By The Editor of Red Light Lit: Jennifer Lewis

I have been struggling with the term erotica since Red Light Lit started in 2013. If you Google erotica, the first thing that comes up is cheesy art and links that say things like, “we make sure to tangle your bed sheets and leave you moaning for more.” Rather than serving as only a source of titillation, Red Light Lit tries to avoid clichés when discussing sexuality; instead it attempts to unpack sexuality in order to dispel confusion, diffuse societal taboos and shame, and to understand gender and identity. It is a platform to share stories about heartbreak and loneliness as well as poems about passion and lust. What makes it sexy is the edgy art mixed with honest and vulnerable words.

Red Light Lit shows are different than other reading series because they are curated in a way that it feels like one continuous narrative instead of eight readers sharing individual experiences. The performers read alongside the projection of art featuring photographers such as Lucille LK and Celline Guillou while a musician plays a live score, giving the show a cinematic effect. For last year’s holiday show at Milk Bar, we worked with cello player Cellista and this year, musician, songwriter, and film composer, David Williams, will score the show on electric guitar. Each show features a comedian who creates community with the audience members through laughter. Comedian Emily Van Dyke will open Saturday’s December 17th show.

Red Light Lit’s holiday show at Milk Bar, is collaborating with jANKzine, Jackie Hancock’s lifestyle zine that consists of commercial and fine art photography. Hancock’s photos capture independent women who enjoy the world that they live in. To bring Hancock’s enthusiasm for tattoos, fashion, and mannequins to life, she will have a photo installation from 7pm to 8pm for attendees to be photographed in by Hancock herself. If you don’t feel like getting your picture taken, you get a typed, haiku-on-demand poem from Triptych Caliform author, Natasha Dennerstein before the show gets started.

The show is hosted by Jenn Stokes of Moonlighting SF with musical accompaniment by Sarah Dineen. Featured writers include: Lisa Alden, Matt Carney, Devin Copeland, Allyson Darling, Keith Donnell, Kathy Duby, Kimberly Gomes, Danielle Truppi, Natasha Dennerstein, Jared Roehrig and Star Stone. Comedy by Emily Van Dyke and special musical guest Miss Elle (Elle Rasmussen, www.soundcloud.com/missellemusic).

Saturday, December 17th @ Milk Bar sf
Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Tickets HERE

Proceeds go to : Fire Relief Fund for Victims of Ghostship Oakland Fire

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Jennifer Lewis is the co-fonder and editor of Red Light Lit. She received her MFA in creative writing from San Francisco State University in May 2015. Her fiction has been published in Midnight Breakfast, Eleven Eleven, Transfer Magazine, Fourteen Hills Press, and Sparkle and Blink. In 2012, she was the recipient of the Leo Litwak award for creative non-fiction and for fiction in 2015.