A few months back (if memory serves), we were introduced to Christin Lee at a Signal-Return reading (most likely by Kelly Fordon). It was then that we found out about Room Project, per their website, "a space for women and non-binary writers and artists to work individually and collaboratively."
Not too long after that, we attended a reading at Room Project--one with four members of the space and it was excellent--all four readers were great, the place itself was welcoming, etc. From what we remember the four readers were fellows from that time period.
A couple of weeks after that Room Project held a reading/fundraiser for a member, Yasmine Rukia, as she was heading to Lebanon and then Iran for a poetry fellowship. The event was another excellent one with music included, as well as the poetry of Rewa Zeinati. That was early June.
During Detroit Art week, a test. Had the original two readings gone so well because members were reading on their home field? A place they were especially comfortable? The event at the David Klein Gallery shot that suggestion down--Christin Lee and Lynn Crawford hosted a reading/conversation with Yasmine Rukie, Cherise Morris, and Rochelle Marrett. It was well attended and another great event--both the reading portion, and the conversation afterward.
Another reading at Room Project in early August with two members--both non-fiction writers. Similar to the past readings, Room Project was a welcoming space, it was packed, both readers were excellent, and Christin Lee's introductions, particularly that of Lia Greenwell, were fantastic. Between the first reading we attended and this reading, we had asked four of those writers we'd seen read to participate at Brain Candy. To say we were enjoying the work Room Project is promoting would be an understatement.
Last night, a wildcard. A reading with five writers, four of whom were not affiliated with Room Project. They are involved and publishing with Monster House Press. The reading was great--all of the writers' works were excellent and they all were also quite adept at pre-and between works small talk (something not every reader is). This includes Katie Nowinski, a member at Room Project, whose work was both very funny but also personal in that great universal way--it was excerpts from something I look forward to seeing in longer form.
This bringing in of outside talent: WLS, Michelle Gottschlich, Bella Bravo, and Rosechard Wehrenberg--and have it be so successful leads one to believe that Room Project is not only doing great work as noted above, and giving writers a fantastic locale to work and share their work, but that Christin Lee also has a great idea for talent working outside the project's walls. Look for more readings here and get out to them.
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