TLA Network Virtual Salon

TLA Network Virtual Salon

Sunday, August 11, 2024

Join Us!

5:00–6:30 pm EDT (UTC-4)

4:00–5:30 pm CDT // 3:00–4:30 pm MDT // 2:00–3:30 pm PDT // 9:00-10:30 pm UTC

Click here to find your timezone.

Our Virtual Salons feature TLAN members who all use the written, spoken, or sung word for personal and community transformation. TLAN members have incredibly generous spirits, and we are excited to provide a venue to feature their artistic work.

The Transformative Language Arts Network (TLAN) virtual salons feature presenters who are active members of TLAN. Each presenter will have 5-7 minutes to present their written, spoken, or sung work followed by a brief period of audience response. 

Our August Salon will feature some surprise guests from among the amazing Power of Words 2024 presenters!

Audience members: Registration is FREE and open to anyone, not just members of TLAN and will take place online via Zoom. 

After the reading, there will be an artist talkback and time for questions and engagement from the audience. 

You must register if you would like to attend: a Zoom link will be sent to all registrants the day before the event. We look forward to seeing you there!

Our Presenters

(It's exciting to have some of our Power of Words presenters joining us for the Salon!)

Exodus Oktavia Brownlow ( a Power of Words Keynoter!) is a writer, editor, seamstress and budding beekeeper currently residing in the enchanting pine tree forest of BlackHawk, Ms. Her books include I'm Afraid That I Know Too Much About Myself Now, To Go Back To Who I Knew Before, And Oh Lord, Who Will I Be After I've Known All That I Can,and Look at All The Little Hurts of These Newly-Broken Lives and The Bittersweet, Sweet and Bitter Loves. You may find her, and more of her work at exodusoktaviabrownlow.com.

Inspirational Quote: "There are years that ask questions and years that answer." Zora Neale Hurston

Joy Zimmerman is a touring folk & acoustic roots singer-songwriter cultivating joy and community with a clear, rich voice. A multi-instrumentalist and former social worker, Joy brings audiences hope, humor, and connection. Her newest album, Where the Light Lives, debuted at #6 on the Folk Alliance International (FAI) Folk Chart Top Albums August 2023. Dani Goodband of Lakeside Music says this album “should be in every folk music lover’s collection.” Joy will be doing a keynote performance at the Power of Words conference and presenting a workshop, “What's Going On: Music for Personal & Community Transformation.” Learn more at: joyzimmermanmusic.com.

Inspirational Quote: “If there is one thing that is constant in this world, it is the power of music.” - Josh Groban

Kelly DuMar is a poet, playwright and workshop facilitator from Boston. Her poems and images are published in Bellevue Literary Review, Tupelo Quarterly, Thrush, Glassworks, Flock, One Art, and more. Kelly teaches a variety of creative writing workshops, in person and online, and she teaches Play Labs for the International Women’s Writing Guild and the Transformative Language Arts Network. Kelly will be presenting a workshop at Power of Words, “Writing Monologues for Healing & Transformation: Making the Leap from Page to Stage.” Reach her at kellydumar.com

Inspirational Quote: 

“I want to inherit your way 

Of singing Corn Song, 

Of being still like stone, 

Of weaving, fearless, webs 

Of erotic yes-ness at the gloaming places.”

 —Excerpt from "Grandmother Longing," Amanda Verdery Young

Centa Therese is a poet, interdisciplinary teaching artist, a learning, literacy, creativity and neuroresilience specialist. Her poems have appeared in literary journals nationwide, and she has authored a collection of poems, a memoir, and has a manuscript forthcoming. Learn more at: centatherese.com.

Inspirational quote: “It is noted in the annals of the science of evolution that when reptiles evolved into birds, not only did they become freed from gravity, they also became able to dream. Reptiles do not—but birds dream. Imagine what other leaps in the evolution of consciousness might lay ahead. Might there be an evolution into mercy and awareness, into causeless joy and simple clarity?” —Stephen Levine, Unattended Sorrow: Recovering from Loss and Reviving the Heart

Kathleen Wallace majored in Theater/Communication. She then worked bottom-rung jobs until she worked for the city of San Francisco trying to give homeless and dual-diagnosed a reason to live. Kathleen has been in recovery since 1987 and began writing in 2013 to note what she’s observed of life. A writing life has given her strength, hope, direction and a yen for tomorrow’s insights.

Inspirational Quote: “Make virtue of necessity.” -  Chaucer, A Knight's Tale

Alec Esparza is an altarista and storyteller and has worked for 35 years with families, schools, community partners and the Department of Corrections throughout California. He utilizes the folk arts of storytelling, ofrendas (altar making), creative writing, experiential critical thinking activities and adventure learning. His approach embraces creating sacred space, community building, social transformation, and healing. Alec will be presenting a workshop at Power of Words called Words of Power, Enriching CommUNITY.

Inspirational Quote:"Know where you are going and know how to get there, others may be following."