Jessica Ceballos in Love

Melinda Palacio

Jessica Ceballos at the Bluebird Reading
photo by Michael Sedano

Poet Jessica Ceballos is in love with her hometown, Highland Park, and Downtown Los Angeles, and the East Side and L.A. overall. Born in Highland Park, CA. Ceballos has lived in places as far away as Alaska and Spain. In 2005, she returned to Southern California and discovered a love for her home. Part of her renewed interest is her role as participant, rather than spectator. "I fell in love, again," she said. 

At each turn, Jessica is curating poetry readings. Currently on her role call is the Bluebird Reading Series at Avenue 50 Studios, The Great Beyond at Beyond Baroque, and Poesia Para La Gente, also sponsored by Avenue 50 Studios in Highland Park.

Poesia Para La Gente, involves much more than lining up poets, collecting book information, bios, and photos. Last April, Ceballos was more than happy to take over the series, which began in 2011 and has had varied hosts, such as poets Luivette Resto and Abel Salas. This unique reading, while sponsored by Avenue 50, takes poetry readings to a place where walls and a single space for poetry no longer exist. Think laundry mats, taco shops, grocery stores, and train stations. "Why don't we tear the walls down to get people excited about poetry," Ceballos asked herself one day. And the series blossomed.

As of this interview, earlier last week, Los Angeles is the last stop for Ceballos. By day, she works in a realtor's office and all the rest of her time, she devotes to her literary community.

"I feel I have a responsibility to do more with these readings. I have big plans to expand the literary programming at Avenue 50 Studio into neighboring schools and into geographical areas that have never before experienced poetry. I'm also developing a collaborative poetry project involving several academic disciplines."

Recently, Ceballos has had her poems published in Hinchas de Poesia, Haight Ashbury Journal and RA. She also writes prose and has completed a novel manuscript. The novel is still looking for a home, but her first poetry collection will be out in 2014. And she has plans for a Bluebird Anthology.

When she's not working, writing poetry, or producing poetry events, Jessica photographs landscape and nature. She records and sings music, and adds beauty to the world with her words.

Find out more about Jessica Ceballos at http://www.jessicaceballos.com. 

UPCOMING EVENTS FEATURING OR HOSTED BY JESSICA CEBALLOS

September 6, First Friday's at the Rapp, 8pm

Features Ryan Nance and Jessica Ceballos, plus Khadija Anderson, tango, and an open mic.

Saturday, September 7, Poetry under/over ground

$5 for an all day metro pass

Poesia Para La Gente

Part Dos/Continuing the Metro Ride

Los Angeles Union Station at noon

800 N Alameda Street, Los Angeles

Meet at the Gold Line, Upper Level

 

September 8

September 8, The Bluebird Reading Series at Avenue 50 Studio, 2pm

This reading features Audrey Kuo, Cara Van Le, Mariano Zaro, and Melinda Palacio

Avenue 50 Studio

131 North Avenue 50

Highland Park, CA 90042

323 258 1435

Upcoming Events for Melinda Palacio

September 8, The Bluebird Reading Series at Avenue 50 Studio, 2pm

and

over in Santa Barbara at Granada Books

September 14, Saturday from 4pm to 6pm

The Poetry Zone with Melinda Palacio and Georges Jacques

1224 State Street, Santa Barbara