Join Creative Colloquy <https://www.creativecolloquy.com> and friends for our annual celebration of storytelling in the *Creative Colloquy Crawl *IN PERSON, *October 3, 6 - 9 p.m. * This is a "choose your own adventure" literary journey encouraging participants to travel to a variety of gatherings presenting poetry, short stories, music and more in a walkable footprint of Tacoma. Venues include: King's Books, Doyle's Public Houses, Union Club, Blue Rose Bar, and The Mill by J+A. *This event is open to the public and FREE to attend. Please note some venues are family friendly while others are 21+. * *6 P.M. * *~Pack Up, We’re Going on an Adventure! @Union Club* This *family friendly* line up promises to take adults and youth alike on an adventure between the pages you won’t soon forget. Featuring stories for middle grade to YA readers by *Tom Llewllyn, Tyrean Martinson and Cameron Combs.* (all ages) *~One’s Own @Blue Rose Bar * One's Own (flesh & blood) is an exploration of family dynamics, tradition and familial roots. What stories reside in our bones and rumble up through the belly? Featuring *Tamiko Nimura, Jenny Bartoy and Christina Vega.* (21+) *~Spooky Tails @The Mill by J+A* Come hear tales of our spookiest tails! Enjoy an evening of black cats, night owls, and all of our pets that go bump in the night. Featuring* Cat Melaunie, Troy Kehm-Goins & Samuel Snoek-Brown.* (21+) *~Off the Beaten Path but We Recommend: Cascadia Field Guide: Art, Ecology, Poetry @Washington State History Museum* Join editors Elizabeth Bradfield and Derk Sheffield with writers Ever Jones, Kevin Miller, Anastacia-Reneé to celebrate connection and wonderment. (all ages) *7 P.M.* *~Froglets & Droplets @Union Club * Clean rain ripples murky waters. As the leaves fall, the frogs lay down their fiddles and tell stories to their froglets in their muddy dens. Come for fables of misty mornings and slimy souls. Featuring* Hannah Throntveit, Joel Hochstrsasser & Joshua Sisson*. (all ages) *~Come listen to the Voices of Tacoma: A Gathering of Poets! Part ONE @Doyles Public House* Poets from across Tacoma (and beyond) have gathered to share their work on this leg of your adventure. Voices of Tacoma: A Gathering of Poets is partly funded by the Tacoma Artists Initiative Program and is working toward the publication of an anthology of poetry of, about, or inspired by Tacoma, to be released in Autumn 2024. Featuring *Abby E. Murray, Julie Baldock, Melody Derrick, Kristy Gledhill, Sandy King.* (21+) *~Inked Psyche @Blue Rose Bar* A good story does not only resonate when being spoken out loud, it’s like an ink blot on the psyche, an imprint or visual you can put in your pocket and take home with you. Featured readers include *Nicole McCarthy, Michael Haeflinger and Kellie Richardson*. (21+) *~The University of Puget Sound English Department and Crosscurrents Magazine Presents @Kings Books* (all ages) *8 P.M. * *~Queer Slime @The Mill by J+A * Enjoy the harmonious matrimony of poetry and music with *Asha Berkes, Michelle Lefton and Kate Threat.* (21+) *~Veteran, Family, Writer: A Collateral Reading @Blue Rose Bar * Collateral is a lit journal publishing work concerned with the impact of violent conflict and military service beyond the combat zone. Join us to learn a bit about how we started and how to submit work, then hear three former contributors share their work: *Christina Vega, Kristine Iredale, and MaryEllen Talle*y will show us how it's done. (21+) *~UWT Presents: Embodied Writing, Writing the World Through Contact @Kings Books * Join a diverse selection of UWT creative writing students, past & present, reading poetry & prose which showcases the way writers forge meaningful connection to the world through embodied interactions both large & small to people & place. Facilitated by *Sarah A. Chavez*. (all ages) *~Come listen to the Voices of Tacoma: A Gathering of Poets! Part TWO @Doyles Public House* Poets from across Tacoma (and beyond) have gathered to share their work on this leg of your adventure. Voices of Tacoma: A Gathering of Poets is partly funded by the Tacoma Artists Initiative Program and is working toward the publication of an anthology of poetry of, about, or inspired by Tacoma, to be released in Autumn 2024. Featuring *Robert Lashley, Celeste Schueler, Lucas Smiraldo and Lydia K. Valentine.* (21+) *9 P.M. AFTER PARTY *- meet up when it's all said and done to connect and conspire with fellow "Crawlers" at Doyle's! Some light snacks will be available in the snug (while supplies last). Many thanks to Tacoma Venues & Events for their support. CC is fiscally sponsored by Shunpike.