Poetry News

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

Here is your Poetry News for the week of June 28, 2010.

Poetry events are greening like the summer leaves in the Pioneer Valley and beyond! Scroll all the way down for more poetry in CT, Boston and other areas. Check out all our links to the right for poetry events everywhere!

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THIS WEEK in Western MA and Vicinity:
Sun. June 27 - Salon at Maureen's in Shelburne Falls, 1pm
Juniper Institute Readings, UMass though June 26, see details below
Mon. June 28 - The Writing Life, discussion with Susan Stinson, Forbes Library, 7pm
Riverwood Poetry Festival (see CT poetry below)

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


WORD IN WESTFIELD

Creative Writing (and more) for Middle School Age Writers this Summer!
Got kids? Check out Lori Desrosiers' hands-on Creative Writing workshop for young writers ages 8-12, entitled "The Write Stuff" the first week in July at the Westfield State College for Kids program. There are other great workshops for kids 5-16 too! For more information go to http://www.wsc.ma.edu/cfk/CFK.pdf

Poetry and Fiction Reading at Goyette Chalet
Friday, August 6th, from 6:30-9:00PM, the Westfield YMCA humanities program will be holding a Poetry and Fiction Reading at our beautiful Camp Shepard Chalet, located at 370 Northwest Road, Westfield. Rebecca Rose, a former YMCA writing student, will read exerpts from her soon to be released novel "Divine Turmoil". Also, the winners of the 2010 Poetry and Short Fiction contests will read their work. Writers who would also like to share their poetry/short fiction with us should submit their work to Sera Rivers at [email protected]. Limit of 3-5 minutes. Limited to the first 15 registrants. This is a family-friendly event.



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/



WORD IN THE VALLEY AND BEYOND

2010 Juniper Institute Readings at UMass Amherst
Sunday, June 20–Saturday, June 26.

Thomas Sayers Ellis & Leni Zumas June 24
Thomas Sayers Ellis is the author of four poetry collections and chapbooks, including The Maverick Room and The Genuine Negro Hero. Leni Zumas is the author of the story collection Farewell Navigator.

Charles D’Ambrosio & Dara Wier June 25
Charles D'Ambrosio is the author of two collections of stories: The Point and Other Stories and The Dead Fish Museum, and Orphans, a collection of essays. Dara Wier’s ten books of poems include Selected Poems, Remnants of Hannah, and Reverse Rapture.

Paul Lisicky & Alex Phillips June 26
Paul Lisicky is the author of the novel Lawnboy and the memoir Famous Builder. Alex Phillips is the author of the poetry chapbook Under a Paper Trellis and the book-length poem Crash Dome.

Readings are open to the public (suggested donation $5–$10) and begin at 7:30 pm
in Bezanson Recital Hall, Fine Arts Center
University of Massachusetts Amherst


The Writing Life - Facilitated Discussions with Susan Stinson
Please be our guest on the fourth Monday of the month, May through August for a facilitated discussion with Forbes Writer In Residence Susan Stinson. These monthly drop in discussions of issues faced by writers are intended for those who are working on long projects such as novels, collections of poetry and books of nonfiction. Anyone interested in such discussions are welcome. The group will meet from 7 to 8 downstairs in the Community Room.

Mondays, June 28th, July 26th and August 23rd
Forbes Library Community Room, 20 West Street, Northampton, Massachusetts 01060


Forbes Library Summer Open Mics
Share your words!

Prose Open Mics
Wednesday, July 7th &
August 4th

Poetry Open Mics
Monday, July 19th &
August 16th

Sign up to read from 6:30 - 7 pm. Reading starts at 7 pm. First-come first served. 5-10 minutes depending on number of participants. Facilitated by Susan Tyler. Refreshments will be served. Everyone welcome.
Forbes Library, Northampton, MA

Green St. Poetry Series
is taking a hiatus for the summer. They will resume in September.
If you are a poet interested in reading at Green Street, please contact [email protected].


FLORENCE POETS SOCIETY
Next business/sharing meeting Thursday July 8, 2010 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. See Rich for details, this group is currently open to join.

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

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


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: [email protected] or: [email protected] or visit: http://www.florencepoetssociety.org/


POETRY A LA CARTE RADIO SHOW
on WMUA-Amherst 91.1 FM 5pm to 5:30 pm on Tuesdays this Summer, streamed live at http://www.wmua.org/.
The program, hosted by Daisy Mathias, includes reading aloud from past and contemporary poets, and occasionally features live interview and poetry-reading with a local poet.


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


Poetry Reading and Open Mic
JUNE 19, 2010, 7 - 9 PM
Anchor House of Artists
518 Pleasant Street
Northampton, MA 01060
Contact: [email protected]
Join Ellen Mary Hayes, Michael Satz, Teri O'Shea & Karen Lowe
as they read from their book, "Wellstone", and join in the open mic.
This is a free event!



GREENFIELD, SHELBURNE FALLS AND NORTH

Sunday Salon in Shelburne Falls
Sunday June 27, at 102 Mechanic Street, Shelburne Falls from 1 to 5; people are encouraged to share their own work or the work of admired other writers and artists, to bring along book titles to recommend to others always eager to hear of new titles, to feel comfortable bringing examples of the visual and musical arts as well as verbal artistries. Contact is Maureen at 413 625 6728.


"Growing younger toward death every day: finding insight and inspiration in poetry, prose, and song".
New participants are always welcome at a biweekly group, which has been meeting for the past year and a half near Greenfield in western Mass, called "Growing younger toward death every day: finding insight and inspiration in poetry, prose, and song".
Bring and share your own, or a favorite poem, prose piece, or recorded song by others. Also listen to CDs of poet David Whyte reading his own and others' poetry, and discussing its meaning. The line 'growing younger toward death every day' is from Whyte's best-known poem "The Faces at Braga".
We also often read aloud and discuss poems and commentary in John O'Donohue's book "A Book of Blessings", and in the series of books edited by Roger Housden such as "Ten Poems To Change Your Life".
Optional pot luck supper at 6. Poetry-sharing begins at 6:45pm. More info: John Berkowitz 413-625-6374 [email protected]


Greenfield Spoken Word
Always the third Tuesday of the month
June event canceled - but July is on! July 20th
9 Mill St. Greenfield, MA
Doors open at 7:00
Open Mic starts at 7:30
Open Mic will be 10 - five-minute slots
Donation - Sliding Scale $1 - $5
Book signing and selling of local writers works will be available. Come up to read. Bring your chapbooks to sell. We will have tables at no cost. Hope to see you there


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
On Thursday, July 1st, at 7:00PM poets Kristin Bock and Lee Sharkey will read. $2– $5 sliding scale. 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.

Kristin Bock is the author of Cloisters, winner of Tupelo Press’s First Book Award and the da Vinci Eye Award. She also holds an MFA from the University of Massachusetts where she currently teaches. Lee Sharkey’s poetry books include A Darker, Sweeter String, To A Vanished World, and farmwife. She is also the recipient of the 2010 Maine Arts Commission's Individual Artist Fellowship in Literary Arts.
Mocha Maya's Coffee House, 47 Bridge Street, Shelburne Falls, MA 01370, 413-625-6292. Wheelchair accessible. $2-5, sliding scale

2010 Series
July 1 - Kristin Bock and Lee Sharkey
No CPS Readings in August or September
October 7 - Josephine Dickinson and Sharon Dolin
November 4 - Barbara Ras and Jennifer Sweeney
December 2 - Aracelis Girmay and Ross Gay

The Collected Poets Series highlights the work of established and emerging poets. Each event showcases the remarkable local poets of Western Massachusetts and the finest regional, national, and international talent.


Announcing The Woven Word Summer Creative Writing Workshop
for Middle and High School Age Writers

For the third summer the Woven Word is offering week long creative writing workshops for middle and high school age writers. We use the Amherst Writers & Artists workshop method as a design to create safe space among peers so that young writers may explore the development of their own unique voice. The program includes 2-3 writing and sharing sessions, afternoons on a houseboat on the Connecticut River, and one ½ day creating hand made books of each individual selected writings.

Three week long sessions are offered: July 19-23, August 2-6, August 9-13. Sessions run 9 AM – 3:30 in Hadley and cost $200 per week.

Program Director Lynn Bowmaster is a published poet with more than 10 years experience leading writing workshops in her home, R.K. Finn Ryan Road Elementary, PVPA, Hilltown Cooperative Charter School, the Springfield Library, Soldier On, and Holyoke Community College.

For info. And a link to a slideshow of program, contact Lynn at 584-3373, [email protected].


Dream Horse Press Tour Reading
Friday, July 30th come hear Dream Horse Press authors Kyle McCord and Keith Montesano read from their recently released books. The two will be joined by special guest Sarah Boyer. The event will be held at 7:00 p.m. at Grey Matter Books at 47 East. St. in Hadley. The event is part of the DHP First Book Tour, with readings in seventeen different locations across fourteen states. For any questions about times or directions, contact: [email protected],

Kyle McCord's book, Galley of the Beloved in Torment, was the winner of the 2008 Orphic Prize. He’s received awards or grants from the Academy of American Poets, the Vermont Studio Center, and the Iowa Poetry Society. He has work forthcoming or published from Boston Review, Cimarron Review, Columbia: a Journal of Art and Literature, Cream City Review, Gulf Coast, Volt and elsewhere. He currently lives and teaches in Des Moines, Iowa.

Keith Montesano’s, Ghost Lights, was published this year by Dream Horse Press. Other poems have appeared or are forthcoming in Hayden’s Ferry Review, American Literary Review, Third Coast, River Styx, Crab Orchard Review, Sonora Review, Ninth Letter, and elsewhere. He currently lives with his wife in New York, where he is a PhD Candidate in English and Creative Writing at Binghamton University.

Sarah Boyer is in the Program for Poets and Writers at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Recent work has been featured in NOO and Hannah. She is also the organizer for the Live Lit Reading Series at Amherst Books.




WORD IN THE BERKSHIRES


OUTSPOKEN!
- Outspoken! A monthly performance series and open mic featuring poets, storytellers, spoken word artists, serial monologists,(musicians, too)
- Hosted by Matt McFadden
3rd Thursday of every month at 8pm (suggested donation $5 - $10)
- Micro Theater: 311 North Street (upstairs) in Pittsfield, MA
(Off street public parking available in Melville Street lot, across from Boys and Girls Club on Melville Street - @ 1 block from theater).
- Open Mic performers can sign up at [email protected]
- For more information, please contact Matt McFadden at [email protected]


Jhena Plourde Reading
Poetry Reading and book signing for her book, "Odes to Princes, Odes to Toads."
The reading and book signing is on June 24th, from 6-8 at Chapters Bookstore,
78 North St in Pittsfield, MA.


Poets from the Steepletop workshop, led this year by Executive Director Peter Bergman and guest poet/facilitator Irene Willis, will present new work at the Book Store in Lenox on Sunday, June 27, 5:30 p.m. Join them for the reading and chat, pick up a copy of their new anthology, and have some wine and other refreshments.


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


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


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



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.



STURBRIDGE POETRY

An Evening of Music & Poetry at Sturbridge Coffee House
Saturday, June 26, 7-9 p.m.
Stephen Campiglio, poetry
with music/poetry by “Ritual Space”
AJ Juarez, flutes & poetry
John Zaganiacz, saxophone & electronics

479 Main Street (Rt. 20; next door to Kaizen Sushi), Sturbridge, MA • (508) 347-2288
(Additional parking available in lot across the street.) FREE (Donations accepted)

Stephen Campiglio was the featured poet in the Summer 2008 issue of Italian Americana and a finalist in the 2009 Bordighera Poetry Book Prize. His work has appeared in 96 Inc, Anthology of New England Writers, Asylum Annual, Calapooya, Natural Bridge, Sahara, Switched-on Gutenberg, and Urban Spaghetti, among others. Since 2005, he has served as program associate for Credit-Free Programs in Continuing Education at Manchester Community College in CT, where he also founded and coordinates the Mishi-maya-gat Spoken Word & Music Series.

AJ Juarez is a founding member of Noh Place Artists Cooperative; Ghost Shadows, an alternative rock band; and the Native American Church Community of Kalpulli Ko’aat-kalco; and is currently employed by the Massachusetts Public Health Association as their Western Massachusetts community organizer. A former on-air host at WCUW 91.3 FM in Worcester, MA, his artwork and writing have been featured in various venues and publications, including The Worcester Review, From the Ashes, The New England Jazz Archives, and a recent exhibit in the d’Alzon Arts Series at Assumption College.

John Zaganiacz has had the opportunity to study with many saxophone and jazz teachers over the years, most notably Marion Brown, Dr. Ed Byrne, and Archie Shepp, and performed with Byrne’s workshop band, “The Valley Jazz Ensemble” for ten years. He has showcased his performance versatility over the years by collaborating with many poets and playing at readings and with avant-garde jazz-rock bands. In addition, he has continued a 20-year-long interest in music technology and composing and recording of digital music.



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 [email protected]


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


The After Nine Poetry Series
Every Thursday Night The The After Nine Poetry Series, formerly The Spot, is a weekly poetry reading in the Ship Room at the Hotel Vernon (1 Kelly Square, Worcester). The official start time is 8:00 p.m. but honestly, things get going closer to 9. Maybe this week will be different. 21+ and proper id is required


Poets Asylum
Sunday, June 27:
It's been a long while since he's taken to the Poets' Asylum mic. This week we welcome Jon Wolf as our feature. Jonathan Wolf is a poet and hacker who has been involved as both a coach and a competitor for several Worcester slam teams. A fixture in the local performance poetry community, he is currently working on a book of poems involving birds, mathematics, and the Bible. On good days, he's a hopeless romantic. He currently resides in Worcester with his cat and several computers.

We hope you'll come down to the Nu Cafe (formerly Jumpin' Juice & Java, 335 Chandler Street, Worcester) on Sunday night. The sign-up list goes out by 6:00 p.m. and the reading starts by 6:30 p.m. No cover; donations accepted to pay the feature.


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 [email protected].


THE ECLECTIC WORD, Radio Show
Poet and journalist Victor D. Infante hosts The Eclectic Word, an Internet radio show that will delve into literature's fringe with poets, satirists, alternative journalists and even (gasp!) bloggers. We'll be stepping off the beaten path of literature, taking a close look at the odd, the eccentric and the cutting-edge. Should be fun. The show will run at 7 p.m. EST the first and third Friday of every month, as part of The World Wide Word Radio Network. You can listen to the shows live, or you can download it later for your listening convenience. So give it a listen! It's going to be a blast!



CONNECTICUT POETRY

Write to Terri Klein at [email protected] to get the new CT Poet newsletter in your email.

RIVERWOOD POETRY FESTIVAL
June 23 - 27, 2010
Too many details to list on this newsletter
Go to http://www.riverwoodpoetry.org/ for all events and information!


SUNKEN GARDEN POETRY FESTIVAL
6:30 p.m. (gates open at 4:30 p.m.), rain or shine (tented in case of rain)
Hill-Stead Museum, 35 Mountain Road, Farmington, CT
Admission: free, parking $10. For information: 860-677-4787, www.hillstead.org

Wednesday, July 7: Jean Valentine with Sunken Garden Poetry Prize winners, music by CONCORA
Wednesday, July 21: Terrance Hayes and CT Poetry Circuit winners, music by The Nat Reeves ensemble
Wednesday, August 4: Taylor Mali and a Night of Fresh Voices (H.S. winners), music by Conga Bop


Victoria Munoz Reading
Realto Café, Saturday, June 26, 9:30pm, 50 Rappallo Avenue, Middletown, CT, 860-343-957
Singer/song writer and poet, Victoria Muñoz will be presenting and featuring the LOVE CHRONICLES.
This night she will be featuring her poetry and original songs written and arranged for voice, guitar and cello. There will be an open mike to follow. Terri Klein to Host.

Realto Café will have a special menu and drinks available for patrons and
those participating in the Riverwood Festival. It’s also just a walk away from the
Buttonwood Tree if you’re coming from the CRUSH Ensemble reading (6:30-8:30).
So come on down and celebrate a night of poetry and love ( or unrequieted love,
whichever the case may be)!

Poetry at Broad Street Books
First Tuesday in July, Tuesday, July 6th at 7:00pm
Featuring Christine Beck!
Christine Beck is the former President of the Connecticut Poetry Society and is currently the Contest Chairperson of the National Federation of State Poetry Societies. She is a member of the board of directors of The Friends and Enemies of Wallace Stevens and of The Riverwood Poetry Series. Her poems have been published in the anthologies, Proposing on the Brooklyn Bridge, Grayson Books, 2003, and Everybody Says Hello, Grayson Books, 2009. Her poems have appeared in such journals such as J Journal, Passager, Connecticut River Review, Long River Run, and Caduceus. She is also the author of the short play, Behind the Beats.

Come help us welcome Christine Beck to the store on July 6th and share some of your own poetry too!
Broad Street Books
45 Broad Street
Middletown, CT 06457

-also-

Tune in to J-Cherry Presents every Tuesday night at 8:00 PM on 88.1 FM WESU in Middletown to hear from local artists from across all genres. On the first Tuesday of every month, J-Cherry hosts our featured poet on the show! Tune in on Tuesday, July 6th at 8:00 PM to hear Christine Beck!

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


South Windsor Voices
If you are a resident of South Windsor, CT or know someone who is, this is important news.
The town of South Windsor, CT is looking for residents who have something to say….poetically, that is! The Steering Committee for a planned book of poetry written entirely by South Windsor residents, is inviting members of the community to submit poems for inclusion in South Windsor Voices: An Anthology of Poetry. Those submitting poetry must be town residents. Poems will be accepted from May 1st~ through October 31st with publication of the anthology planned for 2011. Poems will be selected for the anthology by a panel of experienced poets. Residents who are interested in participating in the project can review submission guidelines on the town website at www.southwindsor.org For questions concerning the guidelines, please contact Sandy at [email protected] , or 860-644-0049. For questions about the project, please contact Charles Margolis at 860-644-0697.



POETRY POTLUCK at The Sanctuary
59 Bogel Road, East Haddam, Connecticut
Poetry Potluck is back after a winter hiatus, now meeting every THIRD Sunday of the month
April through December 2010

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 third Sunday of each month from 4.30-6.00 PM. Our next meeting is on Sunday, April 18, 2010 at The Yurt at 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. Refreshments will be provided.

Hosted by Greg Coleman, Edwina Trentham and Suzy Lamson
For more information call 860-319-1134.


Poetry/Reading Series at Billings Forge
The Studio @ Billings Forge is pleased to introduce to its programming a new poetry/reading series entitled,WordForge. WordForge is a series of readings featuring local poets along with an open mike component.
All events will be scheduled for Monday nights, with a 7 p.m. start time.
WordForge is curated and organized by local poet, Jim Finnegan. Harvest Reading, is the first reading in the series, scheduled for Monday, November 16th, and participants are asked to bring a canned good or small donation that will be contributed to a local food bank. Many of the readings will have a featured theme in addition to featured invited poets.
For further information about the WordForge series and to participate, please contact: Jim Finnegan at 860.508.2810 or at [email protected].

The Studio @ Billings Forge is a program of Billings Forge Community Works, a non-profit organization focused on reinvestment in the Frog Hollow neighborhood of Hartford. The Studio offers programs that bring vitality and arts to the neighborhood and include jazz and world-class music series, artistic and educational workshops and classes, family film series and more.
Billings Forge Community Works (BFCW), located in the Frog Hollow neighborhood of Hartford, is a nonprofit organization committed to revitalization in the community. At the forefront of the project is the award winning Firebox Restaurant.

For further information about The Studio @ Billings Forge contact Janice La Motta,
Program Coordinator, 860.548.9877 or [email protected].



Wintonbury Branch Poetry Series & Open Mike
My time my place my creativity Third Thursdays, 7:00 p.m. Fall Hosts: Marilyn Johnston/Tom Nicotera. You're invited to evenings of poetry to stir your heart, soul, and your creativity!
An open mike and light refreshments follow the featured poet at each event.
Wintonbury Branch Library 1015 Blue Hills Ave
Bloomfield, CT 06002
860-243-8855
www.prosserlibrary.info



Wednesday Night Poetry Series at the Blue Z
The Wednesday Night Poetry Series (WNPS or Wedpoetry) Starting June 23 we will meet at “The Garage,” at 53 Church Hill Road, Newtown.

Wed. June 30: Van Hartmann
Van Hartmann teaches neoclassical and romantic literature, American literature, history of the novel, comedy, and film at Manhattanville College in Purchase, New York. His poems have appeared in numerous journals and his first book-length poetry collection Shiva Dancing has been published by texture press.

Shiva Dancing takes the reader on a journey across a physical and emotional landscape of loss, grieving, and renewal. The poems are lyrical and elegiac. They probe the multiple layers through which we experience the loss that comes with living and the redemption made possible by exploring that loss with honesty, concreteness, and compassion. Each poem is set in motion by a concrete observation or recollected moment that releases its own organic stream of poignant associations. The result is an embodiment, in each poem and in the collection as a whole, of the complex energies and perceptions that define our most human experiences.”

He lives his wife Laurel Peterson in Norwalk, Connecticut.
For more information and future features go to http://wedpoetry.wordpress.com/



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: [email protected]; http://www.buttonwood.org; (860) 347-4957.


A Poetry Salon
Saturday, July 10, 2010, 7:00 p.m. (Doors open at 6:15 p.m.)
Freight Street Gallery, 170 Freight Street, Waterbury, CT, Donation: $7. BYOB and some finger food for the "nosh luck"
Last July, when we gathered at our first ever Poetry Salon, special guests and open mikers combined to electrify the summer night with our sizzling words. This year, let's take it up a notch for our
First Anniversary Spectacular!

Featuring two great performance poetry ensembles:

Zeno's Eros: Taking its influence from the Beat and Surrealist movements, Zeno's Eros combines elements of poetry, song, jazz, progressive rock, and folk music to create an energetic, eclectic environment in four-part harmony. Ludent Tremmel’s lead guitar provides intricate and mysterious scaffolding for Gabrielle Zane’s plaintive, sometimes edgy vocals. Dawn Cook, an eclectic and boundary-shoving acoustic rhythm guitar player, provides a seductive, melodic underscore. Add to the mix the tribal rhythms of Win Schmitt (drums) and Paul Tanner (bass), and you have an ensemble from somewhere beyond that which can be named. More info: http://www.myspace.com/zenoseros.

5thL
This is result of when poetry becomes music and more, performed with energy that rivals rock & roll, and still hip-hop in its truest form. The 5th L is a Baltimore-based but nationally traveled spoken-word poetry meets hip-hop soul group which is made up of David Ross/Native Son and Femi Lawal/The Dri Fish. They are an action packed poetry experience that delivers spoken word with the skilled theatrics of a Broadway show and the high energy a rap artist exerts on stage and yet able to maintain the poetic integrity of Langston Hughes to entertain and enlighten audiencesp More info: http://www.5thl.com/pages/intro.html.

Including Special Guests... JCHERRY Colin Haskins John Georgette ..and more!

And of course there will be an Open Mike! And Raffle Prizes! And we'll provide a Bookseller to shamelessly promote all poets in attendance--so don't forget to bring your books, CDs, flyers, locks of hair, etc.!

Your hosts for the evening, Victoria Munoz, Terri Klein and David K. Leff urge you to RSVP and/or reserve your open mike spot ASAP via email to www.freightstreetgallery.com or [email protected]. We are also looking for three volunteers to help out during the evening. Volunteer benefits include free admission, 2 free raffle tickets, and a guaranteed spot in the open mike! Email Victoria at [email protected] to volunteer.

More details to come via email! Also check for updates on the Freight Street Gallery website: www.freightstreetgallery.com.



BOSTON AREA/CAPE COD POETRY INFO:

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, June 30
We’ll hold a special one-hour feature tonight from Chicago poets Marty McConnell and Tristan Silverman. These two activists and organizers are both fantastic historians and powerful political commentators, willing and eminently able to remark on the humanness of flaw, the fluidity of identity, and the reality of coming of age queer and American. No slam tonight.

• Wednesday, July 7
Our second Regional Poetry Slam of the year. For this event, we’ll be inviting slam teams from Providence, R.I., Portland, Maine, the Hampshire County Slam Collective, and the Lizard Lounge. These four teams will slam off for bragging rights in a Nationals-style 4x4 as we count down the last month until the big show in St. Paul!

• Wednesday, July 14
Welcome “sociopathic show pony” Jacob Rakovan! A riveting and risky performer, Jacob was a founding member of the now-defunct Southern Ohio Underground Poetry and Spoken Word Collective and past editor to the arts magazine Bacchus and the Portsmouth Free Press. This widely-published poet will feature for the first time at the Cantab Lounge. Summertime Speed Slam: 3-, 2-, and 1-minute rounds.

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 [email protected]



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

Sat., July 17th
Rennie McQuilkin http://gbspa.homestead.com/RennieMcquilkin.html
Nora Pollard http://gbspa.homestead.com/NoraPollard.html

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. July 17 - Rennie McQuilkin & Nora Pollard
Sat. Aug 21 - Lori Desrosiers (1st Prize Winner, GBSPA Poetry Contest in 2010) & Rene Schwiesow
Sat. Sept 18 – Catherine Sasanov, Mignon Ariel King & Susan Roney-O’Brien
Sat. Oct 16 - Juanita Torrence-Thompson
Sat. Nov 20 - Marie Gauthier



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 AND DETAILS ABOUT CAPE COD POETRY AND ALL OF THESE EVENTS.


Lowell Poetry Slam and Open Mic
Every FIRST Thursday at Brew'd Awakening! Only poets can compete in the slam and win the prize... but the mic is open to musical performers as well. Whether you come to perform, compete or just enjoy some coffee and great local talent, don't miss this event! 7:00pm - 9:30 pm *Sign-up between 6:30-7:00* The event is free and open to the public—so come on down for an evening of good company and some terrific regional voices!
Brew'd Awakening Coffeehaus
61 Market Street
Lowell, MA 978-454-BREW
For more info, please email [email protected]


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: [email protected]


LETRA Poetry Nights
in LAWRENCE MASS Every TUESDAY at Julio's 99 Club 99 Essex Street Lawrence, MA
Doors open at 7pm open mic starts at 8pm Admission $3.00 For more information or for directions please call
Michelle Richardson at 978-423-7045


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


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