1/14/2010

Poetry News January 18, 2010

*****POETRY NEWS*****

To receive Poetry News in your email or to post events write to [email protected].

Here is your Poetry News for the week of January 18, 2010. Poetry events blowing with the drifting snow in the Pioneer Valley and beyond. Scroll all the way down for more poetry in CT, Boston and other areas. Check out all our links to the right for poetry events everywhere!


THIS WEEK check out (scroll down for details):

Tue. Jan. 19, Greenfield Spoken Word, 7pm
Thu. Jan. 21, 7:30pm Green St. Cafe presents Mike Young and Rachel Glaser
Fri. Jan. 22 - Science & Nature Open Mic, Great Falls Discovery Center
Sun. Jan. 24, 4pm Blue Guitar Gallery presents Michael Arraj and John Grabowski


There are many other poetry events in Western MA and CT this week - Please scroll down!


Word in Westfield


Word at the Y Poetry Contest!
The first annual YMCA poetry contest is calling for poems on the theme of AGE.

You can write about your age, people your age, your generation, aging, remembering being a certain age, looking forward to being a certain age or agelessness. Use your imagination to write a winning poem! Poems will be judged on the level of craft and quality of poetic language, as well as on how well they address the theme of the contest. Try to make your poem unique and different from the rest.

There will be three categories for the contest with prizes for the top three in each category.

Under 12 years old
13-17 years old
18+ (adult)

Prizes will be gift certificates for Westfield YMCA classes, t-shirts and other merchandise.

This contest is FREE and open to all - members and non-members.

Participants may submit up to three poems. Poems are limited to 50 lines. Deadline for submission is February 15th.

Please submit poems at our front desk, attention Rosann Scalise or email them to [email protected].

Judge for this year's contest will be Lori Desrosiers, Local Poet and Assistant Professor of English at Westfield State College.




Holyoke/Springfield Area Poetry


New Poetry Reading/Open Mic
Friday Nights at 8pm
Boriquen Y QuisQueya
626 St. James Ave.
Springfield MA




Starving for Art Presents open mic Tuesdays
@ 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/




Word in the Valley and Beyond


Green St. Poetry Series
Green Street Café
Northampton, Massachusetts

The Green St. Poetry Series showcases the voices of emerging and noted poets from the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts and beyond.

Please join us this Thursday January 21st at 7:30 p.m. to hear the poetry of Mike Young & Rachel Glaser

Future Readings Include:
January 21st — Mike Young & Rachel Glase
January 27th — Christopher Cheney & Lily Ladewig (please note the Wednesday date change)
Feb 4 — Brooks Robards & Irene Willis
Feb 11 — Janet McFayden & Susie Patlove

If you are a poet and would like to read at Green Street, please contact Maria Williams-Russell at .


Seventh Annual Forbes Poetry Series
The series takes place on the first Wednesday of the month from October to May at the Forbes Library. Readings are free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served courtesy of the Friends of the Forbes Library.

Upcoming Readings

Always the first Wednesday of the month in the library's elegant Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library and Museum. Free and open to all.

Feb. 3, 2010 - Northampton High School Poetry Slam Winners
March 3, 2010 - Middle School Poetry Reading



Gallery of Readers series
The Gallery of Readers was begun in 1990, and takes its name from its first location, in Northampton's Forbes Library art gallery. The readers in the series are participants in Robin Barber and Carol Edelsteins writing workshops.
For more information on other events in the series, please visit http://www.galleryofreaders.org/galleryofreaders/current.html


Michael Arraj and John Grabosky

Feature at The Blue Guitar
Thursday, Jan. 24, 4 pm

The Blue Guitar Performance Space, in collaboration with Gallery of Readers
presents the second installment of WORD JOURNEYS,
a monthly multi-media reading series in which writers reach us through more than
our ears.

"The Masking Tapes"
John Grabosky reads fiction from his new collection of short stories
and Michael Arraj performs poetry and then some.
$5 donation, no one turned away for lack of funds.

186 Northampton St, Easthampton, MA
www.theblueguitar.org


Northampton High School Slam Poets 
Forbes Library
Wed., February 3, 2010 at 7 p.m.

Northampton High School held its 12th annual Poetry Slam in December.
The Slam is the culmination of student poetry writing, a day of poetry
by Valley poets, and a practice session where student work with the
poets/judges to hone their poetry and performance skills the day before
the Slam. This year, over 70 students participated in the event which
was held all day in the NHS auditorium.
Historically, Slam poetry is a competition and the High School Slam is
judged by the local poets as well as students in the audience who are
picked at random on the day of the big event. Judges are looking at both
the poetry and the performance. Due to support from the PTO and local
donors, winners receive monetary and gift certificate awards.
After 12 years of Slamming, roughly 850 students have
participated in the event. Some of our former students have continued to
Slam after high school, and at least one has become a national
recognized slam poet.


Growing younger toward death every day: finding insight and inspiration in poetry, prose, and music


New participants are welcome to join this year-old group that gathers in one of the participant's homes twice monthly to share and discuss poems, prose, and songs—original or created by others-- that move them deeply and inspire them to live fuller, more authentic lives.

Particular focus will be given to listening to the recorded work of contemporary poet David Whyte, reading his own and others' poetry and offering his insightful and often amusing commentary; his best-known poem “The Faces at Braga” contains the phrase “Growing younger toward death every day”.

Group members will also read aloud and discuss poems by renowned American poet Mary Oliver; poems by others along with accompanying commentary by Roger Housden, editor of a series of books including “Ten Poems To Change Your Life”; poems by Irish poet John O'Donohue in his book “A Book of Blessings”; and selections from other poets, writers, and musicians.

Two separate groups will meet from 6 to 9pm, one in Greenfield starting on Tuesday Jan. 19, the other in Northampton on Tuesday Jan. 26. Participants are encouraged to bring their own supper and/or dessert to share. Copies will be available of all poems, prose, and song lyrics read and discussed in each group.
For more information, contact John Berkowitz at 413-625-6374 or [email protected]


SUSAN HOWARD CASE MEMORIAL POETRY CORNER

The Forbes Library in Northampton, MA has created a new collection of the works of local poets named the Susan Howard Case Poetry Corner. This collection has been named in memory of a local poet who contributed to the library's rich poetry community through her volunteer service. The non-circulating collection consists of poetry books and chapbooks by Pioneer Valley poets, and locally published literary journals. "The idea for this collection developed in response to the abundance of many gifted poets in our area," said D.M. Gordon, Forbes Library Writer-in-Residence who created the idea for this new collection.

The collection will be housed in the Arts & Music magazine lounge on the library's second floor. The items in the collection are to be read in the library and comfortable seating is available nearby. The library hopes to grow the collection through donations. Anyone interested in donating to the collection should contact Lisa Downing, Assistant Director, at 413-587-1017 or [email protected].



Anthology of Poems about Northampton

Call for Submissions! Deadline is March 1, 2010 Go to: http://www.nohoanthology.blogspot.com


FLORENCE POETS SOCIETY

Next business/sharing meeting Thursday January 14, 6:30pm
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


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 [email protected] 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 http://www.valleyfreeradio.org/. Bringing to you a variety of interesting poetry and music!

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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: http://www.florencepoetssociety.org/




POETRY A LA CARTE

on WMUA-Amherst 91.1 FM 5pm to 5:30 pm on Tuesdays this Summer, streamed live at http://www.wmua.org/.
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.


Poetry at the Leverett Library


6:30 p.m. on the 3rd Tuesday of each month, Poetry reading at the Leverett Library. 75 Montague Rd. Leverett, MA. Area poets are invited to read. For more information contact Petriana at 413. 549.9336 or by email at [email protected]




Greenfield/Shelburne Falls and North



Bart’s Bards

Second Thursdays Open Microphone for Writers Bart’s Café of Greenfield 286 Main St. Greenfield, MA
7:00-9:00 P.M. (Sign up to Read at 6:45)

February 11: Julie Payne Britton

2010 Featured Readers:
January 14: Janet Aalfs
February 11: Julie Payne Britton
March 11: Maureen Moore
April 8: Kerry O’Keefe
May 14: Wyn Cooper
June 10: Lori Desrosiers
July 8: Janet MacFadyen
August 12: Marie Gauthier
Sept. 10: Lesle Lewis
October 14: Susie Patlove
November 11: Laura Rodley

For More Information, Please Contact: Larry Fader (413) 475-3321 (Open Microphone Readings are 5 Minutes or Less) Free to All



Greenfield Spoken Word


Always the third Tuesday of the month
This month it is Jan 19th
9 Mill St
Greenfield, MA
Doors open at 7:00
Open Mic starts at 7:30
Open Mic will be 10 - five-minute slots
Donation - Sliding Scale $1 - $5

Feature Readers
Jack Golden and others to be announced.
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. Hope to see you there

Yes, I know I am talking about Memorial Day:
May 31st
Wendell Spoken Word is the Last Monday of the month from Sept to April
We decided to throw a party, barbque at the Deja Brew Pub & Cafe
A few hours of readings
We are inviting you
We would like to have representation from Northampton, Florence, Greenfield, ....Western MA
Each area be responsible for 30 to 50 minutes
A possible slam at the end
Still being formulated
Save the date
If you want to be a part of this celebration email [email protected]


3rd Annual Science & Nature Writing Open Mic Night
Great Falls Discovery Center
Featured Readers Sheppard Ranbom & Janet MacFadyen

Friday, January 22, 2010, 7pm-9pm (doors open at 6:30)
Great Falls Discovery Center
2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA
413-863-9972 www.greatfallsma.org
Free & Open to the Public - Accessible Facilities
Light refreshments and drinks will be for sale. Proceeds
support programming at GFDC.

Mark your calendar for an evening of poetry about the
natural world and the history of Native Americans of Western
Massachusetts. Featured poets Sheppard Ranbom and Janet
MacFadyen will read from recent books, followed by an open
mic for science and nature writing.

King Philip's War, by Springfield native Sheppard Ranbom,
tells the story of the New England Algonquians who hosted
the first Thanksgiving and were, within half a century of
the European arrival, victims of genocide. With lyric
intensity, the book reveals the inner life of King Philip,
the rebel Wampanoag leader who led the uprising that
historians have called the bloodiest war in American
history. Moving from rage to tenderness and resignation,
Philip's voice is redolent with the rhythm of the seasons,
the beliefs and dreams of an ancient people, and the bitter
realities of a civilization being lost

A Newfoundland Journal, by Shutesbury poet Janet MacFadyen,
weaves the natural history of Newfoundland with the stories
of generations of people who came to the island to fish.
Through the eyes of the poet and the voices of
Newfoundlanders, the poem investigates our position in the
natural world, as well as our notions of history and
belonging. Janet is author of In Defense of Stones, and her
poetry has appeared in The Atlantic Monthly, Poetry, The
Atlanta Review, and Osiris, among other places.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery
Center, U.S. Fish & Wildlife, and Massachusetts Department
of Recreation and Conservation.


ARMS LIBRARY READING
Third Friday Prose and Poetry Readings. 7 p.m. at The Arms Library, Corner of Main and Bridge Streets,
Shelburne Falls, Mass. 413-625-0306.

Held in the upstairs Reading Room, readers should arrive a couple of minutes early to sign up for a reading slot, and then have five minutes to share their work. The building is accessible by entering at lower level and taking the elevator upstairs.



Collected Poets Series


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 at 7pm (new time)

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

The Collected Poets Series will now be held the first Thursday of the month at 7:00PM. The Collected Poets Series is also excited to announce the dates and readers for our 2010 series beginning in January. We have many amazing poets from here in the valley and from as far away as England.

2010 Series

January 7 - Nancy Pearson and Afaa Michael Weaver
February 4 - Meg Kearney, Christopher Merrill, and Rhett Iseman Trull
March 4 - Joan Houlihan and Deborah Bernhardt

National Poetry Month
April 1 - Lawrence Raab and Regie O'Hare Gibson
April 15 - Adrian Blevins and James Haug

May 6 - Margaret Lloyd and Sarah Browning
May 16 - Special Appearance by Maxine Kumin at the Buckland- Shelburne Community Center. Sunday, May 16, at 3:30 pm.
June 3 - Mihaela Moscaliuc and Nickole Brown
July 1 - Kristin Bock and Lee Sharkey
No CPS Readings in August or September
October 7 - Josephine Dickinson and Sharon Dolin
November 4 - Barbara Ras and Jennifer Sweeney
December 2 - Aracelis Girmay and Ross Gay

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.


ALL SMALL CAPS
Monday, January 25th, is our next reading for the All Small Caps series.

Please bring your work, work you admire and want to share, or just come listen to the outstanding featured readers.

The reading will be held, as usual, at the Deja Brew (57 Lockes Village Rd, Wendell). Doors will open at 7 and the open mic portion of the reading will begin at 7:30, followed by a short break, followed by the featured readers. There will be food and drink available. If you need directions, a peek at upcoming readings, etc., please look-see our blog: allsmallcaps.blogspot.com

We will also have copies of our third ASC Anthology available for purchase, so you will be able to read work from Season 3 featured readers. If you pay the upper end of our sliding scale, $5, you will receive a copy of the Anthology.

The featured readers:

John Mulrooney was/is the originator of the transgressive poetry movement Poet Without Cat. He has no cats and no strong opinions on cats one way or the other. He also has no strong opinions on fountain pen vs. ball point, the Packer's chances, or the efficacy of attempting to legislate the net. Don't get him started on the methodology of sausage making though. Poet Without Cat is destined to change the pet grooming habits of American Poetry. Stay tuned.

Michael Mauri is a forester working in and around Franklin County. Mike’s side-of-the-road poetry focuses on interactions between people, seasons, the local landscape, hay, timber, firewood, maple syrup, thunderstorms and the global economy, past and present. His self-published books include Mud Flaps (2006), Any Timber? (2008), The Recession is Fundamentally Sound (2008) and That and a Dollar (2009). These slender, affordable, pocket-sized books are for sale at the Montague Book Mill. Another book, Florida Turnips, was published by Longhouse (2008) (see www.longhousepoetry.com).


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Writing Groups
for beginning and experienced writers Come write in an encouraging supportive environment, experience the deepening and growth of your own writing, and contribute to the deepening and growth of others' writing. No experience necessary--only the willingness to put pen to paper. Groups meet weekly in Greenfield, are ongoing, and open to all genres. We follow the Amherst Writers & Artists (AWA) method, http://www.amherstwriters.com/. $125 per 5-week session, 6 - 8 people per group. To join or for more info call or email Ann McNelly: 413 772 2375, [email protected]



Word in the Berkshires


Power of Words, Open Mic


Third Tuesdays 7pm to 8:30 pm Hosted by Garfield Reed.
This is an open opportunity to share poetry, readings, music and other spoken word.
Free and open to the public at Berkshire South Regional Community Center , Crissey Rd.,Great Barrington, MA Every third Tuesday of the month. Please call Garfield at 528 4127 for more information.




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.



Zeitgeist Gallery Pittsfield


Monday Poetry Nights 6 to10pm 648 North Street in Pittsfield call Alan Nidle, the Director at (857) 991-8448 for detail



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 [email protected] or call 413 243-8116 for further information.



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 Little "a" Poetry Series

at the Q Cafe, 362 Chandler St in Worcester, MA. We run the reading every Monday night, the sign-up list for the open mic goes up at 7:00pm and we get started shortly thereafter.


Worcester Storytellers

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 open mic followed by a feature. 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 [email protected]


The d'Alzon Arts Series: Poetry Reading

takes place at Assumption College (500 Salisbury Street, Worcester) in the Emmanuel d'Alzon Library on the third Friday of each month during the academic year. The format is an open mic for the first half-hour or so, a short break with refreshments and then 2 featured poets.. The reading starts at 7:00 p.m. and typically runs for 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Readings run throughout the school year.


The After Nine Poetry Series


Every Thursday Night The The After Nine Poetry Series, formerly The Spot, is a weekly poetry reading in the Ship Room at the Hotel Vernon (1 Kelly Square, Worcester).

The reading is held in the Ship Room of the Hotel Vernon (1 Kelly Square, Worcester). The official start time is 8:00 p.m. but honestly, things get going closer to 9. Maybe this week will be different. 21+ and proper id is required


Poets Asylum


Sunday Jan. 17th:
This week the Poets' Asylum welcomes back Dianne Haas. Haas is returning to Worcester after recovering from a fifteen year writers block she refers to as "her career". In 1994, Diane performed at Lollapalooza and played on the Worcester Slam Team at Nationals. Tragically, In 1995, she suffered a nearly fatal attack of capitalism. No one heard from her again until she was laid off in 2009 and stumbled into the Bridge Cafe in Manchester, NH sputtering something about bees beating off. However, it was her poem "Not The Girl Next Door" that earned her the feature slot for Erotic Poetry Night in February, despite the fact that it rhymes. Diane's blender has many speeds but she generally oscillates between puree and chop. She is happy to call Manchester, NH her new poetry home but Worcester will always be her first love.

Poetry slam is the competitive art of performance poetry. It puts a dual emphasis on writing and performance, encouraging poets to focus on what they're saying and how they're saying it. Slam poetry can be moving, funny and deadly serious, sometimes all in the same poem. If that sounds like a good time then join us for some great words.

Come on down to 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.



The Dirty Gerund

There's a new poetry reading in town! The Dirty Gerund Poetry Show will be held every Monday night starting at 8:30 p.m. The reading is being held at Ralph's Chadwick Square Diner (148 Grove Street, Worcester) and is hosted by Rushelle Frazier. There will be an open mic every week with a mix of poetry s lams and featured poets. No cover; donations accepted. 21+ Please join us at our new home,


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
[email protected].



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

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Poetry at Broad Street Books
First Tuesday in February
Tuesday, February 2nd at 7:00pm
Featuring Terri Klein!
On the first Tuesday of every month, Broad Street Books hosts a featured poet followed by an open mic. All are welcome to come and read, recite, perform their work!
Terri Klein has been a performance poet since 1998. Her poetry has appeared in print journals (Midstream, Common Ground Review, and RE:AL) and online (Bent Pin Quarterly), as well as in the theater, as part of Middle City Stage Company’s Woolgatherer (2009), and East Haddam Stage Company's Plays with Poetry (2004 and 2008). She is a member of three poets’ groups: Artemis Rising, Riverwood Poetry Series, and Not Just Any Tom Vic and Terri. Her most recent theater credits are portraying Juno in Vintage Players’ November, 2009, production of Juno and the Paycock, and writing Not So Fast, a 10-minute comedy for Floating Theater Company’s June, 2009, showcase. Terri lives in Cromwell, Connecticut.
Come help us welcome Terri Klein to the store and share some of your own work too!
Broad Street Books
45 Broad Street
Middletown, CT 06457
-also-
Tune in to J-Cherry Presents every Tuesday night at 6:30 PM on 88.1 FM WESU in Middletown to hear from local artists from across all genres.
On the first Tuesday of every month, J-Cherry hosts our featured poet on the show!!
Tune in on Tuesday, February 2nd at 6:30 PM to hear Terri Klein!!


Wednesday Night Poetry Series

This week (Jan 20), the Wednesday Night Poetry Series, (now at the Blue Z Coffeehouse), presents:

Direct from the 60's, wild-eyed poet-guy Sympetalous will read his own all-natural hipster beat poetry. The following poem is what Sympetalous sent as a bio:

A mild mannered reporter for The Subterranean Homesick News
hears the call of fate and suddenly awakes Some Velvet Morning
when he's straight then starts to sway and write this way
for no apparent planetary reason save the subtle motion
of a Deep Blue Moon and the Red Dwarf Stars…

And all the while a Whirling Earth performs
one full ellipsis around an ever Sacred Sun and soon
bright pulsing words from Pipes of Pan now rise & soar
and hang a bit about a pointed space filled with heat & light
and pairs of eager ears open wide to vivid minds
some even willing to shoot the rapids
and then float the calms
of this Stream o' Con
Ki-o-tay

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PREVIEW: On Wed. Jan 27 we have the Return of the Hosts. Sounds sort of sci-fi. Out of 20 past hosts of Wedpoetry, a dozen plus are coming to read one poem each. Deceased or absent hosts will have a poem read to represent them... Who are these pesky hosts? http://wedpoetry.wordpress.com/hosts-2/



Broad Brook Books & Stuff 
presents our 1st monthly poetry Open Mic with a reading by Edwina Trentham.
Please join us on Wed. January 27th at 6:30 pm at
Broad Brook Books & Stuff
100 Main St.
Broad Brook, CT 06016
860-623-5100 http://www.broadbrookbooks.com

Poetry/Reading Series at Billings Forge

The Studio @ Billings Forge is pleased to introduce to its programming a new poetry/reading series entitled,WordForge. WordForge is a series of readings featuring local poets along with an open mike component.

All events will be scheduled for Monday nights, with a 7 p.m. start time.

WordForge is curated and organized by local poet, Jim Finnegan. Harvest Reading, is the first reading in the series, scheduled for Monday, November 16th, and participants are asked to bring a canned good or small donation that will be contributed to a local food bank. Many of the readings will have a featured theme in addition to featured invited poets.

Upcoming events include:

Monday, February 1, 2010 – Ten Thousand Things + Open Mike -The ancient Chinese thought of world as being comprised of 10,000 things. We invite you to bring poems about “things”, any object or thing (animal, mineral, vegetable, etc.).

For further information about the WordForge series and to participate, please contact: Jim Finnegan at 860.508.2810 or at [email protected].

The Studio @ Billings Forge is a program of Billings Forge Community Works, a non-profit organization focused on reinvestment in the Frog Hollow neighborhood of Hartford. The Studio offers programs that bring vitality and arts to the neighborhood and include jazz and world-class music series, artistic and educational workshops and classes, family film series and more.

Billings Forge Community Works (BFCW), located in the Frog Hollow neighborhood of Hartford, is a nonprofit organization committed to revitalization in the community. At the forefront of the project is the award winning Firebox Restaurant.

For further information about The Studio @ Billings Forge contact Janice La Motta,

Program Coordinator, 860.548.9877 or [email protected].




Wintonbury Branch Poetry Series & Open Mike

my time my place my creativity Third Thursdays, 7:00 p.m. Fall 2009 Hosts: Marilyn Johnston/Tom Nicotera. You're invited to evenings of poetry to stir your heart, soul, and your creativity!
An open mike and light refreshments follow the featured poet at each event.

Wintonbury Branch Library 1015 Blue Hills Ave
Bloomfield, CT 06002
860-243-8855
www.prosserlibrary.info




Mishi-maya-gat Spoken Word & Music Series


at Manchester Community College, Great Path Academy, Community Commons (Use Parking Lot B), Manchester, CT 06040

Sponsored by MCC Foundation / Hosted by Stephen Campiglio
2rd Thursday of each month; 7-9 p.m.
Free and Open to the Public
For more information and directions: www.mcc.commnet.edu/faculty/spoken.php



Boston Area/Cape Cod Poetry Info:



* * *
The Poetry Session at O'Shea's
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 [email protected]




The Greater Brockton Society for Poetry and the Arts


Presents Poetry Series at the Brockton Library 304 Main Street. Our website www.gbspa.org Celebrating Poetry One Saturday Every Month

Our workshop and venue are free, the seats comfortable, the refreshments delicious.

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 (For information on the following poets click on our website)
Sat. Jan. 16 - Fred Marchant Raena Camacho




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, January 20
Semi-Final Speed Slam! It’s one of our biggest slams of the year, and by far the wildest. Qualified poets compete in two- and one-minute speed rounds to see who advances to the February finals. Qualified poets: Kass, April Ranger, Sam Teitel, Andy Locke, Sean Conlon, Kevin Spak, Charley Pope, Vinh Hua, Megan Thoma, Steve Subrizi, David Wayne, Georgie Delgado, Michael Monroe, Carrie Rudzinski, plus all open slam winners through 1/13. Special $5 cover tonight to raise money to send the winner to the 2010 Individual World Poetry Slam.

• Wednesday, January 27
Two-man spoken-word duo BROWNSTAR. Emcee-poet-performers Pushkar North Star Sharma and Sathya South Star Sridharan. Innovative and thoughtfully funny, these two inspired performers strive to present a fresh perspective while exploring the contradictions, complexities, and epiphanies of South-Asian identities. Open poetry slam in the 8x8 series.



Last Thursday Open Mic
at The Cultural Center of Cape Cod


307 Old Main St.,
S. Yarmouth, MA
co-hosts Joe Gouveia and Barry Hellman:
The last Thursday of every month, 7pm.
Open mic and featured poet.
Bring your own refreshments.
Arrive early to sign up for open mic.
For updated info on this and other Cape activities go to:
http://home.comcast.net/~bmhellman

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The Chapel In The Pines in Eastham


CHECK OUT http://home.comcast.net/~bmhellman

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND DETAILS ABOUT CAPE COD POETRY
AND ALL OF THESE EVENTS.



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 [email protected]

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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

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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!


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/


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/


Newton Free Library Poetry Reading Series

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

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Cambridge Community Television

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



NH/VT POETRY


For VT poetry events calendar go to: http://www.phayvanh.com/

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News for Poetry News should be sent to [email protected]. Please send your announcements in text only format - do not format (no special fonts, colors, etc.) Send by Wednesday for Thursday publication. Thank you , Lori Desrosiers - Publisher.