Massachusetts Statewide Poetry Calendar 2

Cameron Awkward-Rich is an assistant professor of Women, Gender, Sexuality Studies at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He is the author of two poetry collections – Sympathetic Little Monster (2016), which was a finalist for a Lambda Literary Award, and Dispatch (2019), winner of the 2019 Lexi Rudnitsky Editor's Choice Award. A Cave Canem fellow, his poetry has been published in Poetry, American Poetry Review, the Academy of American Poet's Poem A Day series, and elsewhere, and his critical writing can be found in Signs, Science Fiction Studies, American Quarterly, Transgender Studies Quarterly. 

Directions:http://www.library.umass.edu/locations/

Evening of Inspired Leaders–a fundraiser to benefit Mass Poetry–highlights the power of poetry to inspire and delight while showcasing an all-star field of leaders. Inspired by Robert Pinsky’s Favorite Poem Project, this event brings exemplary leaders in diverse fields together to read a poem that is meaningful to them and discuss its influence on their life and work.

You can support Mass Poetry by purchasing a VIP package (by March 1st) to join us at the dessert reception in Huntington Theatre's Studio 210 following the event! Become a sponsor here: 
http://www.masspoetry.org/inspiredleaderssponsor

Ticketing will open shortly! Check back for the link and more info. 

Speakers for Evening of Inspired Leaders 2020 include: 
- Mohamad Ali, CEO of International Data Group Inc.
- Andrew Bacevich, Writer & President of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft
- Meghna Chakrabarti, Host of WBUR's OnPoint
- Vikiana Petit-Homme, Regional Organizer, March for Our Lives
- Darrell Jones, Strongest Link Community Activist 
- Dr. Anne Klibanski, President and CEO of Mass General Brigham
- Julia Mejia, Boston City Councilor 
- Rachael Rollins, Suffolk County District Attorney 
- Yusufi Vali, Director, Mayor's Office for Immigrant Advancement
- Bina Venkataraman, Boston Globe Editorial Page Editor 
- David Waters, CEO of Community Servings

 Kathleen McCann lives in Weymouth, Massachusetts, by the sea. She has two chapbooks: The Small Hours, and The Sea’s Rosary in print and two full-length collections: A Roof Gone To Sky, and Barn Sour. New poems are forthcoming in Poetry Ireland and New American Writing. One of her poems, Lone Egret, was selected by Ted Kooser for his syndicated newspaper column: American Life in Poetry.
David P. Miller’s collection, Sprawled Asleep, was published by Nixes Mate Books in 2019. Poems have recently appeared in Meat for Tea, Hawaii Pacific Review, Turtle Island Quarterly, Clementine Unbound, Constellations, J Journal, The Lily Poetry Review, Unlost, Ibbetson Street, and What Rough Beast. His poem “Add One Father to Earth” was awarded an Honorable Mention by Robert Pinsky for the New England Poetry Club's 2019 Samuel Washington Allen Prize competition

The Boston Poetry Slam holds a weekly show every Wednesday downstairs at the Cantab Lounge. This is the flagship show of the Boston Poetry Slam and the entire night is devoted to the craft, performance, and enjoyment of poetry.
The cover charge is $4, cash or credit. No tickets are sold in advance. The poetry show is 21+, with a photo ID and Vaccination Card required to enter the venue. No outside drink is allowed— please patronize the bar— but you may bring food and eat it in the venue. Regrettably, the basement of the Cantab is not wheelchair-accessible; please email us to learn more about the space and to discuss accessibility options.
Doors open at approximately 7:15 for an 8:00 poetry-only open mic. The venue has a capacity of 75 persons with seating for approximately 60; if you want to sit down for the first part of the show, you will need to arrive before 8:00 PM. Large parties are strongly advised to arrive in a timely manner, as the show frequently sells out. If you want to read, come early, and be sure to read our Entry Line & Sign Up Rules.
There is a short break after the open mic at approximately 9:45, during which some seats usually free up for incoming crowd. (If the feature is popular, do not expect seats to become available.) After the break, the featured poet or event begins. Standard features last for 30 minutes and featured slams last about 60 minutes, after which our featured poets vend their product and chat with fans. As of 2023, the full show is usually over by 11:00.
For directions and parking, click here. For more information about how to ensure yourself a seat or a spot on the open mic, see our FAQ.