Meet the Masters

“Follow your inner moonlight; don’t hide the madness.” – Allen Ginsberg

Join a dynamic and diverse group of writers as we survey the poetry of Beat poets like Allen Ginsberg, Gregory Corso, Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Diane Di Prima. We will also take a peek at their inspirations William Blake, Walt Whitman, Arthur Rimbaud and others.

What We'll Do:

Each week, we will read a poem or two from a Beat poet before delving into creative writing exercises readers and writers at all levels can enjoy. Through their work, we will discover our own authentic voices, passions and inspirations. And, as they did, we will see how modern voices are reacting against institutionalized American values, materialism, and conformity.

Week 1: HOWL, homosexuality and the trial that put the Beats on the map

Week 2: The Legacy of Lawrence Ferlinghetti

Week 3: Women of the Beat Generation

Week 4: Writers of Color and the Beats

Week 5: Influences on the Beats: Blake, Whitman and Rimbaud

Week 6: Kerouac, Corso and Kaufman

What You’ll Get:

* Brief overview of the history of Beat poetry

* Sample poems by various Beat poets

* Writing exercises based on Beat poetry

* A chance to share what you discovered in a safe environment

What You’ll Need:

* email address

* Zoom account

* Laptop, computer or phone with Zoom installed

* Pen and Paper (optional)

* Microsoft Word (optional)

How to Join:

This 6-week class is offered by donation. As a community education arts organization, we believe in breaking down the barriers to knowledge acquisition and production, including art-making and arts education. Therefore, every season, we will have at least one class offered 100% by donation.

Suggested donation: $20 per class, or $120 for the series

No one turned away for lack of funds. Please choose an Eventbrite ticket that honors your financial situation. We want you to attend! This class is 100% based on the honor system, so please pay whatever you think is appropriate. For example, you can donate multiple times for individual classes as your schedule allows, or you can donate once for multiple weeks at a time. Either way, once you register on Eventbrite, you will receive email communication with the Zoom links to join. Please make sure your inbox settings allow you to receive emails from Eventbrite.

If you are able and willing to support at a higher level, we have a Tip Jar option for you to send some loving energy money our way at any time! If you are only able to attend at the free level, we welcome you with open arms. We understand everyone's situation is different, so come on in.

Some helpful information:

• This is a 6-week class. You may attend all 6 weeks or attend individual sessions as you like. Drop-ins welcome! If you are finding this event after the course has started, you are still welcome to join any time.

• You only need to register on Eventbrite once to receive the Zoom links for each session. However, you may come back and donate again at any time :)

• Even if you cannot attend all 6 sessions, you will receive email communication for all 6. This is because it's easier for us to streamline our admin to everyone in the group. Thanks for understanding :)

• If you have any questions, please email surprisetheline@gmail.com.

• If you would like to donate via Venmo or PayPal instead of Eventbrite, please email surprisetheline@gmail.com

About the Teacher:

Born in Beirut, Lebanon, Arminé Iknadossian’s family fled to California when she was four years old to escape the civil war. After graduating from UCLA, Iknadossian earned an MFA in Creative Writing at Antioch University. The author of All That Wasted Fruit (Main Street Rag), Iknadossian’s work is included in Whale Road Review, Southern Florida Poetry Journal, KYSO Flash/MacQueen’s Quarterly and The American Journal of Poetry. She has received fellowships from Idyllwild Arts, The Los Angeles Writing Project and Otis College of Art and Design. She lives in Long Beach, California where she offers writing workshops and private manuscript consultations. Discover more at www.armineiknadossian.com

Surprise the Line Diversity Statement:

We stand in solidarity with Black Lives Matter. We believe in empowering more writing on the page and encouraging more diverse voices in the world. We operate with an anti-racist, anti-ableist, anti-sexist, anti-classist, anti-xenophobic, nondenominational, pro-LGBTQIA, pro-environment and global worldview. We bring the values of integrity, generosity, compassion, critical thinking, and equity into every workshop.

Surprise the Line offers a variety of community writing workshops. For a full calendar of events, visit our website. To be notified of new events via email, click here.

About the Teacher:

Born in Beirut, Lebanon, Arminé Iknadossian’s family fled to California when she was four years old to escape the civil war.  After graduating from UCLA, Iknadossian earned an MFA in Creative Writing at Antioch University. The author of All That Wasted Fruit (Main Street Rag), Iknadossian’s work is included in Whale Road Review, Southern Florida Poetry Journal, KYSO Flash/MacQueen’s Quarterly and The American Journal of Poetry. She has received fellowships from Idyllwild Arts, The Los Angeles Writing Project and Otis College of Art and Design. She lives in Long Beach, California where she offers writing workshops and private manuscript consultations. Discover more at www.armineiknadossian.com.