TABLE OF CONTENTS_______________________________________
- Quotes
- Poem of the Month
- Book of the Month
- Website of the Month
- News Items / Writing Workshops
- Poetry Calendar for May
- Subscription and Contact Information
I:__QUOTES________________________________________________
Take the time to write. You can do your life’s work in half an hour a day.
– Robert Hass
The reader deserves an honest opinion. If he doesn’t deserve it, give it to him anyhow.
– John Ciardi
Writing is just a man alone in the room with the English language trying to make it come out right. The important thing is that your work be something no one else could do.
– John Berryman
II:__POEM OF THE MONTH__________________________________
NOT WAVING BUT DROWNING
Stevie Smith (1902 - 1971)
Nobody heard him, the dead man,
But still he lay moaning:
I was much further out than you thought
And not waving but drowning.
Poor chap, he always loved larking
And now he’s dead
It must have been too cold for him his heart gave way,
They said.
Oh, no no no, it was too cold always
(Still the dead one lay moaning)
I was much too far out all my life
And not waving but drowning.
III:__BOOK OF THE MONTH_________________________________
Each month we highlight a book of poetry by a Connecticut author.
I DREAM MY BROTHER PLAYS BASEBALL
by Lisa Siedlarz
“Siedlarz’s debut collection of poems about her brother’s life as a soldier in Afghanistan shimmers like the heat over desert sand where civilians and soldiers alike are caught and often destroyed by powers that cannot be controlled. Set in a terrain ‘where nothing continues to bloom,’ poems from the brother’s voice give a graphic picture of the gritty day-to-day life of both American and Afghani soldiers fighting an unending war. However, the poems reveal that in this unforgiving land where even ‘poppies smack their red faces in the breeze,’ the human spirit refuses to let laughter and celebration get swallowed.” - Vivian Shipley, author of When There Is No Shore, winner Connecticut Book Award for Poetry
“Spiders, camels, horrific wounds, deaths, sands of Afghanistan shift into Siedlarz’s lines. She’s brought us to this place of ‘hot winds and diesel / and disinfectant’ and we’re fascinated, borne to needed realizations that define the start of our new century.” - Dick Allen, author of Ode to the Cold War: Poems New and Selected and Present Vanishing: Poems
Lisa L. Siedlarz received her Masters in Fine Arts from Western Connecticut State University. She is Editor of Connecticut River Review and Managing Editor for Connecticut Review. She has won the John Holmes Poetry Prize and Leo Connellan Award and was nominated for the 2009 Best New Poets Award. She also facilitated a 16-week writing workshop with Vietnam veterans and edited a collection of their work called The Season of Now. Lisa Siedlarz works for Southern Connecticut State University and lives in New Haven.
$10.00 Clemson University Digital Press (ISBN: 978-0-9796066-6-3)
IV:__WEBSITE OF THE MONTH______________________________
VISIO-MATHEMATICAL POETRY
Bob Grumman, a critic as well as a poet, has been a regular columnist for Small Press Review for around ten years. He is also a failed playwright, and a theoretical psychologist with a book he hopes soon to self-publish on the cerebral dysfunctionality of people who believe Shakespeare was not Shakespeare.
He’s been a serious poet, on and off, since he was around 24. But for the past fifteen years or so, he’s specialized in visio-mathematical poetry, particularly long division poems and what he calls “Mathemaku.” If you’re ready to stretch your ideas of what makes a poem, check out his site.
Mathemaku examples at www.geocities.com/Comprepoetica/Blog/Gallery.html
Long Division Poetry examples at www.geocities.com/Comprepoetica/Blog/Gallery-A.html
His blog at comprepoetica.com/newblog/Index.html
V:__NEWS ITEMS / WRITING WORKSHOPS____________________
Saturday, May 17 2009
10:00am - 5:00pm
SUNDAY WRITING RETREATS
with Sharon Charde
Many of us sense that there are stories within us that need to be told, but cannot find the time, space or circumstances in our busy lives to do so. This series of Sunday writing retreats with Sharon Charde will provide that opportunity. The retreats are intense community writing experiences. Together we create a safe and supportive writing environment that encourages risks we would never take alone. We are fed by the listening of others, the rest from our busy lives, the delicious lunch. There is no critical feedback, only focused attention and deep acceptance.
The group is limited to eight women, many who attend on a regular basis. The cost is $75 per session, or $60 if you sign up for four or more. Remaining dates for 2009 are 5/17, 6/14, 7/12, 8/16, 10/18, 11/15, and 12/13. (In October the annual Block Island Writing Retreat will be held from Friday, Oct.2 - Sunday, Oct. 4). The location is Lakeville, CT, at the home of Sharon Charde. See her web site (http://www.sharoncharde.com/) for more information and testimonials from women who have attended in the past. Write her at sharchar@sbcglobal.net to register or to ask other questions.
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Saturday, May 19 2009
5:00pm - 7:00pm
WRITING FROM THE HEART
with Sharon Charde
A new writing workshop for women, “Writing From The Heart,” will be held at the Northwest Center For Family Services. The ten-session group will begin on May 19 and run until July 21, from 5:00 - 7:00pm. It is not a psychotherapy group, but rather a writing workshop, but open to writers and non-writers alike. The participants will create new material by alternating periods of writing with deep listening—not from a place of judgment or analysis—but from a place of focused attention and deep acceptance. “Writing From The Heart” will be led by Sharon Charde, a retired family therapist who has facilitated writing groups for women and girls at risk for the last seventeen years. She is the author of three books of poetry, has been published widely in journals and anthologies, and has received many prizes for her writing, including six Pushcart nominations.
The cost is $250 for ten sessions. For more information or to register, contact Sharon Charde: 860-435-0110 or sharchar@sbcglobal.net.
Northwest Center For Family Services
315 Main Street
Lakeville, CT
VI:__POETRY CALENDAR FOR MAY_______________________
Friday, May 1 2009
6:00pm
OPEN MIKE FRIDAY
There is an open mike each Friday at LaSalle Market. Poets, musicians, local talent of any type is invited. Stop by and check it out—then show us what you’ve got.
LaSalle Market
104 Main Street
Collinsville, CT
http://www.lasallemarket.com/
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Saturday, May 2 2009
2:00pm
JEN GATES in Farmington
Jen Gates’ first collection of poems, Crazy Girl with Lighter, is a searingly honest depiction of its author’s descent into an underworld of drugs and strip joints, followed by a long, courageous return to the world of hope, joy and “at-onement” with the people dearest to her. This is the story of one remarkably resilient young woman, but it is also a legendary tale of innocence lost and rediscovered. Of the book, Steve Straight has said, “Crazy Girl with Lighter has the feel of a memoir, but the language catches you with the surprises of good poetry...This book is the opposite of a suicide note: it is the kind of note you leave to announce why you have decided to live.”
Borders
1600 Southeast Rd
Farmington, CT
For information: http://www.borders.com/ or 860-674-8110
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Sunday, May 3 2009
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: http://www.bean-leaf.com/
Bean & Leaf Cafe
13 Washington St.
New London, CT
860-701-0000
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Sunday, May 3 2009
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 http://www.sanctuaryatshepardfields.org/activities.html.
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Monday, May 4 2009
7:00pm
THE LOVE JONES EXPERIENCE
Spoken Word and Song event. All poets welcome.
$5.00 cover. Hosted by Darlene Brandon Scott.
The Russell
103 Pratt Street
Hartford, CT
http://www.therussell.net/
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Monday, May 4 2009
7:30pm
ANYTHING GOES!
Anything Goes! for this open mike - spoken word, poetry etc. We have a piano and congas. Refreshments available.
Hosted by Jennifer Shafer Wood. Meets every Monday.
7:30pm sign up; 8:00pm start. $3.00 donation.
The Buttonwood Tree
605 Main Street
Middletown, CT
860-347-4957
thebuttonwoodtree@gmail.com
http://www.buttonwood.org/
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Monday, May 4 2009
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 4 2009
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, May 5 2009
7:00pm - 9:00pm
FIRST TUESDAY POETRY (Middletown)
featuring Elizabeth Thomas
Elizabeth Thomas is a widely published poet, performer, advocate of the arts and teacher. The author of three books of poetry, she has read her work throughout the United States and recently returned from the United Arab Emirates University where she taught ‘Poetry as Theater.’ Much of her energy and time is devoted to designing and teaching writing programs for schools and organizations. These programs promote literacy and the power of written and spoken word. As an outstanding advocate of youth in the arts, Elizabeth Thomas 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 http://www.upwordspoetry.com/.
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, May 5 2009
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
ralphnazareth@mac.com
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Wednesday, May 6 2009
7:30pm - 10:00pm
WEDNESDAY NIGHT POETRY SERIES
featuring Jerry Brooker
Jerry Brooker is a poet, novelist, peace activist, world-traveler, frequent reader in Connecticut, and a retired teacher with two books of poetry and several novels to his credit, with more under construction. He has over 300 articles and poems published, was chairman of the English Department at Staples High School in Westport for over 25 years, and is very active in national and international peace and hunger community efforts with students from America and abroad. Jerry is a Fullbright Fellow, has received the Peace and Understanding Award from the National Education Association, the Mahatma Gandhi-Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Award from the Connecticut Education Association, two honorary degrees and other awards for humanitarian contributions, along with being inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame in 1998.
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: http://www.wedpoetry.net/.
Molten Java Coffee Roasters, LLC
102 Greenwood Avenue
Bethel, CT
203-739-0313
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Wednesday, May 6 2009
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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Thursday, May 7 2009
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: http://www.bean-leaf.com/.
Bean & Leaf cafe
13 Washington St.
New London, CT
860-701-0000
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Friday, May 8 2009
6:00pm
OPEN MIKE FRIDAY
There is an open mike each Friday at LaSalle Market. Poets, musicians, local talent of any type is invited. Stop by and check it out—then show us what you’ve got.
LaSalle Market
104 Main Street
Collinsville, CT
http://www.lasallemarket.com/
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Friday, May 8 2009
7:00pm
FRESHWATER COFFEE HOUSE
presents the winners of the 17th Asnuntuck Student Poetry Contest
Reading by winners of the seventeenth Annual Asnuntuck Student Poetry Contest to open the Tenth Annual Freshwater Poetry Festival. Coffee House. The reading will be followed by a Music and Poetry Open Mike at 9:00pm.
Refreshments will be served. Free and open to the public.
The Coffee House in Cafeteria II
Asnuntuck Community College
170 Elm Street
Enfield, CT
For more information: 860-253-3105 or etrentham@acc.commnet.edu.
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1:30pm
Event moved to Saturday, June 27, 1:00pm.
TONY FUSCO at Yale Bookstore
Tony Fusco, editor of Caduceus and President of the CT Poetry Society, will read from his new book of poetry, Droplines, at the Yale Bookstore. “Fusco’s love for subjects, past and present, darts in and out, slippery as the fish he drops lines to catch,” writes award-winning poet Vivian Shipley.
The Yale Bookstore At Barnes & Noble
77 Broadway
New Haven, CT
203-777-8440
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Saturday, May 9 2009
6:00pm - 9:00pm
OPEN MIC NIGHTS
featuring Elizabeth Thomas
Open Mic Nights at Bru Cafe
Featured poet - Elizabeth Thomas
Hosted by Baub Bidon
Music DJ Ccoubz
Second Saturday of each month.
Bru Cafe
141 Orange Street
New Haven, CT
203-752-0052
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Sunday, May 10 2009
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
http://www.bean-leaf.com/
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Sunday, May 10 2009
4:00pm
A SPECIAL MOTHER'S DAY READING
with Connie Magnan-Albrizio and Eileen Albrizio
Join the Prize-Winning Mother/Daughter Poetry Team of Connie Magnan-Albrizio and Eileen Albrizio for a special Mother's Day Poetry Reading!
At the age of 76, Connie published her first volume of poetry, Lion's Tooth. This lifetime achievement earned her the first-prize in the 2009 Connecticut Press Club Communications Contest for Poetry. Connie's poetry has also been honored by Asnuntuck College's Freshwater Poetry Contest, Connecticut Community Care Poetry Contest, Writer's Digest, and more. Her poetry and short fiction have appeared in such journals as La Farogue, Cricket, and the Common Ground Review.
Eileen, 45, is a two-time winner of the Individual Artist Fellowship for Poetry from the Greater Hartford Arts Council. Her poetry has appeared in numerous literary publications, including the Common Ground Review and the Underwood Review. She is the author of three print volumes of poetry: Messy on the Inside, Rain – Dark as Water in Winter, and Perennials: New & Selected Poems, which was nominated for the 2008 Connecticut Book Award. Albrizio has taught poetry and creative writing in several colleges and cultural institutions as well as theYork Correctional Institute, Connecticut’s maximum-security prison for women, by invitation of best-selling author, Wally Lamb.
Enjoy the beautiful water-front views and charm of this lovingly cared for community book store. This event is free. Bring your own poem to read at the open mike!
Millrace Books
40 Mill Lane
Farmington, CT
860-677-9662
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Monday, May 11 2009
7:00pm
THE LOVE JONES EXPERIENCE
Spoken Word and Song event. All poets welcome.
$5.00 cover. Hosted by Darlene Brandon Scott.
The Russell
103 Pratt Street
Hartford, CT
http://www.therussell.net/
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Monday, May 11 2009
7:15pm
MONDAY NIGHT POETRY in STAMFORD
featuring ZORK
Eric ZORK Alan, an 8x National Slam Poet competitor, is probably best known for standing on chairs. He is also known for gratuitously dropping names...like that he is the only poet ever to have his book [appropriately called “I am NOT a poet”] blurbed by Davy Jones, Dobie Gray & Wild Cherry. Zork has featured at the hottest poetry venues in America including Chicago’s legendary Green Mill, where slam started. He has toured across America visiting High Schools and colleges in his mission to make more poets. He performs at and hosts ZorkSlams [student-based events] at Barnes & Noble Bookstores Nationwide. He hosts Westchester County, NY's largest poetry series and slammaster for the PSI Westchester Slam series @ The White Plains Public Library.
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 11 2009
7:30pm
ANYTHING GOES!
Anything Goes! for this open mike - spoken word, poetry etc. We have a piano and congas. Refreshments available.
Hosted by Jennifer Shafer Wood. Meets every Monday.
7:30pm sign up; 8:00pm start. $3.00 donation.
The Buttonwood Tree
605 Main Street
Middletown, CT
860-347-4957
thebuttonwoodtree@gmail.com
http://www.buttonwood.org/
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Monday, May 11 2009
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, May 12 2009
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
ralphnazareth@mac.com
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Wednesday, May 13 2009
6:30pm - 8:30pm
CALLING ALL POETS
presents Tom Nicotera, Dan Wilcox, and Christine Beck
Tom Nicotera, a veteran bard and poetry/drum performer, has been a factory worker, street performer, mime, water/sewer repairman, copy editor, teacher and library cataloger, while keeping poetry as the one constant in his life. His work has been published in numerous publications including the Journal of Poetry Therapy. He edited Charter Oak Poets II, a collection of works from Hartford area writers, and served on the organizing committee of the 2001 CT Poetry Festival at Middle-sex Community College. He is co-host of Prosser Public Library’s Wintonbury Poetry Series and a member of the Not Just Any Tom, Vic and Terri poetry ensemble.
Dan Wilcox publishes poetry under the imprint A.P.D.(Albany’s poetic device, another pleasant day, etc.), the alternative press for poets in Albany, NY. His own poems have appeared in Out of the Catskills, The Second Word Thursday Anthology, We Speak for Peace, and Chronogram, as well as in numerous small press journals, anthologies, and on the Internet. He hosts the Third Thursday poetry series in Albany, is a member of the poetry performance group Three Guys from Albany, and is an active member of Veterans for Peace. An avid photographer, he claims to have the world’s largest collection of photos of unknown poets. He has been a featured reader at poetry venues in the New York and throughout the country and was a finalist for the 1998 Allen Ginsberg Poetry Awards.
Christine Beck is president of the Connecticut Poetry Society and contest chairperson of the National Federation of State Poetry Societies. Her award-winning poems have been published in numerous anthologies and journals. She is an attorney and instructor of legal studies at the University of Hartford. Her textbook, Forensic Evidence in Court: A Case Study Approach, was published in 2008 by Carolina Academic Press.
The open mike theme is “Weather or not: That is the question” (poems about the weather). “Calling All Poets” is an opportunity to hear other poets as well as express your own voice through poetry.
The reading will be held downstairs. Admission is free. Hosted by Victoria Muñoz.
The Silas Bronson Library
267 Grand Street
Waterbury, CT
203-574-8223
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Wednesday, May 13 2009
7:00pm
INESCAPABLE RHYTHMS
Alchemy Juice Bar supports both established and emerging poets through its new poetry reading and open mike series, “Inescapable Rhythms.” The event takes place on the second Wednesday of each month. A featured poet gives a half hour reading (7:00pm) followed by an open mike (7:30pm), in which members of the audience are invited to share their work.
The series takes its title from the Wallace Stevens poem, “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird.” Stevens, a major American Modernist poet, was a Hartford resident.
Alchemy Juice Bar
203 New Britain Ave
Hartford, CT
Email questions to: ahenchey@hotmail.com
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Wednesday, May 13 2009
7:30pm - 10:00pm
WEDNESDAY NIGHT POETRY SERIES
featuring 3 UConn Poets & a Slam
Josh Brunetti is a UConn student finishing his undergraduate requirements and is applying to graduate school. He plans to eventually become a college professor of English. After having taken a creative writing class with Davyne Verstandig, Josh began attending open mikes, writing workshops, and even decided to help begin a writing club at Torrington UConn. The club will meet weekly as a workshop and as a forum for planning open mikes at the school.
Castle Yuran is a junior at the Torrington campus of UConn, and is majoring in English with hopes of getting a Masters in either creative writing or screenwriting. Poetry is her passion, and she’s thus far had one poem published in a book put out by poetry.com, called Timeless Voices. She also submits regularly to an online magazine entitled “Life In Stereo.” Castle currently works at the Torrington UConn Writing Center, and occasionally assists the Litchfield County Writers Project. She plans to help run, alongside Josh Brunetti, a writing club at the campus that will eventually host an open mike or even a slam. Castle dreams of being a successful author, poet, and ultimately screenwriter, and plans to finish her first novel by the end of her senior year.
Tina Parziale is a junior at UConn majoring in English. Next semester she will be interning with author, editor, and professor Leigh Grossman and working as a student editor on the Long River Review. Last summer she won first place in the Artwell Poetry Slam and participated in several CT open mikes. After she graduates next December she intends to travel for a few months before going to graduate school. She hopes to one day change the world, but doesn’t everyone?
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: http://www.wedpoetry.net/.
Molten Java Coffee Roasters, LLC
102 Greenwood Avenue
Bethel, CT
203-739-0313
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Wednesday, May 13 2009
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, May 13 2009
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, May 14 2009
7:00pm
SECOND THURSDAY POETRY SERIES
presents Guilford High School youth poetry contest winners
At the Guilford Poets Guild’s annual Poets Day, which took place on April 24th at the Guilford High School, Guild members Gordy Whiteman, Jane Muir, Gwen Gunn, Audrey Fitting, Sharon Olson, Julie Harris and Nancy Meneely, with GHS senior class members Simone Wolff, Amelia Urry and James Plunkett, read poems to over 400 students in 4 sessions throughout the morning . We were also joined by Shoreline Cluster poet Peggy Sawyer and Tony Fusco from the CT River Review. Every year the Guild sponsors a youth poetry contest and this year we received 73 entries from Guilford High School students. The top three winners, Amelia Urry (1st prize), Simone Wolff (2nd prize), and Emily Breeze (3rd prize) will be our featured readers at the next “Second Thursday” Guilford Poets Guild gathering. The evening begins with an open mike to which high school-aged poets are welcome to come read their own poems.
Admission is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.
The Greene Art Gallery
(Red barn behind Whitfield’s Cafe)
29 Whitfield St.
Guilford, CT
Contact: 203-453-2036, 203-453-8836
guilfordpoetsguild.wordpress.com
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Thursday, May 14 2009
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: http://www.bean-leaf.com/.
Bean & Leaf cafe
13 Washington St.
New London, CT
860-701-0000
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Friday, May 15 2009
1:00pm - 2:45pm
POETRY DISCUSSION GROUP
presents “Poetry and the Stars”
Come and enjoy a feast of celestial poetry from the past and present. Copies of the poems to be discussed will be available at the meeting. This program is part of Ridgefield’s celebration of International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA09), a global celebration of astronomy and its contributions to society and culture, highlighted by the 400th anniversary of the first use of an astronomical telescope by Galileo.
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
http://www.ridgefieldlibrary.org/
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Friday, May 15 2009
6:00pm
OPEN MIKE FRIDAY
There is an open mike each Friday at LaSalle Market. Poets, musicians, local talent of any type is invited. Stop by and check it out—then show us what you’ve got.
LaSalle Market
104 Main Street
Collinsville, CT
http://www.lasallemarket.com/
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Friday, May 15 2009
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
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Friday, May 15 2009
7:00pm
MYSTIC ARTS CAFÉ
Mystic Arts Café is an eclectic series featuring nationally renowned poets. The doors open at 7:00pm, reading begins at 7:30pm. The Arts Café is in its 15th year.
Sponsored by Groton Parks & Recreation. $8 adults, $6 Seniors, $4 Students.
Mystic Arts Center
9 Water Street
Mystic, CT
860-536-5680
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Saturday, May 16 2009
1:00pm - 5:00pm
SUPPORT THE ARTS & SAVE THE LAND
The Land Trust of Danbury teams up with the Richter Association of the Arts to present “Support the Arts & Save the Land” - an Art Show & Sale, Poetry Reading, and Raffle. Refreshments will be available.
Poetry Reading: 3:00pm - 5:00pm. Open Mike sign up 2:45pm. Poets will have books to sell and sign. Art viewing continues during Poetry Reading
Raffle Winners picked at 5:00pm on Saturday and Sunday. Your raffle purchase helps support LTD and RAA.
A minimum of 1 original artwork & 4 signed/framed, limited edition prints will be donated for raffles. $5.00 buys a raffle for a print, $10.00 for an original. $20.00 showing fee is waived for members of RAA or LTD.
Richter Association for the Arts
100 Aunt Hack Rd.
Danbury, CT
(Park at Richter Golf Club)
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Sunday, May 17 2009
1:00pm - 5:00pm
SUPPORT THE ARTS & SAVE THE LAND
The Land Trust of Danbury teams up with the Richter Association of the Arts to present “Support the Arts & Save the Land” - an Art Show & Sale, Poetry Reading, and Raffle. Refreshments will be available.
Poetry Reading: 3:00pm - 5:00pm. Open Mike sign up 2:45pm. Poets will have books to sell and sign. Art viewing continues during Poetry Reading
Raffle Winners picked at 5:00pm on Saturday and Sunday. Your raffle purchase helps support LTD and RAA.
A minimum of 1 original artwork & 4 signed/framed, limited edition prints will be donated for raffles. $5.00 buys a raffle for a print, $10.00 for an original. $20.00 showing fee is waived for members of RAA or LTD.
Richter Association for the Arts
100 Aunt Hack Rd.
Danbury, CT
(Park at Richter Golf Club)
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Sunday, May 17 2009
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
http://www.bean-leaf.com/
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Monday, May 18 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: dmh2000@sbcglobal.net
Danbury Library
Upstairs Conference Room
170 Main Street
Danbury, CT
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Monday, May 18 2009
7:00pm
THE LOVE JONES EXPERIENCE
Spoken Word and Song event. All poets welcome.
$5.00 cover. Hosted by Darlene Brandon Scott.
The Russell
103 Pratt Street
Hartford, CT
http://www.therussell.net/
.......................................................................................
Monday, May 18 2009
7:30pm
ANYTHING GOES!
Anything Goes! for this open mike - spoken word, poetry etc. We have a piano and congas. Refreshments available.
Hosted by Jennifer Shafer Wood. Meets every Monday.
7:30pm sign up; 8:00pm start. $3.00 donation.
The Buttonwood Tree
605 Main Street
Middletown, CT
860-347-4957
thebuttonwoodtree@gmail.com
http://www.buttonwood.org/
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Monday, May 18 2009
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, May 19 2009
6:30pm
POETS’ CORNER
The Derby Neck Library presents a new, free monthly program called “Poets’ Corner.” Bring your original poems to read, share composition ideas with others, and explore the library’s very extensive special collection of poets on audio and video.
Derby Neck Library
307 Hawthorne Ave
Derby, CT
203-734-1492
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Tuesday, May 19 2009
7:00pm
THE ORDINARY EVENING READING SERIES
featuring Major Jackson and Lynne Sharon Schwarz
Major Jackson’s books of poems are Hoops, and Leaving Saturn. He has published poems and essays in American Poetry Review, Callaloo, The New Yorker, Poetry, and other literary magazines. Hoops was selected as a finalist for a NAACP Image Award in the category of Outstanding Literary Work in Poetry, and Leaving Saturn was awarded the Cave Canem Poetry Prize for a first book of poems and was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award in poetry. His third volume of poetry Holding Company is forthcoming from W.W. Norton. He is a recipient of a Whiting Writers’ Award and has been honored by the Pew Fellowship in the Arts and the Witter Bynner Foundation in conjunction with the Library of Congress. Mr. Jackson has worked as the curator of literary arts at the Painted Bride Art Center in Philadelphia and the Mountain Writers’ Center in Portland, and has taught at Columbia University, Xavier University of Louisiana, New York University, and University of Massachusetts - Lowell as the Jack Kerouac Writer-in-Residence. He lives in Burlington, Vermont, where he is the Richard Dennis Green and Gold Professor at University of Vermont. He serves as the Poetry Editor of the Harvard Review.
Lynne Sharon Schwartz’s most recent book is the memoir, Not Now, Voyager, just out from Counterpoint. Among her 21 books are the novels Leaving Brooklyn (nominated for a PEN/Faulkner Award) and Rough Strife (nominated for a National Book Award). She is also the author of the poetry collection, In Solitary, the memoir, Ruined by Reading, and, most recently, she edited The Emergence of Memory: Conversations with W.G. Sebald, a collection of essays and interviews. Her work has been reprinted in The Best American Short Stories, The O. Henry Prize Stories, The Best American Essays, and many other anthologies, and her reviews have appeared in leading magazines and newspapers. She teaches at the Bennington Writing Seminars.
The Ordinary Evening Reading Series was created to bring emerging and established poets and writers to New Haven, and to enrich the already robust artistic, cultural, and literary scene in the Elm City. The readings take place on a Tuesday at 7:00pm in the Anchor Bar’s Mermaid Room. Seating is limited so get there early!
The Anchor Bar’s Mermaid Room (Downstairs)
272 College Street
New Haven, CT
203-865-1512
ordinaryevening.blogspot.com
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Tuesday, May 19 2009
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
ralphnazareth@mac.com
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Wednesday, May 20 2009
7:00pm
POETRY at the COSSITT SERIES
presents Eileen Albrizio
Join prize-winning poet Eileen Albrizio as she shares her poetry and short fiction. She will share new works plus selected pieces from her latest book, Perennials: New & Selected Poems, which was nominated for the 2008 CT Book Award. Eileen, a former award-winning NPR broadcast journalist, is the 2003 and 2008 recipient of the Individual Artist Fellowships from the Greater Hartford Arts Council.
The feature reading will be followed by an open mike at 8:00pm.
Sponsored by Frederick H. Cossitt Library
Frederick H. Cossitt Library
388 North Granby Road
Granby, CT
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Wednesday, May 20 2009
7:30pm - 10:00pm
WEDNESDAY NIGHT POETRY SERIES
featuring Ralph Nazareth
Ralph Nazareth was born and educated in India. He crossed over to the West when young Americans were flying east on their tragic mission in Vietnam. His poetry explores his movement between worlds. He is a professor of English at Nassau Community College, New York, where he leads PeaceWork, a group committed to peace and justice issues. He is also a volunteer teacher of writing in the CMHS program at Green Haven, a maximum security prison in New York. As Managing Editor of Yuganta Press in Stamford, CT, he has overseen the publication of over twenty books of poetry by writers from all over the world.
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: http://www.wedpoetry.net/.
Molten Java Coffee Roasters, LLC
102 Greenwood Avenue
Bethel, CT
203-739-0313
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Wednesday, May 20 2009
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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Thursday, May 21 2009
6:30pm
WORD OF MOUTH POETRY SERIES
featuring Janice Tatter Chapbook Release Party and Richard Tietjen Memorial Reading
Janice Tatter Chapbook Release: Janice will read from her new chapbook, Communion of Voices. She is receipient of Alma K. Daughtery Award for excellence in literature. In 2006, Remembering the Truth was published by Temenos Publishing Company. She’s been published in several journals such as Southern Hum, Red River Review, Poesia, Muscadine Lines: A Southern Journal, and many others.
The poems in Communion of Voices speak of hard-hitting realities like 1950s racism and sexual awareness, all the while treating human frailties with compassion and humor.” Apple Valley Review called Communion of Voices “a collection of subtle, fine-boned poetry” and James Marsh, author of Snapshots of Vietnam, said, “Janice dares to expose her heart, and pour out her soul with vivid description.”
Richard Tietjen Memorial Reading: We will be remembering our friend Richard Tietjen and will celebrate his life and poetry by holding a memorial reading of his verse. Richard’s courageous 14 year fight against lymphoma was remarkable and strengthened his own compassion towards family, friends, and the world. He had a gentle departure on April 20th. We will read poems that Richard had selected for a poetry reading that he had scheduled.
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 http://www.allgallery.org/.
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Thursday, May 21 2009
7:00pm - 9:00pm
MISHI-MAYA-GAT Spoken Word & Music Series
presents Lisa C. Taylor and David Cappella
7:00pm - Featured Musician: Harp Recital with Megan Sesma. A versatile performer in the mediums of orchestral and harp chamber music and as a film session musician, Megan Sesma has performed in venues ranging from Tchaikovsky Hall in Moscow to the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, from Carnegie Hall in New York to numerous concert halls in South America. Her experience has placed her under the batons of some of music’s greatest luminaries, including John Williams and Jerry Goldsmith, and she has shared the stage with such legends of contemporary and popular music as Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, Diana Krall, and Dianne Reeves. See http://www.megansesma.com/.
8:00pm - Featured Poets: Lisa C. Taylor and David Cappella
Lisa C. Taylor holds an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Southern Maine’s Stonecoast Program and is the author of three books of poetry: the chapbook, Talking to Trees, nominated for the L.L. Winship PEN New England Award, Safe Love and Other Political Acts, and Falling Open. Her work has appeared in several anthologies and literary magazines and journals, including Healing Muse, Cape Rock, Icarus, Midwest Review, and Connecticut River Review. Her poetry has also been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. More information on Lisa can be found at http://www.lisactaylor.com/.
David Cappella is an associate professor in English at Central Connecticut State University. He is the co-author, with Baron Wormser, of two poetry textbooks. His poems have appeared in The Connecticut Review, Diner, The Bryant Literary Review, The Providence Journal, and other journals. He is the winner of the 2004 Bright Hill Press Poetry Chapbook Competition for Gobbo: A Solitaire’s Opera, inspired by the great 19th-century Italian poet, Leopardi and the first poem of which was nominated for a Pushcart Prize. The complete manuscript of Gobbo: A Solitaire’s Opera was a finalist for the 2006 Bordighera Prize and a 2008 finalist for The Bright Hill Press Poetry Book Competition. A link to David’s poetry can be found at http://www.fishousepoems.org/.
Free and Open to the Public. Sponsored by the MCC Foundation.
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 21 2009
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: http://www.bean-leaf.com/.
Bean & Leaf cafe
13 Washington St.
New London, CT
860-701-0000
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Thursday, May 21 2009
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 22 2009
6:00pm
OPEN MIKE FRIDAY
There is an open mike each Friday at LaSalle Market. Poets, musicians, local talent of any type is invited. Stop by and check it out—then show us what you’ve got.
LaSalle Market
104 Main Street
Collinsville, CT
http://www.lasallemarket.com/
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Sunday, May 24 2009
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
http://www.bean-leaf.com/
.......................................................................................
Monday, May 25 2009
7:00pm
THE LOVE JONES EXPERIENCE
Spoken Word and Song event. All poets welcome.
$5.00 cover. Hosted by Darlene Brandon Scott.
The Russell
103 Pratt Street
Hartford, CT
http://www.therussell.net/
.......................................................................................
Monday, May 25 2009
7:30pm
ANYTHING GOES!
Anything Goes! for this open mike - spoken word, poetry etc. We have a piano and congas. Refreshments available.
Hosted by Jennifer Shafer Wood. Meets every Monday.
7:30pm sign up; 8:00pm start. $3.00 donation.
The Buttonwood Tree
605 Main Street
Middletown, CT
860-347-4957
thebuttonwoodtree@gmail.com
http://www.buttonwood.org/
.......................................................................................
Monday, May 25 2009
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
.......................................................................................
Tuesday, May 26 2009
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
ralphnazareth@mac.com
.......................................................................................
Wednesday, May 27 2009
7:00pm
2009 REGGAE SLAM in Downtown Hartford
May 27, 2009 - $100.00 Reggae Slam 1: Qualifier at the Russell Restaurant
7:00pm - 7:30pm - Misteree
7:30pm - 8:00pm - Don C
8:00pm - 8:15pm - Y.U
8:20pm - Reggae Slam (15 poets)
DJ DANA
MC NUNNU
Feel free to contact Zimbabwe at 860-478-5814 or info@boutwestindies.com for entry info or any other inquiries. Also visit http://www.boutwestindies.com/.
The Russell
103 Pratt Street
Hartford, CT
http://www.therussellct.com/
Future Slams:
- On June 24: $100.00 Reggae Slam 2: Qualifier at the Russell Restaurant
- In July: $500.00 Reggae Slam Finale (Tentatively Last Wednesday at Barca Restaurant)
- Leading up to the Fall 2009 BGCG $1000.00 Slam Finale!
A poet is known by their spoken word! -Zimbabwe
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Wednesday, May 27 2009
7:30pm - 10:00pm
WEDNESDAY NIGHT POETRY SERIES
featuring Kelly Woodard
Kelly Woodard has been performing slam since 2001 and has participated and placed in slams from Florida to Connecticut. Kelly does workshops for several local groups based in CT, and finds that the power of expression does wonders with adjudicated youth, teens in crisis and other youth around the state who need that voice. Other interests include playing football for the only pro-Women’s football team in CT, volunteering on behalf of trans issues, and working as both an adolescent development specialist and Residential Manager.
Open Mike theme is “Song Lyrics”: Songs as poems, poems as songs. So write some song lyrics!
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: http://www.wedpoetry.net/.
Molten Java Coffee Roasters, LLC
102 Greenwood Avenue
Bethel, CT
203-739-0313
.......................................................................................
Wednesday, May 27 2009
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, May 27 2009
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, May 28 2009
6:30pm
RIVERWOOD POETRY SERIES at Wood
presents Eileen Albrizio and Pat Hale
Eileen Albrizio will share new works plus selected pieces from her latest book, Perennials: New & Selected Poems, which was nominated for the 2008 CT Book Award. Eileen, a former award-winning NPR broadcast journalist, is the 2003 and 2008 recipient of the Individual Artist Fellowships from the Greater Hartford Arts Council.
Pat Hal, a certified Amherst Writers and Artists (AWA) workshop leader, has been published in CALYX, Sow’s Ear, Long River Run, Dogwood, and Connecticut River Review, among others. Her awards include CALYX’s 2005 Lois Cranston Memorial Poetry Prize and first prize in the Connecticut Poetry Society’s 2007 Al Savard Poetry Competition.
Public is invited. Admission is free. Donations of non-perishable foods will also be accepted for the benefit of St. Vincent de Paul.
Wood Memorial Library
783 Main Street
South Windsor, CT
860-289-1783
http://www.woodmemoriallibrary.org/
http://www.riverwoodpoetry.org/
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Thursday, May 28 2009
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: http://www.bean-leaf.com/.
Bean & Leaf cafe
13 Washington St.
New London, CT
860-701-0000
.......................................................................................
Friday, May 29 2009
6:00pm
OPEN MIKE FRIDAY
There is an open mike each Friday at LaSalle Market. Poets, musicians, local talent of any type is invited. Stop by and check it out—then show us what you’ve got.
LaSalle Market
104 Main Street
Collinsville, CT
http://www.lasallemarket.com/
.......................................................................................
Friday, May 29 2009
6:00pm - 9:00pm
A POETRY EXPLOSION
Poetry Slam/Open Mike event
Refeshments available. Tickets are only $5.00.
Come On Down And Enjoy The Show!
4th Friday each month. Presented by: WindhamARTS Collaborative & The Young Poets
WindhamARTS Collaborative Annex
866 Main Street
Willimantic, CT
860-450-1794
.......................................................................................
Friday, May 29 2009
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 http://www.rjjulia.com/.
RJ Julia Booksellers
768 Boston Post Road
Madison, CT
203-245-3959
books@rjjulia.com
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Saturday, May 30 2009
6:30pm
THE RIVERWOOD POETRY SERIES at Buttonwood
presents “Women Beats”
featuring Susan Allison, Christine Beck, Terri Klein, and Julia Paul (see bios below).
High power poetry performance reenacting the lives of Women Beat poets, rapidly becoming a popular program innovated by the Riverwood Series.
Suggested donation is $3.00 and a non-perishable food item to be donated to the local soup kitchen/food pantry. Non-perishable food donations welcome to benefit the St. Vincent de Paul Place. Goodwill donations welcome.
The Buttonwood Tree
605 Main Street
Middletown, CT
860-347-4957
thebuttonwoodtree@gmail.com
http://www.buttonwood.org/
http://www.riverwoodpoetry.org/
Susan Allison lives in Middletown, Connecticut with her husband, Stephan, and son, John. Born in Derby, Connecticut and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, she calls poetry and wanderlust the two main constants in her life. After mountain-climbing and hitch-hiking through East Africa, she returned to Wesleyan University to earn a BA in African Studies in 1985. Shortly after graduation, she discovered used and rare bookstores, which became new destination points for her wanderlust until she opened her own, Ibis Books & Gallery, in 1989. The bookstore was transformed in 1991 into NEAR, Inc./The Buttonwood Tree, an arts and cultural performance space on Main Street in Middletown, Connecticut.
Terri Klein has been a performance poet since 1998. Her poetry has appeared without her in print journals (Midstream, Common Ground Review, REAL) and online (Bent Pin Quarterly), as well as in the theater, as part of East Haddam Stage Company’s Plays with Poetry (2004 and 2008). She is a member of the poets’ group Artemis Rising, as well as Floating Theater Company playwrights’ workshop, and Vintage Players, a Middletown-based community theater group. Terri will read with other Artemis Rising poets on Monday, June 1, 2009, at Prosser Library in Bloomfield (6:30 p.m.). One or more of her short plays will also be featured as part of Floating Theater Company’s Middletown showcase, here at The Buttonwood Tree and at Oddfellows Playhouse, on June 19 and 20, 20 09. Terri lives in Cromwell, Connecticut.
Christine Beck is the President of the Connecticut Poetry Society and the Contest Chairperson of the National Federation of State Poetry Societies. Her poems have been published in the anthology, Proposing on the Brooklyn Bridge, J Journal (John Jay School of Criminal Justice), Passager, Connecticut River Review, Long River Run, and Caduceus. Her poems have also won contests in the Connecticut River Review and the National Federation of State Poetry Societies. She is an attorney and instructor of legal studies at the University of Hartford. Her textbook, Forensic Evidence in Court: A Case Study Approach, was published in 2008 by Carolina Academic Press.
Julia Morris Paul is an attorney in private practice in Manchester , with an emphasis on elder law. Her poems have appeared in a variety of journals, among them: RUNES, Connecticut River Review, Broken Bridge Review, Common Ground Review, and Caduceus. She has received awards from Artists Embassy International’s Dancing Poetry Contest, Late Blooms, and the Arthur Anthony Cultural Arts Foundation. The East Haddam Stage Company selected one of her poems to be performed as part of its 2008 production, Plays and Poetry. She is membership chair of the Connecticut Poetry Society and a director of the Riverwood Poetry Series.
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Sunday, May 31 2009
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
http://www.bean-leaf.com/
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