Join us Sunday, October 18th, at 2:00pm at Arts and Literature Laboratory for a Posthumous Book Launch and Poetry Performance Celebrating Rene Livingston-DeTienne’s Final Collection, Bird, Bone, Blood.
More than a traditional book launch, the gathering will be a performance-centered celebration of R.B. Simon’s poetry, bringing her words off the page through performances of her work while honoring her life, voice and literary legacy, produced by Loud ‘N UnChained Theater Co’s T. S. Banks. For those unable to attend in person, a live stream will be available. Registration info coming soon.
R.B. described Bird, Bone, Blood as “part memoir, part manifesto”—an examination of “the multiple identities one must reconcile every day to survive what feels unendurable.” The collection moves from “a past of terror and fear to one of authentic identity in a society that prefers masks,” bearing witness to the realities of growing up mixed-race, queer, fat, disabled and female while centering the strength, resilience and self-redemption required to grow and transform.
She was also the author of The Good Truth and Not Just the Fire and received numerous awards for her work appearing in many literary publications. A limited number of books will be available for purchase at the event and are also available online through the publisher Milk & Cake Press (all proceeds go to the family).
Donations are being requested to help offset costs associated with the event including rental space (provided at a discounted rate), artist and producer fees, and food.
A Celebration of Rene Livingston-DeTienne’s Bird, Bone, Blood
Rene Livingston-DeTienne (October 20, 1971 – January 8, 2025) was a Madison-based poet, artist, and prominent community activist who advocated for harm reduction, substance use recovery, and marginalized communities. Also known by her pen name R.B. Simon, she worked as a Certified Peer Specialist Trainer and substance use counselor and served as a member of a Dane County Board Health and Human Needs subcommittee. Her advocacy and writing deeply centered on the Black, Indigenous, LGBTQ+, disabled, and chronically ill communities.
PLAN YOUR VISIT
Arts + Literature Laboratory is located at 111 S. Livingston Street #100, Madison, Wisconsin, 53703.
Our galleries are normally open Tuesday through Friday 10am-5pm and Saturday noon to 5pm, and other programs take place throughout the week. Please check the events calendar and education section for details.