***POETRY NEWS***
Here is your Poetry News for the week of April 29, 2014
Scroll down to see or link to more poetry in Worcester, the Berkshires, Boston, Vermont and other areas.
Some calls for poetry contests are also below!
To receive Poetry News in your email or to request posting of events write to lori@thepoetrynews.com
This Week in Western MA
Tue. May 6 – Cash Slam at “The Deuce” WWII Club, Northampton, 8pm
Thu. May 8 – Florence Poets Society, Lilly Library, Florence, 6:30pm
Thu. May 8 – UNBUTTONED features Howie Faerstein at Luthier’s Co-op Easthampton, 7pm
Fri. May 9 – Poets from Paradise Found, anthology of poetry and art about Northampton, Hampshire YMCA, 7:30pm
POETRY IN THE VALLEY AND BEYOND:
Weekly Poetry Open Mic at The Deuce
Every Tuesday Night 8pm – 10pm Signup starts at 7pm.
World War II Club,
Conz St. Northampton,MA
Upcoming Featured Poets:
5/6 – Cash Slam
5/13 – Cash Slam
5/20 – Alex Charalambides
Please bring a 3-5 minute selection of your work to share
Fabulous website with featured poets http://www.northamptonpoetry.com/
Easthampton City Arts+ presents UNBUTTONED
An Evening of Spoken Word
on Thursday, May 8, from 7:00- 8:30 p.m.
at Luthier’s Co-Op, 108 Cottage St., Easthampton.
The evening will feature writer Howard Faerstein.
This event is free and open to the public.
Paradise Found Anthology Reading
Friday, May 9, 7:30pm
Hampshire Regional YMCA
YMCA members no charge
$10 suggested donation
Saturday, May 10th – Vitamin P for Poetry Series
Central Library Community Room, 220 State Street, Springfield
Once a month, get a dose of poetry. In the first hour, come prepared to read and to discuss poems by established poets. In the second hour, engage in writing prompts inspired by the very poems we read together and then share aloud your ideas for new poems. Facilitated by local award-winning multilingual poet and educator, María Luisa Arroyo.
WRITERS READ
The Good Purpose Gallery
Thursday, May 22, 5:30pm
Peter Filkins and Howie Faerstain
40 Main St #1 Lee, MA
A monthly series of established poets and writers reading from their works.
Each fourth Friday
$3 Suggested donation to support the gallery and the poets
David Giannini, coordinator davidgpoet@gmail.com.
“In Our Nature” writing workshops, Spring 2014
Thursday mornings, May 29–June 26 (5 weeks), in Ashfield
Cost: $28 per wk or $125 in advance.
Can join after 1st week if room.
We meet 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in my home, using supportive guidelines developed by Amherst Writers and Artists.
Tuition includes occasional manuscript critiques for those who want them.
Not sure? Try a meeting at no cost.
Contact: Susan Middleton, 413-628-4039 or smiddle@crocker.com;
Celebrate Spring at the William Cullen Bryant Homestead
Sunday, June 8, 2014, 4-6 PM
Cummington, MA
Celebrate spring writing short poems on nature in the gorgeous landscape of William Cullen Bryant Homestead Trustees of Reservations Property
Nature walk with Bob Wood and Holly Higinbotham
Refreshments with tea and coffee on the veranda
Listen and talk about haiku with brief writing instruction to write a short haiku for the day
Tour of the William Cullen Bryant Homestead Bryant Rd. Cummington, MA
For information call: 413-684-4535.
Members: Free / Non-Members: $5.00
Straw Dog Writers Guild presents Writers Night Out
First Tuesday of the month,
at The Elevens, Northampton, 7-9 pm.
For all lovers of writing.
Open mike – put your name in the hat until 7:10; reading begins at 7:15,
followed by time to schmooze, drink, make merry, and find out what’s
happening in the local writing world.
For more information, go to www.strawdogwriters.org/events/
Blurb to add to your newsletter weekly from this week thru 1st wk in June:
“In Our Nature” writing workshops, Spring 2014
Thursday mornings, May 29–June 26 (5 weeks), in Ashfield
Cost: $28 per wk or $125 in advance.
Can join after 1st week if room.
We meet 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in my home,
using supportive guidelines developed by Amherst Writers and Artists.
Tuition includes occasional manuscript critiques for those who want them.
Not sure? Try a meeting at no cost.
Contact: Susan Middleton, 413-628-4039 or smiddle@crocker.com;
The Forbes poetry discussion series
Our winter/spring semester will have a variety of poets under discussion through May, led by several different discussion leaders. Several of the evenings are timed to precede a reading by that poet in the area (including Jean Valentine and W.S. Merwin). As always, we’ll meet at 7 pm in the Calvin Coolidge Museum on the second floor of the Forbes Library.
Emily Dickinson International Society (EDIS) presents:
“Poetry Conversation”
Jones Library, 43 Amity Street, Amherst, MA;
in the Amherst Room, 2nd floor
1st Friday of each month — 2pm – 3:30pm
2nd Thursday of each month — 5:45pm – 7:15pm
All who are interested in sharing thoughts and ideas in a group
discussion based on selected poems/letter by Emily Dickinson are welcome.
FLORENCE POETS SOCIETY
The next business/sharing meeting is Thursday, May 8, 2014 at 6:30pm. Please consider joining the Florence Poets Society. Your $20 membership dues (Sept. – Aug.) support our annual journal, Silkworm, as well as public readings and events. We meet monthly at the Lilly Library in Florence on the 2nd Thurs. of each month, and all are welcome. Please visit our web site for more information: http://www.florencepoets.com or contact us at info@florencepoets.com.
POETRY A LA CARTE RADIO SHOW
on WMUA-Amherst 91.1 FM
Wednesdays at 5:00pm (Note change of day and time!)
WMUA is ably run by students, and the Programmer, who has the unenviable job of arranging a continuous, live, on-air series of shows, 24 hours a day, is hard-pressed to get coverage when the UMass students are on vacation. (DJs are usually about half students and half community members). Hence the change in schedule. Streamed live at http://www.wmua.org/.
The program, hosted by Daisy Mathias, includes reading aloud from past and contemporary poets, and occasionally features live interview and poetry-reading with a local poet.
GREENFIELD, SHELBURNE FALLS AND NORTH
Greenfield Word
Always the Third Tuesday
At 9 Mill St in Greenfield
Doors open at 7:00
Open Mike at 7:30
$1-5 sliding scale cover
10 open mike slots each will be five minute slots
Greenfield Annual Word Festival 2014
Has now set the dates: Thursday October 23rd to Sunday October 26th
Put it on your calendar more info soon.
Northfield Open Mic
You are invited to an evening of poetry
at Northfield Coffee and Books.
Northfield Coffee and Books is at 105 Main St., Northfield, MA.
The series will take place on the third Thursday of every month, and is hosted
by Bernardston poet and track and field coach Jim Bell. Arrive a little early to sign up.
All Small Caps at the Deja Brew in Wendell
Fourth Monday of the Month
Monday night April 28th Featured writers are Howie Faerstein and Mark Hart
Doors open at 7:00 – Open Mic starts at 7:30, look forward to seeing you there.
There are 10 – 5 minutes open mic slots
Two featured readers
$1 to $5 sliding scale donation
For anyone interested in being a featured reader
Contact paul@humanerrorpublishing.com
WORD IN THE BERKSHIRES
WRITERS READ
The Good Purpose Gallery
Thursday, May 22, 5:30pm
Peter Filkins and Howie Faerstain
40 Main St #1 Lee, MA
A monthly series of established poets and writers reading from their works.
Each fourth Friday
$3 Suggested donation to support the gallery and the poets
David Giannini, coordinator davidgpoet@gmail.com.
Rambling Poets Presents
Poetry Slam @ Parlor Cafe
Every third Thursday of the month The Parlor Cafe 303 Ashland St North Adams, MA $2-5 Suggested Donation – Bartering Welcomed. We are a 14 poet, 3 round slam, with cash and prizes awarded to all poets who sign up. Sign ups start at 7pm Poets meeting at 7:45 Event starts promptly at 8pm
www.facebook.com/RAMBLINGPOETS www.theparlorcafe.com
OUTSPOKEN!
Pittsfield’s Monthly Performance Series and Open Mic
– Outspoken! hosted by Matt Mcfadden, is held the 3rd Thursday of every month.
– Micro Theater (311 North St. in Pittsfield, Greylock Bldg. upstairs among the ArtOnNo studios –
Up the block from Jae’s Spice – Entrance to theater is around the corner on Union St. thru Orange door,
right next door to Mary’s Carrot Cake.
– 8 pm ($5 suggested donation)
– Interested open mic performers can sign up for 5 minute slot by
e-mailing matt at mcfaddensrus@yahoo.com
– Those needing more information can e-mail the same address
Power of Words, Open Mic
Third Tuesdays 7pm to 8:30 pm Hosted by Garfield Reed.
This is an open opportunity to share poetry, readings, music and other spoken word.
Free and open to the public at Berkshire South Regional Community Center
Crissey Rd.,Great Barrington, MA Every third Tuesday of the month.
Please call Garfield at 528 4127 for more information.
In Words, Out Words in Housatonic
In Housatonic, MA there is an open mic for poets and performers of all styles and ages.
1st Tuesday of each month at the Deb Koffman Gallery 137 Front Street, Housatonic, MA 01236. “In Words, Out Words.” is hosted by Francine Ciccarelli and there is usually a $1-6 suggested donation for heat and electricity. There are snacks there provided by whoever wants to bring them. The open mic begins at 7 and the featured performer goes on for about 20 minutes. It usually lasts until between 9 and 9:30.
Zeitgeist Gallery Pittsfield
Monday Poetry Nights 6 to10pm
648 North Street in Pittsfield
call Alan Nidle, the Director at (857) 991-8448 for details
WORD IN WORCESTER
Poetry, People!
Every Thursday 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm (sometimes later)
@ The Coffee Loft
406 Lincoln Street
Marlborough, MA
508.251.1431
Poetry, verse, and short stories are are welcome at this very friendly, informal open reading. Now booking for features to start in March. Please contact Jarad at CoffeeLoftBooking@gmail.com for more info or to become a featured poet.
The Little “a” Poetry Series
Every Thursday night at 7pm, with an open mic preceding the feature. It is free and all ages, and will be held at The Strange Attractor, 97D Webster St, Worcester MA. Hosted by “Cowboy” Matt Hopewell, who also does the booking and can be reached at themadcowboy@gmail.com or by phone at (508) 479 8311 .
More to follow as August and September dates are confirmed!
The d’Alzon Arts Series: Poetry Reading
takes place at Assumption College (500 Salisbury Street, Worcester) in the Emmanuel d’Alzon Library on the third Friday of each month during the academic year. The format is an open mic for the first half-hour or so, a short break with refreshments and then 2 featured poets.. The reading starts at 7:00 p.m. and typically runs for 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Readings run throughout the school year. See below for Sept’s reading:
The Dirty Gerund
The Dirty Gerund Poetry Show will be held every Monday night starting at 8:30 p.m. The reading is being held at Ralph’s Chadwick Square Diner (148 Grove Street, Worcester) and is hosted by Rushelle Frazier. There will be an open mic every week with a mix of poetry slams and featured poets. No cover; donations accepted. 21+ Please join us at our new home,
CONNECTICUT POETRY
Since CT has a wonderful and comprehensive newsletter online, I have decided to cut the CT Poetry section from Poetry News and only post special events that might be of interest to MA poets. Write to Terri Klein at ctpoetnews@yahoo.com to get the CT Poet newsletter in your email, or the CT Poetry Calendar is online at www.ctpoetrycalendar.com
BOSTON/CAPE COD POETRY
If you want more events in the Boston area (and there are many more!) write to Dan Bouchard to get his poetry calendar in your email at bouchard@MIT.EDU
The Brockton Poetry Series
at The Fuller Craft Museum
455 Oak St. Brockton, MA
508-588-6000
Third Saturday each month
Poetry workshop at 12:00
Open mic 2:15
Our feature poets 3:00
New website up and running mid-month. artsbrockton.org
The Fuller Craft Museum, in Northwest Brockton, has invited us to hold our monthly poetry readings in their beautiful facilities. The Fuller is a highly regarded, internationally known museum with a lovely reflection pool, kitchen, and of course, interesting monthly craft/art shows. (fullercraft.org)
Cantab Lounge
Every Wednesday Night at 8, Featured Poet, Poetry Slam!
738 Mass Ave., Cambridge, MA
Doors for the show open at 7:15. The open mic begins at 8:00 and the
feature performs at approximately 10:00. When indicated (most nights),
an open poetry slam follows the feature. The show is 18+ (ID required)
and the cover charge is $3 unless otherwise noted.
Lizard Lounge Poetry Jam Sunday Night!
Cambridge Common 1667 Mass. Ave., Cambridge
$5 Cover Every Sunday Poetry Slam: 8:00 pm, Feature: 9:30 pm, Open Mike: 10:30 pm
617-547-0759 http://poetryjam.org/
Stone Soup Poetry
meets from 8-10 pm. every Monday at the Out of The Blue Art
Gallery at 106 Prospect Street in Cambridge with an open mic sign-up at 7:30
p.m. A featured poet follows the open mic.
For links to the feature’s work, information on future features and more, visit
the Stone Soup Web site: http://stonesouppoetry.blogspot.com
For updated info on Cape activities go to Barry Hellman’s website on Facebook at:
Lowell Poetry Slam and Open Mic
Every FIRST Thursday at Brew’d Awakening! Only poets can compete in the slam and win the prize… but the mic is open to musical performers as well. Whether you come to perform, compete or just enjoy some coffee and great local talent, don’t miss this event! 7:00pm – 9:30 pm *Sign-up between 6:30-7:00*
The event is free and open to the public—so come on down for an evening of good company and some terrific regional voices!
Brew’d Awakening Coffeehaus, 61 Market Street, Lowell, MA 978-454-BREW
For more info, please email CIntern2@lowellma.gov
Lizard Lounge Poetry Jam Sunday Night!
Cambridge Common 1667 Mass. Ave., Cambridge $5 Cover Every Sunday Poetry Slam: 8:00 pm,
Feature: 9:30 pm, Open Mike: 10:30 pm 617-547-0759 http://poetryjam.org/
Newton Free Library Poetry Reading Series
The series meets the second Tuesday of every month open mic after features. Starts 7PM For complete information go to http://newtonfreelibrarypoetryseries.blogspot.com/ Director: Doug Holder http://authorsden.com/douglasholder
Cambridge Community Television
Tuesdays at 11:00 PM Saturdays at 10:30PM Catch the latest from the Boston Poetry Slam I
NFO: kentthompson@comcast.net
LETRA Poetry Nights
in LAWRENCE MASS Every TUESDAY at Julio’s 99 Club 99 Essex Street Lawrence, MA
Doors open at 7pm open mic starts at 8pm Admission $3.00 For more information or for directions please call Michelle Richardson at 978-423-7045
VERMONT POETRY
Brattleboro SLAM and OPEN MIC:
Every first and third Wednesday of the month.
First, Poetry Slam, then is an open mic
Equilibrium 14 Elm Street
sign-up at 7:30 event is 8-10pm
www.facebook.com/BrattleboroPoetry
For a VT poetry events calendar go to: http://www.phayvanh.com/
For info on Brattleboro poetry and Write Action visit their website – www.writeaction.org
Poetry readings at the Putney Library
55 Main Street, Putney VT (802) 387-4407
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News for Poetry News should be sent to lori@thepoetrynews.com. Please send your announcements in text only – do not format (no special fonts, colors, etc.) and check it for errors. Send by Wednesday for Thursday publication. Thank you, Lori Desrosiers – Publisher, Editor, wearer of all hats.
Poetry News 