TABLE OF CONTENTS_______________________________________
- Quotes
- Poem of the Month
- Book of the Month
- Website of the Month
- News Items / Writing Workshops
- Poetry Calendar for December
- Subscription and Contact Information
I:__QUOTES________________________________________________
If I don’t write to empty my mind, I go mad.
– Lord Byron
To write only a poem of language, or only a poem of emotion is not enough. The two must wrestle vigorously with one another, like squirrels for a nut.
– Henri Cole
If I knew where poems came from, I’d go there.
– Michael Longley
II:__POEM OF THE MONTH__________________________________
“Sometimes, what passes for silence is unacknowledged"
Terrence McLain (1951 – 2008)
Sometimes, what passes for silence is unacknowledged
chaos, the occasional ordering of indecision,
a scatter of pebbles in the riverbed.
Haunch of hill behind me, a presence,
I pause on the mud-belted belly
of the river bank slope,
toss twigs into the water’s gears
until one synchronizes—it does not tip out of sight.
III:__BOOK OF THE MONTH_________________________________
Each month we highlight a book of poetry by a Connecticut author.
THE PRICE OF WATER
by David K. Leff
David K. Leff’s first collection of poetry is a group of prose poems whose moods and subjects run the gamut from delighted description of the natural world to lament for the loss of traditional ways in our man-made world. Leff asks, for instance, if flooding townships to create reservoirs may make water a bit pricey. These poems are informed by love of small town America and regret for all it has lost. By turns lyrical, angry, and philosophical, the poems are always elegant in language, accurate in observation, and passionate in point of view. They are prefaced with an eloquent defense of the prose poem as a means of bringing the joys of poetry to readers rightly suspicious of overly ornate, obscure and academic poems posing as the real thing. Leff comes to the world of poetry as an exceptional linguist but also as a man who has worked as a newspaper essayist and a defender of the wilderness. There is a freshness to his work that is invigorating.
Dick Allen writes, “The Price of Water is a shimmering collection of prose poems/mini-essays—lush, simile-rich, image-dense close lookings at light, water, shadows, cemeteries, and all manner of other things. The poems are best read slowly, maybe one or two a day, with lingerings on each phrase and word. One of the book’s sections is ‘Always Watching,’ and that’s what Leff encourages us to do. So, with him, we savor and remember how a windy ‘harbor is herringboned with whitecaps,’ an airport is the ‘air-conditioned purgatory where no one comes to stay’ and orchids (in my favorite poem of the collection) are ‘bizarre science fiction shapes of butterflies, winging birds, and dancing women.’”
From Bruce Pratt: “In The Price of Water, David Leff has married lyric and narrative poetry and prose into a series of lush reflections and musings that entertain the heart and eye while edifying the soul. More than simply ensnaring revelatory moments, these prose poems illuminate the world through precise, acute observations in a glorious tribute to the power of words to dazzle.”
David K. Leff is a freelance writer from Collinsville, Connecticut. His essays and fiction have appeared in newspapers and magazines, and his non-fiction work, The Last Undiscovered Place, a Connecticut Book Award finalist, was published by the University of Virginia Press in 2004. A second book, Deep Travel, will be published by the University of Iowa Press early in 2009.
$14.00 (ISBN: 978-0-9798451-9-X)
Antrim House www.antrimhousebooks.com
David will be reading on Saturday, December 6, at the Canton Public Library. See the Poetry Calendar below.
IV:__WEBSITE OF THE MONTH______________________________
DUOTROPE’S DIGEST
From the web site: Welcome to Duotrope’s Digest, a database of over 2275 current markets for short fiction, poetry, and novels/collections. Use this page to search for markets that may make a fine home for the piece you just polished. Use the menus at the top and right to explore the rest of the free services we offer writers and editors, including a free online submissions tracker for registered users. We usually make several updates per day, and we check each of the current listings every ten days to ensure the most up-to-date database humanly possible.
www.duotrope.com
V:__NEWS ITEMS / WRITING WORKSHOPS____________________
None
VI:__POETRY CALENDAR FOR DECEMBER___________________
Please contact venues for any possible cancellations due to the holidays or inclement weather.
Monday, December 1 2008
7:00pm
THE LOVE JONES OPEN MIC
Spoken Word and Song event. All poets welcome.
$5.00 cover. Hosted by Darlene Brandon Scott.
The Russell
103 Pratt Street
Hartford, CT
www.therussell.net
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Monday, December 1 2008
7:30pm - 9:00pm
POETRY BEAT
Poetry open mike at Las Vetas Lounge.
Las Vetas Lounge
1462 Post Road
Fairfield, CT
203-255-1958
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Monday, December 1 2008
9:00pm
BEATNIK 2000
Music and poetry every Monday night, hosted by Ed Leonard. No Cover.
www.cafenine.com/schedule.html
Cafe 9
250 State Street
New Haven, CT
203-789-8281
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Tuesday, December 2 2008
5:30pm
LUCILLE CLIFTON at YALE
Please join us for a poetry reading by Lucille Clifton at the Yale Center for British Art. This event is co-sponsored by the Yale Collection of American Literature Reading Series and New Ideas in African American Studies.
Lucille Clifton is the author of numerous collections of poetry, including Good News About the Earth, An Ordinary Woman, Good Woman: Poems and a Memoir 1969-1980, The Book of Light, Quilting: Poems 1987-1990, Next: New Poems, and Blessing the Boats: New and Selected Poems 1988-2000. She has been awarded the National Book Award, the University of Massachusetts Press Juniper Prize, an Emmy Award from the American Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, a Lannan Literary Award, fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Shelley Memorial Award, and the Ruth Lilly Prize.
The reading is free and open to the public.
Yale Center for British Art
1080 Chapel Street
New Haven, CT
For additional information about poetry at the Beinecke Library visit: beineckepoetry.wordpress.com.
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Tuesday, December 2 2008
7:00pm - 9:00pm
FIRST TUESDAY POETRY (Middletown)
Tonight, First Tuesday Poetry presents an all open mike evening.
Broad Street Books hosts a monthly poetry reading, First Tuesday Poetry Series, with a featured poet followed by an open mike, on the first Tuesday of every month at 7:00pm. Admission is free.
45 Broad Street
Middletown, CT
Broad Street Books
For more information, contact Brian Mitchard at 860-685-READ
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Tuesday, December 2 2008
7:15pm
FIRST TUESDAY POETRY (Norwalk)
The First Tuesday Poetry group meets every month at Barnes & Noble Booksellers. (Note the new location. First Tuesday Poetry no longer meets at Borders in Wilton.)
Please come and listen to local poets, bring a favorite poem, read your own poems too. We offer a mix of guest poets, featured regular readers, Open Mike, and Occasional Workshop sessions.
Barnes & Noble Booksellers
Shoprite Plaza
360 Connecticut Avenue
Norwalk, CT
203-866-2213
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Wednesday, December 3 2008
7:30pm
POEMALLEY at Curley’s Diner
Read poetry, discuss writing and other topics of interest.
Curley’s Diner
62 West Park Place
Stamford, CT
203-327-3716
ayarmal@earthlink.net
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Wednesday, December 3 2008
7:30pm - 10:00pm
WEDNESDAY NIGHT POETRY SERIES
featuring Faith Vicinanza reading Rumi
Fresh from slamming at the Bushnell with some of the finest legacy slammers in the region, fresh from reading at Confluencia at Naugatuck Valley Community College, and from a Shijin Performance at ArtWell, on this night WNPS Founder Faith Vicinanza will dedicate herself to reading classic poems by the Persian poet Rumi. Come and hear this extraordinary performer spin out Rumi in a different way.
WNPS, the longest running weekly poetry series in Connecticut, boasts an open mike, feature poets, a Q&A with the feature, and a poetry critique workshop. For more info, visit the website: www.wedpoetry.net.
Molten Java Coffee Roasters, LLC
102 Greenwood Avenue
Bethel, CT
203-739-0313
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Wednesday, December 3 2008
9:30pm - 11:00pm
POETRY NITE at the Huntington Street Café
Poetry Nite every Wednesday at the Huntington Street Café. Run by Sammy and Natalie, it’s open to everyone. Stop by to check the scene or even read a little something. Walk in and you’ll be added to the list.
Email Pollie_Vack@yahoo.com for info.
Huntington Street Café
90 Huntington Street
Shelton, CT
Phone: 203-925-9064
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Thursday, December 4 2008
7:00pm
JEAN-YVES SOLINGA in NEW LONDON
Local author Jean-Yves Solinga, recently published by New London’s own publishing house Little Red Tree Press. Reading from his collection, Jean-Yves will bring his imagery and imagination from his youth on the shores of Morocco to the coastline of New London. This reading is sponsored by the Robert N. Rue Education Fund at Curbstone Press, established in honor of Dr. Rue, who died in September 2007, honoring his lifelong commitment to education and good writing.
Please join us for a new reading series, Poetry in the Galleries, sponsored by internationally acclaimed Curbstone Press out of Willimantic, CT. Each reading begins at 7:00pm in the galleries.
For more information, please call Curbstone at 860-423-5110.
Hygienic Galleries
79-83 Bank Street
New London, CT
860-443-8001
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Thursday, December 4 2008
7:00pm - 9:00pm
WINTONBURY LIBRARY POETRY SERIES
featuring John Surowiecki & his son John E. Surowiecki.
Enjoy the holidays with a creative father/son duo. The dad is a prize-winning poet and the son is a talented singer, composer and keyboardist. Poet John Surowiecki has had two books of poetry published, The Hat City after Men Stopped Wearing Hats and Watching Cartoons Before Attending a Funeral, as well as five chapbooks. He is the winner of many prizes, including the Poetry Foundation’s Pegasus Award for his verse drama, My Nose and Me, and the Pablo Neruda Prize.
Singer John E. Surowiecki has played his own songs in countless venues around eastern Connecticut . His style leans toward classic rock, with emphasis on eloquence, musicianship, and strong melody line. His music has a great appeal across the generations.
An open mike follows the featured poet. The theme is “Family.”
Wintonbury Branch Poetry Series, now in its eleventh year, presents a featured poet followed by a themed open mike. For more information, please call the Wintonbury Branch at 860-242-0041.
Wintonbury Branch Library
1015 Blue Hills Avenue
Bloomfield, CT
www.prosserlibrary.info/wintonbury_branch.htm
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Thursday, December 4 2008
7:00pm - 10:00pm
THURSDAY NIGHT POETRY
Open Mike Poetry Reading at Bean & Leaf. Old poets read, new voices heard.
A new venue with “a killer sound system and lots of delicious teas and coffee and pastries.” Visit the website for more information: www.bean-leaf.com.
Bean & Leaf cafe
13 Washington St.
New London, CT
860-701-0000
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Saturday, December 6 2008
2:00pm
DAVID LEFF in CANTON
The Price of Water is a collection of prose poems composed, according to the author, with an eye to those readers who may be suspicious of or put off by other, more regulated and often obscure forms of poetry. The poems in this collection are accessible in both form and content. David often writes about the natural world and about events which may start out sounding ordinary but quickly evolve into something newly seen and appreciated.
David’s essays and fiction have appeared in newspapers and magazines, and his non-fiction work The Last Undiscovered Place was a Connecticut Book Award finalist. Early in 2009, Deep Travel will be published by the University of Iowa Press.
Canton Public Library
40 Dyer Ave
Canton, CT
860-693-5800
Registration is requested
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Saturday, December 6 2008
6:00pm - 10:00pm
NUTMEG YOUTH POETRY SLAM
A poetry slam will be hosted by Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters, Connecticut’s premiere youth mentoring organization at Trinity College. More than ten artists are scheduled to perform. The keynote poet is Elizabeth Thomas, a widely published poet, performer, teacher and advocate of the arts. She is a coach and organizer with Brave New Voices: International Youth Poetry Slam and Festival. She is also the founder of UpWords Poetry, a company dedicated to promoting programs for young writers and educators, based on the belief that poetry is meant to be heard out loud and in person. She hosts a website at www.upwordspoetry.com. Also visit Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters at www.nutmegbigbrothersbigsisters.org.
Introducing the artists and keeping the slam motoring along will be local radio’s G-Money da Prince, a Hot 93.7 FM on-air weekend personality and East Hartford native.
Admission to Nutmeg’s Poetry Slam is $5.00 per person. The price includes beverages and Latino-themed food. For additional event information or to purchase tickets in advance, contact Michelle Roman at: mroman@bbbsnutmeg.org or 1-800-237-KIDS (5437), ext. 115.
Koeppel Community Sports Center
Trinity College Campus
175 New Britain Ave,
Hartford, CT
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Saturday, December 6 2008
9:00pm
GET BORN TOUR 2008!
Featuring Joseph Sulier, Jim Swill, Mathieu Paul, and Brock Walker.
Get Born is an outlet for the various creative endeavors of young local poets in the city of St.Louis. There are readings held regularly at various locations in St. Louis and occasionally around the country; there are recordings of readings; there is art; there is danger; there is youth; and above all there is a pure genuine love for literary endeavors. For the latest updated news please check out www.getbornbeat.blogspot.com or www.myspace.com/getbornbeat.
Free and open to the public.
Fred Summit East Dormitory
Trinity College
240 New Britain Ave.
Hartford, CT
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Sunday, December 7 2008
2:00pm - 4:00pm
BEAN & LEAF OPEN MIKE POETRY READING
hosted by Tom Weigel
Old poets read, new voices heard in a new venue with “a killer sound system and lots of delicious teas and coffee and pastries.” Visit the website for more information: www.bean-leaf.com
Bean & Leaf Cafe
13 Washington St.
New London, CT
860-701-0000
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Sunday, December 7 2008
3:00pm
YOUTH POETRY SLAM
and All Ages Open Mike
If you are a poet between the ages of 13 and 20, this is a good opportunity to practice your word’s worth and prepare yourself for tryouts for the CT National Youth Poetry Slam Team 2009. Elizabeth Thomas hosts this terrific opportunity for young poets. You asked for it; you got it!
2:45pm sign up, 3:00pm performance. Admission is free. For directions or other information please visit: www.upwordspoetry.com.
The Buttonwood Tree
605 Main Street
Middletown, CT
860-347-4957
near@buttonwood.org
www.buttonwood.org
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Sunday, December 7 2008
4:30pm - 6:00pm
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 August at The Sanctuary in East Haddam 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.
The Sanctuary at Shepardfields
59 Bogel Road
East Haddam, CT
(From Daniels Road, turn LEFT onto Bogel, then look for the “Labyrinth & Yurt” sign. It’s a dirt driveway.)
For more information call 860-319-1134 or visit www.sanctuaryatshepardfields.org.
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Monday, December 8 2008
7:00pm
THE LOVE JONES OPEN MIC
Spoken Word and Song event. All poets welcome.
$5.00 cover. Hosted by Darlene Brandon Scott.
The Russell
103 Pratt Street
Hartford, CT
www.therussell.net
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Monday, December 8 2008
7:15pm
MONDAY NIGHT POETRY in STAMFORD
featuring Sherman K. Poultney
Sherman K. Poultney is a native New Englander who now resides in Connecticut. He has published his poems, short stories, and plays in various media over the last 43 years and has had public readings of his plays with the Fairchester Playwrights. His latest play, "On My Mouth the Taste is Sour", is about the final days of the Vietnam War. It was workshopped at the Sarah Lawrence 2006 Summer Playwriting Workshop. Please visit his blog sites: Poetry: http://spoultney.blogspot.com, Drama: http://skpoultney.blogspot.com, Short Story http://skppoultney.blogspot.com.
Plus an open mike.
Monday Night Poetry meets on the second Monday of each month at Barnes & Noble Bookstore in Stamford Town Center.
Please come and listen to local poets, bring a favorite poem, or read your own.
Barnes & Noble Booksellers
Stamford Town Center
100 Greyrock Place Suite H009
Stamford, CT
203-323-1248
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Monday, December 8 2008
9:00pm
BEATNIK 2000
Music and poetry every Monday night, hosted by Ed Leonard. No Cover.
www.cafenine.com/schedule.html
Cafe 9
250 State Street
New Haven, CT
203-789-8281
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Tuesday, December 9 2008
7:00PM - 9:00pm
ELIZABETH THOMAS in FARMINGTON
Elizabeth Thomas is a widely published poet, performer, advocate of the arts and educator. The author of three books of poetry, she has read her work throughout the United States. She is passionate about the work she does with young people, believing that writing and poetry is a way to unclench the fist that sometimes squeezes our hearts until we can no longer breathe. She left a well-paying corporate job 12 years ago to do the work she is now involved in and has never regretted the decision. Elizabeth’s most recent book, From the Front of the Classroom, is about her experiences teaching and designing writing programs for schools and other educational organizations. This book is ideal for teachers, students and parents alike.
Community Room
Farmington Library
6 Monteith Dr
Farmington, CT
860-673-6791
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Wednesday, December 10 2008
7:30pm
POEMALLEY at Curley’s Diner
Read poetry, discuss writing and other topics of interest.
Curley’s Diner
62 West Park Place
Stamford, CT
203-327-3716
ayarmal@earthlink.net
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Wednesday, December 10 2008
7:30pm - 10:00pm
WEDNESDAY NIGHT POETRY SERIES
featuring Poetry about or from Songs
Calling all poets, singer-songwriters, lyricists and those who love their words! It’s not about Barry Manilow but “WE SING THE SONGS” tonight. The theme is poetry as song lyrics, poetry about song, poetry in song - poetry and song... You can bend it however you like. Come and share the evening. Moriah, our WNPS storyteller, will host and she is always full of surprises and Indian chants!
WNPS, the longest running weekly poetry series in Connecticut, boasts an open mike, feature poets, a Q&A with the feature, and a poetry critique workshop. For more info, visit the website: www.wedpoetry.net.
Molten Java Coffee Roasters, LLC
102 Greenwood Avenue
Bethel, CT
203-739-0313
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Wednesday, December 10 2008
9:00pm
POETZ REALM
Blessings from the Poetz Realm. The venue goes down every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month. Admission is $5.00 for regular patrons and free for whomever signs up for the open mike. There is a feature for each show. Features have included: Ngoma, Fredrick Douglas, Mo Jarvis, Baub Bidon, E da Storyteller, Shanna Melton, Kamal Imani, Influence, Ainsley Burrows, and others.
Hosted by E da Storyteller and Baub Bidon.
Innovation Center
955 Connecticut Ave
Bridgeport, CT.
poetzrealm.com
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Wednesday, December 10 2008
9:30pm - 11:00pm
POETRY NITE at the Huntington Street Café
Poetry Nite every Wednesday at the Huntington Street Café. Run by Sammy and Natalie, it’s open to everyone. Stop by to check the scene or even read a little something. Walk in and you’ll be added to the list.
Email Pollie_Vack@yahoo.com for info.
Huntington Street Café
90 Huntington Street
Shelton, CT
Phone: 203-925-9064
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Thursday, December 11 2008
7:00pm - 9:00pm
SECOND THURSDAY POETRY SERIES
presents Holiday Poetry Roundtable
Guilford Poets Guild presents a Holiday Poetry Roundtable from 7:00-9:00 p.m. All readers welcome. Come and share one or two poems, seasonal or otherwise, written by yourself or someone else.
Admission is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. The reading is part of the Guilford Poets Guild Second Thursday Poetry Series.
The Greene Art Gallery
29 Whitfield St. (red barn behind Whitfield’s Cafe)
Guilford, CT
Contact: 203-453-2036, 203-453-8836
guilfordpoetsguild.wordpress.com
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Thursday, December 11 2008
7:00pm - 10:00pm
THURSDAY NIGHT POETRY
Open Mike Poetry Reading at Bean & Leaf. Old poets read, new voices heard.
A new venue with “a killer sound system and lots of delicious teas and coffee and pastries.” Visit the website for more information: www.bean-leaf.com.
Bean & Leaf cafe
13 Washington St.
New London, CT
860-701-0000
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Saturday, December 13 2008
10:00am - 11:00pm
MARATHON PERFORMANCE of PARADISE LOST
To celebrate John Milton’s 400 birthday, John Basinger will recite all twelve books of Paradise Lost over this weekend. All are invited to join for one Book, one day, or all of Paradise.
On Saturday, December 13, the schedule is: Books I and II from 10:00am to 1:00pm. One hour refreshment break. Books III and IV from 2:00pm to 5:00pm. One hour refreshment break. Books V and VI from 7:00pm to 11:00pm. The performance continues Sunday, December 14.
The event is free; donations are gratefully accepted. Visit www.paradiselostperformances.com
The Buttonwood Tree
605 Main Street
Middletown, CT
860-347-4957
near@buttonwood.org
www.buttonwood.org
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Sunday, December 14 2008
12:00pm - 11:00pm
MARATHON PERFORMANCE of PARADISE LOST
To celebrate John Milton’s 400 birthday, John Basinger will recite all twelve books of Paradise Lost over this weekend. All are invited to join for one Book, one day, or all of Paradise.
On Sunday, December 14, the schedule is: Books VII and VIII from 12:00 Noon until 2:00pm. One hour refreshment break. Books IX and X from 3:00pm until 7:00pm. One hour refreshment break. Then we will be ending with Books XI and XII from 8:00pm to 11:00pm. If necessary, Monday evening the 15th of December at 7:00pm will be used to finish up.
The event is free; donations are gratefully accepted. Visit www.paradiselostperformances.com
The Buttonwood Tree
605 Main Street
Middletown, CT
860-347-4957
near@buttonwood.org
www.buttonwood.org
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Sunday, December 14 2008
1:00pm
FAIRFIELD AREA POETS OPEN MIKE
Fairfield Area Poets meets each month at Barnes & Noble Bookstore in Westport. Please come and listen to local poets, bring a favorite poem, read your own poems too.
Barnes & Noble Booksellers Westport
Post Plaza Shopping Center
1076 Post Road East
Westport, CT
203-221-7955
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Sunday, December 14 2008
2:00pm - 4:00pm
BEAN & LEAF OPEN MIKE POETRY READING
hosted by Tom Weigel
Old poets read, new voices heard in a new venue with “a killer sound system and lots of delicious teas and coffee and pastries.” Visit the website for more information.
Bean & Leaf Cafe
13 Washington St.
New London, CT
860-701-0000
www.bean-leaf.com
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Monday, December 15 2008
2:00pm
BOB JACOB READING and book-signing
Bob Jacob’s book, Perspective, is a testament to the human spirit. Readers have been enthusiastic about the verse of a man who has dedicated himself to those most in need of what Jacob calls his loving words. Jean Valentine writes, “I admire Bob Jacob’s loving, tender voice valuing people close to death.” And Stephen Dunn has commented that the poems “reveal a man you’d like to know.” In 2004 a short selection of Jacob’s hospice poems, Upon Their Quiet Altars, was published. Like his full-length collection, the earlier book appeared under the aegis of The Connecticut Hospice, to which all proceeds of both books are being donated.
Duncaster Lifecare Community
40 Loeffler Road
Bloomfield, CT
860-232-1948
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Monday, December 15 2008
7:00pm
THE LOVE JONES OPEN MIC
Spoken Word and Song event. All poets welcome.
$5.00 cover. Hosted by Darlene Brandon Scott.
The Russell
103 Pratt Street
Hartford, CT
www.therussell.net
.......................................................................................
Monday, December 15 2008
9:00pm
BEATNIK 2000
Music and poetry every Monday night, hosted by Ed Leonard. No Cover.
www.cafenine.com/schedule.html
Cafe 9
250 State Street
New Haven, CT
203-789-8281
.......................................................................................
Wednesday, December 17 2008
7:00pm
THIRD WEDNESDAY POETRY
Third Wednesday Poetry Series is a new series at Corleones Cafe. An open mike will follow feature readers.
Host: Edmond Chibeau
Corleones Cafe
103 Union Street
Willimantic, CT
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Wednesday, December 17 2008
7:30pm
POEMALLEY at Curley’s Diner
Read poetry, discuss writing and other topics of interest.
Curley’s Diner
62 West Park Place
Stamford, CT
203-327-3716
ayarmal@earthlink.net
.......................................................................................
Wednesday, December 17 2008
7:30pm - 10:00pm
WEDNESDAY NIGHT POETRY SERIES
featuring Grinch Night
Economy got you down? Doing your shopping at Goodwill? Feeling grinchy and grumpy and in need of egg nog? Ahh - bring your disgruntled verse, your fractured carols. Sing in the season with the cynics at Grinch Night.
WNPS, the longest running weekly poetry series in Connecticut, boasts an open mike, feature poets, a Q&A with the feature, and a poetry critique workshop. For more info, visit the website: www.wedpoetry.net.
Molten Java Coffee Roasters, LLC
102 Greenwood Avenue
Bethel, CT
203-739-0313
.......................................................................................
Wednesday, December 17 2008
9:30pm - 11:00pm
POETRY NITE at the Huntington Street Café
Poetry Nite every Wednesday at the Huntington Street Café. Run by Sammy and Natalie, it’s open to everyone. Stop by to check the scene or even read a little something. Walk in and you’ll be added to the list.
Email Pollie_Vack@yahoo.com for info.
Huntington Street Café
90 Huntington Street
Shelton, CT
Phone: 203-925-9064
.......................................................................................
Thursday, December 18 2008
6:30pm
WORD OF MOUTH POETRY SERIES
featuring Michael R. Brown
Michael R. Brown has published poetry, fiction, travel articles and columns in wide-ranging periodicals all over the world. His fourth book of poetry, The Confidence Man, was published in 2006; Falling Wallendas is in its second printing of a thousand; The Man Who Makes Amusement Rides, won the 2004 Cambridge Poetry Award for best book; and Susquehanna, which consists mostly of persona poems of the people of the small towns of Marietta and Columbia, Lancaster County, PA, where Brown grew up, was runner-up in the Cambridge Awards and is soon to be sold out. Since 1989 Brown has been active in poetry slams, performing in Europe as well as North America. For 13 years he hosted the Boston slam at the Cantab Lounge, Cambridge, and he appears in the film SlamNation. He produced and directs Dr. Brown’s Traveling Poetry Show, a poetry ensemble performing their poetry in theaters. After moving to Down East Maine in 2007, Brown and his partner Valerie Lawson have begun a monthly reading series and taken over the poetry journal Off the Coast.
On the third Thursday of each month, Word of Mouth Poetry Series celebrates an eclectic mix of poetic voices. Free. Refreshments. Open mike. Outstanding featured readers. In a casual setting. Open to all members of the public and others. For more information, please contact allwordofmouth@gmail.com or mcguireschwartz@gmail.com.
Doors Open at 6:30. Open mike at 7:00. Please arrive a few minutes early to sign up for open mike.
The Institute Library
847 Chapel Street
New Haven, CT
Word of Mouth is an affiliate of Arts and Literature Laboratory. Please visit our website at allgallery.org.
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Thursday, December 18 2008
6:30pm
CENTRAL VALLEY POETRY SERIES at WOOD
presents "High Energy Performance Poetry" featuring Sympetalous and Terri Klein
Sympetalous' high energy rhythm and rhyming that has rocketed him to popularity on the local poetry scene.
Terri Klein has a background in theatrics and incorporates performance poetry with group participation, as well as a refreshing sense of humor. She is also part of the music/poetry performing group, Not Just Any Tom, Vic and Terri. Terri will also be hosting the Valentine’s Day poetry event at the Buttonwood Tree in Middletown on February 14th.
An open mike will follow the featured readers.
Admission is free. Refreshments served.
Wood Memorial Library
783 Main Street
South Windsor, CT
www.woodmemoriallibrary.org
860-289-1783
.......................................................................................
Thursday, December 18 2008
7:00pm - 10:00pm
THURSDAY NIGHT POETRY
Open Mike Poetry Reading at Bean & Leaf. Old poets read, new voices heard.
A new venue with “a killer sound system and lots of delicious teas and coffee and pastries.” Visit the website for more information: www.bean-leaf.com.
Bean & Leaf cafe
13 Washington St.
New London, CT
860-701-0000
.......................................................................................
Thursday, December 18 2008
7:30pm - 9:00pm
THIRD THURSDAY OPEN MIC
Open mike poetry reading on the third Thursday of every month at the Stamford Borders.
Borders
1041 High Ridge Road (near Merritt Parkway exit 35)
Stamford, CT
Phone: 203-968-9700
.......................................................................................
Friday, December 19 2008
1:00pm - 2:45pm
POETRY DISCUSSION GROUP
Retired English professor Alan Holder leads this once-a-month poetry discussion, which take place on the third Friday of the month at 1:00pm. Each month a different poet’s work will be up for discussion. New members always welcome.
A limited number of free copies of the book to be discussed will be available for approximately one month before the meeting. See the library’s Circulation Desk. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
Location: Dayton Program Room
Ridgefield Library
472 Main Street (Route 35)
Ridgefield, CT
203-438-2282 or
rdgprograms@biblio.org
www.ridgefieldlibrary.org
.......................................................................................
Friday, December 19 2008
7:00pm
OPEN MIKE NIGHT at RJ JULIA
Come read from your newest short story, poem, or essay and feel the rush of taking your work public. All we ask in return? That you limit your time to 5-7 minutes, and that you come prepared to be impressed! Please reserve your spot at the Information counter.
Visit our events page at www.rjjulia.com/events/madison.lasso.
RJ Julia Booksellers
768 Boston Post Road
Madison, CT
203-245-3959
books@rjjulia.com
.......................................................................................
Saturday, December 20 2008
10:00am - Noon
FAXON POET’S CRITIQUE GROUP
The Faxon Poet’s critique group meets on the third Saturday of the month.
The Faxon Library
1073 New Britain Avenue
West Hartford, CT
860-523-5545
.....................................................................................
Saturday, December 20 2008
6:30pm
CENTRAL VALLEY POETRY SERIES at BUTTONWOOD
presents Greg Scott
If you have never heard Greg read his poetry then you are in for a treat. Fasten your seatbelt and prepare to be transported to places you never knew existed. This is an evening of poetry not to be missed!
An open mike will follow.
Public is invited. Admission is free. Non-perishable food donations will be accepted to benefit St. Vincent de Paul.
Hosted by Colin Haskins. Come express yourself in a warm and caring atmosphere.
The Buttonwood Tree
605 Main Street
Middletown, CT
860-347-4957
near@buttonwood.org
www.buttonwood.org
The event is free; donations are accepted.
.......................................................................................
Sunday, December 21 2008
2:00pm - 4:00pm
BEAN & LEAF OPEN MIKE POETRY READING
hosted by Tom Weigel
Old poets read, new voices heard in a new venue with “a killer sound system and lots of delicious teas and coffee and pastries.” Visit the website for more information.
Bean & Leaf Cafe
13 Washington St.
New London, CT
860-701-0000
www.bean-leaf.com
.......................................................................................
Monday, December 22 2008
7:00pm
THE LOVE JONES OPEN MIC
Spoken Word and Song event. All poets welcome.
$5.00 cover. Hosted by Darlene Brandon Scott.
The Russell
103 Pratt Street
Hartford, CT
www.therussell.net
.......................................................................................
Monday, December 22 2008
9:00pm
BEATNIK 2000
Music and poetry every Monday night, hosted by Ed Leonard. No Cover.
www.cafenine.com/schedule.html
Cafe 9
250 State Street
New Haven, CT
203-789-8281
.......................................................................................
Wednesday, December 24 2008
7:30pm
POEMALLEY at Curley’s Diner
Read poetry, discuss writing and other topics of interest.
Curley’s Diner
62 West Park Place
Stamford, CT
203-327-3716
ayarmal@earthlink.net
.......................................................................................
Wednesday, December 24 2008
9:00pm
POETZ REALM
Blessings from the Poetz Realm. The venue goes down every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month. Admission is $5.00 for regular patrons and free for whomever signs up for the open mike. There is a feature for each show. Features have included: Ngoma, Fredrick Douglas, Mo Jarvis, Baub Bidon, E da Storyteller, Shanna Melton, Kamal Imani, Influence, Ainsley Burrows, and others.
Hosted by E da Storyteller and Baub Bidon.
Innovation Center
955 Connecticut Ave
Bridgeport, CT.
poetzrealm.com
.......................................................................................
Wednesday, December 24 2008
9:30pm - 11:00pm
POETRY NITE at the Huntington Street Café
Poetry Nite every Wednesday at the Huntington Street Café. Run by Sammy and Natalie, it’s open to everyone. Stop by to check the scene or even read a little something. Walk in and you’ll be added to the list.
Email Pollie_Vack@yahoo.com for info.
Huntington Street Café
90 Huntington Street
Shelton, CT
203-925-9064
.......................................................................................
Thursday, December 25 2008
7:00pm - 10:00pm
THURSDAY NIGHT POETRY
Open Mike Poetry Reading at Bean & Leaf. Old poets read, new voices heard.
A new venue with “a killer sound system and lots of delicious teas and coffee and pastries.” Visit the website for more information: www.bean-leaf.com.
Bean & Leaf cafe
13 Washington St.
New London, CT
860-701-0000
.......................................................................................
Saturday, December 27 2008
7:30pm
ARTSPEAK - A New Open Mike in Simsbury!
Peaberry’s Café of Simsbury is starting Artspeak, a poetry open mike on the fourth Saturday of every month hosted by Rob Dauphinais. We are hoping to generate interest in every corner of CT, so spread the word! The night will begin at 7:30 and go until 9:30, however, if there is an abundance of artists, we will go until 10:00. Our aim is to create an environment where poets of all ages will feel welcome and wanted, as well as challenged. We want this to be an atmosphere where artists can share and network, and, most importantly, grow!
All ages are welcome and we ask that each artist be sensitive to the audience and what may or may not be appropriate. Beyond this request, we want to keep censorship to a minimum, and we support freedom of speech and expression.
Artspeak will feature another experimental element, improvisational jazz. We’re interested in the marriage of poetry and music, words and rhythm. If you are a jazz musician interested in playing, please come! These events will be relatively fluid and open. Our desire is to cultivate a dialogue between the art of words and the art of music.
Peaberry’s Café
712 Hopmeadow Street
Simsbury, CT
860-658-2930
.......................................................................................
Sunday, December 28 2008
2:00pm - 4:00pm
BEAN & LEAF OPEN MIKE POETRY READING
hosted by Tom Weigel
Old poets read, new voices heard in a new venue with “a killer sound system and lots of delicious teas and coffee and pastries.” Visit the website for more information.
Bean & Leaf Cafe
13 Washington St.
New London, CT
860-701-0000
www.bean-leaf.com
.......................................................................................
Monday, December 29 2008
7:00pm
THE LOVE JONES OPEN MIC
Spoken Word and Song event. All poets welcome.
$5.00 cover. Hosted by Darlene Brandon Scott.
The Russell
103 Pratt Street
Hartford, CT
www.therussell.net
.......................................................................................
Monday, December 29 2008
9:00pm
BEATNIK 2000
Music and poetry every Monday night, hosted by Ed Leonard. No Cover.
www.cafenine.com/schedule.html
Cafe 9
250 State Street
New Haven, CT
203-789-8281
.......................................................................................
Wednesday, December 31 2008
7:30pm
POEMALLEY at Curley’s Diner
Read poetry, discuss writing and other topics of interest.
Curley’s Diner
62 West Park Place
Stamford, CT
203-327-3716
ayarmal@earthlink.net
.......................................................................................
Wednesday, December 31 2008
9:30pm - 11:00pm
POETRY NITE at the Huntington Street Café
Poetry Nite every Wednesday at the Huntington Street Café. Run by Sammy and Natalie, it’s open to everyone. Stop by to check the scene or even read a little something. Walk in and you’ll be added to the list.
Email Pollie_Vack@yahoo.com for info.
Huntington Street Café
90 Huntington Street
Shelton, CT
203-925-9064
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