Mike Sonksen, also known as, Mike the Poet, is a 3rd-generation LA native acclaimed for poetry performances, published articles & legendary city tours. Poet, journalist, historian, tour guide, teacher. He graduated from U.C.L.A. Mike’s book I AM ALIVE IN LOS ANGeLES! has been added to the curriculum of several universities. Mike’s performed his poetry coast to coast at college campuses, museums, bookstores, nightclubs & just about any venue you can imagine. His Los Angeles city tours combine poetry and history and have been written up in the New York Times, THE UK Guardian, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Straight No Chaser. For BOOKING INFO: mikethepoetLA@gmail.com Mike is booking for 2013 now. Poetry performances, writing workshops, Los Angeles Historical tours & master of ceremonies. http://www.kcet.org/socal/departures/landofsunshine/la-letters/ http://www.youtube.com/user/MikeThePoet1 https://twitter.com/MikethePoeTLA Partial List of PROFESSIONAL Experience: LOCATIONS MIKE THE POET has taught WRITING Workshops: VIEW PARK PREPARATORY ACCELERATED CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL 826 VALENCIA — 826 LA East Echo PArk. MAR VISTA YOUTH CENTER MOCA MUSEUM MUSEUM OF NEON ART STELLA ADLER CONSERVATORY BOOK BY AUTHORS, LONG BEACH, CA ARCHER SCHOOL FOR GIRLS AVIVA FAMILY & CHILDREN SERVICES SELMA AVE ELEMENTARY HILLSIDES More SCHOOLS Mike has performed & appeared at: ARAGON ELEMENTARY — CYPRESS PARK AVIVA FAMILY & CHILDREN SERVICES — HOLLYWOOD CROZIER MIDDLE SCHOOL — INGLEWOODDAVIS MIDDLE SCHOOL — COMPTON GRIFFITHS MIDDLE SCHOOL — DOWNEY, CA HUDSON ELEMENTARY — LONG BEACH JOHN MUIR JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL — LOS ANGELES LOS FELIZ ELEMENTARY MAYFAIR MIDDLE SCHOOL PEOPLE WHO CARE - COMMUNITY CENTER ARCHER SCHOOL FOR GIRLS — Brentwood ASPIRE ACADEMY — HUNTINGTON PARK, CABELMONT HIGH SCHOOL BIRMINGHAM HIGH SCHOOL - VAN NUYS CARSON HIGH SCHOOL — CARSON, CA CLEVELAND HIGH SCHOOL — Reseda CROSSROADS SCHOOL — Santa Monica DUARTE HIGH SCHOOL — DUARTE, CA GLENDALE HIGH SCHOOL HOLLYWOOD HIGH JORDAN HIGH SCHOOL — LBC LA VIDA WEST LEUZINGER HIGH - LAWNDALE LEGACY ACADEMY CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL MILLIKAN HIGH SCHOOL - LBC NOGALES HIGH SCHOOL — COVINA, CA NEW ROADS HIGH SCHOOL — SANTA MONICA, CA RANCHO CUCAMONGA HIGH SCHOOL VIEW PARK PREP SCHOOL — Crenshaw District WATTS LEARNING CENTER WILLARD HIGH SCHOOL CAL POLY POMONA CAL STATE FULLERTON CAL STATE LONG BEACH CAL STATE L.A. CLAREMONT GRADUATE UNIVERSITY CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE EAST LA COLLEGE LAVERNE UNIVERSITY LOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY MESA COLLEGE OCCIDENTAL COLLEGE PASADENA CITY COLLEGE PITZER COLLEGE- Claremont REDLANDS UNIVERSITY SANTA MONICA COLLEGE SCI-ARC SOUTHWEST COLLEGE USC UCLA UC SAN DIEGO UC SANTA BARBARA WHITTIER COLLEGE WOODBURY UNIVERSITY Special Events: L.A. COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART L.A. TIMES BOOK PRIZES LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL UNION STATION ASSOCIATION OF WRITING PROGRAMS (AWP) CHICAGO - MARCH 2012 CONFERENCE FOR NEW URBANISM MAYOR VILLARIAGOSSA (3 TIMES) MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART MUSEUM OF NEON ART AUTRY MUSEUM MUSEUM OF ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN ARMAND HAMMER MUSEUM WILSHIRE WORDS NORTH BEACH JAZZ FESTIVAL POSTOPOLIS SANTA CRUZ POETRY FESTIVAL SPARRING WITH BEATNOK GHOSTS SUNSET JUNCTION TARFEST LEIMERT PARK BOOKFAIR THE ROXY TEMPLE BAR WEST HOLLYWOOD BOOK FAIR Whittier College Writers Conference ZANZIBARTumblr (3.0; @mikethepoetla)http://mikethepoetla.tumblr.com/Vanguard of the profession, the real achievement of advocates, engaging in inquiry constructed with...http://mikethepoetla.tumblr.com/post/50977967995http://mikethepoetla.tumblr.com/post/50977967995Tue, 21 May 2013 01:36:27 -0700  Round 50 of Sparring With Beatnik Ghosts http://www.sparringwithbeatnikghosts.com/ is brought to...http://mikethepoetla.tumblr.com/post/50952827645http://mikethepoetla.tumblr.com/post/50952827645Mon, 20 May 2013 18:18:44 -0700Tongue & Groove on Sunday May 19, 2013: I will be one          of the featured writers...http://mikethepoetla.tumblr.com/post/50794889149http://mikethepoetla.tumblr.com/post/50794889149Sat, 18 May 2013 23:38:31 -0700<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/51e145391b232894183966ca4f508265/tumblr_mn04jyM2Yw1qa791fo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Just arrived on the #LA River,<br/> La Gran Limpieza!! Hundreds<br/> Of volunteers are here to clean <br/> The concrete channel</p>http://mikethepoetla.tumblr.com/post/50735745496http://mikethepoetla.tumblr.com/post/50735745496Sat, 18 May 2013 09:02:21 -0700Arroyo Culture: In the Shadow of the San Gabriels | LA Letters | Land of Sunshine | KCET: This week...http://mikethepoetla.tumblr.com/post/50714160243http://mikethepoetla.tumblr.com/post/50714160243Sat, 18 May 2013 00:35:41 -0700<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/cdb368b98c3a7c545cc0a0088d3b08d8/tumblr_mmvsa6vHvm1qa791fo1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/52ac78232eaa5562d049cc68efc04617/tumblr_mmvsa6vHvm1qa791fo2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>From last saturday here are Two shots from Lit Fest Pasadena,<br/> Shout out to my fellow poets XochitL Julisa-Bermejo, Douglas Kearney, Nicky Schildkraut & Tim Stiles. Also a big shout to Jervey Tervalon & Roz Helfand!</p>http://mikethepoetla.tumblr.com/post/50564536689http://mikethepoetla.tumblr.com/post/50564536689Thu, 16 May 2013 00:46:54 -0700<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/93ea2d98b638d714347554810294cc7d/tumblr_mmr7j5nSlv1qa791fo1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/e910dad83c0e50990b3445c87e03458c/tumblr_mmr7j5nSlv1qa791fo2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>The summer season is kicking off! I gave a walking tour for a large group of Aussies this morning from Contiki. We go from Little Tokyo to the Music Center and back. This was at Angels Flight & Disney Concert hall obviously for all you Anglenos that already know.</p>http://mikethepoetla.tumblr.com/post/50363167513http://mikethepoetla.tumblr.com/post/50363167513Mon, 13 May 2013 13:28:16 -0700<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/3f845766b8ca3694b2acea5a6508c2b6/tumblr_mmp36aZ00T1r1113no1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a href="http://nativealter.tumblr.com/post/50269050520/happy-mothers-day-to-the-best-mom-on-the-planet" class="tumblr_blog" target="_blank">nativealter</a>:</p> <blockquote><p>Happy Mother’s Day <br/> To the best mom on the planet<br/> Even living in the clouds <br/> I know your still here watching over me, and helping me through all the stress and crazy mess in this world <br/> That you were able to strive through<br/> With a smile on your face no matter what, since you last stepped foot on god greens earth you never let anything stop you. I will always love you mom R.I.P</p></blockquote> <p>Blessings out to the great up and coming poet Trevon Kelley. His mom passed earlier this year. Trevon is extremely talented & <br/>Always came through for his mom<br/>Even taking care of her when she was sick. Trevon is a class act &<br/>Wise beyond his years.</p>http://mikethepoetla.tumblr.com/post/50322641289http://mikethepoetla.tumblr.com/post/50322641289Sun, 12 May 2013 21:56:57 -0700<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/842093776fecc61135397825279ae490/tumblr_mmpkeazJTC1qaxl4ro1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a href="http://lifethroughinstagram.tumblr.com/post/50297154747/i-love-you-mom-at-dodger-stadium" class="tumblr_blog" target="_blank">lifethroughinstagram</a>:</p> <blockquote><p>I love you mom!!! (at Dodger Stadium)</p></blockquote> <p>Much Respect to one of my longest friends Victor Castelo! Check him chilling with his mom today at Dodger Stadium. Vic & I grew up on The same street & were kicking it before Kindergarten.</p>http://mikethepoetla.tumblr.com/post/50322437666http://mikethepoetla.tumblr.com/post/50322437666Sun, 12 May 2013 21:53:24 -0700Asian American Literary Pioneers | LA Letters | Land of Sunshine | KCET: May 11, 2013 This week in...http://mikethepoetla.tumblr.com/post/50232865714http://mikethepoetla.tumblr.com/post/50232865714Sat, 11 May 2013 23:38:54 -0700<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/99d596c9a52f51e12c272ce94ddc5d76/tumblr_mmihdoYsuQ1qa791fo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>A few of the books appearing this Saturday at Lit Fest Pasadena <br/> Including mine on the bottom row</p>http://mikethepoetla.tumblr.com/post/49987517890http://mikethepoetla.tumblr.com/post/49987517890Wed, 08 May 2013 20:22:36 -0700<iframe src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F83736746&liking=false&sharing=false&origin=tumblr" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" class="soundcloud_audio_player" width="500" height="116"></iframe><br/><br/><p><a href="http://nativealter.tumblr.com/post/49985890915/check-it" class="tumblr_blog" target="_blank">nativealter</a>:</p> <blockquote><p>Check It!</p></blockquote> <p>Listen to Trevon Kelley’s new song</p>http://mikethepoetla.tumblr.com/post/49987042412http://mikethepoetla.tumblr.com/post/49987042412Wed, 08 May 2013 20:16:09 -0700Mike The Poet LA - Mixed Reality Cabaret: It’s been such a whirlwind of activity lately that I...http://mikethepoetla.tumblr.com/post/49950491927http://mikethepoetla.tumblr.com/post/49950491927Wed, 08 May 2013 12:31:57 -0700<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/2162d30dfb379d4845f0ab975d5f96ed/tumblr_mmhu11C0a31qa791fo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>My walking tour in Chinatown<br/> Last Saturday for the Craft & Folk Art Museum. Thank you to Sonny Abegaze for the photo & booking<br/> Me to lead the tour. Shout out to Michael Tiger next to me also</p>http://mikethepoetla.tumblr.com/post/49948345387http://mikethepoetla.tumblr.com/post/49948345387Wed, 08 May 2013 11:58:13 -0700LAChinatownpoetrygratitude<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/da3e1bbee1b173c0c9cf8bd30b30fa4a/tumblr_mmh05eRxwu1qa791fo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>In the Shadow <br/> of the San Gabriel’s <br/> At LitFest Pasadena <br/> this Saturday <br/> 1.30pm</p>http://mikethepoetla.tumblr.com/post/49921888749http://mikethepoetla.tumblr.com/post/49921888749Wed, 08 May 2013 01:12:50 -0700<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/ab807a85eefe7b3da58de53cdee3fcbf/tumblr_mmgudedkpc1qa791fo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>My monthly poetry night<br/> LAnguage w/ Mike the PoeT <br/> at the LAst Bookstore <br/> will be a special edition <br/> this month of <br/> SPARRING WITH <br/> BEATNIK GHOSTS. <br/> Lewis MacAdams <br/> the founder of the <br/> Friends of the Los Angeles River <br/> will be featuring <br/> & a few special guests. <br/> Limited open mic<br/> Sunday May 26th</p> <p>453 Spring St. <br/> 5 to 7pm</p>http://mikethepoetla.tumblr.com/post/49917915050http://mikethepoetla.tumblr.com/post/49917915050Tue, 07 May 2013 23:08:02 -0700  I&#8217;m delighted to share the news with you that Wanda Coleman, who is often referred to as...http://mikethepoetla.tumblr.com/post/49837395862http://mikethepoetla.tumblr.com/post/49837395862Mon, 06 May 2013 22:28:29 -0700<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/e6c3b70ac57f6a7d38759efe26c82aab/tumblr_mmedwqArUw1qcuif8o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a href="http://wanderingfoot.tumblr.com/post/49804280380/rizzo-by-the-river" class="tumblr_blog" target="_blank">wanderingfoot</a>:</p> <blockquote><p>rizzo by the river </p></blockquote> <p>Rizzo is everywhere</p>http://mikethepoetla.tumblr.com/post/49832873398http://mikethepoetla.tumblr.com/post/49832873398Mon, 06 May 2013 21:07:39 -0700<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/d97db210d157e2bcee00f6cb40d8bbe7/tumblr_mmc5zdhuDn1qa791fo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Congratulations to Triumph High School for winning Get Lit’s Classic Slam last week. <br/> We took this photo after they won the semifinal last Friday.</p>http://mikethepoetla.tumblr.com/post/49699946048http://mikethepoetla.tumblr.com/post/49699946048Sun, 05 May 2013 10:30:49 -0700poetryspoken wordLos AngelesartThe San Gabriel River & the 562 | LA Letters | Land of Sunshine | KCET: This week in LA...http://mikethepoetla.tumblr.com/post/49664821372http://mikethepoetla.tumblr.com/post/49664821372Sun, 05 May 2013 00:56:33 -0700