Last Friday, 826's writing lab was standing-room only for late-comers to our first Literary Menagerie reading, hosted by 826's own intrepid Youth Advisory Board and featuring young authors and poets from the Bay Area, the Santa Fe Indian School of New Mexico, and Idyllwild Arts Academy in Southern California.

The pieces, ranging from spoken word by the budding wordsmith HyBriD, to Laura Ruffino's quiet meditations, to the enlighteningly spiritual rhythms and lines of Apryl Chazev and Althea Morning Dove, "made me think about spoken word again," said Eugenie Howard-Johnston, one of the many audience members crowded in to listen to the speakers. Ms. Howard-Johnston also started explaining the dynamic social structure which creates such fantastic artists in today's youth community, but this journalist's eyes glazed over, and did not catch much from that interview.

Ms. Morning Dove, from the Santa Fe Indian School, confided, "I really enjoyed reading here [at 826] the energy was really positive.

Beyond the fantastic spread donated by Arizmendi Bakery, the Youth Advisory Board also held a successful raffle for goods from our infamous Pirate Store, and emcee'd the event professionally. "This is the first event put together by the Youth Advisory Board, and we look forward to hosting similar events in the future," said Joel Arquillos, 826's Director of National Programs, with a proud glint in his eye. When asked about said glint, Mr. Arquillos declined to comment.

Written by Felipe Motta

Read and hear what a student from Galileo had to say about the event here.