Poetry News March 21, 2011

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

Here is your Poetry News for the week of March 21, 2011.

Poetry events are swelling like buds ready to burst into flower in the Pioneer Valley and beyond! Scroll all the way down for more poetry in CT, Boston and other areas.

To receive Poetry News in your email or to post events write to lori@thepoetrynews.com
Send announcements to lori@thepoetrynews.com by Wednesday for Thursday publication. Please send in a text-only announcement, preferably in the form of a news release.

THIS WEEK in Western MA and Vicinity:
Wed. March 23 - Anne Gorrick & Mary Rose Larkin at Green St. Cafe, Northampton, 7:30pm
Wed. March 23 - Five College Poetry Fest, Music & Dance Bldg. Hampshire College, 7:30pm
Wed. March 23 - MCC Fellows Reading, Forbes Library Northampton, 7pm
Thu. March 24 - Aimee Bender at UMass Visiting Writers Series, Memorial Hall, 8pm
Fri. March 25 - Rao's Coffee Reading features several poets, Amherst, 8pm

This is just a sampling. There are many other poetry events in Western MA, Boston, CT and beyond this week - Please scroll down!

HOLYOKE/SPRINGFIELD/ WESTFIELD AREA POETRY

Barnes & Noble Open Mic
Open mic poetry at Barnes & Noble by the Holyoke Mall at 6:pm
This open mic is ongoing the first Monday of the month. No reading in December.

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/

SPRINGFIELD LIBRARY - WORKSHOPS & READINGS
Please save the following dates! Thanks to Jean Canosa Albano, Manager of Public Services at the Springfield Library, Maria Luisa Arroyo just learned that she will receive a Massachusetts Cultural Council honorarium through the City of Springfield for the series of Saturday poetry workshops she will be facilitating at the Library.
And on an unrelated note, please bookmark her new website: marialuisaarroyo.weebly.com

Poetry Workshop
Wednesday, April 13, 12:30 -2:00 pm
"Ekphrasis: Writing Inspired by Art",Tower Square, Springfield, MA ($10 fee & pre-registration required. For more information, contact me directly or stop by the Gallery for a registration form.)
Be inspired to write by the compelling pieces of art that grace the walls of the Artist Square Group Gallery. The session is facilitated by María Luisa Arroyo, author of "Gathering Words: Recogiendo Palabras", an award-winning poet, educator, and teaching artist.

Teatro V!da Youth/Young Adult Open Mic
Saturday, April 16th, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Given the success of the Teatro V!da (www.teatrovida.com) youth ensemble members' 1st open mic last month, they are returning to host a second one and invite all youth and young adults (12-24) to a welcoming space to share poems, performances of dance or music, or any creative medium! Other adults are also invited to support our young people's performances. Location: Springfield Central Library Community Room

Poetry Reading
Saturday, May 21, 2011 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Come read your original or favorite poems, or come to hear the poetry of others in this family-friendly poetry reading. Spanish and English poems are welcomed! Emcee María Luisa Arroyo, author of "Gathering Words: Recogiendo Palabras", is a poet, educator, teaching artist. Pre-registration is required for readers. Location: Springfield Central Library Community Room OR Rotunda

Ekphrastic Poetry
Saturday June 4, 2011 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Contact: Matthew Jaquith 413-263-6828, x221 mjaquith@springfieldlibrary.org
Ekphrastic poetry is poetry--usually dramatic--written in response to a work of visual art. Beginner and intermediate poets alike are invited to attend this workshop to write original poems in response to the paintings displayed by local artists including Mirtha Quiroz, Caren McKenzie, Narelle Thomas, and Awilda Oxios. The session is facilitated by María Luisa Arroyo, author of "Gathering Words: Recogiendo Palabras", is a poet, educator, and teaching artist. Location: Springfield Central Library Community Room

Poetry Publishing for Beginners
Saturday, June 11, 2011 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Contact: Matthew Jaquith 413-263-6828, x221 mjaquith@springfieldlibrary.org
Interested in learning about how to prepare poetry submissions for different poety markets? Which markets are legitimate and which are scams? How many poems are to many? What's a chapbook? Should I self-publish? Come to this session for an open and honest dialogue with award-winning poet María Luisa Arroyo about any poetry related questions. María Luisa Arroyo, author of "Gathering Words: Recogiendo Palabras", is a poet, educator, and teaching artist. Location: Springfield Central Library Computer Lab

Poetry Writing Workshop
Saturday July 2, 2011 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Contact: Matthew Jaquith 413-263-6828, x221 mjaquith@springfieldlibrary.org
Come join a community of poets to read, listen, share, and comment on poems written by other artists. All levels (beginners to advanced) are welcomed in this adult workshop. The session is facilitated by María Luisa Arroyo, author of "Gathering Words: Recogiendo Palabras". María is a poet, educator, and teaching artist. Location: Central Library Community Room

Poetry Writing Workshop
Saturday August 6, 2011 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Come join a community of poets to read, listen, share, and comment on poems written by other artists. All levels (beginners to advanced) are welcomed in this adult workshop. The session is facilitated by María Luisa Arroyo, author of "Gathering Words: Recogiendo Palabras". María is a poet, educator, and teaching artist.

POETRY IN THE VALLEY AND BEYOND

HERMES MOVES AMONG WORDS:
A Weekend of Creative Writing and Research with British Poet PAUL MATTHEWS
March 25-27, 2011
The Hartsbrook School, 193 Bay Road, Hadley, MA
Workshop tuition: $150, includes 4 meals catered by Paul & Elizabeth’s.
For more info or to register: pvanthroposophy@gmail.com
For more information about Paul and his work, visit his website at www.paulmatthewspoetry.co.uk.

Two Very Special Evenings with British Poet Paul Matthews
March 28 & 29, 2011
The Hartsbrook School, Hadley, Piening Hall, 7:00 PM
Suggested donation $10.
Monday, March 28: WHAT IS A WORD WORTH? – An Interactive Talk.
Tuesday, March 29: AN EVENING OF POETRY AND MUSIC
For further info., visit : http://sites.google.com/site/paulmatthews2011/ or e-mail: pvanthroposophy@gmail.com

Forbes Library Weekly Poetry Discussion Group
On Mondays during the academic year, The Forbes Poetry Discussion Group meets for a close reading of contemporary poetry, often of poets coming to the Smith College Poetry Center just prior to their reading. Upcoming poets likely to be included are W.S. Merwin, Anne Carson, Edwin Hirsch, Michael Klein, Donald Morrill, Maxin Kumin, selections from Galway Kinnell's Book of Nightmares, and poems by Mary Ruefle. Any cancellations will be made via postings at the library. Free and open to all.

Teatro V!da Youth Open Mic
On Saturday, April 16th, at 1:00 p.m. Teatro V!da will host an open mic for youth ages 12-24, at the Springfield City Library, located at 220 State Street. Youth are invited to share their poetry, acoustic music, dance or comedy. Admission is free. Free parking is available directly across the street. For more information call: 413.330.8210 or visit: www.teatrovida.com

Poetic Recovery Open Mic and Feature
Every FRIDAY night 7:30- 9:30 pm
Thirsty Mind in South Hadley MA 23 College St.

Green Street Poetry Series
Green Street Café, Northampton, Massachusetts
Green Street readings now take place on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month. 7:30 pm
Upcoming Featured Poets:
March 23rd - Anne Gorrick & Mary Rose Larkin
If you are interested in reading at Green Street, send a note with bio and sample poems to
Maria Williams-Russell at mariawilliams@gmail.com

GALLERY OF READERS SERIES
The Gallery of Readers Series presents
Robin Barber & John Broglio reading from their work
March 20 at 4pm
Neilson Library Browsing Room, Smith College, Northampton
Refreshments will be served. Open to all.

Robin Barber is a writer, teacher and photographer who lives in Northampton. He will read new short fiction.

John Broglio lives in Florence. He is a former actor, musician and translator who writes historical fiction and designs and manages software.

The Gallery of Readers began 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's and Carol Edelstein's writing workshops.
For more information on other events in the series, please visit http://www.galleryofreaders.org/galleryofreaders/current.html

Series Schedule:
April 10 - Jonathan Wright & Rebecca Rice
May 1 - Bob Susskind, Frank Schwartz & Teresa Whitaker
June 5 - Ginny Rohan & Steffi Schamess

SMITH POETRY SERIES:

Maxine Kumin
March 29, 2011
7:30 p.m. Wright Hall

Upcoming Featured Poets:
March 29 - Maxine Kumin
April 12 - Edward Hirsch

8th Annual Five-College Poetryfest
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 7:30 pm
Hampshire College hosts two poets from each of the colleges & Umass
Smith representatives: Amalie Kwassman & Alison Pilatsky
Recital Hall in the Music and Dance Building, Hampshire College,

MCC Fellows Reading
Wednesday, March 23, 2011, 7 PM
Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) is honored to present fellows and finalists from MCC’s Artist Fellowship Program
Forbes Library, 20 West Street, Northampton MA
Featuring: Rosann Kozlowski, Nancy K. Pearson, Cynthia Morrison Phoel, Jendi Reiter, and Jung H. Yun

“Celebration of Voices from Inside”
Sunday, March 27 at 4:00 pm
Readings of work by participants in their creative writing workshops for incarcerated & formerly incarcerated women
The Garden House at Look Park, 300 North Main Street, Florence
Contact: spw128@comcast.net

The Visiting Writers Series (VWS) at the University of Massachusetts
Amherst is pleased to announce the schedule for Spring 2011.
For more than 40 years, the VWS has brought outstanding poets and writers to the university campus for public readings of new work. The VWS is sponsored by the MFA Program for Poets and Writers and the Juniper Initiative, and made possible by support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the University of Massachusetts Arts Council, the Vice Provost of Research & Engagement, the College of Humanities & Fine Arts, and the English Department.

All readings are on Thursdays at 8 p.m. in Memorial Hall. All are free and open to the public. Information about past readers can be found at the Visiting Writers Series website: http://www.umass.edu/english/MFA_VWS.htm

Full schedule:
Thu. Mar 24 Aimee Bender
Thu. Apr 7 James Haug & Brandon Downing

Rao's Coffee in Amherst Hosting a Poetry Reading
on March 25th at 8pm. The readers for the evening will be:
Bob Lowry- Poems by Robert Frost, Rachel Adams- originals, Tyler Armstrong- originals, Carl Mead- originals, Janet Bowden- originals
This event is being sponsored by Rao's Coffee, open to all ages, and it is free to attend

Please join us for the 11th annual Juniper Literary Festival: New Writers/New Writing
April 15 & 16, 2011
University of Massachusetts Amherst
For ten years the Juniper Literary Festival has celebrated some of the nation’s most exciting authors, books, and publishers. The 2011 Juniper Literary Festival: New Writers/New Writing will introduce audiences to vital contemporary writing and explore issues essential to the future of American literature. A unique national event, the festival will celebrate and contribute to the literary richness of the Pioneer Valley. The festival will offer readings by a dozen acclaimed authors who have recently published their first or second books, including Timothy Donnelly, Michelle Hoover, Travis Nichols, and Kiki Petrosino. There will also be roundtable discussions, a press fair featuring dozens of the nation’s most exciting literary magazines and presses, and a keynote panel with the Poetry Society of America’s Alice Quinn and the National Book Foundation’s Harold Augenbraum.

All events will take place at the UMass Fine Arts Center and be free and open to the public. Please see attached press release or visit http://umass.edu/english/MFA_JuniperFestival.htm for additional information.

FLORENCE POETS SOCIETY
The next business/sharing meeting is Thursday April 13, 2011 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
Martina Robinson and friends meet every 3rd Thursday at Lilly Library community Room at 6:30 PM. This group is currently open to join.

PLEASE CONSIDER JOINING AS A MEMBER OF FLORENCE POETS SOCIETY.
THE FEE IS $20.00 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.net/,, 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 FPOETS@localnet.com or check out our new web page at http://www.florencepoetssociety.net

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!

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

POETRY A LA CARTE RADIO SHOW
on WMUA-Amherst 91.1 FM
Mondays from 6:00 to 6:30pm
WMUA is ably run by students, and the Programmer, who has the unenviable job of arranging a continuous, live, on-air series of shows, 24 hours a day, is hard-pressed to get coverage when the UMass students are on vacation. (DJs are usually about half students and half community members). Hence the change in schedule.
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 pmonize@hcc.mass.edu

The Woven Word Summer Creative Writing Program for Middle and High School Age Writers
Contact: Lynn Bowmaster, 584-3373, 113 Bay Rd., Lrbowmaster@gmail.com.
Session I: July 18-22, 9 - 3:30, Session II: August 1-5, 9-3:30

Now in its fourth year, the Woven Word Summer program provides a supportive environment for each writer to explore their own writing voice. We write in the morning at our house and head to our houseboat on the Connecticut River for lunch, recreation, and more writing in the afternoon. Most days involve 2-4 short writing sessions and allow writers to continue long pieces as well as playing with short pieces. The focus is on fun and creativity, not grammar and spelling.

GREENFIELD, SHELBURNE FALLS AND NORTH

New Open Mic 3rd Thursdays in Northfield
All ages are welcome to share poetry and hear local poets at a new monthly open mic.
at Northfield Coffee and Books, 105 Main St., Northfield, MA., 8pm
This month's featured reader is Trish Crapo, followed by 5-minute open mic readings. The series
will take place on the third Thursday of every month, and is sponsored by Bernardston poet and track & field coach Jim Bell. Arrive a little early to sign up.

Reading/Fundraiser to Benefit Big Brothers/Big Sisters
Sunday, March 27, 2011, 3pm, 9 Mill St., Greenfield, MA
Surrounded by Lindy Whiton's photo documentary, Leo Hwang-Carlos, Karina Pretto and Jessamyn Smyth will read their poetry. Donations will be accepted for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Franklin County.

ALL SMALL CAPS
Monday, March 28
Feature Readers: Whit Griffin & Kate Colby
Please bring your work, work you admire and want to share, or just come listen to the 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 fourth! ASC Anthology available for purchase. If you pay the upper end of our sliding scale, $5, you will receive a copy of the Anthology.

Greenfield Spoken Word
April 19th, 7pm
At 9 Mill St in Greenfield
Doors open at 7:00
Open Mic at 7:30 – Ten five minute slots
Book signing and selling of local writers works
Come out to read
Main Readers Read for 20-25 minutes
Bring your chap books to sell
We will have tables at no cost
Hope to see you there

Reading of Liu Xiaobo Poems
March 20th at Poets Seat, Greenfield
Doors open at 7:00, Open Mic starts at 7:30, Open Mic will be 10 - five-minute slots
Donation - Sliding Scale $1 - $5 Hope to see you there

If you haven't gone yet, The Online Gallery Show
Is still open, so from the comfort of your own home you can be at an online gallery with artist from all over the world, plus two local poets, Paul Richmond and Tommy Twilite
Both have videos up of some new works and there is a poet there from LA
Here is the link to the show http://www.petersmolenski.com

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
$2– $5 suggested donation. Mocha Maya's Coffee House, 47 Bridge Street, Shelburne Falls, MA 01370, 413-625-6292. Wheelchair accessible. See www.collectedpoets.com or www.mochamayas.com for more information.

2011 Series
MARCH 3 - Polina Barskova & Mike Young
NATIONAL POETRY MONTH:
APRIL 7 - John Hennessy & Caroline Knox
APRIL 21 - Gary Metras & Stephen Philbrick
MAY 5 - Diana Gordon & Leslie Harrison
JUNE 2 - Chard deNiord & Thomas Lux
JULY 7- Catherine Sasanov & Pat Schneider
No CPS Readings in August or September
OCTOBER 6- Joan Houlihan & Timothy Liu
NOVEMBER 3 - Patricia Lee Lewis & Special Guest
DECEMBER 1 - Peter Covino & Daniel Hall
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.

WORD IN THE BERKSHIRES

Berkshire Festival of Women Writers
March 1-24, 2011
For a list of events go to http://berkshirecreative.org/2011/02/03/berkshire-festival-of-women-writ...

Jerry's Place Poetry
There will be 2--one hour poetry programs starting at 1:30 pm at the
Pittsfield Community television station on Federico Drive, Pittsfield
Mass. A Jerry's Place production.This is an ongoing reading every third Thursday.

OUTSPOKEN!
Pittsfield's Monthly Performance Series and Open Mic
- Outspoken! hosted by matt mcfadden, is held the 3rd Thursday of every month.
- Micro Theater (311 North St. in Pittsfield, Greylock Bldg. upstairs among the ArtOnNo studios - Up the block from Jae's Spice - Entrance to theater is around the corner on Union St. thru Orange door, right next door to Mary's Carrot Cake.
- 8 pm ($5 suggested donation)
- Interested open mic performers can sign up for 5 minute slot by
e-mailing matt at mcfaddensrus@yahoo.com
- Those needing more information can e-mail the same address

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 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 details

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
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 dave_@aol.com

The d'Alzon Arts Series: Poetry Reading
March 18 features Tim Mayo
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 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

THE POETS ASYLUM
Sunday, March 20:
This Sunday, March 20th, the Poets' Asylum will hold the last Open Qualifying Slam for the 2010/2011 Poets' Asylum Slam Team. Up to eight poets will compete in two rounds of performance poetry battle. The top two finishers will move on to the Spring Semi-Final Slam on April 3rd, which is just two short weeks away. Slam poetry can be moving, funny and deadly serious, sometimes all in the same poem. We think it is a lot of fun and bet you'll have a great time so come on down!

Come down to the Front Room at WCUW (910 Main Street, Worcester). Remember, the reading now starts at 7:00 p.m. ; doors open at 6:30 p.m. No cover; donations accepted to support the feature. Don't skip this one, we think you'll regret it!

The Dirty Gerund
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 twobunny@earthlink.net.

CONNECTICUT POETRY
Write to Terri Klein at ctpoetnews@yahoo.com to get the new CT Poet newsletter in your email.

A Reading by Dana Gioia.
4/11, This year’s annual Peter Brazeau Poetry Event brings the former Chairperson of the National Endowment of the Arts for a reading of his poetry. Gioia currently directs arts and culture programs for the Aspen Institute. Interrogations at Noon, Gioia’s third volume of poetry, received the American Book Award.

7:30, Crystal Room, Mercy Hall, Saint Joseph College.

Poetry Potluck
is alive and well at our new home at The Buttonwood Tree in Middletown, Connecticut. We are continuing with our scheduled day: the third Sunday of the month, and same hours: 4:30 to 6 p.m. It's a different location, but one with
heat, light and plenty of room - plus munchies and tea/coffee are available for purchase. Donations requested to support The Buttonwood Tree. I invite you to attend, try out our new place.

It happens on the third Sunday of each month at The Buttonwood Tree in Middletown from 4:30 to 6 p.m

WordForge Reading
Next up:
Monday April 4, 7pm—Eileen Albrizio and Gray Jacobik
Monday April 18, 7pm—John Peck and Lisa Taylor
The Studio @ Billings Forge, 563 Broad Street, Hartford, CT 06106
Parking available next to Firebox restaurant or along Broad Street. Free event.

Workshop for Adults
March 26, April 2, 9, 16 and 30: Poetry writing workshop for adults 55 or older (“Love, Longing and Laughter”) offered by poet Bessy Reyna at the Hartford Public Library, 500 Main St., Hartford, CT. This program is part of the Library's Art and Archives series: Master Classes in the Arts and Humanities for Older Adults. Saturday mornings from 10 to 12:30. Free but registration is required and begins Mon., Jan. 31. Parking is available on the parking deck adjacent to the library on Arch Street, as well as on the street. Please contact bmiller@hplct.org or call Hartford History Center 860-695-6347.

Wintonbury Branch Poetry Series & Open Mike/ Spring 2011
Celebrating 15 years! "my time" "my place " "my creativity"
Third Thursdays-- 7:00 PM

Our March 17 session will celebrate two poets of Native American heritage. Susan Deer Cloud and Stephanie Elliott will read from their recent anthology, I Was Indian: An Anthology of Native Literature, Volume I (edited by Susan Deer Cloud.) Ms. Elliott, a local poet with work appearing in the anthology, is publicist at Wesleyan University Press. Widely published, Susan Deer Cloud, a poet of Blackfoot, Mohawk and Seneca heritage, is the recipient of many honors, including a New York Sate Foundation for the Arts grant and a 2007 National Endowment for the Arts grant.

Finally, we celebrate National Poetry Month on April 21 with a salute to Rennie McQuilkin, "senior statesman" of poetry in Connecticut. Founder of the Sunken Garden Poetry Festival and of Antrim House Books publishing company, he will read from his most recent collection, The Weathering, winner of the Connecticut Book Award for Poetry 2010.

A warm, supportive place to meet fellow poets and share your poems! Refreshments and an open mike follows each featured poet.
Wintonbury Branch Library, 1015 Blue Hills Ave, Bloomfield, CT
860 242-0041 www.prosserlibrary.info "Wintonbury Branch"

INESCAPABLE RHYTHMS POETRY SERIES
Real Art Ways, 7pm
56 Arbor St., Hartford
Ongoing: monthly, second Wednesday
Feature: TBA. Series format: a featured poet gives a half hour reading (7:00pm) followed by an open mike (7:30pm), in which members of the audience are invited to share their work. The series takes its title fromthe Wallace Stevens poem, "Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird." Stevens, a major American Modernist poet, was a Hartford resident. More info: Contact Andrea Henchey at ahenchey@hotmail.com .

Calling All Poets ( . . . and poetry lovers)
hosted by Victoria Muñoz
Silas Bronson Library - 267 Grand St., Waterbury, CT 06702
First Wednesdays - 6:30 pm
Spring Series Line-up
April 6 - National Poetry Month - Ginny Lowe Connors
May 4 - Polly Brody & Jean Sands
June 1 - TBA

Potluck Poetry
is a monthly gathering of local (and not so local) writers who come together to share their work and listen to others. Original work preferred but not required. Please bring a small donation or dish to share and an open spirit to our beautiful space.
3rd Sunday of every month 5- 7pm.
Yoga Center of Collinsville (860) 693-9642, 10 Front St, Ste 102, Collinsville, CT 06019

Central's Lunch-time Poetry Hour: Minnesota poet Mark Conway reads at CCSU on Monday, March 14th from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm in New Britain CT. Come have a free lunch and listen to recent finalist for the Minnesota Book Awards read from his new book, "Dreaming Man, Face Down." Free and open to the public.
Monday, March 14th, 2011, Marcus White Living Room campus of CCSU in New Britain, CT
12:00 pm (noon) to 1:30 pm. Poet Mark Conway performs from his new book, "Dreaming Man, Face Down"

A Workshop in Exploring, Understanding, & Composing Haiku,
conducted by Stanford M. Forrester
Saturday, April 16, 2011, 9:30AM-5:30PM with lunch break. Attendees can either bring lunch or buy lunch on campus
Saint Joseph College, Lynch Hall/Room #125, West Hartford, CT
Register by e-mail to Stanford M. Forrester: bottlerockets_99@yahoo.com
(Limited space so please register soon) Price: $60.00 cash or check (pay at door.)
A percentage of the proceeds will be donated to a local food kitchen. (No charge for Saint Joseph College students)

2011 Writer's Circle Retreat at Wisdom House
You’re invited to apply to attend the 2011 Writers Circle retreat, to be held at Wisdom House in Litchfield, Conn., from June 2-5, 2011. The event, which is open to writers in all genres and of all experience levels, has been held annually for nearly 20 years. While the group’s organizers are still fleshing out the 2011 agenda, the schedule typically balances optional group activities (critique sessions, workshops) with plenty of free time for writing. The venue offers clean, simple rooms and good food in a serene wooded environment. For more details on the retreat, visit our Web site at www.thewriterscircle.org. For details on the venue, visit www.wisdomhouse.org.
DETAILS
Dates: Thursday night, June 2—Sunday afternoon, June 5, 2010
Location: Wisdom House, Litchfield, CT
COSTS: It’s official: Rates are the same for 2011 as they were for 2010 (and actually lower than they were in 2008 and 2009): Specifically:
Three-night retreat (Thursday-Saturday nights), single room: $324
Three-night retreat, shared room: $264 per person
Two-night retreat (Friday-Saturday nights), single room: $217
Two-night retreat (Friday-Saturday nights), shared room: $177 per person
Day guest (Friday or Saturday): $75
The fee covers your room, all activities and all meals except Thursday dinner for three-night attendees (you can either pick up something on your own or join the group at a nearby restaurant).
TO REGISTER: Space is limited, so if you’re interested, please register soon! Please fill out the online application at www.thewriterscircle.org so that we have your correct contact information, room requests and meal preferences.
A $100 deposit is required to hold your place. Once you’ve filled out the online application, send a check for your deposit to:
Susan Lamson, P.O. Box 109, Waterford, CT 06385
Make checks to Susan Lamson, NOT to Wisdom House. At this time, we are unable to take electronic payments—only personal or bank checks. Once we’ve received your deposit, we’ll provide you with a username and password so that you can access the private 2011 retreat Web site.

Wednesday Night Poetry Series
March 16, 2011 - Charles Douthat
The Wednesday Night Poetry Series (WNPS or Wedpoetry) meets at “The Garage,” at 53 Church Hill Road, Newtown. See our venue page for directions. For 16 Years and counting: poets, spoken-word artists, monologists and storytellers, acoustic performances by songwriters and musicians are welcome! Read your own work or works by your favorite writers. OPEN MYK SIGN-UP starts at 7:30 PM / OPEN MYK – 7:45 PM /FEATURED READING – 8:45 PM We are a warm, friendly environment for 1st-time readers!

RIVERWOOD AT THE BUTTONWOOD TREE
Last Saturday of Jan, Feb., Mar., Apr., May, June. ( NO poetry in Dec., July, Aug.)
Time: 6:30 PM
Riverwood Poetry Series presents the Saturday Night Poetry
The Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main St., Middletown, CT
$5 suggested donation or $3 with a non-perishable food item for the benefit of St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry. Open mike follows feature.
More info: www.riverwoodpoetry.org

ANYTHING GOES!
The Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main Street, Middletown, $3.00 - $5.00 suggested donation
Ongoing: every Monday
This open mike, hosted by J-Cherry, is a warm group that encourages personal development--come play with us! You'll find Phill is available to drum along if you like. We have a piano and congas or BYO instrument, poem, dance, or whatever artistic piece of yourself you'd like to share. We're all in this together--let's have some fun and create ourselves anew! More info: thebuttonwoodtree@gmail.com; http://www.buttonwood.org; (860) 347-4957.

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 Annual Fund Campaign / Hosted by Stephen Campiglio
3rd 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 or call (860) 512-2824.

THURSDAY, APRIL 14 [PLEASE NOTE THIS DATE IS A 2ND THURSDAY EXCEPTION TO THE USUAL 3RD THURSDAY FORMAT]

7:00 PM. – VORTEX OTHER DIMENSION ENSEMBLE with Todd Brunel, bass clarinet & saxophone; Garrison Fewell, guitar; and Robert Bethel, cello
8:00 p.m. – Featured Poets:JOHN SUROWIECKI and SHARON BRYAN

John Surowiecki is the author of three collections of poetry, Barney and Gienka (CW Books, 2010), 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. His verse drama, My Nose and Me, won a Poetry Foundation Pegasus Award. He worked for many years as a freelance writer and presently teaches Credit-Free poetry and literature courses at Manchester Community College.

Sharon Bryan has published four books of poetry: Salt Air, Objects of Affection, Flying Blind, and the most recent, Sharp Stars, available through BOA Editions. She also edited Where We Stand: Women Poets on Literary Tradition, and, with William Olsen, Planet on the Table: Poets on the Reading Life. She has taught as a visiting poet at many universities around the country, including the University of Connecticut in Storrs in spring 2010, and is currently on the faculty of the low-residency M.F.A. Program at Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

BOSTON AREA/CAPE COD POETRY INFO:

Dane Kuttler
March 29. 2011
Dane Kuttler is in town, bringing her one-woman poetry circus to the Atomic Bean Cafe! An open mic kicks off the night, followed by a reading of Dane's work to celebrate the upcoming release of her first book, Born of Accidents, from Six Gallery Press. The Atomic Bean Cafe is at 902 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139 (not far from Cantab)

Bruce Weigl, A Poet of Conscience
Tuesday, March 29, 7:30pm
Acton-Boxborough Regional High School
36 Charter Road, Acton, MA

A Poetry Workshop with Martha Collins:
'Sentence and Line': Thursday, April 28, 10am - 4pm at The Cultural Center of Cape Cod, 307 Old Main St.,
South Yarmouth. $75 per person. Register by calling the Cultural Center at 508-394-7100.
At 7 pm, she will be the Featured Poet at the monthly Poets’ Corner Open Mic hosted by Barry Hellman and Joe Gouveia. Study with this master teacher and poet during the day and come hear her read in the evening. Arrive before 7 PM to sign up for the open mic. Bring your own refreshments- and a friend!

CANTAB LOUNGE
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, March 23
Performance poet, playwright, dancer, and musician: Detroit native Khary Jackson currently resides in the Twin Cities where he serves as a teaching artist and writer. He has written twelve full-length plays, one of which was produced in 2009 at Ink and Pulp Theatre in Chicago. As a performance poet, he was an individual national or world finalist in 2007, 2008 and 2009, as well as winning the National Poetry Slam with the St. Paul team in 2009 and 2010. LAST OPEN POETRY SLAM TO QUALIFY FOR CANTAB SLAM TEAM TRYOUTS.

• Wednesday, March 30
CUPSI Warm-Up! In honor of our many NorthBEAST teams traveling to college nationals this April, we present a double-header of 4x4 team slams! Eight local college teams will compete, including Berklee College of Music, Brown University, Brandeis University, Emerson College, Clark University, Middlesex Community College, Boston University, and one more TBA. No open slam tonight.

Doors for the show open at 7:15. 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 cantab@slamnews.com

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

Our workshops and venue are free, the seats comfortable, the refreshments delicious.
1:00 - 2:00 Prose Workshop (critique & discussion)
2:30 - 4:30 Memoir Workshop
~~~~~
12:00 - 2:00 Poetry 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. Mar 19 - Joan Houlihan, Daniel Tobin
Sat. Apr 16 - Diana Der-Hovanessian, F.D. Reeve
Sat. May 21 - January G. O”Neil, Bert Stern
Sat. Jun 18 - Jack McCarthy, Jack Scully & Nancy Brady Cunningham (reading Mike Amado’s poetry)
Sat. Jul 16 - Sharon Bryan, Dorian Kotsiopoulos

Barry Hellman's Annual Poetry Open Mic In Celebration Of National Poetry Month. Sunday Morning, April 10, 2011, 10 AM-Noon, The Chapel In The Pines, 220 Samoset Road, Eastham, MA. A Poetry Open Mic Plus An Interlude of All Original Music and Lyrics by Greg Hischak’s ‘Beach Plums' : Greg Hischak,

Kathleen Healy, Meryl Vjus, and Max Credit. Free Admission. Refreshments Provided by The Nauset Fellowship. Advance signup to read at the open mic is recommended: Email bmhellman@comcast.net . At the door signups limited to remaining time available. Plan To Join Us! Information: http://home.comcast.net/~bmhellman.

Calliope’s Fourth Season
Come Celebrate Poetry: Sundays 3 to 5 PM
West Falmouth Library,
575 West Falmouth Highway (Route 28A)
West Falmouth, MA 02574
March 27, 2011. Open Mike Sign-up, 2:45 PM. Featured Poets: Wendy Mnookin, Max Money, Tam Lin Neville.
May 1, 2011. Open Mike Sign-up, 2:45 PM. Featured Poets: Marguerite Bouvard, Robin Clarke, Anna Ross.
June 5, 2011. Open Mike Sign-up, 2:45 PM. Featured Poets: Linda Bamber, Dorothy Derifield, Alice Weiss.
$5 donation. Refreshments. Alice Kociemba, 508-566-1090
calliopepoetryreadings@verizon.net or www.calliopepoetryseries.com for details on poets and directions.

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

Writing Poems About Personal Relationships- A Workshop With Barry Hellman
The Wellfleet Library, 55 West Main Street, Wellfleet, MA
March 16,23, 30 & April 6, 2011, 3-4:30 PM
REGISTRATION BEGINS MONDAY, JANUARY 24, 2011
www.wellfleetlibrary.org Visit or call the library desk at 508-349-0310 The Registration Fee Is $5.00

Description: Open to all levels of writing experience. Limited to 12 participants interested in listening to, discussing, and writing poems about personal relationships with family, friends, lovers, and others.

Barry Hellman’s poems have appeared in literary magazines and won several poetry prizes. He is also a Ph.D. clinical psychologist with 35 years experience talking with people as they explore personal relationships, and has conducted previous workshops on the connection between poetry and psychotherapy and on writing poems about fathers.
Barry co-hosts the monthly Poets’ Corner Open Mic at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod, and hosts the annual Chapel In The Pines Open Mic In Celebration of National Poetry Month. His website http://home.comcast.net/~bmhellman publishes information about poetry events on Cape Cod and other material of interest to poets.

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 CIntern2@lowellma.gov

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 sign-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

Cambridge Community Television
Tuesdays at 11:00 PM Saturdays at 10:30PM Catch the latest from the Boston Poetry Slam I
NFO: kentthompson@comcast.net

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

NH/VT POETRY

For a VT poetry events calendar go to: http://www.phayvanh.com/
For info on Brattleboro poetry and Write Action visit their website - www.writeaction.net

Poetry readings at the Putney Library
55 Main Street, Putney VT (802) 387-4407

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