we move from enthralling fictional tales to the searing truth of creative nonfiction. The music will unfold live and in the moment, improvised by some of Sacramento's top musicians, including vocalist Cristen Spencer (from the soul band Current Personae) making her NHT debut.

The first featured essay of the night is an exploration of life in the Catholic Church as well as the rituals of growing up in a Filipino family. "Sunday, Again" is written by Sacramento essayist Jen Palmares Meadows. It will be read by Gayle Tominaga

Audiences will also be captivated by "Analphabet," which tells of an unexpected connection that occurs when a middle-aged actor meets an African refugee--a survivor of torture who is seeking asylum. It is written by writer/performer Martin Moran.

Finally, "Seismology" is about the author's road trip down memory lane - and all the way to Mexico - after her breakup with her wife of 20 years. Kate Carroll de Gutes is the 2016 winner of the Oregon Book Award for Creative Nonfiction. Her essay will be read by Atim Udoffia.

THE WRITERS & PERFORMERS

Now Hear This strives to feature a diverse group of talented writers, actors and musicians from the Sacramento area and beyond:

The Writers

Kate Carroll de Gutes - "Seismology"

Jen Palmares Meadows - "Sunday, Again"

Martin Moran - "Analphabet"

The Actors

Joel Mario Rickert

Gayle Tominaga

Atim Udoffia

The Musicians

Clifford Childers - brass and harmonica

Keri Kashiwagi - bass

Cristen Spencer - vocals

NOW HEAR THIS takes place on Saturday, April 22, 2017 at 8pm at Gold Lion Arts (2733 Riverside Blvd., Sacramento, 95818).

Doors open at 7:30pm. Suggested donation of $15 at the door. Cash only.