Poetry Thursday/NEWS Wrap-Up
Happy Poetry Thursday!
Instead of a poem, I thought I would show pictures of last night’s New & Emerging Writers Series (NEWS) event (see below). We had our largest crowd yet in attendance, which was surprising for a muggy, beautiful June evening.
This summer, or winter if you’re in Australia or New Zealand, I urge you to attend a literary reading or open mic night. Challenge yourself to do something extraordinary. I did, and I’m a better person for the experience.
I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately. As a poet, I have to open my heart to people and experiences I would normally turn away from. Like a photographer, I am required to be unflinching behind the lens to show the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but. This is what we do—the artists’ way. All of us have the opportunity to change the world in some small way by sharing a story that would otherwise not see the light of day. A public reading allows us to celebrate what makes us different while reveling in what brings us together. In art, we celebrate ourselves—flaws and all. Together we celebrate our humanity.
I hear from so many people who have never been to a reading, or never read their work in public. Your community needs you. Find a way to get involved—you’ll be glad you did.
Enjoy the photos!
Instead of a poem, I thought I would show pictures of last night’s New & Emerging Writers Series (NEWS) event (see below). We had our largest crowd yet in attendance, which was surprising for a muggy, beautiful June evening.
This summer, or winter if you’re in Australia or New Zealand, I urge you to attend a literary reading or open mic night. Challenge yourself to do something extraordinary. I did, and I’m a better person for the experience.
I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately. As a poet, I have to open my heart to people and experiences I would normally turn away from. Like a photographer, I am required to be unflinching behind the lens to show the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but. This is what we do—the artists’ way. All of us have the opportunity to change the world in some small way by sharing a story that would otherwise not see the light of day. A public reading allows us to celebrate what makes us different while reveling in what brings us together. In art, we celebrate ourselves—flaws and all. Together we celebrate our humanity.
I hear from so many people who have never been to a reading, or never read their work in public. Your community needs you. Find a way to get involved—you’ll be glad you did.
Enjoy the photos!
Susan Weiner, freelance writer & essayist
Emmanuela Maurice, MFA graduate of Lesley University
Heather Hubbard, Boston-area author
Kara Provost, author of the poetry chapbook NESTS
Charles M. Boyer, author of the forthcoming The Mockingbird Puzzle
Cohost Erin Dionne, Sponsor Mike Buglio of The Book Rack, and a tired Poet Mom.
Comments
Love,
D.
Enjoy your blogging break. You will be missed.
Poetry workshop.
I am SCARED OUT OF MY WITS.
I have long admired your boldness..and want to grow..But if I kept my sunglasses on the whole time, do you think they would notice??
I hope you come to enjoy workshopping because having a few trusted souls (even one trusted soul) is key to refining your work.
Excellent!
Take our current president, for instance ...
You and your cohorts are heroes, spreading the good word, celebrating what is worthy between us, and championing companionship and good will. After readings, either as an audience member or as a reader, my world does get bigger, more magical, more generous.
You're my June hero!
I love to read my work. I have a number of recorded 'spoken word' pieces on my blog.
We have many poetry slams and spoken word readings here in Portland, Oregon -- but they all seem to be in bars.
After singing in bars and nightclubs for more than two decades -- I no longer drink, never smoked, so I am not fond of bars.
I wish I could find such events in more health-neutral environments.
Which just goes to show that you can find space for readings and gatherings anywhere.
I'll come by your blog and listen to your audio posts.
Thanks for the inspiration!
After almost a year without, there is a move among the literary members of our community to once again start up poetry readings in Dunedin (long a bastion of the arts.) We must have the most poets-and/or-writers-per-head-of-population of any NZ city. Probably because of the University's close links with the community ... I am grateful I live in such a place.