TLA Network Virtual Salon

TLA Network Virtual Salon

Sunday, June 8, 2025

Join Us!

5:00–6:30 pm ET (UTC-5)

4:00–5:30 pm CT // 3:00–4:30 pm MT // 2:00–3:30 pm PT // 10:00-11:30 pm UTC

Click here to find your timezone.

Our Virtual Salons feature TLAN members who all use the written, spoken, or sung word for personal and community transformation. TLAN members have incredibly generous spirits, and we are excited to provide a venue to feature their artistic work.

The Transformative Language Arts Network (TLAN) virtual salons feature presenters who are active members of TLAN. Each presenter will have 5-7 minutes to present their written, spoken, or sung work followed by a brief period of audience response. 

Registration is FREE and open to anyone, not just members of TLAN and will take place online via Zoom. 

After the reading, there will be an artist talkback and time for questions and engagement from the audience. 

You must register if you would like to attend: a Zoom link will be sent to all registrants the day before the event. We look forward to seeing you there!

The salons are free to attend and donations to TLAN are very welcome to allow us to continue to sponsor events like this.

Our June Presenters!

Tasjha Dixon: Tasjha recently received her MFA in Creative Writing from Buddhist-inspired Naropa University in Boulder, CO.  She is a spoken word artist, whom has performed locally in Kansas City.  She describes her life’s mission being, to illuminate pain and force us to look directly into its tear-filled eyes.  Tasjha received her B.A. in 2006 in Sociology and Women and Gender studies, and has spent her life, thus far, using the world and her communities as the lab where she has been experimenting and testing hypothesis’ about society-at-large and the systems that claim to protect the most vulnerable.  Tasjha is also an experienced yoga practitioner and educator.  She is the founder of Empowering KC.  A dream come true from over 25 years ago. "I always said “one day”, and right now is that day!" Keep up with Tasjha’s work at  https://empoweringkcwithtasjha.com/ and on FB and IG at @tasjhadixon. 

Julie Martin: A poet and public school teacher, Julie Martin lives near the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers. Her work has recently appeared in the following journals: The Talking Stick, Pasque Petals, Plants and Poetry, Agates, and The Coop: A Poetry Cooperative. She is the host of Birds Nest Poetry, a monthly open mic that showcases the work of local poets in the Twin Cities and beyond. Read more of her work at JulieMartinpoet.com and follow her on Instagram at @jumar002.

Erin McGrane: ERIN MCGRANE is an actress, musician, author, and professional development mentor. Notably, Erin appears in the Oscar-nominated film, UP IN THE AIR alongside George Clooney. She is known for her unforgettable cabaret stage performances and toured extensively for a decade with her early-jazz musical group, Victor & Penny. Currently, Erin is authoring a spoken-word poetry project set to original music exploring anxiety, isolation, hope, and growing up in rural Iowa. Erin was honored in KC Magazine’s “The 100: People who make Life Better in KC" and is proud to say she misspent her youth singing in a rock band. Keep up with Erin at https://www.erinjmcgrane.com/ and @erinjmcgrane on Instagram. 

Stephen Megargee: Born and living. :) Check out Stephen’s work at https://stephenmegargeeart.squarespace.com/ and keep up with him on Instagram at @stephenmegargee.

Oyah! I have known pain intimately and though scarred I remain committed to words and love. Keep up with Oyah on Instagram at @truwrytyrwomyn.

John Swainston: John Swainston started writing poetry to cope with feelings of isolation during COVID.  He learned the craft by taking classes through Turning Point, an organization for people living with serious illness. John found poetry to be a mainstay in his healing, growth, and community. He is a Member of the Mystic Poets Society and the Kansas City Writers Group. He conducts presentations on becoming a poet and the healing power of poetry for schools, senior centers, veteran groups, and community organizations. Several of his poems have been published in Veterans’ Voices (Editor’s Choice Award), eMerge, and the Journal of Expression Writing. Keep up with John at https://johnswainstonpoet.com/.

Centa Therese: Centa Therese, MA is a poet, photo-printmaker, interdisciplinary arts educator and creative recovery specialist. Her collection themythofme will be out this summer by Kelsay Books. Keep up with Centa at Centatherese.com and @CentaTU on Facebook.