Southern Lit will host author Jeffrey Blount on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 6 p.m., at Bessie Smith Cultural Center as part of its South Bound Lecture Series. Blount is the author of three novels: “Hating Heidi Foster,” “Almost Snow White” and “The Emancipation of Evan Walls.” He retired from his position as the producer of NBC News in 2017. During his 34-year career, Blount produced several NBC shows, won an Emmy and directed a decade of “Meet The Press,” “The Today Show,” “NBC Nightly News,” “The Chris Matthews Show” and major special events. The event is free but reservations are requested. Reserve a seat.
Plug Poetry Project hosts Citizen Illegal
The Plug Poetry Project will return to the fifth floor of The Edney Innovation Center on Saturday, Feb. 22, to feature award-winning poet Jose Olivarez. Olivarez is the son of Mexican immigrants and the author of the book of poems, “Citizen Illegal.” His work has been featured in The New York Times, The Paris Review and Chicago Magazine. Olivarez will lead a poetry workshop from noon-2 p.m. Email thespeakeasypoetry@gmail.com to secure a spot. A reading will take place from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Local poets Moll King and Tiffany Herron will open the night with sets of original material. Tickets. The Plug is an arts initiative started by Christian Collier in 2019.