Unban the Book with Andrea “Vocab” Sanderson

Tuesday, October 24th, 6:30-8pm
HYBRID: in-person at Gemini Ink or online via Zoom
Free and open to the public

Register to Join us for Unban the Book

Join Andrea “Vocab” Sanderson, San Antonio Poet Laureate Emeritus, as we recognize Banned Books Week (October 1 – 7, 2023) by gathering and writing open letters to local and state lawmakers about the political attack on books and its impact on our community. 

We will come together in shared support of the freedom to seek and express ideas without fear of book bans. When lawmakers ban books, such as Art Spiegelman’s Maus, which tells a Holocaust survivor story, or Toni Morrison’s Beloved, which is about a former slave who survived abuse, we lose access to pivotal stories that speak to our history, bring to life the realities of marginalized communities, and challenge us to think critically. 

Participants will be provided stationary, stamped envelopes, and writing guidance. We will then seal our letters and send them off. Light refreshments will be served. In-person seating is limited, please register here: 

Register to Join us for Unban the Book

Andrea Sanderson, San Antonio, TX. Poet Laureate 2020-2023, performs as “Vocab” in her hometown of San Antonio, Texas. “Watching her perform, the word “hero” comes to mind. And not “hero” for the sake of just skill, but for her work in her community: Sanderson teaches poetry workshops, mentors, builds up and encourages artists to pursue their art, and gives them platforms to showcase their talent.

Sanderson’s interest in other people’s art and artistic development became a passion of hers, and she started curating her own shows and creating platforms for other artists to hone their craft by hosting open mics.” (From The San Antonio Current, Jan. 16, 2018.)

Her poetry is published in, The Texas Observer, January 2016 Issue, Pariah Anthology SFA Press, March 2016, and Sycorax’s Daughters, Cedar Grove Publishing, January 2017, Soundbite Vol. 3, Anti-Languorous Project, Spring 2019. Her debut book entitled: She Lives In Music, published on Flower Song Press, was released on Valentine’s Day 2020. Her album She Tastes Like Music, is available on all music streaming platforms.

She received awards, Performer of the Year, Influencer of the Year, from Project Forward, and Dream Voice, from the Dream Week Commission. Sanderson is the winner of the 2019 People’s Choice Award, awarded by Luminaria Artist Foundation (formerly known as: Artist Foundation of San Antonio).In May of 2020 she was awarded Best Live Entertainment/Band Musician of the Year by the SEA Awards.