Poetry News May 11, 2015

***POETRY NEWS***

Here is your Poetry News for the week of May 11, 2015
Scroll down to see or link to more poetry in Worcester, the Berkshires, Boston, Vermont and other areas.
To receive Poetry News in your email or to request posting of events write to lori@thepoetrynews.com.

Some Highlights of This Week in Western MA (more below):
Tue. May 12 – Mckendy Fils-Aime and open mic at The Deuce, WWII Club, Northampton, 8pm
Tue. May 12 – UNBUTTONED features Michael Casey, Luthiers, Easthampton, 7pm
Thu. May 14 – Florence Poets Society meeting & poetry share, Lilly Lib. Florence, 6:30pm
Fri. May 15 – Dennis Pollock book launch, The Bookstore, Lenox, 6pm
Fri. May 15- Shape & Nature Press writing & walking adventure, Northampton (see below), 6pm

POETRY IN THE VALLEY AND BEYOND

New Open Mic WED nights in Northampton!
Calling all Poets and Storytellers!
Sam’s Pizza and Cafe is now hosting
an open reading night, Wednesdays, 7pm
Sam’s Pizza, Northampton

ORANGE WORD
Open mic, featured readers:
First Monday every month, 6:30pm
The Bohemian Kitchen
23 N. Main St. , Orange, MA
Email paul@humanerrorpublishing.com for more information

Weekly Poetry Open Mic at The Deuce
Every Tuesday Night 8pm – 10pm
Open Mic Signup starts at 7pm.
World War II Club, Conz St. Northampton,MA
Upcoming Featured Poets and Slams
5/12 Mckendy Fils-Aime and Open Mic
5/19 Anthony Ragler and Open Mic
5/26 Ryk McIntyre and Open Mic
Please bring a 3-5 minute selection of your work to share
Fabulous website with featured poets http://www.northamptonpoetry.com/

Writers Night Out!
by Straw Dog Writers Guild.
Every first Tuesday of the month, 7-9 pm
The Basement, 21 Center St., Northampton.
Five minute open mike slots, then featured reader.

Reading/Book launch by Slate Roof Poet Dennis Pollock
Lenox, MA, Friday, May 15, 6 PM:  Join us in celebrating the publication of Dennis Pollock’s first collection,  Frozen Rope, at The Bookstore, 11 Housatonic St., in downtown Lenox, Massachusetts. Dennis’ poems are set in 1804 in Hadam, a fictionalized 19th-century western Massachusetts town. His poems capture all aspects of life, from incorporating the town to murder, the loss of children, and adoption. Dennis’ work has been anthologized in Holding True, edited by Barry Sternlieb, and in the First & Second Berkshire Anthologies. Other work has appeared in Appalachia, Blue Line, Potlatch I and II, Our Place, and October Mountain.

This event is free and open to the public. Hors d’oeuvres will be served, and The Bookstore also features a cash wine bar. Now in its 11th year, Slate Roof Press is member-run and committed to publishing area poets. Slate Roof chapbooks feature letterpress covers and hand-sewn bindings. Come hear great poetry, and learn about small press publishing, membership, and our 3rd Annual Poetry Chapbook Contest closing also on the 15th (see www.slateroofpress.com or https://www.facebook.com/slateroofpress).

Shape&Nature Press is happy to announce two interactive poetry events as part of its Flaneur Walks Pamphlet series:

Mental Detours, A writing and walking adventure with Betsy Wheeler
On May 15th, at 6:00 pm join Betsy Wheeler on a walking and writing workshop that traverses Northampton and turns the city into a muse.  Wheeler will lead you through a series of site-specific writing exercises designed to get you off the beaten track—to slow down, notice, and interact with the city in a way you’ve never done before.

This workshop corresponds with her book Mental Detours, the self-guided version of the walk created by Shape&Nature Press for their Flaneur Walk Pamphlet Series. Use the blank pages in the book as your canvas and be inspired by Paradise City’s chirping lights, bike paths, and steeples! A perfect outing for writers and creatives of every level. Not a writer? Grab your drawing pencils or camera and enjoy!

Cost: $35 – includes a copy of the book, a beverage, and a sweet treat from The Roost where we will meet at 6:00
For more details and to sign up online, visit: http://www.shapeandnature.com/MentalDetours.htm

Take a walk and read Simply Pedestrian, with Connolly Ryan
On May 29th at 6:00 pm, poet Connolly Ryan will be leading a group of flaneurs through Northampton and through his long poem/flaneur walk Simply Pedestrian.

Connolly Ryan  is a maestro of language and wit with an uncanny ability to see the world for all its beauty and ignorance. Adapting the role of the traditional poet-guide and giving it a modern-day twist, Ryan orchestrates a walk that not only leads readers through Northampton’s many hidden gems, but also through its multiple mythologies and cultural delineations. Imagine Virgil leading Dante through the Underworld, but with lots of humor and no monsters! Those who know Northampton well will nod their heads with knowing, while first-time visitors will be enthralled by the many layers of humanity concentrated in downtown and just beyond.

Const: $15 – includes a copy of Simply Pedestrian.
Meet in Polaski Park
For more detailed information and to buy tickets, visit:  http://www.shapeandnature.com/Northampton.htm

WRITERS READ
D.M. Dutcher & Sara Raab
Thurs. May 28, 5:30pm
at The Good Purpose Gallery, Lee

The Gallery of Readers Series presents
Donald Wheelock & Mary Beth Brooker
Reading from their recent work
Sunday, May 31, 2015, 3 PM
Neilson Library Browsing Room
Smith College, Northampton
Refreshments will be served.

FOUR VOICES
THE POETRY OF TRISH CRAPO, SUSIE PATLOVE,
CAROL POTTER AND PAULA SAYWORD
POETRY READING, 6-8 PM
FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015
GREENFIELD COMMUNITY TELEVISION
393 MAIN STREET, GREENFIELD
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
BOOKS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AND SIGNING.
REFRESHMENT WILL BE SERVED

Eileen Kennedy Book Launch Party
May 31, Sunday, 2pm
Pioneer Valley Co-Housing Common House
120 Pulpit Hill Road, Amherst, MA
Local Poet Eileen Kennedy will read from her new book of poems, Banshees. Kennedy has published poetry in more than 25 literary journals, online publications and magazines. She has also written and published fiction, children’s stories, nonfiction, and an academic book. She holds a doctorate from Fordham University, a Master’s Degree from Brooklyn College and an undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri, Columbia. She is on the faculty of Kingsborough/City University of New York. She has also written and published fiction, children’s stories, nonfiction and an academic book.

Writing Workshops: Strengthen Your Writing’s Power and Effectiveness

** Spring at the Central Library in the Community Room

Wednesday evenings, May 13, 20, & 27 and June 10, 2015 from 6:30-7:45 p.m.

** Fall at the Forest Park Branch Library in the Community Room
Saturday afternoons, September 19 & 26, plus October 3 & 10, 2015 from 1-2:45 p.m.

To register, sign up online on our calendar (www.springfieldlibrary.org) or call the Reference Desk at 413-263-6828 ext 213 or the Forest Park Branch at 413-263-6843.

This is a series of four writing workshops, designed for would-be writers who dream of publishing a book, but see a need to develop their writing skills first. These personalized workshops focus on improving grammar, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation, and other basic aspects of writing, and include workshops designed to help writers find their voice. The series is led by Phyllis St. George and partially funded by the Springfield Cultural Council.

1. Finding Your Voice: This is the first of four fun writing workshops perfect for the novice or more experienced writer. In Finding Your Voice, you’ll write free-form from visual prompts to find and enliven your unique voice as a writer.
2. Super Sentences: Strengthen your grasp on basic sentence structure, form, and grammar. Review standard syntax, and enjoy building a better writing style and vocabulary.
3. Editing Your Own Writing: In this interactive and dynamic workshop, participants will review the writing of one another and offer helpful and sensitive feedback aimed at increasing awareness of effective grammar, vocabulary, and style.
4. Reading to Find Your Own Voice: The best writers are also readers! Bring in a few pages of a favorite book, story or essay and, using the Amherst Writers Method as a model, write an imitation with your own characters. Feedback on the writing will focus on what is enjoyable and strong.

After the completion of the second series, there will be a public reading at the Central Library (to be announced) of writing samples created by the workshop attendees.

Fiction Writing Group at East Forest Park Library
122 Island Pond Road (Next to Rite Aid in the plaza)
Springfield
First Wednesday of Each Month
Time: 6:00 pm
Contact: Theresa Boulrice (413) 263-6836)

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/letters by Emily Dickinson are welcome.

FLORENCE POETS SOCIETY
The next business/sharing meeting is Thursday, May 14, 2015 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
Third Tuesday in Greenfield
9 Mill Street Greenfield
4/21: James Smethurst and Karl Meyer
And Nick Fleck will read from his new book
Doors open at 7:00
Reading starts at 7:30
There are 10 open mic slots of 5 minutes each
$1 to $5 sliding scale donation
Hope to see you there
Check email in case of a snow cancellation
Paul: paul@humanerrorpublishing.com
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.

“In Our Nature” writing workshops, spring 2015
Thursday mornings, May 7–June 11 (6 weeks), in Ashfield, MA

Cost: $28 per wk, or save $18 and pay $150 in advance. Can join after 1st week if there’s room.
We meet 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., primarily in my Ashfield home; once or twice, weather permitting, we’ll meet 8 minutes down the road at the whimsical, inspiring Three Sisters Sanctuary in Goshen, MA.
We follow the guidelines developed by Amherst Writers and Artists to keep our writing environment feeling safe.
Tuition includes occasional manuscript critiques (by the group and/or by me) for those who want them.
Whether you’re a beginning writer or advanced, new to writing with others or an old hand at it, passionate about nature, human nature, or other topics altogether … come write with us!
Not sure? Try a meeting at no cost.
Contact: Susan Middleton at 413-628-4039 or smiddle@crocker.com.
WORD IN THE BERKSHIRES
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
http://www.facebook.com/RAMBLINGPOETS
http://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
ALBANY, NY POETRY

There’s a vibrant and active poetry community in the Albany area.
Go to http://www.albanypoets.com/ for schedules and events!
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 .

The d’Alzon Arts Series: Poetry Reading
takes place at Assumption College (500 Salisbury Street, Worcester)
in the Emmanuel d’Alzon Library on the third Friday of each month during the academic year.
The format is an open mic for the first half-hour or so, a short break with refreshments and then 2 featured poets..
The reading starts at 7:00 p.m. and typically runs for 2 to 2 1/2 hours.
Readings run throughout the school year.
The 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 http://www.ctpoetrycalendar.com
BOSTON/CAPE COD POETRY
We are reprinting Dan Bouchard’s Boston Poetry Page here on Poetry News. Check it out!
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

VERMONT POETRY

Poetry Slam
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
http://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 – http://www.writeaction.org
Poetry readings at the Putney Library
55 Main Street, Putney VT (802) 387-4407
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