Bill Gainer says, "Yes, it is that time of year again – for us to start fundraising.  And this year, with all the funding cuts from the state and granting agencies and the wider base of needs for the environment, social programs and community support organizations, the support of the arts and literary community has become ever so fragile. By repeating your generosity of the past, you will assure the Nevada County Poetry Series' success in the future.  Donate what you can, we'll take it!  If it can be spent, sold or pawned – we can use it! As long as we don't have to feed it – we'll take it!" Of the readers, Gainer says, "These women will turns hearts when they step on stage – break them when they leave. Their poems know the power of who they are. At night's end, we will too..."

Julie Valin comes from a long line of gypsies. Their settled work in the sugarcane fields is what has brought on her enormous sweet tooth. She hunkers for sweet poetic words on a daily basis and when she can't create them herself – despite the necessary accoutrements: John Coltrane on iTunes, soft lamplight, a cold beer – she turns to Bukowski on YouTube, soft lamplight, a cold beer. Valin is on the executive board of the Nevada County Poetry Series and is the co-founder and editor of Six Ft. Swells Press. Her work can be found in: Watershed, The Spoleto Anthology, Rattlesnake Review, Heavy Bear and more. Her chapbook, Night Songs for Heavy Dreamers has been well-received by a few midnight readers. She lives in Nevada County with her soul mate, their baby daughter and a furry Chihuahua.

Shawn Aveningo is a forty-something soccer mom who is passionate about poetry. About her work Aveningo says, "I mostly find inspiration in the ups and downs of life and often fine myself writing about the voices around me."  Aveningo writes for a diverse audience, delivering complex and clever surprises for those willing to ponder and explore. Her work can be seen in: The Rattlesnake Review, WTF, Poetry Now, Survivor’s Review, POETZ and Medusa’s Kitchen, or catch her (most Thursdays) at Poetry Unplugged at Luna’s Café in Sacramento.  She recently published her first collection of poetry, She Has Something to Say, and is working on her second, Stripped.  Visit her at www.poeticallyurs.net.

Marilyn Souza was born in beautiful downtown Truckee, California to a tow truck driving father and a waitress mother.  Her childhood was spent in the middle of a cornfield in Nebraska, until her life was swept out from under her.  Moving to Nevada, Souza spent her adolescence and early adulthood in Las Vegas – trying not to drown in the desert. That was yesterday, today, Souza is back – back in the mountains, living in the wildness of Nevada City.  This time around, she has a smile on her face and a story in her heart, which she says, "Is begging to be heard."  Souza still believes – she can move mountains with her words.  Of Souza, Bill Gainer says, "This young woman tears up the page.  Her words are violently sensual, loving and disarming. As for moving mountains, come and see her, you'll find out why most of Nevada is flat!"

Tickets can be purchased at the door for $5 general, seniors and students, and $1 for those under 18 – bring whatever spare change you have to throw into the pot... Refreshments and open-mic included. The show will be in the Main Theater at the Center for the Arts, 314 W. Main St., Grass Valley, CA. For more information call (530) 432-8196 or (530) 274-8384.