stewarding tradition
A WEISER BOOKS
LITERARY SALON
About thIS EVENT:
​Hosted by Ylva Mara Radziszewski, Bimbo Yaga, this Weiser Books literary salon will feature conversations and performances from both Roma & gadje (non-Roma,) centering discussions from Weiser authors and cultural stewards Lilith Dorsey, Paulina Stevens, and Jezmina Von Thiele. Come enjoy readings by Jezmina & Paulina from their debut book Secrets of Romani Fortune Telling and by Lilith from her book Orishas, Goddesses, and Voodoo Queens. Guests will be invited to submit questions for further discussion following an author panel facilitated by Bimbo Yaga. Join us as we discuss the challenges and blessings of stewarding diasporic traditions in the context of post-traditional spiritualism; amidst a new age spiritualist revivalism. These conversations will be accompanied by live music from Flower Darling & Milly Raccoon along with a screening of the short film “Tower Falls” by The Living Altar.
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NOTE: This is a donation based event (suggested $20-$50, NOTALF). Doors for this event are at 6:30pm, we will start the program at 7pm sharp. There will be an author meet and greet from 9pm-9:30pm. Your RSVP allows us to prepare accordingly, seating is general admission.
ABOUT YOUR HOSTS
Lilith Dorsey M.A.
Lilith Dorsey M.A. (she/her) hails from many magickal traditions. Their traditional education focused on Plant Science, Anthropology, and Film at the URI, NYU, and University of London, and their magickal training includes initiations in Lucumi, Haitian Vodoun, and New Orleans Voodoo. Lilith Dorsey is also a Voodoo Priestess and has been doing magick since 1991 for patrons, filmmaker of the documentary Bodies of Water:Voodoo Identity and Tranceformation,’ and choreographer/performer for Dr. John’s “Night Tripper” Voodoo Show. They are proud to be a published Black author of Voodoo and Afro-Caribbean Paganism, Orishas, Goddesses and Voodoo Queens,Water Magic and the newly released Tarot Every Witch Way.
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Website: https://lilithdorsey.com
Jezmina Von Thiele
Jezmina Von Thiele (they/she) is a writer, editor, educator, podcaster, and fortune teller. They write poetry, fiction, & nonfiction published in Prairie Schooner, The Kenyon Review Online, Narrative Magazine, & elsewhere. Jezmina is of mixed heritage and reads tarot, palms, and tea leaves in her Romani family’s tradition, both online, and in-person. Jezmina specializes in teaching creativity, art, writing, and literature workshops; divination; and other spiritual topics. Jezmina also tells fortunes and performs with The Poetry Brothel—Boston. They are co-host of Romanistan, a podcast celebrating Romani culture, alongside co-host Paulina Stevens. Jezmina and Paulina authored their debut book, Secrets of RomaniFortune Telling.
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Website: https://linktr.ee/jezminavonthiele
Paulina stevens
Paulina Stevens (she/her) was raised within her Muchwaya Romani family’s fortune telling and wellness traditions. She was inspired by the holistic health movement, and in 2018, earned a wellness coaching certificate, and later began collaborating with nutritionists and herbalists to serve clients. She opened Romani Holistic Healing in Newport Beach, CA, a spiritual shop that also offers readings, house cleansings, and coaching with clients. She is the co-host of Romanistan Podcast. Featured on the LA Times podcast, Foretold, which tells the story of Paulina’s decision to leave her arranged marriage and community, fight for custody of her children, and start a new life, walking between the Roma world and non-Roma world. She’s currently studying biotechnology at Miracoasta College. ​
Bimbo Yaga
Ylva Mara Radziszewski (she/they) is Bimbo Yaga, the Trans MILF of your wet dreams. She is a traditional witch and artist of Romani and Eastern European heritage; residing in Bulbancha (New Orleans) the traditional land of the Chitimacha Nation. Their ritual and art practice are interwoven; for them magic is art and art is healing. Founder of the School Of Traditional Magic, author of A Practical Guide for Witches, co-creator of The Living Altar, with writing featured in WITCHCRAFT an anthology of modern magical tradition by TASCHEN, Secrets of Romani Fortune Telling by Jezmina Von Thiele & Paulina Stevens.
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About the performers
Flower darling
Flower Darling (she/her) is a 2 Spirit Choctaw artist and musician with over 25 years of experience creating music that spans alternative R&B and ambient genres. Her deeply rooted storytelling draws from her heritage as an oral historian, highlighting the history and culture of Choctaw people, particularly in her live performances that blend music, video, and improvisation. Based in New Orleans, Flower weaves ancestral connections and cultural narratives into her sound, offering an immersive, esoteric experience that reflects her passion for sharing Indigenous stories and the healing power of art.
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Milly raccoon
Milly Raccoon (she/her) Trained by campfires and tavern jams all over the world, Milly Raccoon got her folk music start with traditional Turkish, Egyptian and Roma tunes for a belly dance troupe, honoring Roma heritage on her father’s side. Her current original music is influenced by classic country, early jazz, and other antiquated Americana. There is a connecting thread of spirituality, healing and liberation weaving through her work.
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The living altar
The Living Altar is the ritual & performance art project of multimedia artists & community witches, Kiki Robinson & Ylva Mara Radziszewski. As queer and trans witches of Romani heritage; we seek to embody, through our art and ritual, a faithless devotion to life in support of collective liberation
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Website: www.livingaltar.com
