The Inland Northwest can and should be proud of its writers. Whether homegrown or imported, we have a community of writers rich with experience and energy. All the time, new zines show up on the shelves at Auntie’s, a new local writer comes out with a startling novel, a teenager discovers a voice through slam poetry. And we can be thankful that in our Internet age, this community can grow virtually, we can connect across long distances, time zones, and languages. Sometimes, however, we’ve got to show up. Sometimes we need to be present for words to blast off the page and into our ears to startle our consciousness, to remind us that literature is alive and breathing, that we are the breath. And if we’re going to show up, we need a place to do it.
One of Spokane’s most beloved venues for music, visual art, and literature is in danger. The Empyrean, 154 S. Madison, may close down before the end of the year because of a new fire code requiring sprinklers that the café can’t afford to install. This wouldn’t just be a blow to one more Spokane business in hard economic times, this would be a blow to the growth of the arts in Spokane.
Get Lit! uses The Empyrean for many events during our annual festival, but during the rest of the year, the late-night coffee spot also hosts Spokane Poetry Slam, Broken Mic Night, Voice Over, and other readings. These events showcase new and established writers alike, strengthening our community and bringing the written word to life.
Tomorrow, October 22 at 7pm, local writers are coming together to support the Empyrean and put their art on the line for our community. The show is $5, and all proceeds will go directly to the sprinkler fund. Come hear some astonishing work, drink a coffee or beer, and throw some extra bucks in the firefighter boot. Support the arts by supporting those who support the arts.
Sometimes we’ve got to show up.
Learn more about the sprinkler issue from this Inlander article.
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