Poet, performer and curator Ifeanyi Awachie had a vision: Build a safe and supportive space in New Haven where writers from different backgrounds could convene, listen to each other, and learn about each other’s work, while kicking back after the workweek. She did her research: Nothing like it existed in the Elm City. So she would will it into existence, she reasoned.
In November 2015, the product of that was a Literary Happy Hour pilot program, held at the Happiness Lab on Chapel Street. Awachie was floored: over 60 people showed up, bringing friends and fellow writers, spreading news of the program over social media channels and by word of mouth. When sessions in December, January and February kept bringing in the same numbers, she made another decision: it would be great if she could pay the featured writers, even a little, for their work as they built a following in the city.
Thanks to a community engagement grant from the Arts Council of Greater New Haven, now she can — at least for the summer’s Happy Hours. Held every second Friday of May, June and July from 6 to 8 p.m. at art gallery 101 Art Threads, these sessions will, in her words, “unite the strongest writers from disconnected corners of our community — from creative writing students to independent writers, slam poets, journalists, rappers, and stand-up comedians-with an emphasis on recognizing writers of color and other writers belonging to marginalized groups.”
The first Literary Happy Hour of the summer will take place May 13, from 6 to 8 p.m. at 101 Threads. To submit work for one of the summer’s sessions, click here. To listen to an interview with Awachie on WNHH radio’s “Grounded,” click on or download the audio above.