Poetry News

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

Here is your Poetry News for the week of June 14, 2010.

June poetry events are blooming like fragrant lilac 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:
Thu. June 10 - Lori Desrosiers featured at Bart's Bards, Greenfield, 7pm
Thu. June 10 - Florence Poets Society Meeting, Lilly Library, Florence, 6:30pm
Tue. June 15 - Greenfield Spoken Word, 9 Mill St. Greenfield, 7pm
Thu. June 17 - Taylor Mali at Outspoken! open mic in Pittsfield, 8pm
Fri. June 18 - Open Prose & Poetry Special Event, Arms Library, Shelburne Falls, 7pm
Sat. June 19 - Rose Garden Reading, Elizabeth Park, Hartford, CT, 1pm
Sat. June 19 - Anchor House of Artists Reading, Northampton, 7pm
Sat. June 19 - Best Damn Poetry Show at the Elevens, Northampton, 8pm
Sun June 20 - June 26 - Juniper Institute Reading Series at UMass (see below for schedule)

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



HOLYOKE/SPRINGFIELD AREA POETRY

Nautilus II Reading at The Care Center

Please Join The Care Center at Odyssey Bookshop, Thursday, June 24, 10:30 a.m. to Celebrate the Publication of our literary journal: Nautilus II vol. 8.

This is a reading and signing of Nautilus II: The Care Center ’s journal of poetry and art by the young mothers who are studying at The Care Center.
at Odyssey Bookshop in South Hadley

For more information contact Tzivia Gover, Poetry Instructor or Anne Teschner, Executive Director at The Care Center , 532-2900

María Luisa Arroyo's popular poetry workshop
Last date: June 19th
In the Springfield City Library Community Room, 220 State St., Springfield times: 9:30 am - 11:30 am - March 20th, April 17th, May 15th, June 19th Preregistration required. Check out the poetry page @ the Library: www.springfieldlibrary.org Need more info?: E-mail [email protected]


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


Starving for Art Presents open mic Tuesdays
@ Blue Fusion Bar and Grille 487 St. James Ave Springfield, MA doors open at 6pm for social hour. Showtime is 7-9pm All poets, musicians, singers, and visual artists are welcome. This event is free. For more info visit http://www.brendaschild.com/



WORD IN THE VALLEY AND BEYOND

BEST DAMN POETRY SHOW: A Monthly Spoken Word Exhibition
Saturday, June 19
7:00 Doors
8:00 Open Mic
9:00 FEATURE POET Megan Thomas
$3 Cover. 21+
3rd Saturdays @ The Elevens, 140 Pleasant St. in Northampton, MA. For more info & subscriptions to the newsletter, email [email protected]



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

James Tate & Joy Williams June 20
James Tate is the author of over twenty books of poetry and prose, including The Ghost Soldiers, Return to the City of White Donkeys, and Selected Poems. Joy Williams is the author of four novels, including The Quick and the Dead, and three collections of stories.

Heather Christle & Stephen Graham Jones June 21
Heather Christle is the author of The Difficult Farm, a collection of poems. Stephen Graham Jones is the author of six novels and one story collection, most recently Ledfeather and The Long Trial of Nolan Dugatti.

Mark Doty & Noy Holland June 22
Mark Doty is the author of eight books of poems, including Fire to Fire: New & Selected Poems, and three volumes of nonfiction prose. Noy Holland is the author of two story collections: The Spectacle of the Body and What Begins with Bird.

Michael Kimball, Lisa Olstein, & Matthew Zapruder June 23
Michael Kimball is the author of three novels: The Way the Family Got Away, How Much of Us There Was, and, most recently, Dear Everybody.
Lisa Olstein is the author of two books of poems: Radio Crackling, Radio Gone and Lost Alphabet. Matthew Zapruder is the author of two poetry collections: American Linden and The Pajamaist.

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



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 June 10, 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

Bart’s Bards
June 10 Featured Reader: Lori Desrosiers
Second Thursdays Open Microphone for Writers
June 10, 2010, Bart’s Café of Greenfield, 286 Main St., Greenfield, MA, 7:00-9:00 P.M., (Sign up to Read at 6:45)


"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 15
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

JUNE 18TH 7pm: THIRD FRIDAY OPEN PROSE AND POETRY SPECIAL EVENT

Celebration of the 15th anniversary of the Arms Library Third Friday Open Prose and Poetry series
and the bequest of Genie Zeiger's personal poetry collection to the Arms Library by her family

Format: We will have some introductions/remembrances, followed by open readings from
*sample books that Genie loved, now in Arms collection
*poem/prose from one of Genie's books
*poem/prose about Genie
*anything else that one might normally read

Remember to time yourself for 5 minutes!! And come early to sign up!

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
July 1 - Kristin Bock and Lee Sharkey
Mocha Maya's Coffee House, 47 Bridge Street, Shelburne Falls, MA 01370, 413-625-6292. Wheelchair accessible. See www.collectedpoets.com for more information on all our poets reading. $2-5, sliding scale
(Please contact [email protected] for more information).

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.


ALL SMALL CAPS
Monday, May 24th, is our next reading for the All Small Caps series.
Please bring your work, work you admire and want to share, or just come listen to the outstanding featured readers.

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



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].



WORD IN THE BERKSHIRES


OUTSPOKEN!
Upcoming Featured Performers:
June 17th: Taylor Mali- 4-time nat'l slam champ

- 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]


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

This Week in Worcester:
Thursday, June 10
7:00 p.m. Cowboy Matt Hopewell @ the Street Beat (WCPA Offices, 1 Ekman Street, Worcester)
Friday, June 11
10:00 a.m. Shrewsbury Senior Writers @ the Shrewsbury Senior Center (100 Maple Avenue, Shrewsbury)
Saturday, June 12
10:30 a.m. pre-Bloomsday reading of Ulysses (Episode 12) @ the 12 Crane Street complex in Southbridge
Sunday, June 13
2:00 p.m. Joe Fusco Jr. @ the Poets' Asylum
Monday, June 14
9:00 p.m. Jamal "Versiz" May @ the Dirty Gerund Poetry Show
Thursday, June 10
8:00 p.m. The Little "a" Poetry Series (Dr. Gonzo's All-Natural Mega-Spicy Comestible Emporium, 122 Main Street, 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 13:
The Poets' Asylum continues its round up of area poets with supermarket guy and funny man Joe Fusco Jr. Joe's been gracing area stages with his poetry for years, offering up his common sense wisdom and humor. His poems usually involve ordinary events that concern his family and/or friends with a slight twist. Joe also writes songs and performs with the non-musical group the Inflatables. His work has been published regularly in Worcester Mag, as well as Worcester Review, Sacred Fools, and the erotic e-zine Clean Sheets. Joe has a new CD called " Funny Stuff."

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
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.

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, June 9: Galway Kinnell, with music by Chris Norman & Eamon O’Leary
Wednesday, June 23: Marie Ponsot and Gabrielle Calvocoressi, with music by Common Ground


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].



Rose Garden Reading,
Saturday June 19, one o'clock
Featuring poets: Benjamin Grossberg and Margot Schilpp
Pond House at Elizabeth Park in Hartford CT
Part of the Rose Festival Weekend...
www.elizabethpark.org/index.html
Free event.
The Rose Garden Reading is sponsored by The Friends & Enemies of Wallace Stevens www.stevenspoetry.org and this annual reading series is dedicated to the memory of Hugh Ogden
who had organized the program for many years.

For more info: [email protected]

Benjamin S. Grossberg teaches poetry and creative writing at the University of Hartford. His books are Sweet Core Orchard, winner of the 2008 Tampa Review Prize (University of Tampa, 2009), and Underwater Lengths in a Single Breath, winter of the 2005 Snyder Prize (Ashland Poetry Press, 2007). A chapbook, The Auctioneer Bangs his Gavel, was published by Kent State in 2006. His poems have appeared in Paris Review, Southwest Review, and The Pushcart Book of Poetry: The Best Poems from Thirty years of the Pushcart Prize. New poems have appeared or are forthcoming in New England Review, North American Review, and The Missouri Review, among other journals.

Margot Schilpp's books of poems are The World's Last Night (2001), Laws of My Nature (2005), and Civil Twilight (forthcoming in 2012), all published by Carnegie Mellon University Press. Her poems have been published widely in literary journals, including American Poetry Review, The Southern Review, Cincinnati Review, Denver Quarterly, Green Mountains Review, Hotel Amerika, and New England Review.



Wintonbury Branch Poetry Series & Open Mike
My time my place my creativity Third Thursdays, 7:00 p.m. Fall 2009 Hosts: Marilyn Johnston/Tom Nicotera. You're invited to evenings of poetry to stir your heart, soul, and your creativity!
An open mike and light refreshments follow the featured poet at each event.
Wintonbury Branch Library 1015 Blue Hills Ave
Bloomfield, CT 06002
860-243-8855
www.prosserlibrary.info



Wednesday Night Poetry Series at the Blue Z
June 16 - TRIPLE PROGRAM:
THEMED OPEN MYK: Loving the sun, the florals, the leaves, the beach, the fact that SCHOOL IS OUT? (Or maybe not loving it that much…. Summer is the theme!

MINI-FEATURE — Poets Richard Hemmings and Debberae Streett from the York, PA Poetry Brew series.

WORKSHOP: There will be a workshop by the Wedpoetry hosting duo of Lisa Marie and Derek! They have not given out any information on what this workshop involves. We love a surprise…
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.




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 16
Jamaal “Versiz” May is an award-winning poet, producer and recording artist from Detroit. A prolific writer and performer, this Cave Canem fellow has a remarkable range of subject and style, all of it delivered with a joyful sincerity that’s not to be missed. Summertime Speed Slam: 3-, 2-, and 1-minute rounds.

• Wednesday, June 23
Poet, novelist, editor, and rabid White Sox fan, Nick Fox has been performing spoken word poetry for over ten years, featuring at over a hundred venues across the U.S. and Canada. He is a three-time competitor at the National Poetry Slam, a two-time winner of the LEAF Slam in Black Mountain, North Carolina, and the founder of the Flagstaff Poetry Slam. Summertime Speed Slam: 3-, 2-, and 1-minute rounds.

• 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!

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., June 19th
Naomi Chase http://gbspa.homestead.com/NaomiChase.html
Ellen Jane Powers http://gbspa.homestead.com/EllenPowers.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.