Shaker Arts Council Presents An Evening of Poetry with Donald King

On Thursday, July 30, 2026 the Shaker Arts Council presents An Evening of Poetry with Donald King.  This powerful poetry reading featuring Donald King, author of I Never Rhymed for My Father, also includes performances by poets Vision and Linnette E. Lawson.  Monica Boone is the artistic director and Wulfgar Darkenwald, Jr. is the accompanying bassist.  King’s work reflects on identity, history, faith, and the enduring spirit of the American experience.  The event will be hosted at Loganberry Books, 13015 Larchmere Blvd., Shaker Heights, OH 44120.  The event begins at 6:30pm with refreshments followed by a 7:00pm performance.  Admission is free, but advance reservations are recommended due to limited seating. A suggested donation of $10 supports the featured poets and SHAC’s community arts programming.  For advance ticket reservations and more information visit www.shakerartscouncil.org.

Donald King is a poet and storyteller whose work is shaped by a life of resilience and reflection. Raised in foster care after his father abandoned the family, King spent much of his youth navigating hardship and uncertainty. His life changed when his wife, Ellie, encouraged him to write and share poetry. That encouragement sparked a lifelong passion for language and expression. Now in his eighties, King continues to share poems drawn from his lived experiences—stories of struggle, perseverance, and humanity that resonate deeply with audiences.

Shaker Arts Council’s Heart of the Arts series is supported in part by the residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.