Event
6 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
Catch The Fire! The Loft's Inaugural Spring Benefit

Presenters
Shannon Gibney
Shannon Gibney is a writer, educator, activist, and the author of See No Color (Carolrhoda Lab, 2015), and Dream Country (Dutton, 2018) young adult novels that won Minnesota Book Awards in 2016 and 2019. Gibney is faculty in English at Minneapolis College, where she teaches writing; she was recently
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Kao Kalia Yang
Kao Kalia Yang is a Hmong American teacher, speaker, and writer. Her work crosses audiences and genres. She is the award-winning author of the memoirs, The Latehomecomer, The Song Poet, Somewhere in the Unknown World, and Where Rivers Part. Yang co-edited the groundbreaking book, What God is Honored
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Diane Wilson
Diane Wilson is an award-winning writer, speaker, and educator. Her work includes Spirit Car: Journey to a Dakota Past, Beloved Child: A Dakota Way of Life, and The Seed Keeper. Wilson is a Mdewakanton descendent, enrolled on the Rosebud Reservation. Visit her online at www.dianewilsonwords.com
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Ed Bok Lee
Ed Bok Lee is the author of three books of poetry and prose, including Whorled and Mitochondrial Night, as well as numerous short stories, plays, and essays. Honors include an American Book Award, an Asian American Literary Award (Members’ Choice Award), a PEN/Open Book Award, and a Minnesota Book
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Jim Moore
In addition to Enter, Jim Moore is the author of eight books of poetry, including Underground: New and Selected Poems, Invisible Strings, and Prognosis. His poetry has appeared in the Nation, the New Yorker, the New York Review of Books, the Paris Review, and elsewhere. He has been writing poetry
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A photo of a smiling woman in a red sweater
Heid E. Erdrich
Heid E. Erdrich is the author of seven poetry collections, including Little Big Bully, a National Poetry Series winner. Her most recent book is a hybrid of poetry and prose titled Verb Animate: Poems and Prompts from Collaborative Acts, from Trio House Press, 2024. She has received many honors
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Jean Prokett
Jean Prokett
Jean Prokett is the author of the poetry collection The Second Longest Day of the Year, which won the Howling Bird Press Book Prize and was published with Howling Bird Press in November 2021, and of the chapbook The Birthday Effect (Black Sunflowers 2021). She is a recipient of the AWP Intro
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Location
The Loft at Open Book
Price
Regular $150.00
Loft Spring Benefit 2026: Graphic saying "Catch the Fire" with a pencil and lighter. April 17.

Inspired by Sonia Sanchez’s call—“Where is our beautiful fire that gave light to the world?”—we’ll gather to stoke the words and writers that spark new visions, fuel necessary conversations, and light the way forward.

Modeled after a progressive dinner, Catch The Fire! is an immersive literary experience designed to bring the Loft’s mission to life. Enjoy food and drinks while moving through the Loft’s spaces. Fuel your creativity through craft activities and discussions led by renowned Minnesota authors. Spark and rekindle connections with new and returning Loft friends. And be present to christen the Loft’s new tagline, refreshed resource library, and the Lenfestey Writer’s Studio.

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Artists
Shannon Gibney
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Kao Kalia Yang
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Diane Wilson
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Ed Bok Lee
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Jim Moore
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A photo of a smiling woman in a red sweater
Heid E. Erdrich
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Jean Prokett
Jean Prokett
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