April 23, 2015 STAFF/STU

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Today: Mandel Grant Reading and Q&A by Visiting Author Ryka Aoki

Please join us on Thursday, April 23 at 7 p.m. in AD 258 for a reading and Q&A with visiting author and educator Ryka Aoki. Ryka will also be giving a salon craft talk on Friday, April 24 at 12 p.m. in OC 114; both events are free and open to the public. Rka was recently featured at the National Queer Arts Festival, the National Gay and Lesbian Theatre Festival, Ladyfest South 2007, Atlanta Pride, UCLA’s OutCRY, and Fresh Meat. In 2005, Ryka was the inaugural performer for San Francisco Pride’s first ever Transgender Stage. Ryka has been honored by the California State Senate for her work with Trans/Giving, LA’s only art/performance series dedicated to trans, genderqueer, and intersex artists. She was formerly head judo coach at UCLA and Cornell University, and is a professor of English at Santa Monica College.

Ryka Aoki is author of the novel He Mele A Hilo (A Hilo Song) and the book Seasonal Velocities. Rka was recently featured at the National Queer Arts Festival, the National Gay and Lesbian Theatre Festival, Ladyfest South 2007, Atlanta Pride, UCLA’s OutCRY, and Fresh Meat. In 2005, Ryka was the inaugural performer for San Francisco Pride’s first ever Transgender Stage. Ryka has been honored by the California State Senate for her work with Trans/Giving, LA’s only art/performance series dedicated to trans, genderqueer, and intersex artists. She was formerly head judo coach at UCLA and Cornell University, and is a professor of English at Santa Monica College.

These exciting events are made possible through a grant from the Mandel Fund for Conversation and Inclusion. See you there!