An Evening with Ashley Cobb: Pleasure, Please! Book Conversation
Join Ashley Cobb, author of the empowering new book Pleasure, Please!: The Black Woman’s Guide to Unapologetic Pleasure and Confidence, for an engaging conversation about pleasure, self-confidence, and reclaiming joy.
More Information: https://thedockbookshop.com/event/2026-05-02/ashley-cobb-pleasure-please
Tap The Mic
Tap The Mic, our monthly open mic, is making a special appearance at Dallas Is Lit! Come out to Trinity Cider on Thursday, May 7th for a beverage, community and an open mic featuring incredible talent and new voices.
More Info: https://writersgarret.org/event/tap-the-mic-dallas-is-lit-edition/
Narrative Power & The Futures We Create: A Community Symposium
In uncertain times, the power of language to shape both the current moment and the world we move into. Narrative Power & The Futures We Create is a community-centered gathering that elevates the ideas, voices, and conversations shaping the literary ecosystem and culture in Dallas and beyond.
More Info: https://writersgarret.org/event/narrative-power-community-symposium/
Dallas Is Lit! 2026 Book & Author Fair
The Dallas Is Lit! Book & Author Fair is back! Join us for a family-friendly day at Arts Mission Oak Cliff, featuring over a dozen vendors selling books and literary-adjacent crafts, plus meet and greet with over 20 authors throughout the day.
More Info: https://writersgarret.org/event/dallas-is-lit-2026-book-author-fair/
OffSeason with Avigayl Sharp
We’re glad to welcome Avigayl Sharp to The Wild Detectives to present her debut novel, Offseason!
More Info: https://thewilddetectives.com/events/offseason-with-avigayl-sharp/
Inner Moonlight - Kendra Allen
Inner Moonlight is the monthly poetry series at the Wild Detectives! Curated by poet Logen Cure. Meet us in the backyard for a live reading from featured poet and nonfiction writer Kendra Allen!
More Info: https://thewilddetectives.com/events/inner-moonlight-kendra-allen/
Addictive Books at Union - “The Skin and Its Girl” by Sarah Cypher
Sip your favorite brew as Addictive Books explores captivating stories, shares diverse perspectives, and creates a haven for bookworms once a month on Saturday at Union Coffee in Oak Lawn. Registration is required for this event.
More Information: https://dallaslibrary.librarymarket.com/event/addictive-books-union-460392
The MacMillan Institute Book Group (Copy)
Contemporary novel discussion led by Dr. Allums. This month's novel is The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother), by Rabih Alameddine; ISBN: 978-0802166470
Ted Shine New Play Festival
A Biennial Celebration of Sankofa, Legacy, and New Voices
June 5-21, 2026
Soul Rep Theatre Company proudly presents its biennial TED SHINE NEW PLAY FESTIVAL, a cornerstone of the company’s commitment to nurturing Black playwrights and advancing new work. Presented in honor of the legendary playwright Ted Shine, who called Dallas home and served as a mentor and college professor to several Soul Rep company members, the festival is both a tribute and a call forward.
As part of Soul Rep’s 30th Anniversary Season, this year’s festival embraces the theme of “Sankofa”—a word from the Akan language of Ghana meaning “to go back and get it.” Sankofa reflects Soul Rep’s journey forward by reclaiming, honoring, and learning from its rich artistic past while uplifting the next generation of storytellers.
Speculative Literary: Essay Club
Join SpecLit for our next event! Essay Club - for all of us who want to read and discuss literature in community but may find it hard to complete a full book. 🤲🏾🫂
RSVP link + a pdf of the text coming soon. Capped at 25 to keep it intimate, so grab your spot ASAP! 📝📚
More Information: https://apprenticeoakcliff.spaces.nexudus.com/events/1415692434/speculative-literary-essay-club
Dock Open Mic
Step into the creative heart of the community at The Dock Bookshop’s Open Mic Night, hosted by our Artist in Residency. Every Tuesday, the stage opens for poets, singers, musicians, storytellers, comedians, and creatives of all kinds to share their gifts.
✨ Whether you’re a seasoned performer or stepping up for the first time, the Dock Open Mic offers a welcoming space to express, connect, and inspire. Our Artist in Residency brings unique flair and guidance each week, making every session a one-of-a-kind experience.
More info
An Afternoon with Toure Roberts - "Knowing"
Step into a conversation that challenges certainty and reshapes perspective.
RSVP/More Information: https://thedockbookshop.com/event/2026-04-26/afternoon-toure-roberts-knowing
The Spokenword Oscars
Calling All Poets-Storytellers-Actors-Authors!
Join us at The Dock Bookshop & Dock Community for the 4th Annual Spokenword Oscars. (SpOscars)
SpOscars is unique literary arts event created by Mike Guinn Entertainment. It is the only event where an artist can show up, show out and win ON THE SPOT. Each category as a cash prize, trophy and bragging rights.
IF YOU THINK YOU ARE THE BEST! PROVE IT.
Categories are…
Best Slam Performance
Best Haiku
Best Gospel Poet
Best Storyteller (Short Story)
Best Monologue
Best Read Poem
Best Poem With An Accent
Best Comedian
Best Rapper
Best Singer
Simply register for the categories (Up To 4). Dress for the red carpet and bring it. This fun, fast paced, high energy event is the ultimate test of your skills as a writer, actor, poet or storyteller.
Hurry before all the slots are gone
Free Parking, Food, Music and more…. Join us…if you dare.
*Seeking Vendors and Sponsors*
Conversation With Pamela Porter
Join us at The Dock Bookshop for a special Independent Bookstore Day celebration featuring an inspiring author conversation and book signing.
As part of the nationwide celebration of Independent Bookstore Day, we are honored to welcome local author Pamela Porter, who will discuss her uplifting book Walking in Grace. This heartfelt work reflects on faith, resilience, and the journey of embracing grace through life’s experiences.
Pamela will be in conversation with Anita Heiskell, owner of Prim, Poised and Proper LLC. Together, they will explore the inspiration behind the book, the power of personal testimony, and how faith and perseverance shape our lives and communities.
Guests will enjoy a meaningful discussion followed by an opportunity to meet the author and have their books signed.
More info
Becoming H.E.R. Book Signing Event
Come meet the inspiring author at the book signing event - a chance to connect with the story behind the pages.
Dallas Lit
The Drip: Sensual Spokenword with Music-Food-Poetry-Free Parking
Competition & Open Mic
DRIP CONTENT & MEDIA HOUSE - 972-704-5001 for details.
In This Body | Women's Poetry Night
Join us for an intimate, women-only poetry night exploring body image, healing, and reclaiming your inherent worth and beauty.
This two-hour event will feature curated live poetry readings, guided reflection, and thoughtful conversation. We're creating space to examine body image, unlearn harmful narratives, and reconnect with ourselves beyond physical appearance
Dallas Neighbors Got Talent
What if we took a moment to see one another beyond the labels?
Join us for a special Neighbor Talent Show during Love Your Neighbor Week at The Stewpot, where neighbors will take the stage to share their gifts through art, writing, music, and performance.
This is a moment to listen, to celebrate, and to experience the creativity and talent that often goes unseen.
More info
Dock Open Mic
Step into the creative heart of the community at The Dock Bookshop’s Open Mic Night, hosted by our Artist in Residency. Every Tuesday, the stage opens for poets, singers, musicians, storytellers, comedians, and creatives of all kinds to share their gifts.
✨ Whether you’re a seasoned performer or stepping up for the first time, the Dock Open Mic offers a welcoming space to express, connect, and inspire. Our Artist in Residency brings unique flair and guidance each week, making every session a one-of-a-kind experience.
More info
A HISTORY OF HEARTACHE | In conversation with Patrick Strickland
Journalist Patrick Strickland will read from and discuss his debut story collection, A History of Heartache, Tuesday, April 21st, at Deep Vellum Books.
More info
Onyx Romance Society
Love is literature’s greatest journey—and in Black storytelling, it carries the richness of history, culture, and resilience. Oynx Romance Society celebrates the beauty, passion, and complexity of Black love through novels that span eras, voices, and experiences.
Creative Writing Club
The Central Library hosts a creative writing club every other Saturday!
In the first half of the meeting, we discuss writing-related topics based on the assigned reading. This year, we are going through the writing craft book, The Emotional Craft of Fiction by Donald Maass. In the second half of the meeting, we work quietly on personal projects, so bring your notebooks and devices!
You only need to register once for all 2026 dates.
More Information: https://dallaslibrary.librarymarket.com/event/creative-writing-club-482970
The MacMillan Institute Friday Night Salon
Join us for the most civilized conversation of your week!
Dr. Larry Allums, an expert moderator and community builder, brings his popular program to The MacMillan Institute! Friday Night Salon is a monthly forum for thoughtful conversation in community about significant topics both timely and timeless.
MADAM QUEEN
Madam Queen
Written by diannetucker
Soul Rep Theatre Company is proud to present MADAM QUEEN, a fully staged world-premiere production of the final work by the late, beloved Dallas playwright diannetucker. This historical drama—developed with support from a TACA New Works grant—marks the culmination of a year-long creative journey and honors the enduring legacy of a visionary artist whose influence helped shape Soul Rep from its earliest days.
The MacMillan Institute Book Group
Contemporary novel discussion led by Dr. Allums. This month's novel is Flesh, by David Szalay; ISBN: 978-1982122805.
MiY Zone: The Quilting Book Authors Meet & Greet
Join Christina West and Kacey Crutchfield, authors of The Quilting Book, a guide for craft enthusiasts of all skill levels. Readers are welcome to bring their own copies for the authors to sign. Adults of all ages are invited to this free event.
Following the Q&A, the authors will lead a workshop. Space for the workshop is limited, and registration is required.
Dock Open Mic
Step into the creative heart of the community at The Dock Bookshop’s Open Mic Night, hosted by our Artist in Residency. Every Tuesday, the stage opens for poets, singers, musicians, storytellers, comedians, and creatives of all kinds to share their gifts.
✨ Whether you’re a seasoned performer or stepping up for the first time, the Dock Open Mic offers a welcoming space to express, connect, and inspire. Our Artist in Residency brings unique flair and guidance each week, making every session a one-of-a-kind experience.
More info
In Conversation With Elizabeth Nelson
As part of Frontera, organized by Southwest Review, we’re hosting one of the festival’s Friday events here at The Wild Detectives. Frontera brings together writers, translators, and editors from across the Americas, with a strong focus on Spanish-language literature and the conversations that happen around it—often in intimate, thoughtful formats that feel close to the page.
On Friday, we’ll welcome Amanda Petrusich, staff writer at The New Yorker, in conversation with Elizabeth Nelson. The event will be recorded live as an episode of Known Associates, the podcast hosted by Nelson for Southwest Review. Expect a wide-ranging conversation—music, criticism, writing, and whatever else comes up when two sharp readers sit down and talk it through.
More info
W.O.W. Words Over Wine presented by Infinite Arts Movement (Copy) (Copy)
Join Infinite Arts Movement at Chocolate Secrets where poetry flows as smoothly as wine. Open Mic, intimate setting, wine, desserts, and great vibes!
Book Talk with Ann Tashi Slater
Join us for a book talk with Essayist and Author, Ann Tashi Slater, as she discusses her new book, Traveling in Bardo: The Art of Living in an Impermanent World.
MADAM QUEEN
Madam Queen
Written by diannetucker
Soul Rep Theatre Company is proud to present MADAM QUEEN, a fully staged world-premiere production of the final work by the late, beloved Dallas playwright diannetucker. This historical drama—developed with support from a TACA New Works grant—marks the culmination of a year-long creative journey and honors the enduring legacy of a visionary artist whose influence helped shape Soul Rep from its earliest days.
Narrative Structures w/ Chukwudi Ukonne @ Wild Detectives
Meet up with The Cedars Union at Wild Detectives for a long form presentation, workshop, and Q&A session with Chukwudi Ukonne. Rather than treating the artist statement as a purely informational document, the session reframes it as a narrative act—one that draws from memory, process, experience, and curiosity. Through guided writing prompts, collective reflection, and peer feedback, participants will learn how to translate memory, processes, experiences into compelling stories.
Dallas Literary Festival
PEN Dallas/Fort Worth is proud to partner with Southern Methodist University to present the Dallas Literary Festival. In its 50th year, the festival will welcome dozens of renowned authors from across the country, including Tomi Adeyemi, the bestselling author of the Legacy of Orïsha trilogy, Alice Randall, songwriter, producer, and author of My Black Country: A Journey Through Country Music’s Black Past, Present, and Future.
W.O.W. Words Over Wine presented by Infinite Arts Movement (Copy)
Join Infinite Arts Movement at Chocolate Secrets where poetry flows as smoothly as wine. Open Mic, intimate setting, wine, desserts, and great vibes!
On the Road: Readings with Young German Writers in Dallas
Catch some fresh voices from Germany sharing their stories live in Dallas!
Join Goethe-Institut Houston and our local partners at Goethe Center Dallas at Southern Methodist University Moody Hall, Room 125 at for for a reading and discussion. Light refreshments will be served.
Organized by the Goethe-Institut, in cooperation with the German Literature Institute in Leipzig and local partners throughout the USA, ON THE ROAD presents two up-and-coming young German writers, Louise Kenn and Mücahit Türk for a month‑long literary journey across the United States.
More info
POETRY ON THE PATIO
Mudhook Bar & Kitchen Open Mic Presents A Celebration of the Woman!