Next Tues, our MFA student Zeke Caligiuri is co-hosting (with @davigray.com) this cool reading presented by @reentrylab.org @moonpalacebooks.bsky.social and Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop:

I stopped by @moonpalacebooks.bsky.social in Minneapolis today to sign anti-ICE copies of TIGERS BETWEEN EMPIRES. Get them Saturday, Feb 28 during "Authors for Minnesota Day" in support of local Minnesota bookstores and raising funds for the protection of civil rights. More: shorturl.at/o32PZ

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. 9/9

Better Things is a series of events sponsored by @reentrylab.bsky.social, in partnership with Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop and Moon Palace Books. The ReEntry Lab is an organization working to connect writers and other artists leaving incarceration to a community that’s ready to receive them.

…followed by an open mic. Both reading and open mic will feature ASL interpretation. Light refreshments will be served; masks are required at Moon Palace Books and are available on-site. This is a free event. 7/9

Learn more about Lt Sunnie at ellteesunnie.com. 🎤 Please join us on Tuesday, March 3rd, at 7:00pm, at @moonpalacebooks.bsky.social, for our next 5×5 Reading, featuring five fantastic artists: Rosetta Peters, Ashe Jaafaru, Cecily McMillan, Lester Batiste, and Lt. Sunnie 6/9

Lt. Sunnie’s artistry is a vibrant celebration of identity and radical joy—uplifting women’s voices and championing fierce individuality. Her unapologetically queer, Black, and big-bodied presence redefines the stage and invites everyone to celebrate their own story. 5/9

she continues to break barriers and inspire radical spirits everywhere. Every performance is a testament to her sharp skills as an entertainer—delivering raw honesty, outstanding movement, influential and heartfelt storytelling that speak to the transformative power of music and community. 4/9

multidisciplinary productions to collaborating with a renowned rap collective and gracing stages with an 11-piece band, Lt. Sunnie’s journey is marked by fearless creativity and relentless dedication. As an alum of esteemed programs like the Ordway GreenRoom Fellowship and TruArtSpeaks, … 3/9

and brought her commanding vocals to an 11-piece band on some of the nations biggest stages. Lt. Sunnie is celebrated for headlining her own acclaimed EP releases—Big Feelings and Who She Think She Is?!—and for captivating audiences at signature events nationwide! From co-producing… 2/9

Raised in Saint Paul, Minnesota’s historic Rondo neighborhood, Lt. Sunnie (she/her) is a powerhouse in the Midwest music scene with over a decade of experience. She has headlined major events across the region, delivered charged up halftime show performances, completed a milestone 10-stop tour, 1/9

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. 8/8

Better Things is a series of events sponsored by @reentrylab.bsky.social, in partnership with Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop and Moon Palace Books. The ReEntry Lab is an organization working to connect writers and other artists leaving incarceration to a community that’s ready to receive them.

…followed by an open mic. Both reading and open mic will feature ASL interpretation. Light refreshments will be served; masks are required at Moon Palace Books and are available on-site. This is a free event. 6/8

🎤 Please join us on Tuesday, March 3rd, at 7:00pm, at @moonpalacebooks.bsky.social, for our next 5×5 Reading, featuring five fantastic artists: Rosetta Peters, Ashe Jaafaru, Cecily McMillan, Lester Batiste, and Lt. Sunnie 5/8

Peak Press (2022), The Indianapolis Review (2023), and The Bitchin’ Kitsch (2023). In 2025, he received the BIPOC Emerging Writer award from Blue Earth Review. Lester’s debut poetry collection, Angel and Night’s Youngest, is forthcoming in 2026 with the Black Spring Press Group (UK). 4/8

his present on the Northside of Minneapolis. Lester's work has appeared in print in The Stone House Anthology (2014), the Southern Griot Journal (2012), Tulane Review (2017), A Garden of Black Joy (2020), and digitally in the Brushfire Literary and Arts Journal (2020), Hidden… 3/8

Influenced by Gwendolyn Brooks, Carl Sandburg, and Toni Morrison, Lester strives to weave traditional forms and techniques with the vibrancy of African American experience and speech. Rich details are enhanced by the musical tones from Lester’s childhood on the Southside of Chicago to… 2/8

Lester Batiste (he/him) is a savage writer in living color who writes for political, social, economic change and Black futures. Born in Chicago, IL, he holds an MFA from the University of Southern Maine's Stonecoast writing program, and an M.S.Ed. from the University of Pennsylvania. 1/8

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. 8/8

Better Things is a series of events sponsored by the ReEntry Lab, in partnership with the Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop (MPWW) and Moon Palace Books. The ReEntry Lab is an organization working to connect writers and other artists leaving incarceration to a community that’s ready to receive them.

…followed by an open mic. Both reading and open mic will feature ASL interpretation. Light refreshments will be served; masks are required at Moon Palace Books and are available on-site. This is a free event. 6/8

🎤 Please join us on Tuesday, March 3rd, at 7:00pm, at @moonpalacebooks.bsky.social, for our next 5×5 Reading, featuring five fantastic artists: Rosetta Peters, Ashe Jaafaru, Cecily McMillan, Lester Batiste, and Lt. Sunnie 5/8

She has also worked in electoral politics in roles from canvasser to campaign director, most recently serving as Communications & Outreach Coordinator for Rep. Leigh Finke’s successful campaign to become the first openly trans person elected to the MN State Capitol. 4/8

in 2016 by Nation Books. For more than two decades, McMillan has been organizing actions and building organizations to promote racial and gender justice; to protect workers', immigrants', and students' rights; and to fight for queer liberation and against nuclear proliferation. 3/8

an ardent prisoner rights advocate, highlighting the connections between poverty and incarceration. McMillan's writing has appeared in The New York Times, Al Jazeera America, and The Huffington Post. Their memoir The Emancipation of Cecily McMillan was published… 2/8

Cecily McMillan (all pronouns) is a social justice organizer, political consultant, and published author. After enduring a Kafkaesque trial following her arrest at Occupy Wall Street in 2012, she served 58 days at Rikers Island. Since their release, McMillan has become… 1/8

Just a big hug to all the anarchists in the Twin Cities who get dismissed all the time but knew exactly what to do when shit went down here.

Someone was abducted at 10 AM by ICE on Central Ave. Their coworker says they’ve lived here for over 20 years, are documented, and have 3 kids who were born here. Don’t be fooled by headlines when they’ve been lying to us the whole time. We still need you out patrolling until every agent is gone.

Thanks to @moonpalacebooks.bsky.social. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. 4/4

Better Things is a series of events sponsored by the ReEntry Lab, in partnership with the Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop (MPWW) and Moon Palace Books. The ReEntry Lab is an organization working to connect writers and other artists leaving incarceration to a community that’s ready to receive them.

Rosetta Peters, Ashe Jaafaru, Cecily McMillan, Lester Batiste, and Lt. Sunnie, followed by an open mic. Both reading and open mic will feature ASL interpretation. Light refreshments will be served; masks are required at Moon Palace Books and are available on-site. This is a free event. 2/4

Rosetta Peters (she/her) is a Dakota poet, an author, a public speaker, and an activist. A procrastinator to the point of detriment and lover of the natural world. 🎤 Please join us on Tuesday, March 3rd, at 7:00pm, at Moon Palace Books, for our next 5×5 Reading, featuring 5 fantastic artists: 1/4

Thanks to @moonpalacebooks.bsky.social. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. 4/4

Better Things is a series of events sponsored by the ReEntry Lab, in partnership with the Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop (MPWW) and Moon Palace Books. The ReEntry Lab is an organization working to connect writers and other artists leaving incarceration to a community that’s ready to receive them.

Rosetta Peters, Ashe Jaafaru, Cecily McMillan, Lester Batiste, and Lt. Sunnie, followed by an open mic. Both reading and open mic will feature ASL interpretation. Light refreshments will be served; masks are required at Moon Palace Books and are available on-site. This is a free event. 2/4

Rosetta Peters (she/her) is a Dakota poet, an author, a public speaker, and an activist. A procrastinator to the point of detriment and lover of the natural world. 🎤 Please join us on Tuesday, March 3rd, at 7:00pm, at Moon Palace Books, for our next 5×5 Reading, featuring 5 fantastic artists: 1/4

Finally! Releasing our first 2026 episode of WHAT'S YR READ, with featured Book: Empire of the Scalpel: The History of Surgery by Ira Rutkow ❤️📖 @drlindseyfitz.bsky.social @moonpalacebooks.bsky.social #LoveMinnesota #FuckICE

🧵I believe we've passed the point where any reduction in ICE's presence in Minnesota will change the overall feeling in the state. I don't mean there won't be relief if there are fewer or even no kidnappings. I'm sure people who are trapped in their houses will feel tremendous relief. 1/6

There’s an increase of ICE activity today in South Minneapolis including Powderhorn, Phillips and East Lake Street. Tom Homan wants our community to put its guard down but we won’t be doing that. 1/

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to legislative appropriations from the arts and cultural heritage fund. 5/5

…the Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop (MPWW) and Moon Palace Books. The ReEntry Lab is an organization working to connect writers and other artists leaving incarceration to a community that’s ready to receive them. 4/5

…both reading and open mic will feature ASL interpretation. Light refreshments will be served; masks are required at Moon Palace Books and are available on-site. This is a free event. Better Things is a series of events sponsored by the ReEntry Lab, in partnership with… 3/5

After the main reading, there will be a short break for refreshments, followed by an open mic period. All are welcome to show up and participate in the open mic! (List is first come, first serve.) This reading, and the open mic afterward, will be hosted by Davi Gray and Zeke Caligiuri; 2/5

Please join us on Tuesday, March 3rd, at 7:00pm, at @moonpalacebooks.bsky.social, for our next 5×5 Reading, featuring five fantastic artists: Rosetta Peters, Ashe Jaafaru, Cecily McMillan, Lester Batiste, and Lt. Sunnie. Each featured artist will take five minutes to share work. 1/5

🧵Your regular reminder that releasing children from federal custody is not an endpoint—for Minnesota or for the child. Kidnapping and detention by federal agents is a deep trauma and for all the resiliency of kids, recovery from this atrocity cannot possibly be swift. 1/2

Tonight (2/3/26) at @moonpalacebooks.bsky.social: I know Isha and Heid are incredible, and am excited to hear more from the others too. The "Better Things" lineups are always so cool, pulling from many different corners of the Twin Cities literary landscape:

We've got these bumper stickers if anyone in Minneapolis needs one. 💜And when we run out, we'll make more!

Happy birthday @flaminghydra.com !!! We unlocked a bunch of stuff today, AND ALSO we've started up a BOOKS PAGE!! Where you can buy books from Hydra authors. Today we're linking purchases through the wonderful @moonpalacebooks.bsky.social in Minneapolis. flaminghydra.com/issue-492/

Moon Palace Books (@moonpalacebooks.bsky.social) still has a few signed copies of Tigers Between Empires. Help support Minneapolis business impacted by the federal occupation. Link to Book: moonpalacebooks.com/item/f10yIDk... pen.org/book-communi...