Tara Betts is the author of Arc and Hue. Tara is a Cave Canem fellow. She represented Chicago twice at the National Poetry Slam and appeared on HBO’s “Def Poetry Jam.” She teaches at Rutgers University.

Activist, educator, and poet Tristan Silverman occupies the space where gender, sexuality, Judaism, and art converge. Trained as a documentary filmmaker, screenwriter, and novelist, Tristan’s poetry addresses the humanness of flaw, the fluidity of identity, and the reality of coming of age queer and American.

UniVerse of Poetry-sponsored Readings and Showcases commend individuals who demonstrate a consistent dedication and integrity of vision, humanity, innovation and artistry in their writing, increasing the dialogue and significance of poetry within a greater society, nationally and internationally.

Recorded Thursday, October 01, 2009 at Katerina’s.