What: “An Intercultural Tea party with Poetry, Lyrical Writing and Storytelling” : Featuring special guest Narrate Keys and central Minnesota writers Hedy Tripp, Vatsalaa Jha, and Nicole Borg. There will be tea, sushi, presentations, a mini writing workshop and Qigong/Tai Chi.
When: Saturday, November 5—
1:30 pm — (Qigong/5 elements of Tai Chi)
2-4 pm (Tea Party and Lyrical Writing/Storytelling)
Where: Mississippi Room, Great River Regional Library, St. Cloud.
Who: Event is free and open to the public.

This event offers an opportunity for Minnesota writers and culture bearers to take center stage in a Lit/Art-Fest setting — and for people from the St. Cloud area to connect with some great local authors representing a variety of cultures present in central Minnesota. The program features short readings — with authors of different backgrounds to create a varied, rich experience for our community. There will also be an introduction to types of tea from 4 continents, cultural art, a mini writing workshop, and an opportunity to practice Qigong and 5 elements of Tai Chi.

Local writers and LyricaliTea writing circle facilitators Hedy Tripp, Vatsalaa Jha, and Nicole Borg are the creative directors of this 2+ hour event.

Lyricality and Great River Regional Library hope this tea party will raise awareness of central Minnesota’s diversity and rich cultures. The public is invited to come together in a cafe atmosphere, with food, stories and conversation, to experience a sense of well-being and understanding in our community.

Special guest, Cambodian/Khmer-American poet, songwriter, and playwright Narrate Keys will present a short script reading of her play, Apsara, about a Khmer legendary heroine. As participants in a LyricaliTea circle, Narrate and Hedy will also talk about how our ethnic and cultural life experiences are an important part of expressing and sharing our stories.

By sharing tea, poetry, lyrical writing and storytelling with LyricaliTea Circle Facilitators at Great River Regional Library, attendees will help nurture the growth of a thriving literary arts scene in central Minnesota and feel more connected to their community.

Lyricality is a collective of poets, writers, artists, and singer/songwriters. We began organizing in 2018 and became a 501(c)(3) non profit organization in 2022. Our mission is to to cultivate an adaptive, relational, collaborative way of being, to connect Minnesota poets, writers & artists to Central Minnesota audiences and organizations in ways that foster diversity, equity, and inclusion through the pleasures of poetry, story, music, and art.
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Central MN Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.