Podcast appearances and mentions of denise low

Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, Septembr 24, 2025, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd welcomes poet/writer J. Khan, Angela Brunner Development/Communication Director Mattie Rhodes Center, and Zhou B art director Izzy Vivas. J. KHAN- J. Khan and Leonard Greco, artist and author, have combined talents to narrate and illustrate the epic journey of the Maya Hero Twins in the underworld of Xibalba. And back. Their book Popol Vuh: The Maya Hero Twins in Xibalba draws from their familiarity with the Popol Vuh and Maya culture. The result is a compelling illustrated journey that revitalizes Americaoldest spiritual and poetic epic. Each poem is accompanied by a full color illustrated work. Reviews note that Khan's epic narrative style brings the characters, setting, and plot to life. Greco's intense archetypal figures evoke the timeless quality of a creation parable. Together they create a groundbreaking adaptation which exemplifies the living vitality of the Popol Vuh. Perfect for lovers of epic poetry, ekphrastic work, historians, Mesoamerican scholars, educators, as well as Maya and Neo-Baroque aficionados.180 pp. 6x9. Color. Soft Cover. Blurb Press. Introduction by Denise Low. Illustrated end papers. ISBN 979-8- 31-999595-7 Price: $39.50 ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Khan is a prize-winning poet whose works appear in the United States and internationally. Born in the UK, Khan has lived and travelled overseas but spent his adult life in the US. He holds post-graduate degrees from the University of Missouri and Harvard. Writings have appeared in Fifth Estate, I-70 Review, and New Letters. He has served as a rotating guest editor for Glass: Poets Resist and was nominated for the Pushcart Prize. Khan has been interviewed by NPR, appeared on national news feeds, and has been cited by Time Magazine and international news publications. For over a decade he has traveled to Honduras to provide volunteer medical services. www.JKAuthor.com Angela Brunner Development/Communication Director Mattie Rhodes Mattie Rhodes Center Calendar: First Friday, October 3, 2025 – Exhibit Opening & Celebration First Friday, November 7, 2025 – Exhibit Closing & Calaca Night Parade For more than twenty years, Mattie Rhodes has been the heart of Dia de los Muertos celebrations in Kansas City. Festivities are held in the historic Westside neighborhood, home to many of Kansas City's Latinx residents. It began in the classrooms of the Mattie Rhodes Art Center where children worked on Dia de los Muertos themed projects after school. It was in one of those classrooms that Richard Bay, a local artist and art educator in the Kansas City Public School District, held a discussion night about the holiday where an impressive crowd gathered to learn about its traditional practices. The people's interest was apparent, as was the need for more space, and thus a gallery was opened next door in order to foster a space for cultural and artistic education. Since then Mattie Rhodes Center has dedicated itself to this idea and hosts a variety of events during Dia de los Muertos, including an altar exhibition made for and by members of the community, cultural workshops and tours, and related celebrations in the streets of the Westside. Altogether, we hope to create an experience that is similar to and honors the traditional celebration of Dia de los Muertos in Mexico. We cherish the connections and collaborations we have made through this event with our community members as well as valued institutions around the city such as the Kansas City Museum in the Northeast, Stonelion Puppets Theater, and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. The holiday of Dia de los Muertos varies from place to place, from person to person. The holiday originates in Mexico, though it is celebrated in many other countries in different forms. Dia de los Muertos embodies themes from both All Saints and All Souls Day (Catholic holidays) and those of the Aztecs and the Mayans. The culminations of these many beliefs focus on families reflecting upon those who have passed and rejoice in the happiness they once shared. Even though families are saddened by a loved one's departure, they do not cry on the Day of the Dead. The elders say the road back to the world of the living must not be made slippery by tears. El Dia de Los Muertos evokes happy and sad emotions, but it is always a celebration that unites the living the dead together for a short time. The holiday can be seen as practice in which we laugh at death, we triumph over it by celebrating life. While Halloween focuses on scary images of monsters, witches and other frights, the Day of the Dead displays a strong sense of respect and love for family, ancestry, and community. Death is a natural part of life, and this holiday allows people to talk and laugh about death and lose some of their fear. Although traditionally Dia de Los Muertos is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd, many people celebrate the days of the dead from October 18th through November 9th, with each day dedicated to different groups of souls, also including a thirteen day feast. For this celebration of life and death, ofrendas (altars) are constructed for those who have passed and people tell stories and reflect on the good times they all once shared. There are many standards for the creation of the altars. Specific items are called for, the inclusion of the four elements (earth, wind, fire, and water), a towel and bowl of water, a cushion or chair, photographs, candles, flowers, personal items and even food. Our exhibit of altars and artwork displays and explains these aspects and brings others to the surface. Some work portrays the traditional aspects of the day of the dead, while others reflect contemporary views that push the principles of ofrendas. They also present many different views to the public, some dedicated to family and others purely aesthetic. The artwork of various local artists on the walls stirs up the celebration and positive energy that the holiday exudes. The fiestas take you right to the heart of Mexico with the parade, performers, live music, food, activities, marketplace, and art that involve the entire community. The workshops teach you how to decorate and prepare for the festivities, and the slide presentation shows you first hand accounts of the holiday in Mexico. Overall, we bring you many ways to learn, understand, experience and celebrate this wonderful and uplifting Mexican holiday. Traditional Mexican Calendar: Many people witness the holiday of Dia de los Muertos on November 1st and 2nd, All Saints and All Souls Days. In some areas of Mexico the holiday begins as early as October 18th and lasts through November 9th. Although the days change from place to place and family to family, the basic festivities remain the same. Below is a calendar of the Days of the Dead from many areas in Mexico. October 25th- The Feast of the Holy Souls. This is the beginning of a 13-day feast of the dead for the Tzeltals of Mexico. Here graves are decorated with pine needles and tusus (yellow wildflowers). October 27th- The souls of those who have no living family members are offered breads and water from jugs on this day. October 28th- On this day the accidentados return (the souls of those who died in accidents). This is also the day for the souls who have caused great harm or murder to return. They are also offered jugs of water and breads. These souls are un-forgiven for their acts, so their offerings are placed outside the houses or in the corner of a church. October 30th- The unbaptized souls return on this day. The children who visit on this day are known as Los Ninos Limbos (children who died before baptism). October 31st- Angelitos (the souls of children) show up on this day and must return to the land of the dead by afternoon of the following day. Toys and candy are left for them. November 1st- The souls of the dead adults return today. Cigars, cigarettes, alcohol and liquor is left out for the adults only on this day. The adults may remain until the next day. Many families spend the night in the cemetery to spend time with them. This day is known as All Saints Day, a Catholic festival day. Someone is called to ring a bell through town or in the church to summon the souls of the adults. November 2nd- Known as All Souls Day, another Catholic festival day. This day focuses on the living assisting the dead in their move into Heaven. This is usually the last day of celebration and includes the largest fiestas. By the end of the day, all the souls must leave, and to help them along, the mummers (dancers) wear costumes and masks and run through the streets dancing and singing, trying to scare the spirits back to the land of the dead. November 3rd- The living may share and eat the objects from the altar. People usually give their objects to their neighbors saying, they were left for them by the souls. In Mixquic, a bellman rings a bell on the hours of each day of the dead to announce the different happenings and rituals to be performed. The Aztecs dedicated an entire month to the dead. The month was called Miccailhuitontli, and was named after and presided over by the goddess Mictecacihuatl, who was the Lady of the Dead. This happens from July 24th through August 12th. During this month, rituals were dedicated to her and the god of war known as Huitzilopochtli. This was the time of the harvest and it was believed that the souls followed the scents of the harvest in order to find their way to their altars. Mattie Rhodes Cultural Center is located at 1701 Jarboe, KCMO 64108 www.mattierhodes.org IZZY VIVAS Art Director Zhou B art center- https://www.zhoubartcenterkc.com/current-exhibiton

Ben and Ben are joined by Denise Low, PhD., former poet laureate of Kansas and author of Wing, Melange Block, The Turtle's Beating Heart, and many others, to talk about wildfires, the Flint Hills, surviving genocide, writing poetry about landscapes, and being useful in trying circumstances. Check out Denise's work and order books at her website: deniselow.net

We carry memory in our body: memories of our own selves, but memories of our forebears, too — talking with them as we walk, learning from them as they inquire. Denise Low is the former Kansas Poet Laureate, and an award-winning author of 30 books of prose and poetry. She blogs, reviews, and co-publishes Mammoth Publications, which specializes in Indigenous American authors. Recent poetry books are A Casino Bestiary and Mélange Block, poetry based on geologic structures and mixed-blood experiences.Find the transcript for this show at onbeing.org.

Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg is the 2009-13 Kansas Poet Laureate, a writer, teacher, and facilitator, and coach and consultant who explores how the spoken, written and sung word can help us live more vibrant lives. Founder of Transformative Language Arts at Goddard College, Caryn is the author or editor of over 20 books of poetry, fiction, memoir, non-fiction, and anthologies. A registered songwriter with BMI, her poetry and prose has been published widely. Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg is a visionary. She bases her writing within communities for community empowerment. I cannot tell how strongly I feel that we are lucky to have her here for her significant and sustained contributions to the word arts. ~ Denise Low, 2007-09 Kansas Poet Laureate As a beloved workshop facilitator, she has led workshops since 1992 for adults in transition, people living with serious illness, and intergenerational and multi-cultural groups. She leads writing and singing retreats and performances with singer-songwriter Kelley Hunt through Brave Voice. She also offers writing, facilitation, and right livelihood coaching, and with Laura Packer, offers the Your Right Livelihood training. Caryn was born in Brooklyn, and grew up there and in Manalapan, N.J. until she headed west to study journalism at the University of Missouri, where she got a labor history degree instead. She continued west to Lawrence, Kansas, where she fell in love with the land, community, and her husband. Caryn received her Ph.D. from the University of Kansas, and she has trained in organizational development and group process, grassroots organizing, poetry therapy, and teaching yoga. She is the recipient of Kansas Arts Fellowship in Poetry, the Rocky Mountain National Park artist-in-residency, and other honors. Caryn lives in the country, just south of Lawrence, Kansas with her husband, bioregional writer Ken Lassman, two big dogs and a cat, and young adult children who visit to the delight of all the humans and animals.

Men, boys, man boys - whatever you want to call the male species, seem to get their love and love making advice from tight lipped men, or loose lipped boys in the locker room. Neither usually serve them well and make them better men when it comes to love and love making. So let the tides shift, and invite the mother energy in to do the job of teaching men about love and love making. Natasha Ria El-Scari is coming out of the closet to say, "Let Mama do the job!" Yup, she's grabbing her son, and other men by whatever appendage makes sense, sitting them down to teach them about the fine art of love and love making. Here to share her new book - Mama Sutra: Love and Lovemaking Advice to My Son - and to take us all to the church of love, sex, and love making, Natasha is not going to let what she feels needs to be taught on deaf ears. Buckle up folks, this one is full of straight-forward, no bullshit, closet busting truths. About NatashaNatasha Ria El-Scari is a poet, performer, writer, Cave Canem fellow, 2016 Ragdale Residency recipient and educator for over a decade. Her poetry, academic papers, and personal essays have been published in anthologies, literary and online journals. She has opened for and introduced many great writers, singers and activists, and has been featured at a host of universities and venues nationwide. Born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, Natasha has a BA from Jackson State University and a MA from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Natasha’s Black Feminist approach is reflected in her writing, poetry and performance pieces. Once asked in an interview what makes her unique she replied, “…most people lie to themselves, but I like to reveal myself.” In 2015 Natasha released her first book, Screaming Times (Spartan Press, 2015). Of her work, critic and poet Denise Low writes, “Poems lift off the page, almost reading themselves. Unlike some performance poetry, her words translate well to the printed page.” Her second book, The Only Other (Main Street Rag, 2016) dives into the taboo voice of the other woman. In 2019 Natasha released her first self-published and non-fiction book in collaboration with her son entitled, Mama Sutra: Love and Lovemaking Advice to My Son. Natasha’s CDs, DragonButterFirefly (2006), This is Love… (2010), CuddleComplex (2016) and DVD Live at the Blue Room (2015) display how Natasha connects with any crowd with maternal warmth and unrelenting honesty. This mother of two is also the founder and curator of Black Space Black Art, an organization created to promote the exhibition of African American visual arts and businesses. She is also the founder and curator of the El-Scari Harvey Art Gallery, a small art gallery that focuses on exhibiting marginalized artists and creating relevant events. Connect With Natashahttp://www.natasharia.com/ (Website) https://www.facebook.com/NatashaRiaPoet/ (Facebook) https://twitter.com/NatashaRia (Twitter) https://www.instagram.com/natasharia/ (Instagram) http://linkedin.com/in/nre816 (LinkedIn)

Denise Low, past Poet Laureate of Kansas, is the award-winning author of over 35 books of poetry, memoir, and more.  Currently based in Lawrence, KS, she is a 5th generation Kansan with British Isles, German, Delaware (Lenape / Munsee) and other heritages. Recent books include Ghost Stories of the New West (Kansas Notable Book and The Circle-Best Native American Books); Jackalope (Red Mountain Press); The Turtle’s Beating Heart: One Family’s Story of Lenape Survival (U of NE Press); A Casino Bestiary (Spartan Press); and new release: Shadow Light (Red Mountain Press).     Denise and husband Tom Weso are publishers at Mammoth Publications, specializing in Indigenous American authors. Low provides readings and professional workshops nationally, as well as classes through Baker U.  She founded the Creative Writing program at Haskell Indian Nations U, where she taught for 27 years. Low is past board president of the Associated Writers and Writing Programs and she is a contributing editor to the Writer’s Chronicle.  www.DeniseLow.net    

Ben & Daniel talk to writers who attended the 2013 AWP (Association of Writers & Writing Programs) Conference & Bookfair, which took place this past March in Boston, MA. In this 2nd of 3 AWP shows, Ben & Daniel talk to a number of writers: Rich Villar talks about his latest projects; M. Evelina Galang talks about "Her Wild American Self, and Patrick Rosal talks about an ongoing project using excerpts from interviews to create poetry; Jose Skinner, author of "Flight and Other Stories," talks about his latest project; Xanath Caraza de Holland reads an excerpt from a poem from her collection "Conjuro," and Denise Low, former Kansas Poet Laureate stops in for a brief moment; Juan Luis Guzman and Liz Scheid talk about how to get into AWP on a budget; Mark Brunetti talks about his underground literary magazine, The Idiom Mag; Juan Ochoa talks about his book "Marijuano," Joe Haske talks about his latest book on the working class, and poet Rodney Gomez talks about a manuscript he is shopping around; Dan Vera, author of "Speaking Wiri Wiri" talks about winning the Letras Latinas/Red Hen Poetry Prize and his upbringing in South Texas; Fresno poet Andre Yang talks about being a founding member of the Hmong American Writers Circle; and Antonio Farias, an army veteran, talks about a program which introduces poetry to cadets at the U.S. Coast Guard.

Robert Dana Memorial Reading at the University of Iowa on March 27, 2010. Readings by Marvin Bell, Rick Campbell, Jim McKean, Katy Kysar, David Hamilton, Lisa Birnbaum, Rick Ryan, Nicholas Kogon, John Rosecrance, Jay Johnson, Dick Terrill, Keith Ratzlaff, Anna Wiese, Tom Lynner, and Denise Low.