Palabras Literary Salon in Chinatown

Poetry rarely gets a room built around community first and performance second. Palabras Literary Salon does exactly that. Once a month, host and curator Jen Cheng brings BIPOC poets and writers together for an afternoon of reading, conversation and intercultural connection. The November edition is a good entry on any list of things happening in Los Angeles for people who like words read aloud.

This month's theme is "misdemeanors." The featured writer is Lynne Thompson, author of the poetry collection Blue on a Blue Palette. The event flyer shows her portrait beside the book, and the salon is organized around her work and the theme she has been invited to speak to.

When: Saturday, Nov 21, 2026, 1:00 to 2:30 PM Where: Studious Coworking Space, 418 Bamboo Lane, Los Angeles, CA 90012 Cost: RSVP with a suggested donation of $10-15 Hosted by: Jen Cheng

What to expect

The listing describes Palabras as a salon that celebrates BIPOC poets and writers for intercultural community building. That tells you the mood: small, conversational and welcoming rather than a hushed auditorium. A light reception is part of the afternoon, so there is time to talk with the featured author and the other writers in the room after the readings.

The flyer also says drop-ins are welcome, though the organizer asks guests to RSVP through the link on the event page. If you are curious but have never been to a literary salon, this is a low-pressure way to try one. You do not need to be published, and you do not need to bring anything to read.

The suggested donation of $10 to $15 keeps the series going. Treat it as a guide and not a gate, and check the listing for the current RSVP details before you go.

Getting there

The salon takes place in Chinatown, on Bamboo Lane, in a coworking space that doubles as a community room for events like this one. The listing gives the address and the Saturday afternoon hours, but it does not mention parking, so plan your trip with a little room to spare and check the event page for any updates from the host.

An early-afternoon start leaves the rest of the day open. Chinatown has plenty of places to eat and wander nearby, which makes the salon an easy anchor for a longer day out. If you are building a list of upcoming events Los Angeles has to offer this month, browse more in the arts and culture section.

Why it is worth a Saturday

Literary events in the city often cluster around big bookstores and festivals. A recurring salon with a rotating featured writer fills a different niche: a regular place for writers of color to be heard and to meet each other. If poetry, books or community gatherings are your thing, mark Nov 21 and RSVP early. Find more neighborhood picks on the Los Angeles neighborhood page.