Poetry News

****POETRYNEWS****
To receive Poetry News in your email write to
or check it out online at http://www.poetrynewscalendar.com/ or our new alternate website
at http://www.poetrynews.wordpress.com/ featuring pages such as News & Kudos and Poetry Radio!

THIS WEEK check out:
* Thu Nov 20 - Slam at Yellow Sofa, Northampton MA
* Thu Nov 20 - Wintonbury, CT library reading/open mic
* Thu Nov 20 - Misha-Maya-Gat reading in Manchester, CT
* Fri Nov 21 - Arms Library Open Mic in Shelburne Falls
* Sat Nov 22 - Eddie Bartok-Baratta flute & poetry in Northampton
* Sun Nov 23 - Packard's Writing Group Northampton


Here is your Poetry News for the week of November 24, 2008.
Spoken word events are keeping us warm this week over the Pioneer Valley and beyond.

Please email if you would like to be added to the mailing
or are interested in featuring at Word in Westfield open mic on Tuesdays.
Peace through poetry - Lori


Spoken Word in Westfield:

WORD IN WESTFIELD
EVERY TUESDAY NIGHT 7PM
at Teapot Gallery
22 Elm Street (route 10/202)
in Westfield, MA
Hosted by Eli Baenziger and Lori Desrosiers

Sign up is at 6:30 and open mic starts at 7:00PM
followed by a guest feature.
All are welcome.
every Tuesday night at 7

Upcoming Features:
November 25 - Dan Wilcox (Albany NY poet) also WSC night
December 2 - Maria Williams
December 9 - Darryl Moss

We are now booking features for December and January.
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.

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,
or email to feature.



Chicopee/Holyoke/Springfield Area Poetry


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

Spoken Word Sundays!
The Springfield City Library's monthly open mic series
is now indoors at the library

Sunday December 14
1:00 pm
All languages, all forms of creative writing, and all ages are welcome. This is a family friendly
event, so please keep that in mind as you prepare your readings.
Advance sign-ups are welcome, but not needed.
For more information, call Anna at 263-6828 x426
or e-mail [email protected].
Springfield City Library — A Place for You

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 ]

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

Poetry Slam!
December 18
at the Yellow Sofa
24 Main St.
Sign up at 7
Slam at 7 30.


Locally Yours: Northampton Forever Event
with Eddie Bartok-Baratta and special guest opener Joshua Crane!
Saturday, November 22nd, 8:00 p.m.
at the Friends' Meetinghouse,
43 Center Street,
Northampton (next to the Northampton police station).

Between live radio appearances on WMUA and Valley Free Radio---and live appearances at the Friends' Meetinghouse and numerous other local venues, this event marks the 100th event of this nature done by our local poet, flute player, and sculptor, Eddie Bartok-Baratta.

Special Guest Joshua Crane - local guitarist/ singer/ songwriter - will open for Eddie with songs from his New CD "Love is Visible". Eddie will recite poems from Book for John and play a Bank of Capawonk River flute pieces.

An audience discussion will follow the recitation and flute playing.

Come out and see these brilliant, powerful, and inspiring local artists!
We are selling beautiful handmade tickets in advance, 5 dollars each.
Call Eddie & Sarah for tickets, 413.584.8187.
Tickets will also be for sale at the door.

A Word from Eddie Bartok-Baratta: When I come out to recite, I speak about trauma and abuse, processes such as grief and overcoming, and I talk about prisons, the death penalty, and war, which focuses, I believe, on positive steps that we can all take to make this planet, our one home, a better place. Also, I play my original flute compositions—the instrument I have played for over 35 years—in an attempt to inspire, uplift, and celebrate our embodied power, to enlighten regarding our grief, and to inspire people to go back out to change their corner of the world, their apartment, or their heart. The role of the artist, for me, is to serve the larger group, the tribe, as we artist, healing shamans have done for millennia.

Available for sale before & after the event is Eddie's hardcover, limited edition first collection of poems, Book for John, and his earlier CD "Old New York City Where I Lay My Head", which features appearances by Joshua Crane, Eon Fontes-May, the Ron Freshley Quartet, Adam Kozak, and other local artists. Joshua Crane's new CD "Love is Visible" will also be available. These make great gifts, locally created and produced, they are very reasonably priced.


Patricia Smith and Cheryl Boyce Taylor to read
at Forbes Library inNorthampton
Patricia Smith and Cheryl Boyce Taylor, two amazing, prize-winning
performance poets will give a reading at the Forbes Library in
Northampton, MA on Wednesday , December 3rd at 7:00 p.m.

PATRICIA SMITH is the four-time national individual champion of the
notorious and wildly popular poetry slam, an energized competition
where poets are judged on the content and performance of their work.
She is also regarded as one of the few performance poets whose work
translates effortlessly to the page. Indeed, the Small Press Review
declares, "Smith writes the way Tina Turner sings." Smith's most recent
collection, TEAHOUSE OF THE ALMIGHTY, was chosen by Ed Sanders for the
2005 National Poetry Series, and was published by Coffee House Press in
2006. Her three previous books of poetry are, CLOSE TO DEATH (Zoland
Books), BIG TOWNS, SMALL TALK (Zoland Books), and LIFE ACCORDING TO
MOTOWN (Tia Chucha). In reviewing CLOSE TO DEATH for Library Journal,
Louis McKee said, ".souls rage from the hellfire of the streets, and
Smith effectively captures the language and urgency, the rhythms and
fury." PATRICIA SMITH'S work has appeared in OXFORD ANTHOLOGY OF
AFRICAN AMERICAN POETRY, PARIS REVIEW, TRIQUARTERLY and other
publications, and her new book BLOOD DAZZLER has just been named a
finalist for a National Book Award. (http://www.wordwoman.ws/)

CHERYL BOYCE TAYLOR was born in Trinidad, raised in New York City since
the age of 13, and has been writing poetry since her son Malik was
born. As a young wife and mother, it was often difficult to discuss
the hardships of her new role as parent with her family. The world was
in the throes of the black power movement, the women's movement, and
the war in Vietnam. Such a different world, from her carnival and
coconut-water Trinidad. CHERYL BOYCE TAYLOR'S work has taken her around
the world, to Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean. She has performed at
some of New York City's hottest venues, such as Brooklyn Academy of
Music, The Joyce Theater, Aaron Davis Hall, The Bowery Poetry Club,
Lincoln Center, and this past summer she opened at Celebrate Brooklyn
in Prospect Park for Shadow, one of Trinidad's most talented
Calypsonians. In 1994, Boyce Taylor was the first Caribbean woman to
present her work in Trinidadian dialect at the National Poetry Slam.
Her works include two collections of poetry, RAW AIR and NIGHT WHEN
MOON FOLLOWS. When asked to name three things that best describe
her work, she smiles her little girl mischievous grin, and says "A Mack
truck, a kiss, and an open road." (http://www.cherylboycetaylor.com/)

The poets will be introduced by Northampton Poet Laureate Lesléa Newman.
The Forbes Library is located at
20 West Street, Northampton, MA. For
more information, please call the library at
413-587-1011.


Let your words out to play at Open Words
the Pioneer Valley's newest creative writing workshop.
The first 8-week session begins January 7, 2009,
in Easthampton, MA. It is open to writers of all levels and genres.
Leader: Kathryn Good-Schiff, MFA,
Amherst Writers and Artists affiliate
For more information: orhttp://homepage.mac.com/kathryn_schiff/Menu10.html



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



FLORENCE POETS SOCIETY .
Next business/sharing meeting Thursday December 11.
ALL POETS OF ALL TYPES AND AGES are welcome, bring one of your original works to share,
(12 to 15 copies will usually be enough for all to share) The meeting is held at Lilly Library community room and begins at 6:30 PM. Poetry presentation and discussion begins at 7PM


OPEN MIC at Evolution Cafe
1st Thursday evening of each month.
We are now facilitating the open mic at Evolution Cafe,
it is basically an Evolution Cafe event that florence poets will help facilitate using
the resources we have for contacting poets. This venue is open to poets and aimed
at the entire local poetry community. We had a fine turn out on Thursday evening.
IT IS THE FIRST THURDAY EVENING OF EACH MONTH
AT EVOLUTION CAFE, SIGN UP AT 6:30 PM.
Bring a poet friend and tell other poets about this great cafe reading venue.
AND REMEMBER TO PATRONIZE THIS FINE CAFE.!!!!!


WRITING GROUP
Rich Puchalsky and friends meet every 3rd Thursday
at Lilly Library community Room
at 6:30 PM.
See Rich for details, this group is currently open to join.

LASTLY PLEASE CONSIDER JOINING AS A MEMBER
OF FLORENCE POETS SOCIETY. THE FEE IS $15.00 FOR THE YEAR
FROM SEPTEMBER TO AUGUST. Your membership supports our Fall festival,
SILKWORM our annual journal, (these first two items also are supported in part
by the Northampton Arts Council via a grant)
our website http://www.florencepoetssociety.org/,, our po box, the annual contest,
the JAN SLAM, our spring art gallery reading. and our summer reading
at William Cullen Bryant homestead.

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


Florence Poets Society Readings:

Listen to "Twilite's Poetry Pub" now Weekly!
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 November 23, 6:00pm
Sunday December 7, 6:00pm



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.


Greenfield/Shelburne Falls and North


Arms Library Third Friday Open Prose and Poetry Series
Date: Friday, November 21st
Time: 7 pm
Place: Upstairs at the Arms Library,
corner of Main and Bridge Sts. Shelburne Falls
Format: Readers sign up to read for five minutes.
Space for 20 readers.
Refreshments served.
Contact: Susie 625-9388



ALL SMALL CAPS
A NIGHT OF SPOKEN WORD
Last Monday of each month Déjà Brew Pub, Wendell MA
_ Doors open 7:00 p.m.
_ Open mike 7:15 – 8:00
_ Featured readers 8:15 – 9.30

Fall 2008 Schedule
November 24th Geraldine Monk & Alan Halsey
December 29th Special Guest & Open Mike Extravaganza
All comers are invited to read from their own
work or the works of others, poetry or prose
This program is supported, in part, by the Wendell Cultural Council, a local agency, The Massachusetts Cultural Council, a
state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

$1 - $5
Sliding scale admission
For directions and additional
information see our website
http://allsmallcaps.blogspot.com


Deja Brew Pub
& Cafe
57 Lockes Village Rd.
Wendell MA
(978) 544-2739



Bart’s Bards:
Thursdays Open Microphone for Writers
In Greenfield
Next meeting: December 4, 2008

Bart’s Café of Greenfield
286 Main St.
Greenfield, MA
7:00- 9:00 P.M.
(Sign up to read at 6:45)

Featured Reader:
Local Poet and Performance Artist
Storm
Free to All
(Open Microphone readings of 5 minutes or less, sign up at 6:45)
Please note that our meetings will change
To SECOND Thursdays
As of January 8, 2009



Collected Poets Series
Features Dzvinia Orlowsky, Jeff Friedman and Alice Fogel
Thursday December 4, 2008 at Mocha Maya’s Coffee House,
47 Bridge Street,
Shelburne Falls, MA 01370,
413-625-6292.
Wheelchair accessible. Free.

The 2009 Series
Jan. 8 - Patrick Donnelly, Jeffrey Levine, Art Opening by Liz deNiord: Art + Poetry = Excitation
Feb. 5 - Mary Clare Powell and Diane Lockward
Mar.5 - Nikki Finney, Tara Betts and poets from The Holyoke Care Center for Teen Mothers
Mar.29 - Martha Collins and Lynne Thompson
April 2 - Carey Salerno and Anne Marie Macari
May 7 - Genie Zeiger, Dorianne Laux, and Kerry O'Keefe
June 4 - Two Massachusetts Poet Laureates: Gertrude Halstead of Worcester and Lesléa Newman of Northampton
July 2 - Dara Wier, Lesle Lewis, and Elizabeth Hughey
~ no CPS for August and Sept. ~
Oct. 1 - Patricia Smith and Annie Finch
Nov. 5 - April Ossman, Peter Waldor, and Pamela Stewart
Dec. 3 - Mary Koncel and Kate Greenstreet

The Collected Poets Series highlights the work of established and emerging poets. Each event showcases the remarkable local poets of Western Massachusetts and the finest regional, national, and international talent. The series is usually held every first Thursday of the month. See http://www.collectedpoets.com/ for more info about upcoming events.



Spoken Word in Greenfield
Greenfield Spoken Word
Tuesday December 16
Always the third Tuesday of the month
Doors open at 7:00
Open mic starts at 7:30
Open mic will be 10 - five-minute slots
Feature Readers TBA

Book signing and selling of local writers works will be available
Come up to read
Bring your chapbooks to sell
We will have tables at no cost
For this year we have some open slots for main readers
contact us if interested
Hope to see you there
Paul
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



"Growing Younger Toward Death Every Day: Poetry To Inspire Our Lives"
is a new group focused on recorded poet David Whyte reciting and discussing his own and others' poetry, and inspiring us to live a fully present, authentic, and engaged life.This group will meet bi-monthly from November to May, and the second gathering will be Monday, Dec. 1st, 6:30 to 9pm at a participant's home in Greenfield. We will listen to parts of Whyte's CDs, then discuss his message and how it applies to our lives. His line "Growing younger toward death every day" appears in his best-known poem, 'The Faces at Braga', about his life-changing experience in an old Buddhist Temple high in the Himalayas. Participants can also bring and share poems, prose, songs, or other material created by themselves or others, that moves and inspires them deeply. There will also be opportunities to respond to Whyte's poetry and commentary through creative writing.

David Whyte is a British/Irish poet, author, and public speaker who has lived in the Seattle area for over 25 years. He travels the country and world reading his and others' poetry, and galvanizing listeners to explore their own poetic sensibilities and insights. He has published 5 books of poetry, and recorded 12 CDs of various readings and talks he's given. He has a unique, engaging, even captivating style of speaking and story-telling that brings the poetry alive and makes it accessible. His work can be seen on his website at www.manyrivers.com.
There is no cost for the group other than the option to buy some of Whyte's CDs. The dates and location of future meetings can be determined by those participants at the first group and others interested in attending.For more info, contact John at 413-625-6374, [email protected];or Amy Swisher at 413-773-3033,



News from Mo and Ginger Cat Press

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

The Equinox is available at http://www.thebooksmyth.com/


Word in the Berkshires

In Words, Out Words in Housatonic
In Housatonic, MA there is an open mic for poets and performers
of all styles and ages.
1st Tuesday of each month at
the Deb Koffman Gallery
137 Front Street,
Housatonic, MA 01236. “In Words, Out Words.”
is hosted by John Meeks and there is usually
a $7 suggested donation for heat and electricity.
There are snacks there provided by whoever wants to bring them.
The sign up technically is at 6:30 however the way it works is a
lottery system. If you go to check it out once, then you can put
your name on the contact email list. The following month you
get an email reminding you of the upcoming event.
If it’s your first time performing at In Words, Out Words,
you are guaranteed a spot on the roster as long as you reply
to the reminder email. If you’ve performed there before then
you are put into the lottery system and randomly names are selected.
Sometimes there are still slots open at the door.
The open mic begins at 7 and the featured performer goes on
for about 20 minutes. It usually lasts until between 9 and 9:30.


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 and novelists.
All are welcome.
Call LuWanda Cheney (413) 277-9676 for a schedule.



Word in Worcester:

The Poets' Asylum
For a complete list of Worcester events go to http://www.poetsasylum.org/

November 23
This week the Poets' Asylum welcomes one of our own to take the mic as our feature. Heather Macpherson is a poet and writer. Her work has appeared in Nerve Cowboy, Real Women Press, Wicked Alice, The Sun, Worcester Review, Pearl and others. She is the publisher and editor of Ballard Street Poetry Journal, the mother of Georgie and has a big crush on her husband.


Please join us at our new home,
Jumpin' Juice and Java
(335 Chandler Street, Worcester).
The reading starts at 6:00 p.m..
No cover; please throw some money in the bucket to support the feature.


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
.


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. There will be an extended open mic with the theme of The Dog Days of Summer. Worcester Storytellers never charges a cover. They ask you throw some money into the basket to support the artists who feature. For more info please contact .



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


MISHI-MAYA-GAT SPOKEN WORD & MUSIC SERIES
at Manchester Community College
Learning Resource Center, Fireside Commons
Great Path, Manchester, CT 06040
Sponsored by MCC Foundation / Hosted by Stephen Campiglio
3rd Thursday of each month from 7-9 p.m.
Free and Open to the Public

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20
A Celebration of Curbstone Press and the Life of Alexander "Sandy" Taylor
with Judith Doyle, Raouf Mama, and Paul Pines - 8:00 p.m.
Judith Doyle, executive director and publisher of Curbstone Press, will speak about Sandy Taylor's (1931-2007) dedication and contribution to Curbstone Press, as well as his commitment to poetry, peace, and human rights. The featured writers published by Curbstone Press will be Raouf Mama and Paul Pines. Mama, a native of Benin in West Africa, is a noted storyteller and author of four books of stories, including Pearls of Wisdom and Why Monkeys Live in Trees & Other Stories from Benin. He earned his Ph.D. in English and education from the University of Michigan and teaches English at Eastern Connecticut State University. Pines is a poet, novelist, and jazz historian whose recent book of nonfiction is My Brother's Madness. He has authored six books of poetry, including Taxidancing, and teaches American literature and creative writing at Adirondack Community College in New York. He also hosts the annual Lake George Jazz Weekend. Curbstone Press will have books for sale after the reading.

Featured musician: Ken Cormier - 7:00 p.m.
Ken Cormier is a singer/songwriter, guitarist, and poet who has recorded two CDs with Elis Eil Records. He is also the author of Balance Act, a collection of poems and short stories from Insomniac Press. Cormier is the editor of The Lumberyard Journal (http://www.thelumberyardjournal.com/), a radio magazine of poetry, prose and music, which is broadcast at WHUS, University of Connecticut.

For more information on the Series or directions to MCC, please visit the Mishi-maya-gat web page at: www.mcc.commnet.edu/faculty/spoken.php or call (860) 512-2824.



Wintonbury Library Poetry Series
Selected Thursdays, 7:00 pm

The local talent continues on November 20 with acclaimed poet and Duncaster resident, Arlene Swift Jones. She has authored two collections of poetry, Deenewood, A Sequence and Pomegranate Wine, both by Turning Point Books. Her honors include the Frances Shaw Fellowship at Ragdale, a fellowship at MacDowell, and Academy of American Poets Prize. One critic says of Pomegranate Wine that it is "instilled with the glory of Paradise, albeit lost, and has at its heart a still small voice of hope prevailing on the far side of endurance..." Open mike theme: "Healing"

December 4 enjoy the holidays with a creative father/son duo-- the dad is a prize-winning poet and the son is a talented singer, composer, keyboardist. Poet John Surowiecki has had two books published, The Hat City after Men Stopped Wearing Hats (Word Works, 2007) and Watching Cartoons before Attending a Funeral (White Pine Press, 2003), as well as five chapbooks. He is the winner of many prizes, including the Poetry Foundationʼs Pegasus Award for his verse drama, My Nose and Me, and the Pablo Neruda Prize. Singer John E. Surowiecki has played his own songs in countless venues around eastern Connecticut. His style leans toward classic rock, with emphasis on eloquence, musicianship, and strong melody line. His music has a great appeal across the generations. Open mike theme: "Family"

A themed open mike follows the featured poets at each event. Themes are optional.
Refreshments included.
Wintonbury Library
1015 Blue Hills Avenue
Bloomfield, CT 06002 242-0041


NUTMEG BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS
HOSTS POETRY SLAM AT TRINITY COLLEGE
On Saturday, December 6th, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.,
a poetry slam will be hosted by Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters,
Connecticut’s premiere youth mentoring organization.
The event’s location is on the Trinity College campus at the
Koeppel Community Sports Center,
175 New Britain Avenue in
Hartford, CT.

For those not in the know, a poetry slam is an event in which a variety of poets perform their best work in front of a live audience. Attendees can anticipate hearing a diverse range of work ranging from heartfelt love poetry to searing social commentary to sidesplitting comedic riffs.

More than ten artists are scheduled to perform. The keynote poet is Elizabeth Thomas, a widely published poet, performer, teacher and advocate of the arts. She is a coach and organizer with Brave New Voices: International Youth Poetry Slam and Festival. She is also the founder of UpWords Poetry, a company dedicated to promoting programs for young writers and educators, based on the belief that poetry is meant to be heard out loud and in person. She hosts a website at www.upwordspoetry.com.

Introducing the artists and keeping the slam motoring along will be local radio’s G-Money da Prince, a Hot 93.7 FM on-air weekend personality and East Hartford native.

“It’s our hope that this event cultivates poetry in the community,” said Michelle Roman, a Volunteer Recruiter at Nutmeg. “We’re also hoping it raises awareness about our Latino Mentoring Initiative and our very large need for Latino mentors to mentor Latino children.”

Admission to Nutmeg’s Poetry Slam is $5.00 per person. The price includes beverages and Latino-themed food. For additional event information, contact Michelle Roman at: [email protected]. Her phone number is: 1-800-237-KIDS (5437), ext. 115

Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters, Connecticut’s largest one-to-one children’s mentoring organization, is an affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Its mission is to improve the lives of disadvantaged children and enable them to become responsible individuals by creating one-to-one relationships between them and caring adult volunteers. Headquartered in Hartford, Nutmeg has a regional office in Waterbury. The non-profit was founded in 1966 and is funded, in part, by United Way organizations. It currently offers services to more than 2,000 youngsters in 111 of the state’s 169 cities, towns and villages. For more information, call: 1-800-237-5437 (KIDS). The organization’s website is: www.nutmegbigbrothersbigsisters.org.


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

CENTRAL VALLEY POETRY SERIES
Also at Wood Memorial Library
Mark your calendar for the last Monday of October and November for
Acoustic Music Night…a musical open mic
bring your instruments…bring your voice…piano available
Hosted by Minta White, Music director
6:30 p.m. – Free Admission

CENTRAL VALLEY POETRY SERIES
invites you to Wood Memorial Library to enjoy
NEW VOICES
Thursday, November 20th
6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Melissa Emma was raised in an artistic, poetic household in Providence Rhode Island. She began writing poetry at about 14 years old. At first, poetry became the perfect medium to communicate and express intense moments of clarity and vision that would suddenly take hold of her. Then it easily became a way of thinking and observing, as well as a way of purifying and crystallizing all impressions and concepts. The poetry is strongly influenced by nature, the themes range from existential struggles with self and society, to simple observation and appreciation, and all the way to euphoric inspiration. Melissa, now living in Meriden, continues to observe, appreciate, and write. Currently she works as a naturalist, and volunteers for the North East Herbal Association as well as for other environmental groups.

" Ken McManus has published poems most recently in CrossBRONX and the anthology, Crux. His chapbook, Americana, was published by Rogue Scholars Press in 2000. In 2001, his poetry was nominated for a Pushcart Prize. Formerly a resident of Queens, NY, he now lives with his family in Windsor, Connecticut.

Nora Pasco is 25 years old and resides in New Britain. She began writing poetry at age eight. She has read her poetry in many venues, and in 2006 won an honorable mention in the annual Asnuntuck student poetry contest. Her poem, The Struggle, was published in the poetry magazine Freshwater. She enjoys jotting down potential poems on her lunch break while her co-workers stare and takes secret pleasure in reciting Dylan Thomas to herself during staff meetings. She is just dying some day to be published in The New Yorker (well, we all have dreams) and is delighted to be reading this evening.

Open mic will follow the featured readers
Refreshments will be served
Public is invited Admission is free
Wood Memorial Library
http://www.woodmemoriallibrary.org/
783 Main St.South Windsor, CT

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.



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

LEMON ANDERSEN coming to THE BUSHNELL
On Monday evening, December 1, poet Lemon Andersen will bring his jarring coming of age memoir to life at the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts as part of the Literature to Life series, a creation of The American Place Theatre in New York. Lemon’s portrait of a modern “manchild” on a tumultuous journey of self-discovery is performed in his unique voice, weaving drama with urban poetry. His true story of finding passion and purpose in life, against all odds, exposes the human experience behind the most influential and prevalent cultural movement of our time, commonly referred to as hip-hop.

Lemon Andersen is a critically acclaimed poet best known for his Tony Award winning work in Russell Simmons’ Def Poetry Jam on Broadway and HBO. Lemon’s memoir (working titles The Beautiful Struggle or County of Kings) is a work in progress and has not yet been published.

Date: Monday, December 1, 2008
Time: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., including pre-show lecture and post-show Q&A
Place: The Bushnell, 166 Capitol Avenue, Hartford CT 06106
Autorino Great Hall / open seating
The Literature to Life series (five shows) goes on sale July 24 ($130)
Single tickets ($30) go on sale in August.
To purchase, call the box office at 860-987-5900 or Audrey at 860-987-6052
or email her at < >
For information about the Literature to Life series, call Zita at 860-987-6092
or email her at



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:


The Greater Brockton Society for Poetry and the Arts
Presents
Poetry Series: at the Brockton Library
304 Main Street. New website!! www.gbspa.org

Celebrating Poetry One Saturday Every Month

Sat., December 20 - Nancy Brady Cunningham
This is a Free Event
with really comfortable chairs and divine refreshments

12:00 - 2:00 Poetry Writing Workshop
1:30 - 2:00 Sign up for Open-Mic Reading
2:15 - 3:15 Open-Mic Reading
3:30 - 4:30 Feature Poets

During Open-Mic Reading share your own poetry
or read from works of your favorite poets

Upcoming Features
Sat., Dec 20 - Nancy Brady Cunningham http://gbspa.homestead.com/NancyCunningham.html
Sheila Twyman http://gbspa.homestead.com/SheilaTwyman.html
Joanna Nealon http://gbspa.homestead.com/JoannaNealon.html
Sat.,Jan 17 – Elizabeth Quinlan http://gbspa.homestead.com/ElizabethQuinlan.html
Martha Collinshttp://gbspa.homestead.com/MarthaCollins.html
Sat., Feb21 – Jason Tandon http://gbspa.homestead.com/JasonTandon.html

WEDNESDAYS at the CANTAB
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, November 26
He’s been on an outrageous number of slam teams, held and challenged the Champion of Champions title at the Cantab more times than you can count, and mixes a fine drink; Adam Stone is one of the Boston slam community’s most prolific writers and performers, with great command of an incredible range of style and subjects. First semi-final slam in the 8x8 series: Max, Sam, Kevin, Sean.

• Wednesday, December 3
Repeat member and coach of both Ann Arbor and UMich national poetry slam teams, the earnest and fiery Adam Falkner can now add a fifth-place National Poetry Slam finish with the 2008 Nuyorican team to his impressive slam resume. He currently teachers 11th and 12th grade English and Creative Writing at PROGRESS High School in Brooklyn, and is pursuing a Masters degree in Secondary English Education. Second semi-final slam in the 8x8 series; Carlos, Artie, 11/19 and 11/26 winners.

• Wednesday, December 10
A regular open mic contributor at the Cantab Lounge, resident metalhead Maxwell Kessler showed himself master of the heavy slam hit as well as the sweet ballad even before making his national debut with the collegiate semi-finalist Gringo Choir (Emerson College Slam Team). Dividing his time among the Emerson Comedy Workshop, Screenwriting Club, and his own Spaceman Manuel sci-fi series, Max is constantly reinventing his style and sound. Season final slam in the 8x8 series: 11/26 vs. 12/3 winner.

• Wednesday, December 17
Eric Darby is a nationally-recognized published and performance poet and past host of the Detroit and Lizard Lounge Poetry Slams. Now studying at Syracuse, he’s competed in two Individual World Poetry Slams and five National Poetry Slams, and ranked seventh individually at the 2005 NPS. This two-time Cantab slam team member brings a unique and studied combination of literary technique and down-home sincerity to the stage. Champion of Champions Slam: Adam Stone defends his title.

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

_____
SATURDAYS

The Greater Brockton Society for Poetry and the Arts
Presents
Poetry Series: at the Brockton Library
304 Main Street. Map it! New website!! www.gbspa.org

Celebrating Poetry One Saturday Every Month

This is a Free Event
with really comfortable chairs and divine refreshments

12:00 - 2:00 Workshop with Danielle Legros Georges
1:30 - 2:00 Sign up for Open-Mic Reading
2:15 - 3:15 Open-Mic Reading
3:30 - 4:30 Feature Poets

During Open-Mic Reading share your own poetry
or read from works of your favorite poets

Upcoming Features
Sat., Dec 20 - Nancy Brady Cunningham http://gbspa.homestead.com/NancyCunningham.html
Sheila Twyman http://gbspa.homestead.com/SheilaTwyman.html
Joanna Nealon http://gbspa.homestead.com/JoannaNealon.html
Sat.,Jan 17 – Elizabeth Quinlan
Martha Collinshttp://gbspa.homestead.com/MarthaCollins.html


* * *
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/


_____ 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 si gn-up at 7:30 p.m.
http://stonesouppoetry.blogspot.com/

_____ TUESDAYS
Newton Free Library Poetry Reading Series Winter 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

* * *
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.

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