For the Reporter
Poetry at the Rainbow Café presents the works of Joann C. Roberts and Shannon P. Laws on Monday, Dec. 7. on Monday, Dec. 7.
The program is from 7-9 p.m. at the café, 112 E. Main St.
Coffee and conversation follow readings. It is an open mic opportunity. The public is invited.
About the poets
A native of the Universe, Joann Cathleen Roberts, known as simply “Jo” or by her recent stage alias “Paradigm,” grew up in the Chicago area. A poet/MC, musician, and producer, Roberts discovered a love for playing instruments, such as drums, bass and guitar at the age of 10, and by 13 was writing her own poetry and songs.
Roberts’ focus is the promotion of reflection, growth, healing, and awareness through art. She is known for her laid back, mellow stage presence that is complimented by powerful words and has had featured shows from Japan and Las Vegas, to Chicago, New York City, and Atlanta.
Roberts has also performed poetry on stage with Reggae artist Pato Banton and has opened for Dr. Cornel West at Everett College in Washington. Her work has been featured on many LGBT websites, blog talk radio stations, and promoted by many other organizations such as Butch Voices, The Quare Square Collective, and The Spitfire Poetry Group. She is the Savannah Slam champion for years 2013 and 2014, and continues to release a number of albums and poetry books since first taking her art on the road in 2012.
Shannon P. Laws, Bellingham WA, is a 2013 Mayor’s Arts Award (Bellingham) and 2015 Community Champion Award (Writer’s International Network, Richmond, B.C.) recipient. Her poetry appeared in Clover-A Literary Rag, From Bellingham With Love, and Through the Eyes of Islanders.
She has performed in Western Washington University’s “Erotic Poetry Night”, the “West Coast Tagore Festival”, Writers International Network Canada, Village Books “Literature LIVE” and worked as a contributing poet for the Chuckanut Sandstone Writers Theater and Bellingham Repertory Dance Company “Phrasings” collaboration.
Shannon is a co-founding member of World Peace Poets Bellingham, who promote harmony through words for local and international writers at various public readings, including the annual “Read-in! Write-On!” event.
Special Thanks to the Rainbow Café, Striped Water Poets, the NorthWest Renaissance, the Auburn Arts Commission, City of Auburn, and King County 4Culture.
