Massachusetts Statewide Poetry Calendar 2

Amesbury Public Library fall poetry series opens on Tuesday, September 26th ,6:00- 7:30 PM, with local poet and poetry organizer Toni Treadway. Toni has been a member of the Powow River Poets of Newburyport for about fourteen years. She is co-organizer of their reading series at the Newburyport Library since 2015. In poetry she searches for music in nature and to understand odd struggles with odd friends. A handful are online in The Flea and The Poetry Porch: the Wild Men Wild Women edition. At the library she will read a new poem, "Sachem's Island", which is a story set in an earlier time in a great salt marsh. She restores old movie film for museums and archives and sings in the Newburyport Choral Society. Toni is a regular reader at the Whittier Home's Tapestry of Voices poetry event held each August. The library hosts a monthly poetry series with an open mic. Each month there is a featured poet followed by a discussion, an open mic and light refreshments. Lainie Senechal, Amesbury Poet Laureate, hosts this event. 149 Main St., Amesbury. Free and open to the public.

The bimonthly Powow River Poets Readings Series, started in 1992, is free and open to the public, and includes an Open Mic. Poetry enthusiasts are urged to attend. Most readings are held on the second Saturday of the month at 3:00 p.m. at the Newburyport Public Library, 94 State Street in Newburyport, Massachusetts.
Past readers have featured such eminent poets as former NEA Chairman Dana Gioia, X.J. Kennedy, Alicia Stallings, David Ferry, Robert Shaw, and talented newcomers like Anthony Hecht Poetry Prize recipient Rose Kelleher. 
Recent invited poets included New Criterion Award winner Dan Brown, poet and translator Rachel Hadas, magazine editors and award-winning poets David Yezzi and Joseph Bottum. Other Powow readers include Catherine Tufariello, Josh Mehigan, Mimi White, Catherine Chandler, Ernie Hilbert, Rick Mullin, Nick Balbo, Annie Finch, and other fine poets and friends of the formalist tradition.
The Open Mic is limited to ten poets, so come early to the library to sign up. The time limit is one poem or two minutes, whichever is shorter, so please time your reading when you rehearse.   

Amesbury Public Library begins its 2020 poetry series, with featured poet, Toni Treadway. Toni has been a member of the Powow River Poets since 2004. Her first poetry book “Late Harvest” came last year from Kelsay Books. Its title poem was a runner up for the 2019 Robert Frost Prize in Lawrence, Mass. She became co-organizer of the Powow Poets reading series at the Newburyport Public Library in 2015. She listens for music in nature and to share old struggles with odd friends. A handful of her poems are online with links on her page at the PowowRiverPoets.com website. She restores old movie film for archives with her partner Bob Brodsky and they sing in the Newburyport Choral Society. Toni is an enthusiastic reader at the Whittier Home's Tapestry of Voices poetry event held each August.
The Amesbury Public Library, 149 Main St. hosts a monthly poetry series with an open mic. Each month there is a featured poet followed by a discussion, an open mic and light refreshments. Ellie O'Leary, Amesbury Poet Laureate, hosts this event. Free and open to the public. For info: amesburypubliclibrary.org or 978-388-9771

Join local writers for the next quarterly Author Talk at FYACS with Memoir writers Calvin Hennick and Mimi Lemay as they talk about writing from a personal place. Moderated by Melrose author and Memoirist Jane Roper. $5 for members/$10 for non-members. Click here for tickets.

Mimi Lemay, a former Melrose resident, became an advocate for transgender and non-binary youth shortly after her son Jacob’s transition in 2014, at the age of four. Published in November 2019, Lemay’s memoir, What We Will Become, has received a starred review from Publishers Weekly, Booklist and Library Journal and a ringing endorsement from Congressman Joe Kennedy III who said, “It is a striking call to action for a country where every child is worthy, believed in, and loved.”
Calvin Hennick’s debut memoir, “Once More to the Rodeo,” holds a mirror up to both himself and modern America, as he grapples with what it means to be a white father to a biracial son. In search of answers, Calvin takes his young son on the road, traveling across the country to the annual rodeo in his small Iowa hometown. “Once More to the Rodeo” received the Pushcart Press Editors' Book Award and was named one of the Best 100 Books of the Year by Amazon.
There will be refreshments and books will be sold onsite during the event by Whitelam Books of Reading. Get yours signed by the authors on at the event.

The featured poets and artist for the evening:

David Davis, who was the first Poet in Residence at Joppa Flats and the founder of this series.

Janet MacFadyen (poet) and Stephen Schmidt (photographer), who will present a collaborative reading:

ADRIFT IN THE HOUSE OF ROCKS
a praise song for the earth

Janet will read poetry from their book, set to a slideshow of Steve's photos. “Now more than ever we need to rediscover our roots in the physical earth, and our dependency on the natural world. Join us on a journey to the beautiful, and besieged, national parklands of the desert southwest.”


An open mic will follow the features. For more info contact Lainie Senechal, Poet in Residence at Joppa Flats: emsenechal@gmail.com.

Come enjoy Tapas appetizers, drinks, and conversation in an intimate setting with novelist and short story writer Andre Dubus III.

Andre’s seven books include the New York Times’ bestsellers House of Sand and Fog, The Garden of Last Days, and his memoir, Townie. His most recent novel, Gone So Long, has received starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly and Library Journal and has been named on many “Best Books” lists, including selection for The Boston Globe’s “Twenty Best Books of 2018” and “The Best Books of 2018”, “Top 100”, Amazon.

Mr. Dubus has been a finalist for the National Book Award, and has been awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship, The National Magazine Award for Fiction, two Pushcart Prizes, and is a recipient of an American Academy of Arts and Letters Award in Literature. His books are published in over twenty-five languages, and he teaches full-time at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. He lives in Massachusetts with his wife, Fontaine, a modern dancer, and their three children.

Tickets are $50, and all proceeds benefit the Gloucester Writers Center.
See website for details:
https://gloucesterwriters.org/event/an-evening-with-andre-dubus-iii/

The first Monday of (almost) every month, the Gloucester Writers Center hosts an Open Mic! Come read your written work in what was once the home of Gloucester poet Vincent Ferrini. Now a home – of sorts – to writers everywhere.

Bring your words. Get Heard.

5 minutes each.

Free to attend.

Donations are much appreciated, and help us keep our lights on and our programs running

A reading from spoKe six including David Rich reading from his essay on Gerrit Lansing, James Cook reading from his essay on Sam Cornish, poems by John Mulrooney, Jim Dunn and Amanda Cook. Hosted by Karina Van Berkum and Kevin Gallagher.

David Rich worked as the poet Gerrit Lansing’s archivist from 2017 to 2018, and as archivist for Lansing’s estate from 2018 to 2019. He co-edited and wrote the postscript for Arcana: A Stephen Jonas Reader (City Lights, 2019) and edited Charles Olson: Letters Home, 1949 – 1969 (Cape Ann Museum, 2010). He studied archaeology at Boston University and theology at Harvard Divinity School. Rich’s poems and essays have appeared in literary magazines such as The Doris, Kadar Koli, Let the Bucket Down, No Infinite, Rain Taxi and Polis.


Amanda Cook lives in Gloucester with her husband, James, and children Abigail and Samuel. She sees writing as an integral part of life. She knits, spins yarn, plays fiddle, feeds people and dances when she pleases. She teaches and works at the Gloucester Writers Center. Her book, Ironstone Whirlygig, was published by Bootstrap Press in 2017.


James Cook signifies and represents in Gloucester, Massachusetts. He fathers-forth but presents change. He husbands. He has worked in high school education for more than twenty years. He has been the co-editor of the literary magazine Polis, and his work has appeared in Wards of the Wards, Let the Bucket Down, Jacket2, Process, Gaff, and Underutilized Species


Jim Dunn is a poet and author of Soft Launch (Bootstrap, 2008), Convenient Hole (Pressed Wafer, 2004), and Insects In Sex (Falling Angel Press, 1995). His work has appeared in several publications, including spoKe, Polis, Bright Pink Mosquito, The Process, eoagh, Gerry Mulligan, Cafe Review, and The Battersea Review. He edited the poet John Wieners’ journal, A New Book From Rome, with Derek Fenner and Ryan Gallagher of Bootstrap Press.


John Mulrooney is a poet, filmmaker and musician living in Cambridge, MA. He is author of If You See Something, Say Something from the Anchorite Press and co-producer of the documentary The Peacemaker, from Central Square Films. He serves as poetry editor for Boog City. He records and performs regularly with a number of musical groups in the greater Boston area. He is Associate Professor in the English department at Bridgewater State University. His work has appeared in Fulcrum, Pressed Wafer fold’em zine, Solstice, the Battersea Review, Poetry Northeast, spoKe, Let the Bucket Down and others.
 

Our next Monthly Poetry Reading will feature Eve Linn on Tuesday, March 24 at 6 p.m.. We will be meeting, for the first time at the Amesbury Senior Center at 68 Elm St.
Eve F.W. Linn received her B.A. cum laude from Smith College in Fine Art and her M.F.A. in Poetry from the Low Residency Program at Lesley University. She has attended the Bread Loaf Writer's Conference, the Frost Place Conference on Poetry, and the Colrain Poetry Manuscript Conference. She is a published poet and book reviewer. Her first chapbook, Model Home (July 2019) is available from River Glass Books. Her favorite color is blue. She collects antique baby shoes, vintage textiles, and art pottery. She lives west of Boston with her family and one demanding feline.

Our featured reading is followed by a brief question and answer period and then an open mic.

The GWC is a community Partner with Salem Film Festival again this year...

The Guardian says, “…a moody plunge into the anguish of the artistic process…By the end of this movie you’ll realize
that Gilliam’s struggles are humanity’s struggles.”

In 2000, when he Terry Gilliam first attempted a screen adaptation of Cervantes’ masterpiece, Don Quixote de la Mancha, the film director already had a Quixotic reputation: a filmmaker whose stories of visionary dreamers raging against gigantic forces mirrored his own battles with the Hollywood machine. HE DREAMS OF GIANTS picks up Gilliam’s story 17 years later as he mounts the production again. He struggles with budget constraints and heightened expectations compounded by doubt, the toll of aging, and the nagging existential question: What is left for an artist when he completes this career defining quest? Immersive verité footage of Gilliam’s production combined with interviews and archival footage reveals a character study of this late-career artist, and a meditation on the value of creativity in the face of mortality.

Featured poetry reading followed by an open mic. Jason Tandon is the author of five books of poetry, including This Far North (Black Lawrence Press, forthcoming 2023) and The Actual World (Black Lawrence Press, 2019). His poems have appeared in Ploughshares, Prairie Schooner, Beloit Poetry Journal, North American Review, Alaska Quarterly Review, and elsewhere. He teaches in the Arts & Sciences Writing Program at Boston University.

The Poetry Brothel celebrates pride with a special emphasis on the divine art of drag! Don your best high femme, divine masc, non-binary, and gender fluid lewks and fly that freak flag in all its glorious colors with us. Celebrate the glittery patina of performance at our mainstage, then cozy up in a private room with the poet of your choice to unveil the many layers underneath. Doors at 730pm, show starts promptly at 8pm
VIP tickets include premium seating, a swag bag of mystery surprises, and two tokens for private a reading.
At The Poetry Brothel, a “madam” presents a rotating cast of poets, artists, and artisans who operate within self-constructed character, “erupting into verse in public and luring guests into back rooms for private readings,” as described in The New Yorker. Central to The Poetry Brothel experience is the creation of character, which for each artist serves as disguise and freeing device, enabling The Poetry Brothel to be a place of uninhibited creative expression in which artists and audience members alike can communicate more authentically.
Artists performing with the Brothel are women, men, folx, people of color, queer, straight, emerging, established, local, and international. Their characters are faeries, sea creatures, witches, aliens, virgins, whores, and everything in between. Some of the artists within The Poetry Brothel universe perform sex work in their off-hours. The Poetry Brothel uses its platform to support sex workers and to educate audiences about the sex industry. At this event, we will be supporting NAGLY and North Shore Health Project.

In celebration and commemoration, we are hosting an OPEN MIC POETRY night completely open to the general public. All poets, artists, and writers are welcome!
This is an incredible Spoken Word Event to witness local artists and poetry enthusiasts coming together to share their voices and passions.
Special guest speakers include award-winning filmmaker and writer Ralph A. Celestin aka Ralph A. World from the cult classic poetry book A Toast to Life!
He will be reciting some of his critically acclaimed poems from his debut poetry collection A Toast to Life (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B6LY2Q1J)
And who knows who else will join the event and step up to the mic to share their poetry and art with the world!
This event is free, but we encourage all to make a donation to the organizers behind this event to continue to pursue creating content like this!

On Thursday, Nov. 16, the Poetry Salon will continue its exploration of local poets with a discussion of the poems of Clemens Schoenebeck of Swampscott, Mass. Schoenebeck has published two books: “Dancing with Fireflies,” a memoir, and “Where the Time Went,” a book of poems. His poems invite us to see possibilities of joy in the everyday, be it garden flowers or the Brahms Requiem, a brilliant sunset or the sterling qualities of a friend.
The Salon meets from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Please join Claire Keyes, Professor Emerita of Salem State University, at Abbot Public Library in Marblehead at 3 Brook Road or online via Zoom. Registration for Zoom access will be available here. No registration is required to attend in person. Packets will be available at the library and online at abbotlibrary.org.
Schoenebeck’s book of poems can be reserved to check out from the library at marblehead.noblenet.org.

On Thursday, Dec. 14, the Poetry Salon at Abbot Public Library will continue its study of local poets with Marblehead resident Jennifer Martelli. Martelli’s poems have been described as “both artful and angry, finely-crafted and fierce.” She is the author of “The Queen of Queens” and “My Tarantella,” awarded Honorable Mention from the Italian-American Studies Association, selected as a “Must Read” by the Massachusetts Center for the Book, and named as a finalist for the Housatonic Book Award. In her poetry, Martelli is “unafraid to grapple with difficult topics.” At the same time, readers of Jennifer Martelli’s poems will discover an “uncommon beauty.” Her work has appeared in numerous journals including Poetry, Tahoma Literary Review, and Verse Daily among others. She has twice received grants from the Massachusetts Cultural Council for her poetry.
Please join Claire Keyes, Professor Emerita at Salem State University, from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. or via Zoom as we welcome Martelli to the Poetry Salon. To attend via Zoom, please register in advance for this meeting at abbotlibrary.org/events. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Join us at historic Old Town Hall for an evening of unforgettable performances and abundantly positive vibes. Dress to impress in your Gala-worthy attire and get ready to witness local artists showcase their creative brilliance!

Whether you're a performer or an art enthusiast, this event is perfect for anyone looking to immerse themselves in local creativity. Bring along friends–everyone is welcome in this safe space for all!

Our stunning venue at the Old Town Hall sets the stage for this community gathering. Illuminated by the soft glow of chandeliers, we aim to share work that captures the intricate (and often complex) emotions of the New Year. For that reason, this event is 18+. Save the date, pick out your favorite outfit, and prepare to welcome the New Year in style!

Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to be part of an evening filled with laughter, music, and creativity. If you're hoping to perform, arrive early to secure your spot and enjoy the entire experience.

We're eagerly anticipating your presence at the New Year's Gala: An Open Mic Experience! Stay tuned to @technicolor_tangerine_creative for updates on featured artists and more. :)

Join Portsmouth, NH Poet Laureate, Diannely Antigua for a generative writing workshop! Attendees will receive prompts and inspiration to write during this workshop, and leave with seeds for several new poems. There will be opportunities to share and to ask questions along the way!
Emerging writers are welcome, and no previous writing experience is necessary.

Registration is required for this free program. Please sign up here:
https://hwlibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/poetry-writing-workshop-with-diannely-antigua/