TABLE OF CONTENTS_______________________________________
- Quotes
- Poem of the Month
- Book of the Month
- Web Site of the Month
- News Items / Writing Workshops
- Poetry Calendar for May
- Subscription and Contact Information
I:__QUOTES________________________________________________
Great poetry is always written by somebody straining to go beyond what he can do.
– Stephen Spender
Poetry is not an expression of the party line. It’s that time of night, lying in bed, thinking what you really think, making the private world public, that’s what the poet does.
– Allen Ginsberg
Poetry is the light I shine on the underside of things and into dark corners in the attic.
– Faith Vicinanza
II:__POEM OF THE MONTH__________________________________
PIED BEAUTY
Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844 - 1889)Glory be to God for dappled things—
For skies of couple-colour as a brinded cow;
For rose-moles all in stipple upon trout that swim;
Fresh-firecoal chestnut-falls; finches’ wings;
Landscape plotted and pieced—fold, fallow, and plough;
And áll trádes, their gear and tackle and trim.
All things counter, original, spare, strange;
Whatever is fickle, freckled (who knows how?)
With swift, slow; sweet, sour; adazzle, dim;
He fathers-forth whose beauty is past change:
Praise him.
III:__BOOK OF THE MONTH_________________________________
Each month we highlight a book of poetry by a Connecticut author.
A DRAFT OF LIGHT: POEMS
by John Hollander
The poems in John Hollander’s latest collection, A Draft of Light, illuminate the fluid nature of physical and emotional experience, the connections between the simple things we encounter every day, and the ways in which the meaning we attribute to them shapes our lives. Like the harmonious coming together of bandstand instruments on a summer afternoon, he writes, most of what we come to know in the world is “A dying moment / Of lastingness thenceforth / Ever not to be.” Throughout this thought-provoking collection, Hollander reveals the ways in which we are constantly creating unique worlds of our own, “a draft of light” of our own making, and how these worlds, in turn, continually shape our most basic identities and truest selves.
John Hollander, Poet Laureate of the State of Connecticut, is the author of eighteen previous books of poetry. His first, A Crackling of Thorns, was chosen by W. H. Auden as the 1958 volume in the Yale Series of Younger Poets. He has written eight books of criticism and edited The Laurel Ben Jonson; an anthology of contemporary poetry, Poems of Our Moment; and, with Harold Bloom, The Wind and the Rain, an anthology of verse for young people. He was a coeditor of The Oxford Anthology of English Literature and is the editor (with Anthony Hecht, with whom he shared the Bollingen Prize in Poetry in 1983) of Jiggery-Pokery: A Compendium of Double Dactyls. Mr. Hollander attended Columbia and Indiana universities, was a junior fellow at the Society of Fellows of Harvard University, and in 1990 was made a fellow of the MacArthur Foundation. He taught at Connecticut College and Yale, and was professor of English at Hunter College and the Graduate Center, CUNY. He is currently Sterling Professor Emeritus of English at Yale.
$26.00 (ISBN: 978-0307269119)
Knopf
IV:__WEB SITE OF THE MONTH______________________________
POETRY MATTERS NOW: Roaming the Big Tent of American Poetry
A web site featuring a longer documentary, Gerald Stern: Still Burning, and a series of documentary shorts and profiles of some of America’s master poets. Interesting, and the quality is quite good.
www.poetrymattersnow.org
V:__NEWS ITEMS / WRITING WORKSHOPS____________________
Friday, May 2 & Saturday, May 3, 2008
TWO EVENTS to celebrate Language for a New Century: Contemporary Poetry from Asia, Middle East and Beyond (W.W. Norton & Co.)
THE HELIX INTERNATIONAL POETRY FESTIVAL
Friday, May 2nd, 10:00am to 1:00pm
Founders Hall, Davidson Building, CCSU, http://www.ccsu.edu
LAUNCH PARTY for Language for a New Century: Contemporary Poetry from Asia, Middle East and Beyond
Saturday, May 3rd, 2:00pm to 5:00pm
Hartford History Center, Hartford Public Library, http://www.hplct.org
Featuring poets Meena Alexander, Tina Chang, Nathalie Handal, Mong Lan, Khaled Mattawa, Aimee Nezhukumatathil, Wang Ping, Sudeep Sen, Ravi Shankar, Pireeni Sundaralingam, and Kirpal Singh. For bios see the event entries on the online calendar: http://www.poetz.com/connecticut
The event is co-sponsored by a CCSU Diversity Initiative Grant, the CCSU media board, CCSU Student Activities, the CCSU Alumni Association and the Connecticut Center for the Book at the Hartford Public Library.
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Friday, May 9 & Saturday, May 10 2008
FRESHWATER POETRY FESTIVAL
Friday, May 9 2008
7:00pm - 10:00pm
7:00pm: Music in Café II
7:30pm: Reading in Café II by winners of 16th annual poetry contest: Tunxis student Sarah Nichols; Asnuntuck students Kyle Falkowski, Lauren Fisk, Corey Aretz, and Mike Ciervo; and UConn student Kate Dion.
9:00pm: Coffee House in Café II
- Music by Asnuntuck Students
- Music and Poetry Open Mike
Saturday, May 10 2008
9:00am - 4:00pm
9:00am: Welcome Coffee
10:00am: Workshops:
- Gregory Coleman: 13 Ways of Looking at Revision
- Lynn Hoffman: Writing the World: Finding Ideas for Poems
- Edwina Trentham: The Green Grass, With Its Terror Beneath: Writing About the Natural World
12:00pm: Lunch & Poetry
- Open Mike for Workshop Participants
1:00pm: Workshops:
- Jon Andersen: The Poetry of Social Commitment
- Kate Rushin: Ways of Looking
- Ellen Doré: Watson: Letting Words Lead
3:00pm: Reading by Jon Andersen, Kate Rushin, and Ellen Doré Watson
The workshops are $15.00 each, $10.00 for students and seniors (bring your own writing materials), and a buffet lunch from Exquisite Events is available for $10.00. The afternoon reading and book signing are free and open to the public. Copies of Freshwater 2008 and books by the poets will be available for sale throughout the day. (Certificates of attendance are available for teachers seeking CEUs.)
Freshwater Poetry Festival
Asnuntuck Community College
170 Elm Street
Enfield, CT
Registration form and more information is available on the Freshwater website, www.acc.commnet.edu/freshwater.htm or call Edwina Trentham at 860-253-3105
VI:__POETRY CALENDAR FOR MAY_____________________
Thursday, May 1 2008
6:00pm
LONG RIVER REVIEW READINGS
Readings from the Creative Writing Program’s literary journal, Long River Review. Readings and display of works by student winners of the Long River Review’s prestigious annual awards, including the Collins Literary Prizes, the Jennie Hackman Memorial Awards for Short Fiction, and the Glorianna Gill Art Awards.
UConn Co-op
2075 Hillside Road
Storrs, CT
860-486-5027
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Thursday, May 1 2008
6:30pm
SPOKEN WORD SERIES II presents Beverly Titus and Dolores Lawler
Hosted by Lance Ernest
An open mike follows featured poets. The evening will conclude with refreshments. Admission is free
Wood Memorial Library and Museum
783 Main Street
South Windsor, CT
860-289-1783
For more information, visit the website:
http://www.woodmemoriallibrary.org
Or email: mailto:wood.memorial.lib@snet.net
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Thursday, May 1 2008
7:00pm – 10:00pm
POETRY NIGHT OPEN MIKE
Thursday Night 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 web site for more information: www.bean-leaf.com
Bean & Leaf cafe
13 Washington St.
New London, CT
860-701-0000
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Thursday, May 1 2008
7:30pm
CHARLES OLSON AND POLIS IS THIS:
An Evening of Film, Poetry Readings, and Viewing of Literary Manuscripts
Join us for a special evening celebrating the work, poetics and landscapes--geological, mythological and cosmological--of American poet Charles Olson.
Olson is the subject of a new, ground-breaking documentary: Polis Is This: Charles Olson and the Persistence of Place. The film has been praised as “A visual and auditory dance” and “a cinematic poem in its own right--a celebration not only of Olson but of Gloucester, Massachusetts.” Independent filmmaker and co-producer Henry Ferrini brings his film to the University of Connecticut for a special screening and will take questions from the audience immediately following.
Special guests will introduce the event, followed by readings of Olson’s poems by students and faculty. Olson’s letters, manuscripts, and photographs will be on display in a special exhibit, providing attendees a unique opportunity to view the poet’s papers held at the University of Connecticut in the Thomas J. Dodd Research Center.
The event is free and open to the public.
Thomas J. Dodd Research Center
University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT
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Friday, May 2 2008
10:00am - 1:00pm
THE HELIX INTERNATIONAL POETRY FESTIVAL
See NEWS ITEMS / WRITING WORKSHOPS
.......................................................................................
Saturday, May 3 2008
2:00pm - 5:00pm
LAUNCH PARTY for Language for a New Century: Contemporary Poetry from Asia, Middle East and Beyond
See NEWS ITEMS / WRITING WORKSHOPS
.......................................................................................
Saturday, May 3 2008
4:00pm
CT YOUTH POETRY SLAM TEAM TRYOUTS
Tryouts #1 for the CT National Youth Poetry Slam Team 2008
Start time is 4:00pm (doors open at 3:45)
Location - Buttonwood Tree in Middletown
Brave New Voices is being held in Washington DC this year from July 15 to July 20. It is bigger and better than ever! CT will be bringing 4 to 6 young poets to DC. Log onto www.upwordspoetry.com for more information.
The Buttonwood Tree
605 Main Street
Middletown, CT
860-347-4957
near@buttonwood.org
www.buttonwood.org
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Saturday, May 3 2008
6:30pm
SPOKEN WORD SERIES: MEGA MIC!
Mega Mic! is an open invitation to musicians and poets! Anything goes!
The event is free; donations are accepted.
The Buttonwood Tree
605 Main Street
Middletown, CT
860-347-4957
near@buttonwood.org
www.buttonwood.org
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Sunday, May 4 2008
2:00pm
JOHN BASINGER PERFORMS PARADISE LOST
In celebration of John Milton’s 400th anniversary, John Basinger will be performing a different book of Paradise Lost every Sunday afternoon.
All readings start at 2:00pm (May 4, 11, 18, 25)
The Buttonwood Tree
605 Main Street
Middletown, CT
860-347-4957
mailto:near@buttonwood.org
http://www.buttonwood.org
The event is free; donations are accepted.
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Sunday, May 4 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 web site for more information: http://www.bean-leaf.com
Bean & Leaf Cafe
13 Washington St.
New London, CT
860-701-0000
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Sunday, May 4 2008
3:00pm
SUSAN HOWE
The Poet’s Voice presents Susan Howe. The Poet’s Voice Series, an annual event, brings notable poets to Fairfield County libraries and the community.
Susan Howe is the author of several books of poems and two volumes of criticisms. For more than 30 years, she has written with insight of the lives of wayward pilgrims and spiritual wilderness, and she has received two American Book Awards from the Before Columbus Foundation.
She is a Professor of English at the State University of New York at Buffalo. In 2000, she was elected a Chancellor of the Academy of American Poets.
A reception will follow the reading. All are welcome.
Darien Library
35 Leroy Avenue
Darien, CT
The reading, which is open to the public, is sponsored by the Poet’s Voice, a consortium of Fairfield County public libraries, and supported by the Horace E. Manacher Poetry Fund and the Annual Campaign. For details about the Annual Campaign, or to make a donation, please call 203-655-1234 x125 or email friends@darienlibrary.org.
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Monday, May 5 2008
7:00pm
THE LOVE JONES OPEN MIC
Spoken Word and Song event. All poets welcome.
$5.00 cover. Hosted by Charmagne.
The Russell
103 Pratt Street
Hartford, CT
www.therussell.net
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Monday, May 5 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, May 5 2008
7:30pm - 9:30pm
SPOKEN PALABRA
A weekly spoken word open mike at La Paloma Sabanera every Monday Evening: signup at 7:30pm, starts at 8:00pm.
“The open mike everyone’s been asking for.” Hosted by MIRA and Mind Evolution.
La Paloma Sabanera
405 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT
Ph: 860-548-1670
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Monday, May 5 2008
9:00pm
BEATNIK 2000
Music and poetry every Monday night, hosted by Ed Leonard. No Cover.
http://www.cafenine.com/schedule.html
Cafe 9
250 State Street
New Haven, CT
203-789-8281
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Tuesday, May 6 2008
7:00pm - 9:00pm
FIRST TUESDAY POETRY (Middletown)
featuring Faith Vicinanza
Broad Street Books will be hosting 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.
Faith Vicinanza is a poet, educator (a CT Master Teaching Artist), visiting artist (PoetTs, Inc.), editor (The CT Poet Newsletter, The Underwood Review, The Depot Anthology), publisher (Hanover Press), founder of the Wednesday Night Poetry Series, and was the event facilitator/creator of the Connecticut Poetry Festival. She’s read from San Francisco to Stockholm and has several books of poetry out including Faith Vicinanza: Greatest Hits from Pudding House Press. Her work has been published in numerous publications, including in Poetry Slam - The Competitive Art of Performance Poetry, and Selected Poems From The Daily Grind. She and her late husband Peter rode touring bicycles from Key West Florida to St. Stephens, Canada and a book on their three-month journey is in the works. You can read the trip blog at www.UtterFolly.com. See also www.notquiteblank.com/about.htm.
45 Broad Street
Middletown, CT
Broad Street Books
For more information, contact Brian Mitchard at 860-685-READ
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Tuesday, May 6 2008
7:30pm
FIRST TUESDAY POETRY (Wilton)
First Tuesday group meets every month on the first Tuesday, offering an open mike and a mix of guest poets and featured regular readers. Please come, listen, and bring a favorite poem. Better still, read your own poems.
Borders Books
14 Danbury Road (just past the Norwalk/Wilton line on Rt 7)
Wilton, CT 06987
203-834-0600
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Wednesday, May 7 2008
7:00pm – 9:00pm
“WHERE POEMS COME FROM” by MICHAEL CERVAS
A poetry reading and talk by Michael Cervas, “Where poems Come From.” Part of library poetry series.
Michael Cervas’ first collection of poetry, Inside the Box, is a stunning book and has been greeted with enthusiasm by all who have seen advance copies. Naomi Shihab Nye says, “I feel haunted and deepened in all ways as a reader by this book. The poems are well-shaped, penetrating, insightful, unexpected, eerie and haunting at times, always resonant and richly layered. Their humor rings and delights.” Linda Peterson adds, “A joy to read...these poems give pleasure and insight.” And David Huddle writes, “These poems are a civilizing force!”
For information contact sshea@farmingtonlibct.org.
Community Room
Farmington Public Library
71 Main Street
Farmington, CT
860-677-6866
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Wednesday, May 7 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
mailto:ayarmal@earthlink.net
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Wednesday, May 7 2008
7:30pm - 10:00pm
WEDNESDAY NIGHT POETRY SERIES
featuring Lynn Tudor Deming
Lynn Tudor Deming’s chapbook, Heady Rubbish, was selected by former US Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky for the 2005 Philbrick Poetry Prize. Her work has appeared in numerous publications, including Atlanta Review, Dogwood, Georgia State University Review, and The Ledge. She is the recipient of several awards, including second prize in Atlanta Review’s 2004 International Poetry Competition. Dr. Deming is a clinical psychologist who practiced for many years in Manhattan, and now lives in Connecticut, where she recently finished renovating a 1918 house. She anticipates opening a practice here later this year, and is at work on a full-length poetry manuscript. She began writing seriously in the late 1990s.
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.
Molten Java Coffee Roasters, LLC
102 Greenwood Avenue
Bethel, CT
203-739-0313
http://www.wedpoetry.net
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Wednesday, May 7 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 mailto:Pollie_Vack@yahoo.com for info.
Huntington Street Café
90 Huntington Street
Shelton, CT
Phone: 203-925-9064
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Thursday, May 8 2008
5:45pm - 9:00pm
MISHI-MAYA-GAT Spoken Word & Music Series
presents Marilyn Nelson
5:45pm - Spoken Word Open Mike. Open Mike feature is Stephen Straight, whose book, The Water Carrier, is available through Curbstone Press. He is professor of English at MCC, where he teaches the poetry writing courses.
6:45pm - Music: Jazz Trio from the Greater Hartford Academy of Music, a talented trio of high school jazz students from the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts features Terrance Shider (Hartford), keyboards; Rachel Housle (Rocky Hill), drums; and Matthew Dwondzyk (Rocky Hill), bass. More information on the Academy’s music program can be found at: www.crec.org/magnetschools/schools/artsacademy.
7:45pm - Poetry: Michael Palma, has published three poetry chapbooks, The Egg Shape, Antibodies, and the recent title from New Formalist Press, The Ghost of Congress Street, which can be downloaded at www.thenewformalist.com. Michael has also published one full-length collection, A Fortune in Gold. With Dana Gioia, he co-edited New Italian Poets, named one of Ten Outstanding Translations of the year (1991) by the American Literary Translators Association. With Alfredo de Palchi, he co-edited The Metaphysical Streetcar Conductor: Sixty Poems of Luciano Erba. He is also the editor of the English-language edition of de Palchi’s collection, Addictive Aversions.
Free and Open to the Public. Sponsored by the MCC
Foundation and hosted by Stephen Campiglio.
Fireside Commons, Learning Resource Center
Manchester Community College
Great Path
Manchester, CT
For more information or directions, please visit the Mishi-maya-gat web page at http://www.mcc.commnet.edu/faculty/spoken.php or call 860-512-2824.
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Thursday, May 8 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 web site for more information: www.bean-leaf.com.
Bean & Leaf cafe
13 Washington St.
New London, CT
860-701-0000
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Thursday, May 8 2008
7:30pm - 9:00pm
SECOND THURSDAY POETRY SERIES
featuring Jon Andersen
Jon Andersen graduated from the University of Connecticut with a B.A. in English and a Concentration in Creative Writing. After working variously as a lumberyard employee, landscape laborer, mountain trail crew member, farmhand, and warehouse worker, he earned secondary English teaching certification from Central Connecticut State University and special education certification from Southern Connecticut State University. Currently, he teaches at E. O. Smith High School in Storrs, where he also lives. His poetry has appeared in numerous periodicals, including The Cafe Review, Connecticut Review, and The Progressive. Rattle. Stomp and Sing is his first full-length collection of poetry.
Admission is free; refreshments will be served
The Women and Family Life Center
96 Fair Street
Guilford, CT
For information, call 203-453-2036
Sponsored by the Guilford Poets Guild
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Saturday, May 9 2008
6:30pm
CT YOUTH POETRY SLAM TEAM TRYOUTS
Tryouts #2 for the CT National Youth Poetry Slam Team 2008
Start time is 6:30pm (doors open at 6:15)
Location - Buttonwood Tree in Middletown
Brave New Voices is being held in Washington DC this year from July 15 to July 20. It is bigger and better than ever! CT will be bringing 4 to 6 young poets to DC. Log onto www.upwordspoetry.com for more information.
The Buttonwood Tree
605 Main Street
Middletown, CT
860-347-4957
near@buttonwood.org
www.buttonwood.org
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Friday, May 9 2008
7:00pm - 10:00pm
FRESHWATER POETRY FESTIVAL at Asnuntuck Community College
See NEWS ITEMS / WRITING WORKSHOPS
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Saturday, May 10 2008
9:00am - 4:00pm
FRESHWATER POETRY FESTIVAL at Asnuntuck Community College
See NEWS ITEMS / WRITING WORKSHOPS
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Saturday, May 10 2008
4:00pm
RHONDA WARD at the Central Gallery
Rhonda Ward’s poetry explores African-American culture with a universal voice, taking everyday situations to visual levels that transport listeners into the world of her childhood with surgical attention to details. She shares her experiences of the past and the present, handling her subjects with a combination of grace and spunk. She has performed widely, won poetry slams, and recorded a collection of her poems, As I Live and Breathe...Poems, a CD which highlights the passion she brings to her readings with styles ranging from traditional to performance.
In addition to her writing and appearances, Ward serves on the Board of Directors of The Writers’ Block InK, an organization dedicated to encouraging youth to explore and share their world through writing and the performing arts. She has also conducted youth writing workshops. Among other publications, Ward’s poems have appeared in Temper Review, Long Island Quarterly, Siren, Poetry Bay, The Day, (New London), and online as featured guest poet at Burning Word (www.burningword.com).
Admission is free and refreshments will be served. Sponsored by The Central Gallery.
The Central Gallery
270 Main Street
Old Saybrook, CT
For information, contact 860-510-0432 or visit www.centralgallery.net.
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Sunday, May 11 2008
2:00pm
JOHN BASINGER PERFORMS PARADISE LOST
In celebration of John Milton’s 400th anniversary, John Basinger will be performing a different book of Paradise Lost every Sunday afternoon.
All readings start at 2:00pm (May 4, 11, 18, 25)
The Buttonwood Tree
605 Main Street
Middletown, CT
860-347-4957
mailto:near@buttonwood.org
http://www.buttonwood.org
The event is free; donations are accepted.
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Sunday, May 11 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 web site for more information: http://www.bean-leaf.com
Bean & Leaf Cafe
13 Washington St.
New London, CT
860-701-0000
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Monday, May 12 2008
7:00pm
THE LOVE JONES OPEN MIC
Spoken Word and Song event. All poets welcome.
$5.00 cover. Hosted by Charmagne.
The Russell
103 Pratt Street
Hartford, CT
www.therussell.net
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Saturday, May 12 2008
7:00pm
MxCC STUDENT POETRY READING AND SLAM
Six Middlesex Community College Students students will deliver a poetry reading and slam of works. The students will read or perform works generated and honed in a creative writing course which they will complete this spring. The event is free, open to the public, and being sponsored by the Student Senate. A question and answer period will follow the readings. For more information, contact Professor Christine Ruggiero, Assistant Professor of English, Middlesex Community College at 860-343-5878 or by email cruggiero@mxcc.commnet.edu.
The Buttonwood Tree
605 Main Street
Middletown, CT
860-347-4957
near@buttonwood.org
www.buttonwood.org
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Monday, May 12 2008
7:15pm
MONDAY NIGHT POETRY in STAMFORD
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, May 12 2008
9:00pm
BEATNIK 2000
Music and poetry every Monday night, hosted by Ed Leonard. No Cover.
http://www.cafenine.com/schedule.html
Cafe 9
250 State Street
New Haven, CT
203-789-8281
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Wednesday, May 14 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
mailto:ayarmal@earthlink.net
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Wednesday, May 14 2008
7:30pm - 10:00pm
WEDNESDAY NIGHT POETRY SERIES
featuring Cortney Davis
Cortney Davis’s second poetry collection, Leopold’s Maneuvers, won the Prairie Schooner 2003 Book Prize. She has also published Details of Flesh, a collection of poems, and a memoir about her work as a nurse practitioner, I Knew a Woman: the Experience of the Female Body, which won the Connecticut Center for the Book Non-Fiction Award in 2002. She is co-editor of two award-winning anthologies from University of Iowa Press, Between the Heartbeats: Poetry and Prose by Nurses, and Intensive Care: More Poetry and Prose by Nurses. She has received an NEA Poetry Fellowship, three CT. Commission on the Arts Poetry Grants, and has been three times nominated for a Pushcart Prize. She is the poetry editor of Alimentum, a journal of literature about food.
For info, visit: http://www.wedpoetry.net
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.
Molten Java Coffee Roasters, LLC
102 Greenwood Avenue
Bethel, CT
203-739-0313
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Wednesday, May 14 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 mailto:Pollie_Vack@yahoo.com for info.
Huntington Street Café
90 Huntington Street
Shelton, CT
Phone: 203-925-9064
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Thursday, May 15 2008
7:00pm
CURBSTONE PRESS POETRY SERIES presents John Landry
John Landry was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, where he is poet laureate. He is the editor of Patmos Press, which has produced chapbooks and the magazine collision. He hosts the Whaling City Review LIVE reading series at Gallery X and the “Esteemed Elders” Series at the Seamen’s Bethel.
Please join us every third Thursday of each month for a new Reading Series 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, May 15 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 web site for more information: www.bean-leaf.com.
Bean & Leaf cafe
13 Washington St.
New London, CT
860-701-0000
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Tuesday, May 15 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
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Friday, May 16 2008
7:30pm
WORD OF MOUTH POETRY
featuring Elizabeth Thomas
Elizabeth Thomas designs & teaches writing programs and workshops for schools and organizations throughout the U.S.. She is the founder of UpWords Poetry, an organization dedicated to creative arts programming, particularly for young writers. As a poet and performer, her work continues to be featured throughout the country. Her first book of poetry, Full Circle was published in 2000 by Hanover Press. She is currently working on her second collection of poems (From the Front of the Classroom) and recently finished a book on creative writing for children and teachers entitled, If Only Red Could Talk. See www.upwordspoetry.com.
Word of Mouth: Each month, this New Haven poetry series celebrates the region's eclectic mix of poetic voices. There will be an open mike and featured established poets. We are pleased to announce that the Institute Library in New Haven will become the permanent home for Word of Mouth. Please note the change of venue.
The Institute Library
847 Chapel Street
New Haven, CT
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Saturday, May 17 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
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Sunday, May 18 2008
2:00pm
JOHN BASINGER PERFORMS PARADISE LOST
In celebration of John Milton’s 400th anniversary, John
Basinger will be performing a different book of Paradise
Lost every Sunday afternoon.
All readings start at 2:00pm (May 4, 11, 18, 25)
The Buttonwood Tree
605 Main Street
Middletown, CT
860-347-4957
mailto:near@buttonwood.org
http://www.buttonwood.org
The event is free; donations are accepted.
.......................................................................................
Sunday, May 18 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 web site for more information.
Bean & Leaf Cafe
13 Washington St.
New London, CT
860-701-0000
http://www.bean-leaf.com
.......................................................................................
Saturday, May 18 2008
4:30pm
CT YOUTH POETRY SLAM TEAM TRYOUTS
Tryouts Finals for the CT National Youth Poetry Slam Team 2008
Start time is 4:30pm
Location to be determined
Brave New Voices is being held in Washington DC this year from July 15 to July 20. It is bigger and better than ever! CT will be bringing 4 to 6 young poets to DC. Log onto www.upwordspoetry.com for more information.
The Buttonwood Tree
605 Main Street
Middletown, CT
860-347-4957
near@buttonwood.org
www.buttonwood.org
.......................................................................................
Sunday, May 18 2008
4:00pm - 6:00pm
POETRY CENTRAL: BRANCHING OUT at the Hartford Public Library presents Hettie Jones.
Poet and prose writer, Hettie Jones is the author of How I Became Hettie Jones, a memoir of the “beat scene” of the fifties and sixties. Her talk, The Beats Go On, addresses many typical questions about this often-discussed group of writers such as: who were the Beat Poets, why are they “beat” and what does that mean? A look at their work, and the decades of the fifties and sixties in which they wrote, will explain why they remain iconic figures in American poetry.
Free. Branching Out is a joint project of Poets House and the Poetry Society of America and is funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities. For more information, http://www.hplct.org/branchingout.htm
Third Floor Program Room
Hartford Public Library
500 Main Street
Hartford, CT
860-695-6300
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Monday, May 19 2008
6:00pm - 8:00pm
CPS POETRY WORKSHOP in DANBURY
The Danbury Chapter of the Connecticut Poetry Society holds a writing workshop at the Danbury Library on the third Monday of each month. Newcomers are welcome! Bring poems for sharing and discussion (about 6 copies to pass around, if possible).
For information, contact: mailto:dmh2000@sbcglobal.net
Danbury Library
Upstairs Conference Room
170 Main Street
Danbury, CT
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Monday, May 19 2008
7:00pm
THE LOVE JONES OPEN MIC
Spoken Word and Song event. All poets welcome.
$5.00 cover. Hosted by Charmagne.
The Russell
103 Pratt Street
Hartford, CT
www.therussell.net
.......................................................................................
Monday, May 19 2008
9:00pm
BEATNIK 2000
Music and poetry every Monday night, hosted by Ed Leonard. No Cover.
http://www.cafenine.com/schedule.html
Cafe 9
250 State Street
New Haven, CT
203-789-8281
.......................................................................................
Wednesday, May 21 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
mailto:ayarmal@earthlink.net
.......................................................................................
Wednesday, May 21 2008
7:30pm - 10:00pm
WEDNESDAY NIGHT POETRY SERIES
featuring Jean-Jacques Poucel at WNPS
Jean-Jacques Poucel is Associate Professor of French at Yale University where he teaches courses in modern and contemporary literature. He is the author of Jacques Roubaud and the Invention of Memory and co-editor of Pereckonings: Reading Georges Perec (Yale French Studies 105). He is currently writing a study of French lyrical poetry from the early nineties to the present..
For more info, visit the website: http://www.wedpoetry.net
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.
Molten Java Coffee Roasters, LLC
102 Greenwood Avenue
Bethel, CT
203-739-0313
.......................................................................................
Wednesday, May 21 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 mailto:Pollie_Vack@yahoo.com for info.
Huntington Street Café
90 Huntington Street
Shelton, CT
Phone: 203-925-9064
.......................................................................................
Thursday, May 22 2008
6:00pm
POETRY IN THE PARK 2008
The Thread City Poets will be reading at the Julia de Burgos Park, on the corner of Jackson Street and Terry Avenue in Willimantic.
Admission is free. This event is co-sponsored by Curbstone Press, ECSU English Department, the Creative Writing Program of the English Department at UConn, Neighborhood Revitalization Zone, and Collectivo Mestizal.
Julia de Burgos Park
319 Jackson St
Willimantic, CT
.......................................................................................
Thursday, May 22 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 web site for more information: www.bean-leaf.com.
Bean & Leaf cafe
13 Washington St.
New London, CT
860-701-0000
.......................................................................................
Friday, May 23 2008
1:00pm - 2:45pm
POETRY DISCUSSION GROUP
Topic: TBA
Retired English professor Alan Holder leads this once-a-month poetry discussion. 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
Contact: Lesley Lambton, 203-438-2282 or mailto:rdgprograms@biblio.org
.......................................................................................
Saturday, May 24 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, May 25 2008
2:00pm
JOHN BASINGER PERFORMS PARADISE LOST
In celebration of John Milton’s 400th anniversary, John Basinger will be performing a different book of Paradise Lost every Sunday afternoon.
All readings start at 2:00pm. (May 4, 11, 18, 25)
The Buttonwood Tree
605 Main Street
Middletown, CT
860-347-4957
mailto:near@buttonwood.org
http://www.buttonwood.org
The event is free; donations are accepted.
.......................................................................................
Sunday, May 25 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 web site for more information.
Bean & Leaf Cafe
13 Washington St.
New London, CT
860-701-0000
http://www.bean-leaf.com
.......................................................................................
Monday, May 26 2008
7:00pm
THE LOVE JONES OPEN MIC
Spoken Word and Song event. All poets welcome.
$5.00 cover. Hosted by Charmagne.
The Russell
103 Pratt Street
Hartford, CT
www.therussell.net
.......................................................................................
Monday, May 26 2008
9:00pm
BEATNIK 2000
Music and poetry every Monday night, hosted by Ed Leonard. No Cover.
http://www.cafenine.com/schedule.html
Cafe 9
250 State Street
New Haven, CT
203-789-8281
.......................................................................................
Tuesday, May 27 2008
6:30pm
POET’S OPEN MIKE
Enjoy an evening of poetry with Poet’s Open Mike. Read something or just come and listen.
Harry Bennett Branch Ferguson Library
115 Vine Road
Stamford, CT
203-351-8291
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Wednesday, May 28 2008
6:00pm - 8:00pm
WHAT IS IN THE WORDS
Spoken Word Poetry in Meriden
S.W.E.E.T. Potato Society, in conjunction with the August Cultural Center, presents “What Is In The Words,” a Spoken Word Poetry forum for local poets to share their literary works with the community.
It will be held on the last Wednesday or the month from 6 to 8pm; sign in is at 5:15pm. Donation is $15 per person, $5 for poets.
Augusta Cultural Center
175 East Main Street
Meriden, CT
Information, 203-935-0438
.......................................................................................
Wednesday, May 28 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
mailto:ayarmal@earthlink.net
.......................................................................................
Wednesday, May 28 2008
7:30pm - 10:00pm
WEDNESDAY NIGHT POETRY SERIES
featuring Laura Manuelidis
Laura Manuelidis, physician, subversive scientist, unfashioned experimentalist, resides in the medieval village of New Haven, a few poems published (kind editors), and also a book: Out of Order. Website poetry sampler: info.med.yale.edu.
For info, visit: http://www.wedpoetry.net
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.
Molten Java Coffee Roasters, LLC
102 Greenwood Avenue
Bethel, CT
203-739-0313
.......................................................................................
Wednesday, May 28 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 every-one. Stop by to check the scene or even read a little something. Walk in and you’ll be added to the list.
Email mailto:Pollie_Vack@yahoo.com for info.
Huntington Street Café
90 Huntington Street
Shelton, CT
203-925-9064
.......................................................................................
Thursday, May 29 2008
7:00pm
A LITERARY EVENING
The Writers’ Guild of Ridgefield will present an evening of readings, including poetry, non-fiction, drama, fiction and more. A Ridgefield Writes 300th Anniversary Celebration program, see http://ridgefield300.org.
Location: Dayton Program Room
Ridgefield Library
472 Main Street (Route 35)
Ridgefield, CT
Contact: Lesley Lambton, 203-438-2282 or
mailto:rdgprograms@biblio.org
.......................................................................................
Thursday, May 29 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 web site for more information: www.bean-leaf.com.
Bean & Leaf cafe
13 Washington St.
New London, CT
860-701-0000
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