Burning Voices: Stories that Fuel Us

Luis J. Rodriguez

Luis J. Rodriguez is Poet Laureate of Los Angeles with 15 books in poetry, children’s literature, fiction, and nonfiction. His memoir, Always Running, La Vida Loca, Gang Days in L.A., has sold around half-a-million copies; it’s one of the most checked out books—and one of the most stolen—in L.A.-area libraries. He is founding editor of Tia Chucha Press and cofounder of Tia Chucha’s Cultural Center & Bookstore in the San Fernando Valley. His latest book is It Calls You Back: An Odyssey Through Love, Addiction, Revolutions, and Healing, a finalist for a 2012 National Book Critics Circle Award.

Michael Meade

Michael Meade is a renowned storyteller, author, and scholar of mythology, anthropology, and psychology. He combines hypnotic storytelling, street-savvy perceptiveness, and spellbinding interpretations of ancient myths with a deep knowledge of cross-cultural rituals. He is the author of many books including Fate and Destiny: The Two Agreements of The Soul; Why the World Doesn’t End; and The Water of Life: Initiation and the Tempering of the Soul. Meade is founder of Mosaic Multicultural Foundation, a Seattle-based nonprofit dedicated to education and cultural healing.

John Densmore

An original and founding member of the musical group The Doors, John Densmore co-wrote and produced numerous gold and platinum albums and toured the United States, Europe, and Japan. His autobiography, Riders on the Storm, was on the New York Times bestseller list. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993. His second book, The Doors Unhinged: Jim Morrison’s Legacy Goes on Trial, is an underground bestseller. He co-produced the documentary, “Road to Return,” narrated by Tim Robbins, which won several prestigious national awards and was screened for Congress, resulting in the writing of a bill. He also Executive Produced “Juvies,” narrated by Mark Wahlberg, which aired on HBO.

Reservation Policy for Free Programs:
As most ALOUD at Central Library programs are free of charge, it is our policy to overbook. In the case of a FULL program your free reservation may not guarantee admission. We recommend arriving early. Space permitting, unclaimed reservations will be released to standby patrons at approximately 7 PM.

Standby Policy:
Standby numbers are distributed in person only one hour before the program, on a first-come, first-served, basis. There is no advance wait list for full programs. Standby patrons will be admitted subject to availability. Most programs will be available via podcast.

Book Signing Policy:
ALOUD is one of many free programs at the Los Angeles Public Library made possible by the Library Foundation of Los Angeles. Most ALOUD author programs are followed by book signings. At least one copy of the author’s book must be purchased from The Library Store in order to participate in any post-program book signing, and you will be asked to show proof of purchase. Please be prepared to show your proof of purchase when you enter the book signing line. Proceeds support the Los Angeles Public Library.

Main image: Bonfire in Black Rock Desert, NV  Credit: © Erik Charlton