![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.alan-rose.com\/wordfest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Karen-Bonaudi2016.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPoet Karen Bonaudi<\/strong> will introduce and demonstrate the \u201cpoetry slam\u201d as a popular way to present and experience poems. More performance art than a typical poetry reading, the slam emphasizes dramatic presentation. People are invited to bring their favorite poems, speeches, soliloquies and rants, and Karen will work with them in revealing the full dramatic potential of their words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Karen, a published poet and past president of the Washington Poets Association, conducts poetry workshops around the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2016 U.S. presidential election caused many Americans to question once again the partisan mechanisms and machinations by which the nation\u2019s highest office is filled every four years, especially where a candidate can win the Electoral College\u2019s votes while losing the popular vote. In David A. Devine<\/strong>\u2019s speculative political novel, Lottery President<\/em><\/strong>, another way is proposed that resonates with the American people, where the president and vice president are chosen by lottery. It becomes a resistance to politics-as-usual. For the first time, regular American citizens without wealth or pedigree can become president and vice president. Lottery President<\/em><\/strong> explores what could happen if an election wasn\u2019t decided by red states and blue states, but by the draw of a lottery ticket. <\/p>\n\n\n\n David is the local author of Growing Food God’s Way<\/em><\/strong>. He has also written a novel for young adults called Heidi the Hydrator<\/em><\/strong>, a health “coming of age” story. He has been an adjunct community college instructor, a trainer in state government, and a real estate broker before becoming an author. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n There will be an\nopen mic period following the presentations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The monthly\ngathering of readers and writers meets the second Tuesday of each month,\n6:00-8:00 PM, at Cassava. The events are free and open to the public.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cassava<\/strong>\noffers a dinner menu for those who wish to enjoy a meal with the readings, as\nwell as local wines and brews.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For more information, contact Alan Rose at www. Alan-rose.com.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Next Tuesday, April 9, WordFest will celebrate poetry as a performance art and also will play with the idea of choosing the U.S. president by lottery. The event begins at 6:00 pm, at the Cassava Coffeehouse, 1333 Broadway in Longview.…<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.alan-rose.com\/wordfest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/LotteryCoverFinal-1-640x1024.jpg\")
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