DOWNEY - Brigit Truex will read from her new book of poems, "Smooth as Silk," during a poetry reading July 19 at Mari's Wine Bar.Subtitled "The Gold Hill Wakamatsu Silk and Tea Company," the book tells the true story of an exiled group of Samurai families from Japan and their efforts to start a tea and silk plantation near Sacramento in the foothills of the Sierra. The poetry reading, sponsored monthly by the Downey Arts Coalition, also hosts an open mike, a half-hour set where local poets are invited to read their own poems at the open microphone. Often their first experience before the public, this time is meant to encourage poets to participate in the celebration of poetry. The event begins at 8 p.m. Admission is free.

********** Published: July 12, 2012 - Volume 11 - Issue 13