BROOKLYN THURSDAY MAY 20

Ah, tomorrow is the traditional Cuban independence day -- the pre-revolutionary one dedicated to the separation from Spain. I don't say "victory" cuz Teddy Roosevelt and his Yellow Rice Brigade (yup, that's what they were called) kind screwed things up for us in that department at the last minute but ...

Anyway, I get to share the stage tomorrow with another Cuban, Cristina Garcia. And with a revolutionary, Amiri Baraka. And with best-selling Pulitzer nominee Bernice McFadden.

Intimated? Yeah, you bet I am.

I mean, merciful god, we're reading poetry.

I'm going to try and nod at Cuban independence day with my reading, and at love, of course, and, well ... all sorts of stuff. Come and see.

It's Thursday, May 20, at 7pm at the Brooklyn Public Library, the Grand Army Plaza location, and it's part of the Brooklyn Independents Poetry Reading Series. 

And the dude above on the horse? Jose Marti, our big War of Independence hero, as depicted in a statue to his memory in Central Park.

EL FESTIVAL DE LA PALABRA

This week, I travel to San Juan, Puerto Rico, for what looks to be an amazing literary event: El Festival de la Palabra. More than 65 Latin American writers are descending on San Juan to talk, debate, discuss, read, get to know each other, share, argue and listen ... I'm looking forward to seeing old friends like Leonardo Padura and Larry LaFontaine as well as meeting writers I've long admired, like Mayra Montero and Karla Suarez. I'll be doing three panels -- the program's long and kind of confusing, but also full of promise.

If you're in San Juan, stop by and say hi!