We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Karla Lamb a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Karla , thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?
Optimism for me comes from the intersectional and unique voices that grace the grassroots poetry events that I host. Every poem shared is a testament to the strength and beauty of L.A.’s queer community. By creating a platform for these voices, I’m constantly reminded of the positivity and resilience that define queerness.
Poetry has a long complicated history of bringing people together, fostering a sense of belonging and shared experience. I love being the vehicle and the catalyst, making poetry events less intimidating. The collective energy and mutual support is palpable at my events, cultivating a hopeful outlook for our community’s future. Watching poets gain confidence, refine their craft, and find their voice is a powerful reminder of the positive impact my events can have. I believe it’s a reflection of the broader progress we’re making as a community. Some of the same people come every month to share new material, exuding excitement, giddiness, and anticipation, which has a positive rippling effect even after the event is over.
My optimism also stems from the incredible support and love within my chosen family and the queer community itself. As a queer performer, being surrounded by people who are passionate, creative, and supportive makes it easy to stay positive. Seeing the impact we can make together keeps me motivated.
At Verse4Verse, the open mic I host—I invite “baby poets” to the stage. A lot of other open mics in the city are commandeered by seasoned poets that can be intimidating to a poet with less experience. Bringing new voices into the spotlight and encouraging emerging poets is a significant source of optimism for me. Every new perspective adds to the richness of our community and represents the future possibilities and growth within our queer spaces. I want to be the role model that I didn’t have when I was coming up as a baby poet.
Seeing people leave my events feeling inspired and connected is a reminder of why I remain optimistic about the role of art and community in fostering change, especially during such an urgent and devastating time in our world history.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m a queer poet, host, line producer, copy writer, and community leader deeply passionate about fostering creativity and connection within L.A.’s queer and literary circles. I focus on curating grassroots queer poetry events that amplify diverse voices and experiences. My monthly event is called Verse4Verse. V4V is more than just a sapphic poetry open mic; it’s a space where individuals can share their stories, find solace, and foster a sense of belonging.
There’s something profoundly special about witnessing baby and seasoned poets express their truths and connect with an audience in such a raw and authentic way. It’s not just about showcasing talent; it’s about building a supportive community where everyone feels valued, heard, and understood. V4V is casual, sexy, fun, but also serious, tender and captivating. The caliber of the poems participants bring in is truly stunning, the raw talent is unwavering, and unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before at any other open mics. The poems at V4V are not a monolith or performed in “slam poet voice.” These poems have texture, grit, and reverberate with the rawness of real lived experiences. The content of the poems can be about anything from explore new kinks, scheduling threesomes, mourning ancestral trauma, odes to pets, first kiss misadventures, to political poems about ceasefire, and gender-affirming surgeries. Though, I always say that any poem written by a queer person is inherently political. It’s truly such a gift that at V4V we are uninhibited, safe, and encouraged to speak our truths. That’s why each installment of Verse4Verse is a celebration of resilience, creativity, and shared humanity. The connections made and the joy experienced by both performers and attendees remind me why this work is so meaningful.
The next installment of Verse4Verse will be held at our new venue Heavy Manners Library on October 9th, featuring writer/director Daviel Shy, columnist/poet Lorde Destroyer, and 20 open mic slots! We’re calling this installment “Perverse4Verse” because October is national kink month, which will be the spicy theme for the evening. Since our new venue is also a library, bookstore, gallery, and a very intentional creative space—we’ll be featuring a queer history education station, curated by queer professor/researcher Mr. Julian “Liz” Sanches, M.A. More info can be found at @vinylowl and at @heavymannerslibrary on Instagram. I’m extremely excited for this new iteration of V4V, after a much needed revamp. All are welcome to come, sign up to read, listen, hang out, and relish in the amazing energy of queer folks that are making a palpable difference in our community with their words and work.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Understanding and relating to the diverse experiences of others has been crucial in creating an inclusive and supportive literary open mic environment. This quality helps in connecting with individuals on a deeper level and ensuring that everyone feels heard and valued. I would advise up-and-coming promoters and event hosts to develop empathy and emotional intelligence, practice active listening and engage in meaningful conversations with people from different backgrounds and experiences.
Producing an event is often underpaid, misunderstood, taken for granted, and even under-appreciated. I do it for the love of the game, and because it’s genuinely fulfilling to me, but it’s definitely taxing emotionally and physically. It is vulnerable work, and as much as we try—and have the intention to—accommodate everyone’s accessibility needs, a venue or a singular event is not always going to meet everyone’s specific needs. So I would also recommend having a post-event self care ritual to decompress, realign, and reassess your capacity to give. It takes me about a week to bounce back post-event, and by then it’s time to start booking and planning for the next month’s installment. There is no guidebook for event promoters; we learn by calling in, keeping each other accountable, by going to each others events, listening to constructive feedback from our attendees, and the lessons we learn at each of our own events. I often ask myself what I can do differently next time to make the event better. We wear many hats, and our reputations, names, livelihood, blood, sweat, and tears are attached to our brands.
I’d say having a clear vision for what you want to achieve in the short and long term, coupled with the ability to adapt and innovate, has been key for me. I knew I wanted to provide a safe platform for the queer community for creative free expression, and after a year of hosting Verse4Verse, I’ve learned how to become a fully transparent communicator with venue managers, and with the featured performers I book. From call times, to parking details, no stone goes unturned. There’s literally no rest for the wicked. Effective organization and communication are vital for managing any program smoothly. Being able to coordinate logistics, communicate clearly with collaborators, and articulate your vision ensures that your initiatives are successful and impactful. In the arts, and particularly in queer grassroots-focused work, being flexible and open to new ideas helps in responding to the community’s evolving needs regarding safety, comfort, diversity, inclusion, sliding-scale pricing, accessibility, covid safety and even offering non-alcoholic options for those in the sober community. A producer literally never stops producing, and is always five steps ahead of the game.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
My Partner: Their unwavering support and encouragement have been a cornerstone of my growth. Their insight and understanding have helped me navigate challenges with confidence. Chosen Family: The sense of community and shared experiences with my chosen family have been incredibly valuable. They offer diverse perspectives and emotional support that have enriched my personal and professional development as both a poet and an event organizer.
Fellow Queer Performers: Collaborating with other queer performers has been crucial in honing my craft. Their feedback, creativity, and camaraderie have pushed me to refine my skills and broaden my understanding of the artistic landscape. These connections have not only provided practical guidance but also inspired me to continue evolving and striving for not only ‘success’ in the traditional way, but to be a better person, partner, and friend.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://karlalamb.com
- Instagram: @vinylowl
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@QueerJoyTheSeries
Image Credits
@boldvisionphotography
@zahryaa
@annamichhh
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
