On October 15, 2026, Saint Joseph’s Arts Society will become the setting for a special milestone as Poolside Poets celebrates three years of poetry, performance, and community with Litquake.

Hosted by Rhea Joseph and Liz Cahill, and presented by Decentered Arts and Litquake, the anniversary evening will bring poetry, live music, dance, and fashion together beneath the soaring halls of the historic venue.

The night will invite guests to embrace a “Disco” dress code, transforming the space with shimmering looks, bold silhouettes, vintage finds, and upcycled pieces that capture the spirit of the dance floor.

The musical atmosphere will be shaped by Sakai and Hidden Thread Music, while poets Bridget Clancy, Shane King Zackery, Jair Griffin, Denise Maisel, Spinelli aka Emily Miller, James Morehead, Maya Cowan, and Papi Grande will bring their words to the stage.

Francis Senses will add movement to the evening through dance, creating another layer of expression within the celebration.

As doors open, guests will gather over themed cocktails and mocktails before the performances begin. From there, poetry, music, movement, and fashion will weave together into a night honoring both the history of Poolside Poets and the creative community that has grown around it.

Three years in, Poolside Poets will return to where it has always belonged: a shared space where artists, audiences, and imagination can come together and celebrate the power of live art.



Poolside Poets Anniversary x Litquake

Poolside Poets celebrates three years with Litquake, bringing poetry, disco fashion, live music, dance, and community to Saint Joseph’s Arts Society.


Decentered Writers Group Anthology #1 Launch – Feb 13
On February 13, Decentered Arts celebrated the launch of its first book, _Writers Group Anthology Vol. 1_, with an intimate gathering at Page Street, generously hosted by Janis Newman. The evening featured reflections on the bookmaking process, an editors' talk, and powerful performances by several featured writers.
The night also marked the release of _Voices of Western Wind_, a spoken word album born from Decentered’s weekly writers group. Attendees mingled, shared inspiration, and picked up copies of the anthology, adorned with cover art by Cole Skaggs (@SuperxFancy). The event highlighted Decentered Arts’ mission to build community through multi-disciplinary creative expression.


Decentered Writers Group Anthology #1 Launch

Writers took the mic and the page—celebrating grief, joy, and weirdness in a book born from weekly creative ritual.

Join Decentered Arts for "Between Hills: A Walk through San Francisco," a poetry reading celebrating the city's vibrant culture. From the eclectic Haight-Ashbury to the artistic Mission District, immerse yourself in verses that evoke San Francisco's iconic hills, hidden gems, and the unique spirit that defines this city. Phase 2 of LitCrawl at The Chapel.

Decentered Arts presents poetry by Elise Liu, Liz Cahill, Loke Tamba, Maya Cowan, Rhea Joseph, Theory, and music by Hidden Thread Music.


LitCrawl - A Walk Through San Francisco

An evening of poetry, live music and dance at the historic Phoenix Hotel.

Our monthly residency at Phoenix. Donation based.

On an evening the Phoenix Hotel hosted Poolside Poets.

Guests came dressed in their best "Sun or Moon"

Think: sun—gilded golds, sunburst sequins, warm ombré silks, bronzed skin and molten jewelry, sundress with metallic boots, halter tops and gladiator sandals, oversized sun hat with halo earrings, citrus-bright blazers, sunprint scarves and layered bangles; moon—silver lamé, pearl crowns, moonlit satin slips, translucent organza, pale eye shimmer, flowing capes and faux-fur wraps, celestial face gems, silk robes with silver boots. Hybrid looks blended gold and argent—halo headpieces, starry tights with solar wraps—mix & match: silk, lamé, sequins, organza, velvet, metallics, chiffon, knit, whatever channeled sun or moon.

Featured Poets: Xxhe, Rhea Joseph, Liz Cahill, Jake Rabeck, Joshua Martilla, Maya Cowan, Stacy G, Charlie Getter, Kiril Bolotnikov, Diego Plascencia-Vega, Shai Yashanov

Featured Musician: Xxhe <https://open.spotify.com/artist/6AHoGnrfu11KqAXhw0upKA?si=zf27ZI9sRXyRYjlBPmfFKg>

Dancers: Gabby Wei & Eline Castro 


Poolside Poets March 2024

Celestial glam and cosmic vibes! Poets, dancers, and dreamers lit up the Phoenix—guests dressed as radiant suns or moody moons. 🌕✨

On an evening in late December the Phoenix Hotel hosted Poolside Poets.

Guests came dressed in their best "Velvet Night"

Think: velvet robes and fuzzy slippers, onesies with sequins, snuggies with combat boots, bathrobes with heels, blanket capes over silk pajamas, fuzzy socks and stilettos, velvet blazers with thermal leggings, cashmere turtlenecks and glitter pants, faux-fur coats over pajamas, silk robes with beanies, oversized cardigans paired with metallic boots, knit sweaters over lace slips, robe + corset mashups, pajama tops with leather pants, shawls and chunky scarves — mix & match: velvet, faux fur, silk, knit, fleece, leather, denim, sequins, whatever kept you cozy and sparkly on the longest night.

Featured Poets: Loke Tamba, Theory, Rhea Joseph, Maya Cowan, Lorrie Chang, Charlie Getter, Hay, Halim Madi, Jacquelynn Kohain-King, Jessica McCallum, Elise Liu, Lilly Shi

Featured Musician: Loke Tamba <https://tinyurl.com/Loke-Tamba>


Poolside Poets December 2023

Cozy poets wrapped in velvet and onesies shared fire-lit verse—guests WORE their softest layers on winter’s longest night.

On an evening in early October the Phoenix Hotel hosted Poolside Poets.

Guests came dressed in their best "Meet Me at Sunset"

Think: sunset silks and sand-streaked denim, gauzy linens and terracotta, slip dress with sandals, straw hat and sunglasses, bronzed skin and bronzy highlighter, flowy kaftan and bare feet, linen blazer over a silk slip, crochet cover-up and heels, sundown sequins, warm ombre prints, driftwood neutrals, thrifted glam, sundress with combat boots, layered scarves and loose shirts, sun-kissed lipstick, last-light layers — mix & match: linen, silk, cotton, mesh, chiffon, leather, denim, whatever caught the golden hour glow

Featured Poets: Liz Cahill, Rhea Joseph, Spinelli, Theory, Giovanna Lomanto, Lorrie Chang, Denise Masiel, Charlie Getter, Jess McCallum, Maya Cowan, Sara Saavedra, Paul Reginato

Featured Musician: Alex in Waves <https://open.spotify.com/artist/71dmPddi53mtjP9lgacYjQ>

Dancers: Eline Castro, Gabby Wei & Heather Maitland


Poolside Poets October 2023

Guests glowed in golden-hour glam as poets, dancers, and musicians lit up the Phoenix Hotel for a dreamy poolside night.

Decentered Poets: Making Space
📅 Saturday, March 11 | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM PT
📍 Uzay Gallery – a five-women arts collective in the Mission

Hosted by: Liz Cahill & Rhea Joseph

Guests gathered for a cozy, curated evening of poetry and music at Uzay Gallery. The night featured plant-based food and drinks, intimate performances, and room to mingle among shimmering looks and soft lighting.

The evening unfolded as follows:
Doors opened at 7:00 PM
Mingling from 7:00–7:45
Showtime from 7:45–8:45 (with no entry during performances)
Final mingling from 8:45–10:00ish

Attendees embraced the "sheer decadence" dress code, donning elegant pajamas, slips, organza, faerie wings, and other ethereal attire.

Performers included:
Ayla Ginger, Blake Sugarman, Charlie Getter, Dan Gorlick (on cello) & Vimbayi, Denise Masiel, Spinelli, Eyra Dordi, Giovanna Lomanto, Göksu, Liz Cahill, Lorrie Chang, Maya Cowan, Rachel Godin, Rhea Joseph, Romz (on synth), Stacy G, Theory, and Alekzeta (dance).

Though a private gathering, friends who appreciated the vibe were welcomed into the fold.


Decentered Poets: Making Space

Shimmering souls in decadent dress shared poetry, music, and plant-based delights in a dreamy, ethereal night at Uzay Gallery.

Liz Cahill and Rhea Joseph teamed up to present **"La Femme Boheme: Poets,"** featuring poets from **16th & Mission** and **Decentered**.
Guests enjoyed an evening of performances from some of their favorite female and non-binary poets on **12/10 at 6pm** ✨
Poetry was followed by live painting and music, courtesy of the gallery. The event took place at a new gallery in the Mission District.


Femme Boheme

Poets cast spells at La Femme Boheme as guests sipped wine, basked in verse, and witnessed live art come alive.

Decentered poets teamed up with painter Joelle Provost for a poetry reading at Hiersoux Gallery in North Berkeley. 


I'm So Happy I'm Still Alive

Decentered poets teamed up with painter Joelle Provost for a poetry reading at Hiersoux Gallery in North Berkeley. 

Maya Cowan

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