Kika Dorsey, an award-winning poet from Boulder Colorado with Brownsville roots, will read from Occupied, her latest collection of poems, Friday, October 22, from 4-6 pm at the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center, Photo and book cover provided by the center.
BROWNSVILLE — Kika Dorsey is an award-winning poet and fiction writer from Boulder, Colorado. Her family history has deep roots in Brownsville where her great-grandfather, John Bomer, served as Brownsville’s mayor for several terms in the early 1900s. Dorsey will read excerpts from her latest book, Occupied, during a reception and book signing Friday, October 22, 4-6 pm, at the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville TN.
Dorsey’s poetry has appeared in numerous publications and most recently she was awarded the Colorado Authors’ League Award for best poetry collection. Her work includes a chapbook Beside Herself and two previous full-length collections, Rust and Coming Up for Air.
Occupied: Vienna is a Broken Man and Daughter of Hope, her latest book, was released in 2020 during the height of the pandemic. It is a collection of poems that explore postwar Austria and Germany and the legacy she has inherited from her Austrian mother. Set both in Europe and the United States, the series of poems create portraits of fictional character from the past, as well as her current family including memories of her mother and father. Ultimately, it’s a story of ancestry and the weight of history that we inherit.
The event is free to attend. Books will be available for sale and Dorsey will share select readings from Occupied beginning at 4:30 pm, followed by a Q & A and book signing. For more information, contact the Heritage Center at 731-779-9000 or visit westtnheritage.com.
About the Center: The West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center, in Brownsville, offers a refreshing Southern experience showcasing the history and culture of rural West Tennessee. Inside visitors can learn about the history of cotton, explore the scenic and “wild” Hatchie River and get to know the legendary musicians who call West Tennessee home. Also located on the grounds is the Tina Turner Museum at Flagg Grove School, the childhood school of Tina Turner, and the last home of Blues pioneer Sleepy John Estes. An official Tennessee Music Pathways location, the Delta Heritage Center is also a featured stop along the Americana Music Triangle connecting Nashville, Memphis and New Orleans. To learn more about the Center, visit www.westtnheritage.com or call 731-779-9000.