Poetry News

****POETRYNEWS****
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or check it out online at http://www.poetrynewscalendar.com/.

Here is your Poetry News for the week of July 14, 2008.
Spoken word events are shining like the Summer sun in the Pioneer Valley and beyond.

Please email if you would like to be added to the mailing
or are interested in featuring at Jester's.
Peace through poetry - Lori

Poetry News!!
Congratulations to the following poets:
Frank Tempone for the nomination of his poem "Everlasting" for a Pushcart Prize.
Lea Deschenes for the release of her book "The Constant Velocity of Trains"
Eddie Bartok-Barrata for the release of his book "Book for John"
Kat Good-Schiff on her graduation from Goddard MFA program
Lori Desrosiers on her graduation from New England College MFA program

Word in Westfield:

Community Voices Poetry Open Mic
EVERY MONDAY NIGHT 7PM
at Jester's Cafe and Deli
124 Elm Street (route 10/202)
in Westfield, MA
Sign up is at 6:30 and open mic starts at 7:00PM
followed by a guest feature.
All are welcome.
This venue is PG 13
Community Voices Open Mic will be taking a Summer hiatus.
We will resume September 8th.
Features in September:
Sept. 8 - TBA
Sept. 15 - Donnie Darkhorse
Sept. 22 - Marla (DiCarlo) Deschesnes
Sept. 29 - Greg Scott

We are now booking features for October and November.
Please email if you haven't featured in at least 6 months
and would like to return, or if you would be interested in featuring for the first time.



New Open Mic in Westfield!
THE SPOKEN WORD
at the Teapot Gallery
Tuesdays, 7-9PM
Poetry, Prose,
Verse, Yarns

Come to listen, come to speak,
Your words, words for our times,
Immortal words, mortal words...

Call 562-6966 (Teapot) or 348-7218 (Eli B.)
For info and encouragement



Summer Writing Workshop for Children with Lori Desrosiers

Writing Your Wild Side - a wild animal poetry workshop for kids
July 15 and 16th, 10am - 12 noon FREE!
Westfield Boys and Girls Library
Westfield, MA
http://www.westath.com/


Chicopee/Holyoke/Springfield Poetry

Writing Workshop

Tuesdays beginning July 8 from 1pm to 2:30pm.

At the Holyoke RCC, 187 High St., Suite 303, Holyoke

Join facilitators Diana and Chaya for a brand new writing workshop. The workshop will focus particularly on autobiography and writing as a way of self-healing, but all types of writing welcomed!

Call 413-539-5941 x200 to pre-register

Sponsored by the Recovery Learning Community
We aspire to be fragrance free, please contact us with access concerns

NEW OPEN MIC
Starving for Art Presents
open mic Mondays
@ Blue Fusion Bar and Grille
487 St. James Ave
Springfield, MA
doors open at 6pm for social hour.
Showtime is 7-9pm
All poets, musicians, singers, and visual artists are welcome.
This event is free
For more info visit http://www.brendaschild.com/


SPRINGFIELD LIBRARY POETRY

Contest: Winning Poems are posted on the Library's Poetry Page:www.springfieldlibrary.org/poetry/poetrypage.html
For info call: 413-263-6828 x426 or visit http://www.springfieldlibrary.org/

Spoken Word Saturdays!
The Springfield City Library's monthly open mic series
moves outside for the summer:

Poetry in the Park
July 26, and August 16
11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Quadrangle Tent, behind the library
(Community Room if weather is bad)
Springfield City Library
220 State Street


The Library Creative Writing Group will continue to meet
throughout the summer… although the times may change a bit!
No advance sign-ups needed,
but if you'd like more information, contact
Anna at .

Shariff's, Daisy's, and Maurice's
April 12th performances are on youtube -
http://www.youtube.com/user/springfieldlibrary ]

Readings at the monthly Open Mic series should be "family-friendly."
Questions? Or to sign up,
contact Anna at
or 263-6828 x426.
Free parking is available in the State Street lot across from the library,
or in the Elliot Street lot next to the Springfield Museums Welcome Center.

http://www.springfieldlibrary.org/poetry/poetrypage.html
Or contact Anna at
or 413.263.6828 x426.

Bookmark the Poetry Page
http://www.springfieldlibrary.org/poetry/poetrypage.html
for updated information, and to read the work of some of our poets
(anyone who's read at events here, send a poem to be posted!)


Word in the Valley and Beyond


BRYANT DAY CELEBRATION
Cummington, MA— Travel back in time on Bryant Day, July 12th, for a Victorian-style celebration of poetry and stories, music by Yankee Notions and Emily McGuire, and a family hike.
Events will take place from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the William Cullen Bryant Homestead in Cummington, a National Historic Landmark.
Former U.S. poet laureate Richard Wilbur will read poetry, and historian William Streeter will recount tales of Cummington.
The Yankee Notions duo of Jim Douglas and Tim Van Egmond will perform traditional and contemporary New England folk music.
Bring a picnic and enjoy festivities and the view from the lawn. Sample some switchel, the traditional summer punch that cooled thirsty workers out in the hayfields.
The Chesterfield Grange will sell snacks and drinks.
Admission is free for Trustees of Reservations members,
or $5 per adult and $3 per child.
Schedule
11:00 Family hike with Nancy Childs
12:30 Yankee Notions, Jim Douglas and Tim Van Egmond
1:15 Flute Interlude, Emily McGuire
1:30 Bryant poem read by Aurora Bartley of Berkshire Trail Elementary School
1:35 Stories from Cummington told by William Streeter
2:00 Flute interlude
2:15 Poetry Readings by Richard Wilbur
3:00 Yankee Notions
Bryant Day was inspired by the celebration of Bryant’s 100th birthday, held at the Homestead in the summer of 1894. Thousands came to picnic and hear speeches, which were published in a small book. Several copies are held at the Homestead. Bryant Day is made possible in part by grants from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the Windsor and Cummington Cultural Councils. The event is organized by the volunteers of the Bryant Homestead Property Committee.

property of The Trustees of Reservations is the Victorian country estate of William Cullen Bryant, the famous 19th century poet, newspaper editor, and conservationist.
The home and barn will be open for tours from 11am to 4 pm on Bryant Day; regular fees apply. Visitors can view family antiques and mementoes from Bryant’s travels, and a special exhibit, Hale & Hearty: William Cullen Bryant and 19th Century Health & Fitness.
Grounds are open free year round. During the summer, guides introduce visitors to the homestead property with its scenic vistas, historic barn, and the forested Rivulet Trail that inspired many of Bryant’s poems.
The house is open for guided tours from 1:00– 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays from June 28 – Columbus Day, Monday holidays included.
House tours are free for Trustees members or $5.00 for adults and $2.50 for children.
More information is available at www.thetrustees.org or by
calling 413-634-2244 or e-mailing [email protected].



Eddie Bartok-Baratta: Poems & Flute
Performance & Book Release Celebration for Eddie's new book
from Mother Jill Press, Northampton: Book for John

Thursday, July 17, 7pm
Food for Thought Books, downtown Amherst



New Writing Group
Wednesdays at 2pm,
Windhorse Associates,
211 North St, Noho.
Chaya Grossberg and David Stark.
Lots of poetry, lots of humor.

SUMMER POETRY SLAM
July 17, 2008 7-10pm
at The Yellow Sofa Cafe,
24 Main Street
Northampton, MA
for more info
contact Jamila at



Poetry Reading to Benefit The Frost Place
July 19th, 2pm
Pruyne Lecture Hall (Fayerweather Hall 115)
Amherst College
Amherst, MA,

- On Saturday, July 19th at 2 PM, The Amherst College Creative Writing Program and
The Frost Place will present a poetry reading to benefit THE FROST PLACE, a museum and education center at Robert Frost's former homestead in Franconia, New Hampshire.

The reading will take place Saturday, July 19th at 2 PM, in Pruyne Lecture Hall (Fayerweather Hall 115) at Amherst College, in Amherst, Massachusetts.

Admission to the event is $5 at the door (no advance sales), with all proceeds to benefit The Frost Place.

Readers at this event will be poets Patrick Donnelly, Ellen Dudley, Daniel Hall, Henry Lyman, Cleopatra Mathis, Martha Rhodes, and Ellen Doré Watson. Jim Schley, Executive Director of The Frost Place, will emcee.

Each reader will offer a favorite poem by Robert Frost as well as a short selection from his or her own work. Copies of the readers' books will be available for purchase, with all proceeds to benefit The Frost Place.

Directions to Amherst College and a map of the campus are available on the Amherst College website, http://www.amherst.edu/

For additional information about The July 19th Frost Place Benefit Reading, contact Patrick Donnelly at or 413-320-2950.



EVOLUTION OPEN MIC
The first Thursday of the month
Open poetry night at 7pm
Hosted by Charles Simpson
at
Cafe Evolution
22 Chestnut Street
Florence Mass
phone 413.586.0200


FLORENCE POETS SOCIETY .
The Florence Poets Society celebrates it's 5th year of existence
with the next meeting of the new season on
Thursday July 10 at the Lilly Library in Florence.
Our new starting time is 6:30 pm so that Society business can
be conducted prior to the poetry portion of the meeting,
which will be from 7-9 pm. Regular meetings are held the second
Thursday of every month. An annual membership fee of $15 dollars
contributes to our programs and events, however it is not necessary
to be a member to participate.
All poets are welcome to attend and share original work.
We are always looking for new poets.
Discussion and critique is offered if desired.
Look for our new writing group coming soon.

For more information:
Email us at or check out our web
page at http://www.florencepoetssociety.org/


Florence Poets Society Readings:

The poets of the Florence Poets Society return to the Wm Cullen Bryant Homestead for a special afternoon reading of original poetry. Step back to an earlier time and enjoy a gracious stroll around the charming Homestead grounds. Sip lemonade with your friends as you taste a warm, home-baked cookie, then close your eyes and listen to the words. Old favorites, as well as new voices. This program has become an annual tradition at this wonderful venue. Join us on Sunday, June 29, from 2-4 pm at the Wm Cullen Bryant Homestead in Cummington MA for this free event. Presented by the Trustees of Reservation and the Florence Poets Society. The poets will be available to sign chapbooks. For more information call Tom at (413) 584-5914 or email us at

Listen to "Twilite's Poetry Pub" now Weekly!
"Twilite's Poetry Pub" goes weekly starting in May!!!!
Enjoy the "Pub" with Carl and Tom every Wednesday from 9-10 am
on Valley Free Radio, WXOJ 103.3 fm, Northampton and now
with improved streaming at http://www.valleyfreeradio.org/ !!!
Poetry to the people!
WXOJ-FM LP 103.3 and streaming at www.valleyfreeradio.org.
Bringing to you a variety of interesting poetry and music!

-----------------------------
All events are free and open to the public except as noted
For more information, Call Tom at (413) 584-5914
or email at: [email protected]
or: [email protected] or visit:
www.florencepoetssociety.org
or visit: http://www.tommytwilite.com/


Poetry Nights in Northampton:

Writer's Group at Packard's in Northampton:
Northampton Writer's Group is an ongoing writer's group
for any kind of written word. We currently have several openings
for new members.
For information please contact Lori
It meets in the library room at Packard's restaurant/bar at
14 Masonic St. in Northampton.
Participants bring copies of their work to read and have
critiqued in a supportive, gentle, constructive environment.
The next dates -
Sunday July 20, 6-9pm
Sunday August 3, 6-9pm
Sunday August 17, 6-9pm



POETRY A LA CARTE
on WMUA-Amherst 91.1 FM
Fridays 4:30-5:00pm
The program, hosted by Daisy Mathias,
includes reading aloud from past
and contemporary poets, and occasionally
features live interview and
poetry-reading with a local poet.


THE WOVEN WORD
SUMMER CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP
for Middle and High School Age Writers
July 21-25, 9 AM – 1 PM
in Hadley

About the Workshop: This workshop is designed to create safe space to develop each writer’s unique voice, since there are stories and poems that belong to each of us alone.

The Amherst Writers & Artists method takes writers to both unexpected and familiar places, while supporting them in an affirming space among their peers. We focus on creativity, not grammar or spelling. The workshop is anchored in the conviction that every voice is beautiful, that every person deserves to be heard; and that knowing you are heard is itself a dramatically empowering act.

This workshop program will involve two daily writing and sharing sessions, a recreational break with swimming & kayaking near our houseboat on the Connecticut River, and drawing, painting, or flower picking on the farm land where we live.

Workshop leader Lynn Bowmaster is a published poet who has led workshops in her home, Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Middle School, Hilltown Cooperative Charter School, Finn Ryan Road Elementary School, and Holyoke Community College.

For info: contact Lynn at 584-3373, Lrbowmaster
“There is a vitality, a life force, … a quickening, which is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist.” Martha Graham


Greenfield/Shelbourne Falls and North

2 Slate Roof poets
Susie Patlove & Janine Roberts
and guest poet
Genie Zeiger
will read their poetry

Thursday, July 24
7:00 pm
at the

Arms Library
corner of Bridge and Main streets
Shelburne Falls, MA

Free & open to the public Refreshments servedWheelchair-accessible
There will be time to learn more about small-press publishing and chapbook creation, how Slate Roof operates, and how to join Slate Roof. Slate Roof books will be available for sale.
Charlemont resident Susie Patlove will read from her book, Quickening, published
by Slate Roof in 2007. She is a 2008 Massachusetts Cultural Council Finalist
whose work has appeared in The Atlanta Review and Monkscript, among other places.



Collected Poets Series
at Mocha Maya’s Coffee House,
47 Bridge Street,
Shelburne Falls, MA 01370,
413-625-6292.
Wheelchair accessible. Free.

The Series
August ~ No CPS ~
Sept.4 —Toi Derricotte and Regie O’Hare-Gibson
Oct. 2 — Carol Frost and Michael Waters
Nov. 6 — Wyn Cooper and Amy Dryansky
Dec. 4 — Dzvinia Orlowsky and Mary Clare Powell
Jan. 8 — Patrick Donnelly and special guest


Contact info: Lea Banks, 39 Green St., Apt. 2., Shelburne Falls, MA 01370, (H) 413.625.6702
Website: http://www.mochamayas.com/


Spoken Word Greenfield
Spoken Word Greenfield
The third Tuesday of each month
At 9 Mill St in Greenfield
Doors open at 7:00
Open Mike at 7:30
$1-5 sliding scale cover
Book signing and selling of local writers works will be available
Refreshments
Come up to read
Bring your chap books to sell
We will have tables at no cost
Open mike will be five minute slots
With 10 open slots

Directions
If you come up 91
Come into the center of Greenfield
At the lights of Federal and Main
Where the Common is
You take a Rt
Down the hill
Toyota will be on you left
You go under the railroad bridge
Come to a light
Take a RT
and you are there
That is Mill St
9 is on the conner
You can park in the Art Space next door
or on the street
If you are coming up 5 & 10 into Greenfield
When you come to the lights
Where you can either go left
Or Right under the Railroad bridge
You want to go Left
That is Mill St
9 is the first building



News from Mo and Ginger Cat Press

Equinox is still planning open mics for Charlemont, Northampton,
Orange and Pittsfield. These will be scheduled for July-August time frame.

The Equinox Literary Magazine NEWS:
This issue will be released, god willing and the creek dont rise,
on Sunday, Sept 21, 3-5 at Moca Maya's coffee house in Shelburne Falls
-- go ahead, put it on your calendar: in ink!

The web site can be accessed with this address:
http://www.thebooksmyth.com/
Maureen
Web site: http://www.thebooksmyth.com/ submission guidelines now available


JULY
? Charlemont tba

SEPT
21 Shelburne: Sunday 3-5 at Mocha Maya 2008 issue Release Party
25 Amherst: Thursday, 7-9 at

EQUINOX DEADLINE: May 15, 2008. Submission guideline available on website
http://www.thebooksmyth.com/ or http://www.gingercatpress.net/
The Equinox is available at http://www.thebooksmyth.com/



Word in the Berkshires

Lee Writers Group
(every 2nd Tuesday of the month)
at the Lee Library Conference Room.

Develop and hone writing skills through constructively critiquing
others as well as receiving helpful hints and suggestions.
This forum will host a variety of short stories, poetic compilations,
insightful and original essays, and other varieties of writing similarly
tangible in length. The purpose of this group is to embody character
and narrator through obsessive directive fervor with written and
spoken words.
The group will meet every second Tuesday sharing original works
via recitation and distribution and should be prepared to accept
constructive feedback and be able to, in return, deliver such
feedback in a respectable and deliberate manner.
Contact
or call 413 243-8116 for further information.


Stockbridge Booksellers Open Mic
Garfield Reed hosts our bi-monthly open mike poetry night
every other month on the third Thursday of the month.
...The Power of Words. P.O.W. is open to all poets,
writers and performance artists of all types.
We also welcome those less dramatic types who prefer
to watch from the audience. recently we have seen some
amazing young poets come out and wow their audience.
Don't miss out!!



Word Street
is a youth literacy project and creative writing center located at
163 North Street in downtown Pittsfield.
Since 2003, Word Street has offered homework help, tutoring,
MCAS and SAT test prep, creative writing instruction,
mini-magazine publishing, summer camps, and much more to
Berkshire County youth ages 7-18 absolutely free of charge.

"Poets are the theoretical physicists of language.
Rivers of literary magma are flowing just under the
surface all over Berkshire County.
This reading is a volcano."
--Steve Dew

For more information, please contact:
Steve Dew
Development Director
Word Street
163 North Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201
( 413) 458-5171 home
(415) 407-3664 mobile
( 413) 997-3307 office
http://www.blogger.com/http://www.blogger.com/

Check out this website for information on
spoken word events in Pittsfield:
There are some great events so check it out.
http://www.wordstreet.org/



Word in Ware/Palmer:

Carpe Stylum! (Latin for Seize the pen!)
meets every Wednesday 6-8pm, usually at the Ware Library
but some meetings are held elsewhere.
This group includes poets, short story writers, novelists,
historians, political satirists, video game designer and others.
All are welcome.
Call LuWanda Cheney (413) 277-9676 for a schedule.



Word in Worcester:


Worcester Storytellers
meets on the second Friday of each month at the
Village Arts Gallery (1 Ekman Street, Worcester).
The reading starts at 8:00 p.m.
Performance Host: Dave Macpherson

***
Shakti Women's Writing Pact
The Shakti Women's Writing Pact meets
every Saturday from 3 to 5 p.m. at
the Java Hut (1073A Main Street, Worcester).
Shakti was created with the intention of enhancing women's
sense of belonging within the poetry community through the
an unmoderated writing circle.
For more information please contact Sou MacMillan at
.


Thursdays @ the Ship
Join the fun tonight at the Hotel Vernon
(1 Millbury Street, Worcester) for The Spot.
This weekly reading meets in the Kelly Square Yacht Club
(that room in the back) and starts at 8:00 p.m.
Every Thursday night there will be an open mic followed by a feature.
No cover but bring money to buy a beverage a
nd to support the feature. 21+

Lea Deschenes Book Release for "The Constant Velocity of Trains""
on Thursday, August 14 at 7:00pm.
Book Release for "The Constant Velocity of Trains" by Lea Deschenes
Dorinda Wegener opening
Host: Dave MacPherson & Worcester County Poetry Association
Thursday, August 14 at 7:00pm
Worcester Public Library


POET'S ASYLUM
Venue Update
The Poets' Asylum now meets at The Q, a cafe located at
362 Chandler Street in Worcester. The owners are excited
to have us on their schedule and are working with us to make
the transition as smooth as possible. Please help spread the word.

Due to ongoing issues with the entertainment license at The Q Cafe we have decided to cancel the reading for the next two weeks. We will work to reschule the iWPS Qualifier and feature by Ryk McIntyre for dates later in the year. As you probably have heard it was discovered two weeks ago that The Q Cafe does not have an entertainment license. They applied for a license this week, were told to meet with a neighborhood rep to work out concerns and then come back. Without an entertainment license The Q Cafe could be shutdown if we continue to hold the reading. All the organizers loathe canceling another reading however it seems like the best thing to do at this point in time.
The organizers are hopeful that The Q Cafe will resolve their licensing problem in a timely manner. Please help spread the word that the Poets' Asylum is still alive and that we will update the website (and our LiveJournal, MySpace & mailing list) when we have anything of note to share.
If you have any questions or suggestions please drop an e-mail to http://www.poetsasylum.org/[email protected].


The open mic sign-up list goes out around 7:00 p.m.
and the reading starts closer to 7:30 p.m.
No cover; please throw some money in the bucket to support the feature.

The Poets' Asylum -- in its fifteenth year of
bringing the best in Performance and Slam poetry
to Central Massachusetts and beyond.
http://poetsasylum.org/mailman/listinfo/


THE ECLECTIC WORD, Radio Show
Poet and journalist Victor D. Infante hosts The Eclectic Word, an
Internet radio show that will delve into literature's fringe with poets,
satirists, alternative journalists and even (gasp!) bloggers. We'll be
stepping off the beaten path of literature, taking a close look at the odd,
the eccentric and the cutting-edge. Should be fun.

The show will run at 7 p.m. EST the first and third Friday of every month,
as part of The World Wide Word Radio Network. You can listen to the
shows live, or you can download it later for your listening convenience.
So give it a listen! It's going to be a blast!


CT POETRY
-------------------------------------------------------
Visit the CT Poet Online calendar,
updated weekly: http://www.poetz.com/connecticut

The Monday Night Windsor Poets
are still meeting for serious poets interested in critique
at 6:30 PM on the second and fourth Mondays
at the Windsor Library, Windsor CT
Call Alice Ahrens Williams at 860-668-6142
or Janet Henderson at 860-688-5770.
Alice and Janet are both on the staff of the Common Ground
Review, an international poetry magazine.

First Tuesday Poetry Series
at Broad Street Books in Middletown
starts at 7:00pm
with a featured poet followed by an open mic.
Broad Street Books
45 Broad Street
Middletown, CT
(860)685-7323

Poetry at Peaberry's Café Simsbury, CT
ArtSpeak
4th Saturday of every month.
This month's date, July 26th
Because local artists are important, and should be celebrated.
Peaberry's Cafe
712 Hopmeadow St
Simsbury, CT
(860) 658-2930
Host Robert Dauphinais
Peaberry's, a great alternative to the local bar scene, is a cosy little
cafe that seeks to give local artists support, a voice, and a venue!
Help us keep this dream alive! Food is served all night and wine, beer,
and coffee cordials are served after 5:00.

The night will begin at 7:30 and go until 9:30, however,
if there is an abundance of artists, we will go until 10:00.
Our aim is to create an environment where poets of all ages
will feel welcome and wanted, as well as challenged.
We want this to be an atmosphere where artists can share
and network, and, most importantly, grow!

All ages are welcome and we ask that each artist be sensitive
to the audience and what may or may not be appropriate.
Beyond this request, we want to keep censorship to a minimum,
and we support freedom of speech and expression.

So come, bring your friends, students, parents, children, neighbors...
let's see if we can set the CT poetry scene on fire!

Please email Leanne at
with any questions or suggestions.


THE SUNKEN GARDEN POETRY FESTIVAL IS BACK!
July 23, Wednesday, 6:30 pm
Patricia Fargnoli & Ilya Kaminsky

Patricia Fargnoli, the New Hampshire Poet Laureate, is the author of 3 books and 2 chapbooks of poetry. Her first book, Necessary Light (Utah State University Press, 1999) won the May Swenson Book Award, and her latest book, Duties of the Spirit (Tupelo Press, 2005), is the winner of the prestigious 2005 Jane Kenyon Poetry Book Award for Outstanding Poetry published by a New Hampshire author in the preceding two years. Her poems have appeared in literary journals such as Poetry, Ploughshares and The Mid-American Review, and have been published internationally in Turkey, China and Canada. In addition to her career as a poet, Ms. Fargnoli is a retired social worker/psychotherapist and a past member of the National Association of Poetry Therapists.

Award-winning author of Dancing in Odessa (Tupelo Press, 2004), Russian poet Ilya Kaminsky offers a "rare and exhilarating pleasure" (Boston Review). Winner in 2005 alone of the Whiting Prize, the Metcalf Award from the American Academy of Arts & Letters and the Foreword Poetry Book of the Year Award, he is widely regarded as the most exciting young poet in America today. In the late 1990s, Mr. Kaminsky co-founded Poets for Peace, an organization which sponsors poetry readings in the United States and abroad with a goal of supporting relief organizations such as Doctors Without Borders and Survivors International. In addition to teaching Contemporary World Poetry and Literary Translation in the Master of Fine Arts Program in Creative Writing at San Diego State University, Mr. Kaminsky is the 2007-2008 Writer-in-Residence at Greenhills School in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

New York-based vocalist, composer and lyricist Tessa Souter offers jazz with a Middle Eastern and flamenco flavor. "A talented ... broadly imaginative singer" (New York Times).
http://www.patriciafargnoli.com/

http://www.ilyakaminsky.com/

http://www.tessasouter.com/

August 6, Wednesday, 6:30 pm
Paul Muldoon

Pulitzer Prize winner and author of 10 collections of poetry, Irish poet Paul Muldoon was recently appointed poetry editor of The New Yorker magazine. In addition to his "stimulating, provocative and unfailingly interesting" poetry (Maria Johnson, Contemporary Poetry Review), Muldoon has won awards for songs co-written with Warren Zevon and Bruce Springsteen.A Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Paul Muldoon was given an American Academy of Arts and Letters award in literature in 1996. Other awards inlcude the T.S. Eliot Prize, the Irish Times Poetry Prize, the 2003 Griffin International Prize for Excellence in Poetry, the 2005 Aspen Prize for Poetry, and the 2006 European Prize for Poetry, inter al.

Musical guest Rackett, founded by Muldoon and Nigel Smith in 2004, is a "strong, self-contained, furiously rocking band" (Stuart Mitchner, Princeton Town Topics), with "enlightened lyrics" and "nasty guitar licks."http://www.paulmuldoon.net/http://www.rackett.org/

August 20, Wednesday, 6:30 pm
NIGHT OF FRESH VOICES
Connecticut high school artists from diverse cultural backgrounds present award-winning verse. Participants to be announced. Guitarist Freddie Bryant presents a "gorgeous blend of delicate harmonics, etherial harmonies and rhythmic freedom" with "an incendiary groove" (Jim Fergeson, Jazz Times Magazine).http://www.freddiebryant.com/

Please email with questions.

Bob Jacob at Farmington Library
Wednesday, July 30 20087:00pm
Reading and book-signing. Light refreshments will be served.

For information, contact Sara Shea at the library, 860-673-6791.

What may be most surprising in Perspective, which is a book full of surprises, is the amount of joy, laughter, last-minute insight, and utter honesty shown by the hospice patients so clearly and lovingly depicted here. Bob Jacob’s poems also praise the dedication of the nurses and others who make The Connecticut Hospice such a place of refuge. The book is a testament to the human spirit. Readers have been enthusiastic about the verse of a man who has dedicated himself to those most in need of what Jacob calls his loving words. Jean Valentine writes, “I admire Bob Jacob’s loving, tender voice valuing people close to death.” And Stephen Dunn has commented that the poems “reveal a man you’d like to know.” In 2004 a short selection of Jacob’s hospice poems, “Upon Their Quiet Altars,” was published. Like this full-length collection, the earlier book appeared under the aegis of The Connecticut Hospice, to which all proceeds of both books are being donated.

Farmington Public Library
6 Monteith Drive
Farmington, CT
www.farmingtonlibct.org

GUMBOLIVE
This is an open mic with a feature
and real Gumbo!
It is held on the 1st Thursday of the Month
at Vibz Uptown in Hartford, CT
3155 Main Street.
If people want to feature,
call James Lewis at 413-221-4768.

POETRY POTLUCK at The Sanctuary
Do you love poetry?
Would you like to be part of an ongoing poetry
discussion group offering food for the mind and the heart?

If so, come and join us on the first Sunday of the month
from 4.30-6.00 PM
at The Sanctuary in East Haddam, Connecticut,
to discuss poetry and build community.

This is not about sharing our own work but instead offers
us a chance to share the work of poets we love, so you don't
have to be a poet to be part of this group. Just come and bring
your love of poetry and a poem you would like to share.

Hosted by Greg Coleman, Suzy Lamson,
Marilyn Nelson, and Edwina Trentham
For more information call 860-319-1134.

DIRECTIONS
Directions to the Sanctuary for Poetry Potluck on Bogel Road
– Look for sign: Labyrinth & Yurt (it's a dirt driveway)

FROM MASSACHUSETTS:
Take I-91 South to Rte 9 South. Take exit 7 onto Route 82 East.
Turn LEFT onto Route 154 (Saybrook Road). Turn RIGHT onto
Route 82 (Bridge Road). Turn LEFT onto Route 151 (Town Street).
Turn RIGHT onto Daniels Road. Turn LEFT onto Bogel Road.
Phone number: 860-319-1134

FROM HARTFORD:
Take I-84 East towards East Hartford. Take exit 55 onto Route 2
East towards Norwich. Take exit 16 . Go RIGHT onto Route 149.
Turn LEFT onto Route 151 (Plains Road). Turn LEFT onto Daniels
Road. Turn LEFT onto Bogel Road.
Phone number: 860-319-1134

FROM NEW HAVEN: Take I-95 North towards New London.
Take exit 67; stay to the LEFT at the fork on the ramp. Turn LEFT
onto Route 154 (Middlesex Turnpike). Take Route 9 North towards
Middletown. Take exit 7 onto Route 82 East. Turn LEFT onto
Route 154 (Saybrook Road). Turn RIGHT onto Route 82 (Bridge Road).
Turn LEFT onto Route 151 (Town Street). Turn RIGHT onto Daniels Road.
Turn LEFT onto Bogel Road.
Phone number: 860-319-1134

FROM NEW LONDON: Take I-95 South towards New Haven.
Take Route 9 North towards Middletown. Take exit 7 onto Route 82 East.
Turn LEFT onto Route 154 (Saybrook Road). Turn RIGHT onto Route 82
(Bridge Road). Turn LEFT onto Route 151 (Town Street). Turn RIGHT
onto Daniels Road. Turn LEFT onto Bogel Road.
Phone number: 860-319-1134

WEDNESDAY NIGHT POETRY SERIES
Every Wednesday 7:30
at: 102 Greenwood Ave,
Bethel CT
Open mike sign up begins at 7:30. The open mic begins at 8
open for people to read their work 3-5 minutes.
The first 8-10 poets will read before the feature
who will read for 30 minutes followed by a
Q & A. Open mic will continue till closing time.
WNPS represents a varied community of people with
a common interest and appreciation for poetry.
The open mic is open to poetry, stories and musician (5 minute time limit).

WNPS, going on 12 years has been the longest
CONTINUOUSLY RUNNING WEEKLY Poetry Open MIC
and featured poet reading series in Connecticut!
For more details and updates: http://www.wedpoetry.net/
Or http://www.wednesdaypoetry.com/
and http://www.wednesdaypoetry.org/


HARTFORD HAPPENINGS

SOUL SESSIONS at Vibz Uptown
The creator of Love Jones brings you--
"Soul Sessions" every Wednesday night 9:00 PM - 11:00PM

Join us for live Jazz Jams & share your Poetry and Song
backed by a live band or just come and chill in the vibe
of Hartford’s Hottest Open Mic Event.
Hosted By Charmagne

For more info, call 860-874-8797
or email mailto:[email protected]

Vibz Uptown
3155 Main Street
Hartford, CT
(860) 246-7390


Freestyle Hip-Hop Open Mic
Tuesdays
in Hartford
Filthy Kleen host Sully’s Hip-Hop Open Mic night
every Tuesday in Hartford
Sully’s Pub
2071 Park St.Hartford, CT
860-231-8881
http://www.sullyspub.com/




Boston Area Poetry Info:

WEDNESDAYS
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.,
Central Square's world-famous Cantab Lounge presents weekly performances
from local and national poets, as well as a chance to present your own work
in the open mic or poetry slam. DJ Muse spins before the show and between poets.
Upcoming features include:

• Wednesday, July 16
Summer slam season continues! The Cantab hosts a second Regional Poetry Slam. This one will see the home team in a Nationals-style 4x4 team match against the rookies from Portland, the second-year vets from Manchester, and long-time cross-town rivals The Lizard Lounge.

• Wednesday, July 23 Possibly the best Florida poet you’ve never heard of: Lizz Straight wowed a packed room as the warm-up poet back at the 2006 National Poetry Slam, and the Boston Poetry Slam has been courting her to feature ever since. Open slam in the 8x8 series.

• Wednesday, July 30 It’s the last night to see the 2008 Cantab Slam Team before they head to the National Poetry Slam in Madison, Wisconsin! Harlym125, Omoizele Okoawo, Simone Beaubien, April Ranger and Brian S. Ellis will bring out plenty of big slam hits, this year’s group pieces, and at least a few surprises in an extended feature. Special $5 cover tonight to raise money for the slam team’s trip to NPS.

• Wednesday, August 6 Longtime Malden resident and Poetribe reading co-host David Surette has just celebrated the publication of his second book of poetry, Easy to Keep, Hard to Keep In. Join him at tonight’s reading and enjoy his dry wit, precise narrative, and satisfying clarity of language. Open slam in the 8x8 series.

Doors for the show open at 7:30.
The open mic begins at 8:00,
the feature performs at approximately 10:00,
and an open poetry slam follows.
The show is 18+ (ID required) and the cover charge is $3 unless otherwise noted.

Simone Beaubien, SlamMaster
The Boston Poetry Slam at The Cantab Lounge
738 Massachusetts Avenue,
Cambridge, Mass. http://www.slamnews.com/
http://www.myspace.com/bostonpoetryslam

the Boston Poetry Slam @ the Cantab Lounge bringing contemporary poetry
to the community since 1991

_____
THURSDAYS

Lowell Poetry Slam and Open Mic
Every FIRST Thursday at Brew'd Awakening!
Only poets can compete in the slam and win the prize...
but the mic is open to musical performers as well.
Whether you come to perform, compete or just enjoy some coffee
and great local talent, don't miss this event!
7:00pm - 9:30 pm
*Sign-up between 6:30-7:00*
The event is free and open to the public—so come on down
for an evening of good company and some terrific regional voices!

Brew'd Awakening Coffeehaus
61 Market Street
Lowell, MA
978-454-BREW

For more info, please email

* * *

* * *
the Poetry Session at O'Shea's
THE CAPE GETS ITS VOICE BACK
7 to 8:30PM Every Third Thursday!
The Poetry Session at O'Shea's is a free monthly all-ages open mic
for poets and lovers of poetry
held in the Back Room at O'Shea's Olde Inne.
348 Main Street, Rte. 28 West Dennis, MA 02670
Free
Contact Info: Gregory Hischak

* * *
Returning to the Black Spot (formerly the Prodigal Son) in Hyannis
the last Thursday of the month! Cape Poets Theatre Fourth Thursday
Open Mic at The Black Spot.
Free
Mary Ellen Redmond and Jose Gouveia host at the old Prodigal Son,
under new name and ownership, now called
The Black Spot Cafe,
10 Ocean St., Hyannis.
We are the last Thursday of every month, 8PM, (508) 771-4004

_____
FRIDAYS
The Brookline Poetry Series is pleased to welcome THOMAS LUX
for our final reading of the season.
STEPHANIE KARTALOPOULOS will open the evening, and our open mike
will close it.
We meet Friday, June 6, 7-9pm
at the Brookline Public Library Main Branch.

_____
SATURDAYS

POETRIBE
http://www.poetribe.org/

The Community Room
East Bridgewater Public Library
32 Union Street East Bridgewater, MA
Hosted by David R. Surette and Victoria Bosch Murray
7:45 Open mic Sign-ups,
8:00 Open Mic,
9:00 Featured Poet
Upcoming Features:

Aug 2 John Murillo
Poetribe will be on summer hiatus for the month of July!

* * *
* * *
OPEN BARK
meets @ the Out Of The Blue Art Gallery,
106 PROSPECT ST. (the home of Stone Soup)
CENTRAL SQUARE, CAMBRIDGE.
SIGN-UP AT 8:00pm
OPEN MIC STARTS @ 8:15pm,
FEATURE @ 9:00pm
Come and perform or listen!
_____

SUNDAYS Lizard Lounge Poetry Jam
Sunday Night! Cambridge Common
1667 Mass. Ave., Cambridge
$5 Cover Every Sunday
Poetry Slam: 8:00 pm,
Feature: 9:30 pm,
Open Mike: 10:30 pm
617-547-0759
http://poetryjam.org/

* * *
Poetry at the Old Manse
Poets from The Concord Poetry Center will read in the Concord
Riverfest celebration on Sunday, June 15, from 2 to 4 p.m.

MARTHA CARLSON BRADLEY, JOEL MOSKOWITZ,
JAY FEATHERSTONE, JACKIE MALONE, CAMMY THOMAS,
FRANNY OSMAN, SUSAN EDWARDS RICHMOND,
BETTY BUCHSBAUM,

The reading is free and open to the public.
The Old Manse,
269 Monument Street, Concord, MA
Directions at http://www.thetrustees.org/pages/346_old_manse.cfm.

* * *Sunday, June 29th, 4:00
Longfellow National Historic Site,
East Lawn 105 Brattle Street,
Cambridge
Golden Rose reading by awardee CAROLYN FORCHE
All Readings are Free and Open to the Public

_____
MONDAYS
Stone Soup Poetry
Stone Soup Poetry meets from 8-10 p.m. every Monday
at the Out of The Blue Art Gallery
(located on 106 Prospect Street in Cambridge)
with an open mike sign-up at 7:30 p.m.
http://stonesouppoetry.blogspot.com/

_____
TUESDAYS
Newton Free Library Poetry Reading Series
Winter Spring 2008.
The series meets the second Tuesday of every month open mic after features.
Starts 7PM
For complete information go to http://newtonfreelibrarypoetryseries.blogspot.com/
Director: Doug Holder http://authorsden.com/douglasholder

the Boston Poetry Slambringing contemporary poetry to the community since1991
http://www.slamnews.comhttp//groups.yahoo.com/group/BostonPoetrySlam

Cambridge Community Television
Tuesdays at 11:00 PM Saturdays at 10:30PM
Catch the latest from the Boston Poetry Slam I
NFO: [email protected]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

LETRA Poetry Nights
in LAWRENCE MASS
Every TUESDAY at
Julio's 99 Club
99 Essex Street Lawrence, MA
Doors open at 7pm open mic starts at 8pm
Admission $3.00
For more information or for directions please call
Michelle Richardson at 978-423-7045

Gypsypashn's Poetry Caravan
at Bestseller's Cafe
24 High Street
Medford, MA. 02155
Third Thursday of each month at 6:30 PM.
Free refreshments open mic.
The Poetry Man' hosts
The Main St. Cafe, North Easton MA.
August is Biker Poetry Month,
and celebrated at Besteller's on the 13th.
After this reading there'll be a 2nd annual BBQ at Gypsy's.
Come one come all, come and enjoy a night of poetic delight
in a cozy bookshop setting!


VERMONT POETRY

The Power of Words conference:
Liberation through the Spoken, Written and Sung Word
Sept. 12-15, 2008, Goddard College, Plainfield, VT.
Seek greater freedom and transformation for yourself and your community
through the power of words at this unique gathering of people who write,
tell stories, perform, and do other language arts. Make community with
others in the emerging field of Transformative Language Arts, and discover
ways to make a living doing what you love.
Keynotes: Walter Mosley, Bread and Puppet Theatre, Kelley Hunt,
Rick Jarow, Sherry Reiter, Lewis Mehl-Medrona plus 25 more presenters.
Organized by Goddard College’s Transformative Language Arts concentration,
this conference features hands-on workshops, performances, open readings &
celebrations at the peak of fall foliage.
Conference costs start at $210 for registration plus additional fees for
pre- and post-conference workshops.
Lodging and all meals on campus begin at $216/double or $276/single.
Some partial scholarships available including scholarships through the
Roxanne Florence Fund for people of color. Work-study positions available.
Professional and poetry therapy hours available.
Complete schedule and registration at www.goddard.edu/powerofwords
or call Denise at , 802/454-8311, x204.

...

Crash Course: Thinking Like a Poetry Editor: How to Be Your Own Best Critic
Instructor: April Ossmann (author of Anxious Music, Four Way Books, 2007,
and Executive Director of Alice James Books)
Saturday, July 19th OR Saturday, August 23rd
at the Writer's Center, White River Junction, Vermont
10am–12:00 p.m.$45
Learn how to think like a poetry editor!
In this one-session workshop we’ll turn the usual workshop model on its head and not only allow the poet being critiqued to speak, but to speak first and critique their own poem, discussing correlations between the criticisms s/he has for other participants’ poems and her/his own before group discussion begins. This will offer a taste of what it means to be both poet and poetry editor, a position in which it becomes easier to objectively assess your own work; to spot dull vs. energetic syntax, generic vs. original imagery and other strengths and weaknesses you may have overlooked. It also empowers the poet in the process, and engenders an unusually congenial workshop atmosphere.
Participants are invited to send two poems (no more than two pages total) prior to the workshop.
We will address one or both poems in the class (depending on time constraints).
Participants will receive written editorial suggestions for both poems from the instructor.
Pre-registration required; limited enrollment.
Info: or (207) 645-3107.
Visit http://www.thewriterscenterwrj.com/ for ongoing updates
and other seminars and workshops (fiction & nonfiction)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
News for Poetry News must be received by
by Wednesday for Thursday or Friday publication. Lori Desrosiers - Publisher, Wearer of all Hats, even yours.