Poetry News December 12, 2011
****POETRY NEWS****
Here is your Poetry News for the week of December 12, 2011.
There is a flurry of poetry events this week 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 BRIEF text-only announcement, no special fonts or spacing.
THIS WEEK in Western MA and Vicinity:
Thu. Dec. 8 - Florence Poets Society Meeting and Poetry Share Lilly Library, Florence, 6:30pm
Thu. Dec. 8 - Slate Roof Poets at Northfield Coffee open mic, Northfield, 7:30pm
Sun. Dec 11 - Sally Bellerose & Ellen LaFleche at Essalon Cafe, open mic, 3:30pm
Sun. Dec.11 - Brett Averitt at Gallery of Readers, Neilson Library, Smith College, 4pm
This is just a sampling. There are many other poetry events in Western MA, Boston & Cape Cod, CT and beyond this week - Please scroll down!
SPRINGFIELD POETRY
Free performing arts workshops for children:
"Arts in the City" is a free series of voice, hip-hop and painting classes for children, taking place on Wed. Nov. 30, Wed. Dec. 7 and Wed. Dec. 14 from 5:30-7 at Duggan Middle School, 1015 Wilbraham Rd in Springfield. Sponsored by 5A and the Springfield Cultural Council. Children ages 6 and up are welcome. Call 413-222-3958 or email gabbygirlmedia@gmail.com for more information
FREE POETRY PROGRAMS AT THE CENTRAL LIBRARY
Led by award-winning local poet, María Luisa Arroyo
Springfield City Library presents a series of Saturday Poetry Workshops led by award-winning local poet, educator and teaching artist Maria Luisa Arroyo. Sessions will take place in the Central Library Community Room, 220 State Street in Springfield. June's Poetry Reading will be held in the Library's Rotunda. Sign up online: www.springfieldlibrary.org
Writing Poems for Children and Teens
December 10, 1-3 pm
Sign up online
Learn about children's poetry markets; read and discuss poems geared toward children and teens; share your poems for feedback.
War Veterans as Poets
January 14, 1-3 pm
Sign up online
Poets Yusef Komunyakaa, Fred Marchant, and Doug Anderson, among many others, have written about their experiences in war. The first part of this workshop will focus on reading and discussing some of their poems. Then, those attending will share their own poems for feedback.
The Harlem Renaissance
February 11, 1-3 pm
In celebration of Black History Month, we'll read and discuss poems by African American poets of the Harlem Renaissance. Then everyone will share their own poems.
Women's History
March 10, 1-3 pm
In celebration of National Women's History Month we'll read and discuss pieces by women poets, followed by sharing and feedback of your own poems.
National Poetry Month
April 7, 1-3 pm
Celebrate National Poetry Month by reading one of your favorite poems by another poet! Then those attending will share their poems.
Ekphrasis Poetry (poetry inspired by other art)
May 5, 1-3 pm
Back by popular demand, writers will get inspiration from pieces done by local visual artists! After a brief introduction, you'll have the chance to write a draft of a new poem inspired by one or more of the pieces of art. Then we'll share what we've written.
Poetry Reading
June 16, 1-3 pm
Join us for a family friendly, bilingual event (Spanish & English) for all ages. We'll accept as many entries as we can accommodate in two hours. Please pre-register by calling (413) 263-6828 , x 213 or sign up on our website. Limit of two poems per reader.
Sign up in person by stopping into the Central Library or any branch library, by calling (413) 263-6828 x213, or by sending an e-mail to mjaquith@springfieldlibrary.org. Pre-registration via Event Keeper calendar is encouraged for all events, but is required for Poetry Reading on June 16.
Ms. Arroyo is the author of Gathering Words: Recogiendo Palabras (2008). She is a Puerto Rican poet, educator, and teaching artist who has facilitated numerous poetry workshops regionally and has performed in various parts of the country and in Puerto Rico.
POETRY IN THE VALLEY AND BEYOND
Gallery of Readers Press
is pleased to present a book release celebration and reading of
LADDER TO THE ROOF: POEMS by Brett Averitt
Sunday, December 11, 2011 4:00 pm
Neilson Library Browsing Room
Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts
Refreshments will be served.
Brett Averitt was born in Ennis, Texas, in 1935. In 1961, she and her husband Robert moved to Northampton, where they raised their son Mark and daughter Angela. Brett took a Ph.D. in English literature from the University of Texas in Austin in 1963 and taught literature and writing at Westfield State College and Smith College.
Sunday Poetry at Esselon,
a new monthly poetry reading and open mic event
at Esselon Cafe on Rte 9 in Hadley, MA., from 3:30 to 4:30PM Save the Date!
Sunday, December 11, 2011, 3:30pm
Featured poets Sally Bellerose & Ellen LaFleche
Their readings will be followed by an open mic session, so BRING YOUR POEMS!
Poets booked for the coming months are: Jim Cahillane, and Maria Louisa Arroyo.
Check out our Facebook page "Sunday Poetry at Esselon"
as well as an events page by the same name.
Esselon serves brunch until 3:pm so feel free to come early and enjoy a leisurely meal before the reading. The kitchen closes at 3pm but the beverage counter remains open until 5pm.
Questions can be emailed to Maryelizzz@comcast.net
Mark Your Calendars!
Poetry reading at Rao's Cafe
Kellogg Ave. in Amherst on December 30th at 8pm.
This event is free and open to the public.
Haiku Group Invites New Members
The Haiku Poets’ Society of Western Massachusetts,
doors to new members. The group meets from 1 to 3 pm
on the third Saturday of every month at the Senior Center,
Middle Street in Hadley. Contact Patricia for more info
@ 413-525-6766, or pmharvey@charter.net
Forbes Library Weekly Poetry Discussion Group
The Poetry Discussion at Forbes Library will resume meeting on Mondays at 7 PM in the Coolidge Room, starting September 26 and running through December 12 for the fall session. Poets to be discussed will include Jane Hirshfield, Diane Gilliam, Ida Stewart, John Ashbery, Patricia Smith and Gerald Stern.
FLORENCE POETS SOCIETY
The next business/sharing meeting is Thursday, December 8, 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
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 florencepoets@comcast.net or check out our new web page at http://www.florencepoetssociety.net
NEW DAY AND TIME: Listen to "Twilite's Poetry Pub"
Enjoy the "Pub" with Carl and Tom every Tuesday night, 8pm 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
GREENFIELD, SHELBURNE FALLS AND NORTH
Northfield Open Mic Features Slate Roof Poets
You are invited to an evening of poetry at Northfield Coffee and Books on Thursday, December 8th and 7:30 pm. with Slate Roof Poets: Janet McFadyen, Ed Rayher and Paula Sayword. Former Slate Roof poet Jim Bell will also read, followed by an open mic. So come join us for coffee, tea, pastries and poetry.
Janet McFadyen's chapbook In the Provincelands is forthcoming from Slate Roof Press. Ed Rayher's Wing Over the Garden has just been published and Paula Sayword's What Sleeps Inside was released in the summer of 2010.
Northfield Coffee and Books is at 105 Main St., Northfield, MA.
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.
Greenfield Spoken Word
December 20th, Tuesday
Located at 9 Mill Street
Doors open at 7:00, Open Mic starts at 7:30
There are 10 - 5 minutes slots
There are 2 featured readers who read for 20 minutes each
$1- to $5 sliding scale donation
If you would like to be a featured reader at the Greenfield's
Monthly Readings Every Third Tuesday, please let me know
paul@humanerrorpublishing.com
Spoken Word Wendell
The Last Monday of every Month
Sept - April At the Deja Brew Pub
57 Lockes Village Road Wendell, MA
For directions and additional
information see our website or
send an email:
http://allsmallcaps.blogspot.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.
The Collected Poets Series
Mocha Maya's Coffee House
47 Bridge St.
Shelburne Falls, MA 01370 413-625-6292 . Wheelchair accessible. See www.collectedpoets.com or www.mochamayas.com for more information. 7pm
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
Jerry's Place Poetry
There will be 2--one hour poetry programs starting at 2:00 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
Every Thursday night at 7pm, with an open mic preceding the feature. It is free and all ages, and will be held at The Strange Attractor, 97D Webster St, Worcester MA. Hosted by "Cowboy" Matt Hopewell, who also does the booking and can be reached at themadcowboy@gmail.com or by phone at (508) 479 8311 .
More to follow as August and September dates are confirmed!
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 POETS ASYLUM
Sunday, Dec. 11:
Mighty Mike McGee is the first slam poet to win both the American National Poetry Slam Individual Grand Championship (2003) and the Individual World Poetry Slam Championship (2006). From late 2007 to December 2008 he hosted the San Jose Poetry Slam, with Co-Slam Master Christopher Bundy. Mike has a mighty appetite, an uncanny relationship with ladybugs, several tattoos and siblings, and a passable Scottish accent. He breathes somewhere between Silicon Valley, California and Vancouver, B.C. as often as possible. Mike thoroughly enjoys weather, beverages, and the scent of mock orange blossoms in the spring. We welcome him back to Worcester!
And also… Have a poem that’s just a wee bit too long for the regular open mic? Bring out yer opus, yer saga, yer slightly-longer-than-polite – this week’s open mic is specially designed just for the pieces you would get a deep time penalty on if the open were scored. Instead of the 5-minute open mic, this week when you sign up, you can have 10.
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 slams and featured poets. No cover; donations accepted. 21+ Please join us at our new home,
CONNECTICUT POETRY
Since CT has a wonderful and comprehensive newsletter online, I have decided to cut the CT Poetry section from Poetry News and only post special events that occur one time only. Write to Terri Klein at ctpoetnews@yahoo.com to get the CT Poet newsletter in your email.
The CT Poetry Calendar is online at http://poetz.com/connecticut
BOSTON/CAPE COD POETRY
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
Every Wednesday Night at 8, Featured Poet, Poetry Slam!
738 Mass Ave., Cambridge, MA
• Wednesday, December 14 Naturalist, science writer
and poet Christian Drake has made his home at Hampshire College,
Washington, DC, the SF Bay Area, Albuquerque, and, for one
glorious summer, right next door in Somerville. He’s a six-time
National Poetry Slam team member and has appeared on Finals
stage to showcase and compete. One of the best in the biz,
Christian combines strong and surprising writing with riveting,
charismatic performance. Semi-final poetry slam in the 8x8 series.
• Wednesday, December 21 Just this year, Samantha Milowsky founded
Amethyst Arsenic, an online poetry and art journal, with a goal to
publish the best poetry and art to the widest possible audience.
Selected as one of 5 Awesome New Literary Journals for 2011, the
journal will celebrate its winter issue release with a star-studded
feature: you’ll get to hear Tony Brown, Sam Cha, Karen Locascio,
Michael Lynch, Gordon Marshall, Jacqueline Morrill, Alexander Nemser,
Tara Skurtu, and Jade Sylvan. Season final slam in the 8x8 series.
• Wednesday, December 28 Once again, it’s time for the seasonal
Champion of Champions Poetry Slam. Bartender and perennial
Cantab Slam Team member Adam Stone has held the venue’s highest
title since September of 2010, and has proved undefeatable in four
consecutive matches! Tonight, this reigning champ will take on the
fall season challenger (that’ll be the 12/21 slam winner) in a
best-of-seven match for a $100 prize. No open poetry slam tonight.
• Wednesday, January 4 Born into a family of writers and entertainers,
Theresa Davis has expressed her abilities over several mediums:
she designed and created lines of hand-crafted dolls and books,
released two music CDs, and started a clothing line for children.
One of the southeast’s most in-demand performance poets, Theresa took
top honors in the 2011 Women of the World Poetry Slam representing Atlanta.
A teacher for 18 years, she currently teaches middle school using
the arts across the curriculum.
Open poetry slam in the 8x8 series.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
meets from 8-10 pm. every Monday at the Out of The Blue Art
Gallery at 106 Prospect Street in Cambridge with an open mic sign-up at 7:30
p.m. A featured poet follows the open mic.
For links to the feature's work, information on future features and more, visit
the Stone Soup Web site: http://stonesouppoetry.blogspot.com
Calliope—Poetry Readings at West Falmouth Library
Calliope – a community of poets
Sunday, January 22nd, 3 to 5 PM. Open mike sign-up, 2:45 PM.
Featuring: Mary Bonina, Christine Rathbun Ernst, Tidepool Poets
Directions: From Bourne Bridge. Rt. 28 south to Thomas Landers Road exit, right off ramp to Rt. 28A south (left), about 1 1/2 miles. Just past Old Dock Rd., on right, West Falmouth Library is on the left, with parking. From Woods Hole. Woods Hole Rd. to Palmer Ave. to Rt. 28 north to Brick Kiln Rd. exit, left off the ramp to Rt. 28A (stop sign). Take a right, and go less than I mile. West Falmouth Library is on the right, with parking (before the library, across from the Quaker Meeting House).
$5 donation requested. Refreshments.
Visit our website: calliopepoetryseries for Calliope’s complete schedule.
Email: calliopepoetryreadings@verizon.net or 508-566-1090 for information
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
CHECK OUT http://home.comcast.net/~bmhellman FOR MORE INFORMATION
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/
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
posted by Lori Desrosiers @ 3:59 PM
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