02/06/2026
Excited to Feature Ron Dowell and La Poeta Violeta on Friday, Feb 6, 8:30pm for our 10-Year Anniversary Celebration and the launch of our year-long Decennial Series! Join us IN PERSON & ONLINE for Rapp Saloon Reading Series First Fridays +Limited Open Mic, Reception, & Book Signing! Host: Cynthia Alessandra Briano .
OPEN MIC: We'll have a LIMITED OPEN MIC of 10 readers/musicians. OPEN MIC Sign-up OPENS at 8:15pm PT in-person/via Zoom & CLOSES at 8:30pm. TIME LIMIT: 4 minutes MAX. ***Writers elevating other writers--we invite you to join us in amplifying and celebrating Black voices by bringing a poem or prose excerpt by a Black author to read alongside your own work. All themes/formats welcome. All languages welcome!
LOCATION: The event takes place at the historic Rapp Saloon in Santa Monica and via Zoom! Thank you Hostelling International USA and HI Los Angeles Santa Monica Hostel for hosting us! RSRS First Fridays
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Event Page: Fri Feb 6 Reading Series 1st Fridays 10 Year Anniversary + Ron Dowell & La Poeta Violeta
ABOUT: Rapp Saloon First Fridays Reading Series First Fridays presents an Open Mic in the oldest building in Santa Monica--the Rapp Saloon, a historic landmark turned community space which is housed in and operated by the non-profit Hostelling International Santa Monica . Cynthia Alessandra Briano is Director and Host of Rapp Saloon Reading Series First Fridays. The event is free and open to the public. All languages welcome. Reception with Book Signing and Refreshments to follow the reading. ZOOM link is posted on FB event page 3 hours before event begins. TEN-YEAR ANNIVERSARY: The Rapp Saloon Reading Series First Fridays has been running in person since Feb 2016, virtually since April 2020, and starting July 2022, in HYBRID form! Feb 2026 marks our 10-Year Anniversary with Cynthia Alessandra Briano as Director and Host, and it launches our year-long Decennial Series Celebrations.
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IN PERSON: The Historic Rapp Saloon located within the Santa Monica Hostel at 1436 2nd Street , Santa Monica, CA, 90401
*ZOOM https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87346465449?pwd=50shvntNX9zYfQum8hyk0jQmaN9Xwt.1
Meeting ID: 873 4646 5449
Passcode: 062140
*ZOOM link also in Instagram Bio
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All voices, arts, abilities, and identities welcome. Rapp Saloon Reading Series First Fridays remains committed to creating a forum for expression that actively works towards dismantling racism, and amplifying and celebrating marginalized voices. Join us in our ongoing efforts to create spaces where voices of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color are heard, supported, and received with joy. Artists and writers are welcome and encouraged to present their art in any language and format they prefer. All faiths welcome. All gender expressions and identities welcome. All forms of artistic expression welcome. No restrictions or expectations on theme. The fullness of your humanity welcome.
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Rapp Saloon Reading Series First Fridays does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, s*x, s*xual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, ancestry, genetic information, age, height, weight, physical or mental ability, veteran status, military obligations, pregnancy, or marital status in any of its activities or operations.
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THANK YOU & for hosting us! Great thanks to Emily Morgan, Kassi Oliver, and Hostelling International USA / HI Los Angeles Santa Monica Hostel for making the Rapp Saloon Reading Series First Fridays a community, literary, and performance arts venue for local, international, and diverse communities of Southern California and beyond. is a non-profit organization that believes in the power of travel to foster a deeper understanding of people, places, and the world around. HI USA’s mission is to help all especially the young, gain a greater understanding of the world and its people through hostelling and HI USA works to increase cultural exchange among all people who walk into our hostel through programs and activities. Guests will have the opportunity to meet people from around the world.
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**PLEASE DISPLAY YOUR NAME CLEARLY ON YOUR ZOOM ACCOUNT. If you would like to read at the open mic, please send a private message to the host once you are inside the Zoom meeting. ***Writers elevating other writers--we invite you to join us in amplifying and celebrating Black voices by bringing a poem or prose excerpt by a Black author to read alongside your own work. All themes/formats welcome. All language welcome. ***Open Mic TIME LIMIT: 4 minutes max.
