Poetry News

****POETRYNEWS****
To receive Poetry News in your email write to
or check it out online at http://www.poetrynewscalendar.com/

THIS WEEK check out:
Wil Hastings & Stephen Philbrick at Green Street Northampton Thu. May 21
Open Room Luna Pizza Northampton 9pm Fri. May 22
Slam champs downstairs at Thorne's Market Northampton Fri. May 22
Maxine Kumin & Sydney Lea Shelburne Falls Sun. May 24

Also, there are an amazing number of wonderful poetry events in Northwest CT, the Berkshires
and in the Boston area to check out below!

Here is your Poetry News for the week of May 25, 2009.
Spoken word events are popping up like Spring flowers in the Pioneer Valley and beyond.

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


Spoken Word in Westfield:


WORD IN WESTFIELD
Note: Change of day - Wednesdays
at Teapot Gallery
22 Elm Street (route 10/202)
in Westfield, MA
Hosted by Eli Baenziger and Maurice Soulfighter Taylor

There will be music at 6, then open mic UPSTAIRS at 7.
All are welcome.
Open mic (only) every Wednesday night

Poetry, Prose,
Verse, Yarns

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

Call 562-6966 (Teapot) or 348-7218 (Eli B.)

for info and encouragement



Chicopee/Holyoke/Springfield Area Poetry

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 POETRY

Please join us this Saturday, May 16th, 2:00 pm for Spoken Word Saturday!
In the Central Library Community Room,
220 State Street
Our guest hostess for April and May is María Luisa Arroyo http://www.marialuisaarroyo.com/

This Saturday, we will be featuring new work from the poets who participated in a series of workshops with María at the Central Library last month.
Come share your voice with the community, or just listen.
Drinks will be provided.
Advance sign-ups are welcome, but not necessary.
all ages - all forms of creative writing - all languages encouraged!
Please call Anna (number below) with any questions.
Check out the article that appeared in today's Neighborhood Plus section,
about writing programs at the library, including the Open Mic events:
http://tiny.cc/7ILDn

There are still a few weeks to submit your entry for the Library's "Write On, Springfield!"
book project. http://www.springfieldlibrary.org/writeon.html

Mark your calendar for Poetry in the Park!
The Open Mic series moves outdoors for the summer,
and will also be moving to Wednesday evenings at 5:30.
June 17, July 15 + August 19.

Any questions, please contact Anna Brandenburg at 263-6828 x426
or by e-mail at .

Saturday, May 30th, 9:30 am - 11 am:
The Springfield City Library presents "A Poet's Next Step: Publishing", an interactive workshop with poet and educator, Maria Luisa Arroyo, whose first full-length volume of poems, Gathering Words/Recogiendo Palabras, was published by The Bilingual Review/Press (AZ). Where does a poet identify publishing markets? How should a poet submit poems for publication? How can a poet find out which markests pay? What is a query letter? When should a poet send in a complete manuscript?

Central Library Community Room 220 State St., Springfield.
Register online at http://www.springfieldlibrary.org/ or at any Springfield Library.
For more information, call Anna Brandenburg @ 263-6828 x 426 or
e-mail her at .



Word in the Valley and Beyond

POETS FOR PETS:
A Benefit Poetry Reading for the T.J. O'Connor
Animal Control and Adoption Center in Springfield, MA
Feature Readers are
Annie Boutelle
Amy Dryansky
Nikky Finney
Maya Smith Janson
Mary A. Koncel
Patricia Lee Lewis
Carol Potter
Ellen Watson
Sunday, June 14, 5 pm
The Poetry Center at Smith College
Suggested Donation: $10. Children under 14: free.
Delicious Refreshments and Great Poetry
Celebrating Our Furry, Feathered, and Finned Friends!
More Info? Contact Mary at



New Open Mic
Well, no mic, so it's an open floor!
Hosted by Maurice "Soulfighter" Taylor
Friday nights at 9pm
Luna Pizza
88 Pleasant St.
Northampton, MA



"Best Damn Poetry Show in the West(ern Massachusetts)
Carrie Rudzinski & Carlos Williams,recipients of
"Best Male Performer" and "Best Female Performer"
at College Unions Poetry Slam Invitational will be reading their work

Bottom Floor of Thorne's Market
Dowtown Northampton
Friday May 22nd
7pm-9pmFREE"



Maxine Kumin and Sydnea Lea in Shelburne Falls!
On Sunday, May 24th, at 7:30 p.m.,
Maxine Kumin, the former Poet Laureate of the United States and Pulitzer Prizewinner
and multi-award winning poet Sydney Lea will read from their work
at the Shelburne-Buckland Community Center,
53 Main Street, Shelburne Falls, MA.

This extraordinary event is sponsored by the Collected Poets Series and Mocha Maya's. Suggested donation $5.00.
For more information see http://www.collectedpoets.com/
or www.mochamayas.com or call 413-625-6702.


Green Street Cafe Poetry Series
Thursdays, 8pm
Green Street Cafe
Northampton, MA

Upcoming features:

5/21: Wil Hastings & Stephen Philbrick
5/28: Maya Smith Janson & Markie Babbott



Valley Writers School:
Now Accepting Applications for Summer Session
The Valley Writers School offers (variously) fiction, non-fiction,
and poetry workshops for writers seeking to generate new work,
refine works-in-progress, read and discuss great literature,
and join a supportive writing community.
This summer we will run two workshops: one in poetry and
one in non-fiction/memoir.
Session begins the week of July 6 and runs for six weeks.
Workshops are in the evening and held at the Writers' Mill in Florence.
Tuition is $180.
Workshop will be serious, fun, eye-opening, and supportive.
Please contact us at
or at 413-636-5088 if you have any questions or if you'd like to apply.



Open Words Writing Workshops
Let your words out to play! Explore fiction, poetry, memoir,
and more in a supportive, inspiring group.
Wednesday nights, 5/27 through 7/15.
Easthampton. Sliding scale.
http://www.openwordswriting.blogspot.com/
413-695-8251,
.



Poetry Reading
Maxine Kumin and Sydney Lea
Sunday, May 24, 2009
7:30 pm
Shelburne Buckland Community Center
53 Main Street
Shelburne Falls, MA




Poetry Reading with Award-Winning Poet Meg Kearney
Reading from The Secret of Me

June 13, 2009 7-9PM
Food for Thought Books
Downtown Amherst



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



FLORENCE POETS SOCIETY .
Next business/sharing meeting Thursday June 11, 6:30pm
ALL POETS OF ALL TYPES AND AGES are welcome, bring one of your original works to share,
(12 to 15 copies will=2 0usually be enough for all to share) The meeting is held at Lilly Library community room and begins at 6:30 PM. Poetry presentation and discussion begins at 7PM



OPEN MIC (change of venue for this month)
1st Thursday evening of each month. Instead of Evolution Cafe,
this month, June 4th, the open mic will be
at Stan Pollack's house.
"Top of the Barn"
1 Bardwell St.,
Florence, MA.,
6:30 sign up, 7pm open mic.
Feature: Stan the Fixit Man
More info: Stan at 413-585-9070


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

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

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



Florence Poets Society Readings:

Listen to "Twilite's Poetry Pub" now Weekly!
Enjoy the "Pub" with Carl and Tom every Wednesday from 9-10 am
on Valley Free Radio, WXOJ 103.3 fm, Northampton and now
with improved streaming at http://www.valleyfreeradio.org/ !!!
Poetry to the people!
WXOJ-FM LP 103.3 and streaming at 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:
or: or visit:
http://www.florencepoetssociety.org/
or visit: http://www.tommytwilite.com/



Poetry Nights in Northampton:

Writer's Group at Packard's in Northampton:
Northampton Writer's Group is an ongoing writer's group
for any kind of written word. We currently have several openings
for new members.
For information please contact Lori
It meets in the library room at Packard's restaurant/bar at
14 Masonic St. in Northampton.
Participants bring copies of their work to read and have
critiqued in a supportive, gentle, constructive environment.
The next dates -
Sunday May 24, 6:00pm (Cancelled for Maxine Kumin's reading)
Sunday June 7, 6:00pm



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.



Greenfield/Shelburne Falls and North

Janet MacFadyen at Greenfield Public Library,

Wednesday, June 3rd, 7 PM, 402
Main St., Greenfield:
Janet MacFadyen will read from hernewly released book-length poem,
A Newfoundland Journal(Killick Press 2009). The book weaves the stories of
Newfoundlanders growing up in roadless fishing communitiesand the island's
long history with the modern realities ofRV-packed ferries and backpack-loaded
tourists. The reading will be followed by a discussion.
Janet MacFadyen is author of In Defense of Stones, and her poetry
has appeared in The Atlantic Monthly, Poetry, and other national journals.

For more information, contact the Greenfield Public Library
772-1544 or .




Spoken Word Greenfield
Always the third Tuesday of the month

This month at Greenfield Spoken Word
TBA
Will be the featured readers
Tuesday the 16th of June
At 9 Mill St in Greenfield
Doors open at 7:00
Open Mic at 7:30
10 - 5 minute open mic slots
$1-5 sliding scale cover
Book signing and selling of local writers works will be available
Always the third Tuesday of the month
Refreshments
Come up to read
Bring your chap books to sell
We will have tables at no cost
Open mic will be 10 five minute slots
Hope to see you there
Paul Richmond
Directions
If you come up 91
Come into the center of Greenfield
At the lights of Federal and Main
Where the Common is
You take a Rt
Down the hill
Toyota will be on you left
You go under the railroad bridge
Come to a light
Take a RT
and you are there
That is Mill St
9 is on the conner
You can park in the Art Space next door
or on the street
If you are coming up 5 & 10 into Greenfield
When you come to the lights
Where you can either go left
Or Right under the Railroad bridge
You want to go Left
That is Mill St
9 is the first building




ARMS LIBRARY READING
June 19, 2009
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.



ALL SMALL CAPS:
A NIGHT OF SPOKEN WORD. READINGS
AT THE DEJA BREW PUB,
57 LOCKES VILLAGE ROAD,
WENDELL, MA.
THE LAST MONDAY OF EVERY MONTH

Open Mic Sign Up 7-7:15
Open Mic Readings 7:15-8:00
May 25 Featured Readers: TBA

$1-$5 sliding scale admission
This program is supported, in part, by the Wendell Cultural Council, a local agency, The Massachusetts Cultural Council, astate agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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

We hope to see you there. Come read, listen, eat food, drink beer, and celebrate this wonderful reading series that wouldn't be possible without your continued support. Thanks very much.

Jess, Paul, Charles, Stephen

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

__________


Bart’s Bards
Second Thursdays Open Microphone for Writers

Next Meeting:

June 11, 2009
Feature: Dr. Sid Simon

Dr. Sidney Simon is Professor Emeritus at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He is an internationally and nationally recognized authority in the areas of values clarification and values realization, self-esteem and negative criticism. He has published numerous books including the best seller Values Clarification and Getting Unstuck. His articles have appeared in Reader's Digest, Ladies Home Journal and Glamour, among many others.

Dr. Simon is a popular guest speaker, has spoken at The Betty Ford Center and has appeared on various television programs, including Oprah, and The Donahue Show. Sid Simon has led seminars for over 25 years. He is often described as one of the most dynamic and at the same time caring and tender seminar facilitators offering workshops today.

Recently, Dr. Simon has been giving workshops on the issues of Fathers and Daughters co-led with his daughter, Julianna Simon and workshops on the problems of Fathers and Sons co-led with his son, John Simon. They are enormously well received and deeply appreciated by all who have attended them. It is pioneering work, as so much of his teaching has been. Dr. Simon conducts Training Workshops for persons who want to lead their own workshops based on Simon's theories, techniques and designs.

Please join us.

Bart’s Café of Greenfield
286 Main St.
Greenfield, MA
7:00-9:00 P.M.
(Sign up to Read at 6:45)
(Open Microphone Readings of 5 Minutes or Less)

For More Information, Please Contact:
Larry Fader (413) 475-3321
Free to All
_______


Collected Poets Series

Thursday, June 4th at 7:30 p.m., The Collected Poets Series features the poetry of Massachusetts' current Poet Laureates Lesléa Newman of Northampton and Gertrude Halstead of Worcester. Eve Rifkah will be reading Ms. Halstead's work in absentia. Mocha Maya's, 47 Bridge St., Shelburne Falls, MA. 413-624-6292. Suggested donation $2 - $5. For more about the readings, see www.collectedpoets.com or www.mochamayas.com.

Lesléa Newman is the author of 57 books for adults and children including her latest poetry collection, Nobody's Mother, the latest novel, The Reluctant Daughter; and the children's books, such as The Boy Who Cried Fabulous, and Heather Has Two Mommies. Her literary awards include poetry fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, Massachusetts Artists Foundation, the James Baldwin Award for Cultural Achievement, and three Pushcart Prize nominations. Nine of her books have been Lambda Literary Award finalists. Currently, she is the Poet Laureate of Northampton, MA.

Gertrude Halstead was born in Germany in 1916. She escaped to France where during the war she was interned in the south of France. She volunteered to work as an interpreter and subsequently was allowed to be released. Halstead eventually made it to Portugal where she was able to get passage on the last ship leaving for the United States. She is a member of John Hodgen’s writing workshop. Halstead's work has appeared in Sahara, Diner VOX, Amoskeag , Nimrod, and Columbia Poetry Review. Her first collection is memories like burrs, ( Adastra Press, 2006). She has twice been nominated for the Pushcart Prize.

Eve Rifkah was founding editor of the literary journal Diner and co-founder of Poetry Oasis, Inc. Her first chapbook is At the Leprosarium. Her book Dear Suzanne is forthcoming from Word Tech and a second book, Outcasts is forthcoming from Little Pear Press.

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

See www.collectedpoets.com or www.mochamayas.com for more information.

2009 Series
Jan. 8 Patrick Donnelly, Jeffrey Levine, Art Opening by Liz deNiord
Feb. 5 Mary Clare Powell and Diane Lockward
Mar. 5 Nikki Finney, Tara Betts and poets from The Holyoke Care Center for Teen Mothers
Mar.29 Martha Collins and Lynne Thompson
April 2 Anne Marie Macari and Carey Salerno
May 7 Genie Zeiger, Dorianne Laux, and Kerry O'Keefe
May 24 Maxine Kumin and Sydney Lea
June 4 Two Massachusetts Poet Laureates: Gertrude Halstead of Worcester and Lesléa Newman of Northampton
July 2 Dara Wier, Lesle Lewis, and Elizabeth Hughey
--- no CPS for August and Sept.---
Oct. 1 Annie Finch and Special Guest
Nov. 5 April Ossman, Peter Waldor, and Pamela Stewart
Dec. 3 Mary Koncel and Kate Greenstreet

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


_____________

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,

________________

News from Mo and Ginger Cat Press

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

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



Word in the Berkshires

Power of Words, Open Mic
Tuesday June 16, 2009 AT 7PM,
Hosted by Garfield Reed.
This is an open opportunity to share poetry,
readings, music and other spoken word.
Free and open to the public
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
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 dave...@.



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 Spot at the Kelly Square Yacht Club
The reading meets every other Thursday night at th e Hotel Vernon (1 Millbury Street, Worcester) in the Ship Room bar. 7:30 p.m. sign-up with the show starting at 8ish. The format is an open mic and then a features. The occasional slam is thrown in for fun as well.

The reading starts at 8:00 p.m. with a brief open mic. 21+ and proper id is required.



Speakout! Youth Slam Saturday Night
The Speakout! Youth Poetry Slam returns from the winter hiatus and is back to meeting every Saturday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The format is an open mic, youth slam (ages 13-19 welcome) and a feature. This week their feature will be 2008 Worcester Slam team member Trevor Byrne-Smith. Come share a poem at the open mic or come to see slammers. Join them in The Bisto in Higgins Student Center (950 Main Street, Worcester).



Poets Asylum
Sundays:

May 24
This week we will hold the Team Finals for the 2009 Worcester Slam Team. The top four finishers tonight will represent Worcester at the 2009 National Poetry Slam.
The slate for Team Finals will be Liz Heath, Trevor Byrne-Smith, Cowboy Matt, Danny Balel, Dave Keali'i, Danielle, Aslan King and McKendy.

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
.



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

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


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


Wintonbury Poetry Series & Open Mike
Third Thursdays 7:00 PM

An open mike follows the featured guests each evening. Themes are optional.

Wintonbury Branch Library
1015 Blue Hills Avenue
Bloomfield, CT 06002
860-243-8855



Toward a Future Earth: New Poetry from Native American Voices
Sunday, June 7, 3pm
Florence Griswold Museum
96 Lyme St
Old Lyme, CT 06371
FREE with Museum admission
Join Marilyn Nelson, founder of Soul Mountain Retreat in East Haddam,
and her poets-in-residence for a reading of new work.
The roster of Native American poets includes Santee Frazier,
Jennifer Foerster, Travis Hedge Coke, Lara Mann, and dg okpik.




Poetry at Broad Street Books
First Tuesday in June
Victoria Rivas
June 2nd at 7:00pm

Featuring Victoria Rivas!

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!

Victoria Rivas has been published in many journals including a poem about her other passion, martial arts, in the Journal of Asian Martial Arts. Poems about her hometown, Erie, PA, have been included in two anthologies, Working Hard for the Money from Bottom Dog Press and Along the Lake edited by Sean Thomas Dougherty. Recent publications include poems about her math students. “Keisha’s Gone” placed 43rd in the 77th Writer’s Digest Annual Writing Competition. “Balancing Equation” was published in The Cleave poetry webzine.

She has one chapbook Doing Laundry, and is working on a new book, Yo Miss! I Need a Pencil which includes poetry and prose.

Victoria was on the board of directors for the The 8th Annual National Poetry Slam Championship & 1997 Connecticut Poetry Festival, and the 2001 and 2003 Connecticut Poetry Festivals. She was also an alternate on the 1998 CT Slam Team.
Come join us on June 2nd at 7:00 pm when we’ll be featuring Victoria Rivas!

Broad Street Books
45 Broad Street
Middletown, CT 06457



POETRY POTLUCK
at
The Sanctuary

Do you love poetry?

Would you like to be part of an ongoing poetry discussion group offering food for the mind and the heart?

If so, come and join us on the this first Sunday of June (June 7th) from 4.30-6.00 PM at at the Yurt in The Sanctuary in East Haddam, Connecticut, to discuss poetry and build community.

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

Hosted by Greg Coleman, Suzy Lamson, and Edwina Trentham

For more information call 860-319-1134.

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

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

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

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

FROM MIDDLETOWN AND POINTS WEST:
Take I-84 East to exit 27 onto Rte 691. Stay on 691 when it becomes Rte 66 East headed toward Meriden. Go all the way through Meriden and Middletown onto Rte 9 South. Take exit 7 onto Route 82 East. Turn LEFT onto Route 154 (Saybrook Road). Turn RIGHT onto Route 82 (Bridge Road). Turn LEFT onto Route 151 (Town Street). Turn RIGHT onto Daniels Road. Turn LEFT onto Bogel Road.
Phone number: 860-319-1134




The Haiku Path: A Writing Workshop

with Stanford M. Forrester


Thursday May 21 & 28 6:30 - 8 pm.

Improve your all poetry writing skills by the practice of haiku!


A haiku is a short poem, often writiten in a form other than the classical 5-7-5 syllables, that records "the essence of a moment keenly perceived, in which nature is linked to human nature."

This workshop will show how haiku can help reveal the radiance of "ordinary" moments. Stanford M. Forrester will discuss many aspects of writing haiku and how this art can be integrated into one's daily life and artist practice.

Participants will learn the skills necessary to compose, revise, and recite haikku through various excercises and methods. Everyone is welcome--no experience necessary.

Stanford M. Forrester is a past president of the Haiku Society of America and founder and editor of bottle rockets: a collection of short verse. He is a recent recipient of a New Boston Fund Individual Fellowship selected by the Greater Hartford Arts Council's Board of Directors.

Registration required. You may sign up for one or both sessions. Call 860-242-0041

Wintonbury Branch Library 1015 Blue Hills Av Bloomfield, CT 06002




Mishi-maya-gat Spoken Word & Music Series

NOW IN ITS 3RD SEASON!

at Manchester Community College
Learning Resource Center, Fireside Commons
Great Path, Manchester, CT 06040

Sponsored by MCC Foundation / Hosted by Stephen Campiglio
3rd Thursday of each month from 7-9 p.m.
Free and Open to the Public

THURSDAY, MAY 21

Featured Musician: MEGAN SESMA, Harp Recital – 7:00 p.m.

A versatile performer in the mediums of orchestral and harp chamber music and as a film session musician, Megan Sesma has performed in venues that range from Tchaikovsky Hall in Moscow, the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, Carnegie Hall, and numerous concert halls in South America. Her experience has placed her under the batons of some of music's greatest luminaries, including John Williams and Jerry Goldsmith, and she has shared the stage with such legends of contemporary and popular music as Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, Diana Krall, and Dianne Reeves. Ms. Sesma is a faculty member at the Centerbrook Music School in Connecticut. She is also a harp instructor for Wesleyan University in Middletown and an adjunct instructor of harp at the University of Connecticut in Storrs. More information on Ms. Sesma can be found at: http://www.megansesma.com/.

Featured poets: LISA C. TAYLOR and DAVID CAPPELLA – 8:00 p.m.

Lisa C. Taylor holds an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Southern Maine’s Stonecoast Program and is the author of three books of poetry: the chapbook, Talking to Trees (Finishing Line Press, 2007), which was nominated for the L.L. Winship PEN New England Award); Safe Love and Other Political Acts (Plumeria Press, 1995); and Falling Open (Alpha Beat Press, 1993). Her work has appeared in several anthologies and literary magazines and journals, including Healing Muse, Cape Rock, Icarus, Midwest Review, Hawai'i Pacific Review, Birmingham Poetry Review, Kimera, and Connecticut River Review. Her poetry has also been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. More information on Lisa can be found at: http://www.lisactaylor.com/.

David Cappella is an associate professor in English at Central Connecticut State University. He is the co-author, with Baron Wormser, of two poetry textbooks. His poems have appeared in The Connecticut Review, Diner, The Bryant Literary Review, The Bradford Review, The Providence Journal, and other journals. He is the winner of the 2004 Bright Hill Press Poetry Chapbook Competition for Gobbo: A Solitaire’s Opera, inspired by the great 19th-century Italian poet, Leopardi and the first poem of which was nominated for a Pushcart Prize. The complete manuscript of Gobbo: A Solitaire’s Opera was a finalist for the 2006 Bordighera Prize and a 2008 finalist for The Bright Hill Press Poetry Book Competition. A link to David’s poetry can be found at: http://www.fishousepoems.org/.

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



Riverwood Poetry Series
presents feature poets Eileen Albrizio and Pat Hale.
Thursday, May 28, 2009, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Public is invited and admission is free.
An open mic will follow the features
Refreshments will be served.
Donations of non-perishable foods will also be accepted for the benefit of St. Vincent de Paul Place.
Wood Memorial Library
http://www.woodmemoriallibrary.org/
783 Main St., South Windsor, CT
(860) 289-1783



Riverwood Poetry Series presents Women Beats
featuring Suse Allison, Christine Beck, Terri Klein and Julia Paul
(for complete bios of the poets/performers, go to http://www.riverwoodpoetry.org/ .

High power poetry performance reenacting the lives of Women Beat poets,
rapidly becoming a popular program innovated by the Riverwood Series.
Public is invited.
Admission is free.
An open mic will follow the features
The donation of a non-perishable food item to benefit St. Vincent de Paul Place will be appreciated.
May 30, 2009
6:30 p.m.
The Buttonwood Tree
http://www.buttonwood.org/
605 Main St.Middletown, CT
860-347-4957



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

WNPS, going on 12 years has been the longest
CONTINUOUSLY RUNNING WEEKLY Poetry Open MIC
and featured poet reading series in Connecticut!
For more details and updates:20http://www.wedpoetry.net/
Or http://www.wednesdaypoetry.com/
and http://www.wednesdaypoetry.org/




Boston Area Poetry Info:

“Poetry Under the Trees”
Open Mic at the
MARSHFIELD ARTS FESTIVAL

142 Old Main Street, Marshfield Hills Village, MA

Sunday, May 24, 2009 1:00pm – 3:30pm

Come and read your poetry at the annual “Poetry Under the Trees.” Poets read their works in the yard of an historic house at 142 Old Main Street as festival goers make their way from exhibit tent to tent. It’s a very relaxed & fun atmosphere.

This is the 33nd Annual Festival of the Arts, sponsored by the North River Arts Society. Last year’s festival included the work of over 200 artists, craftsmen, and performers, and attracted well over 6,000 visitors. Featured events include …”Poetry Under the Trees”-Open Mic…Juried Art, Sculpture and Photography; Art Sale, Artisan’s Sale, Feature Barn, Food Tent, & Full Entertainment Schedule.

LOCATION: Look for the bright red and white “Poetry Open Mic” sign in the front yard of 142 Old Main St., Marshfield Hills Village.

Amplification is provided.....so is cover in case of rain.



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

Go to our website and click on the CAT to read about City Lights

Celebrating Poetry One Saturday Every Month

Sat., MAY 16, 2009

Patricia Fargnoli http://gbspa.homestead.com/PatriciaFargnoli.html
Jean Tupper http://gbspa.homestead.com/JeanTupper.html

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.Jun 20 - Dr. Jeffrey Thompson
Ravi Shankar
Gillian Kiley
Sat. Jul 18 - Kim Triedman
Tino Villanueva
Sat. Aug 15 - Doug Holder
Kate Chadbourne
Sat. Sep 19 - Nancy Brady Cunningham
Sheila Mullen Twyman
Joanna Nealon
Sat. Oct.17 - Ellen Steinbaum
Paul Hostovsky