POETRY E-NEWSLETTER FOR JUNE 2009

Poets and poetry lovers, Summer is here, and poetry is in the air! As always, the PNW is positively brimming with events guaranteed to make you sweat and cry and beg for air conditioning. Allow me to begin by telling you about a few items near and dear to my heart. I’d like to announce an exciting event: “Words,” a show at Angst Gallery that will feature collaborations between poets, songwriters, and other artists. I am seeking poets and musicians who would like to perform during the opening reception on September 4. See item number 1 below for details on how to submit art for the show, or how to be matched up with a partner-in-crime. I can also send you a PDF file of the entry form if you’d like. On June 10, I will be among those who will help Sage Cohen celebrate her fantastic new book, Writing the Life Poetic, at the Vancouver Barnes & Noble, a great resource for new and experienced writers alike. I am proud to be among those who Sage consulted while preparing the book, and she has very graciously asked some of us to share the mic with her that night. See item number 2 below for more details. I am also writing a monthly blog on poetics and community for Sage’s companion e-zine, also available at http://www.writingthelifepoetic.typepad.com/. Let me know if you want to read a copy of the e-zine, or just send Sage an email and get on the list. Sage Cohen is a shining example of the generosity I called for at last month’s open mic: a warm, open, talented person who is always thinking of creative ways to spread the word and get as many people as possible involved in our poetry community. And of course, as always, I am really looking forward to: Open Mic Poetry hosted by Christopher Luna 7:00pm Thursday, June 11, 2009 (& every second Thursday) Cover to Cover Books 1817 Main Street, Vancouver McLoughlin Blvd. & Main Street “always all ages and uncensored” For more info call 514-0358 or 694-9653 christopherjluna@gmail.com http://christopherluna-poetry.blogspot.com With our featured reader, Jeff Lair: Seattle area poet Jeff Lair will read from his two lavishly illustrated books, TALL GRASS and BUCKING AND BRAYING AT THE DARK EDGE, both of which will be available at the reading for $15 each. His often humorous writings turn out poetry's pockets for the spare change of consciousness clinking against the keys of life's dissonant chords where he discovers the sweeter harmonies hidden. Laugh and cry, give death the finger. Don’t miss him! *if* I roll up the living room rug, remove it, will the cat still puke? Jeff Lair POETRY E-NEWSLETTER FOR JUNE 2009 (compiled by Christopher Luna) TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. First Friday Artwalk in Vancouver June 5 Submission Call: WORDS 2. Writing the Life Poetic Reading at Barnes & Noble Vancouver with Sage Cohen and Friends June 10 3. Upcoming readings featuring Judith Arcana 4. Show and Tell Gallery Events June 1-15 5. Mountain Writers Series Columbia Gorge Writers Conference June 19-21 6. Green Poems Contest Guidelines 1. From Leah Jackson, Director of Angst Gallery: You are invited to attend the First Friday Artwalk Reception Hosted By 1220 Main Street Restaurant and Bar 1220 Main Street Corner of 12th and MainStreet First Independent Bank Building Vancouver, WA 98660 360.448.2020 www.1220main.com Friday, June 5th 5:00 - 7:00pm (please feel free to share this invitation with others - everyone is welcome) A free, fun evening of wine, hors d'oeuvres and guided tours of Vancouver's Fine Art Galleries! Come discover the art enthusiast in you! Please RSVP to Kristy Weaver at 360-735-3707 or firstfriday.artwalk@yahoo.com by June 4, 2009 Doing what you love is also good for you. Community Choices and Steps to a Healthier Clark County reminds us that: "Walking is for All Reasons and for All Seasons" Participating in First Friday Artwalk adds healthy steps to your life. ************************************************************ WORDS A juried show of art inspired by words (or words inspired by art) Have you been inspired by a word, a phrase, a speech, or a song? Have you written a poem, story, or song inspired by a work of art? All media are welcome, including the written word. Angst Gallery is currently accepting submissions for a juried show exploring the power of words. Accepted work will be on display in Angst Gallery for the month of September 2009. Work submitted and accepted must be available from August 24 – September 27, 2009. Entry Deadline is July 31. Show runs September 4-27. Opening night, September 4, will feature a live collaborative project. Are you interested in collaborating to create such a piece? Contact Angst Gallery by Saturday May 30 to be connected with another artist. How to enter: Fill out attached entry form and include a $20 jury fee made payable to Angst Gallery. Include up to 3 images that best represent each piece. A maximum of 3 pieces may be submitted. Images may be photos, slides, or digital images on CDR. These will be returned if you include a self-addressed stamped envelope. For further questions please email leah.angstgallery@gmail.com Official rules and regulations Entry form must be completed and returned with the $20 fee. Work submitted must be ready to hang if selected. Entries must be received by July 31. Artists will be notified by August 14 if accepted. Work must be at Angst Gallery by August 24. All art must be delivered to Angst Gallery and picked up when the show ends. If art is being shipped, return shipping must be included. Art that is not picked up 30 days after the show ends becomes property of Angst Gallery and may be sold (unless prior arrangements are made). Artists will receive 60% of the sale price of their work that is sold during the show. Angst Gallery will collect a 40% commission. An artist reception will be held on September 4 from 5-9pm. Angst Gallery 1015 Main St Vancouver WA 98660 360.253.1742 www.angstgallery.com Name______________________________________________ Address____________________________________________ City__________________State_________Zipcode__________ Email Address________________________________________ Phone number_______________________________________ Title #1_____________________________________________ Title #2_____________________________________________ Title #3_____________________________________________ Angst Gallery 1015 Main St Vancouver WA 98660 360.253.1742 Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat 12-5pm (or by appointment) 2. From Sage Cohen: I'll be taking the show on the road in June to discuss Writing the Life Poetic: An Invitation to Read and Write Poetry in Newport, OR and Vancouver, WA! Come on out and join me, won't you? This Tuesday, June 2, I'll be leading a Writers-on-Writing Workshop at the monthly Willamette Writers meeting in Newport. We'll explore what it means to live and write a poetic life--and will do a few exercises to prime your poetry pump. Tuesday, June 2, 7:00 p.m. Oregon Chapter of Willamette Writers Writers-on-Writing Workshop: Writing the Life Poetic Newport Public Library McEntee Room 35 NW Nye St. Newport, OR For more information, contact Sue Lick at suelick@casco.net or Dorothy Blackcrow Mack at dmack@netportnet.com. * * * * * Next Wednesday, June 10, I'll be joined by seven Writing the Life Poetic contributors as we celebrate the publication of Writing the Life Poetic at Barnes & Noble, Vancouver, WA. You'll hear excerpts from the book as well as wisdom and poetry from: Lane Browning, Dale Favier, Sara Guest, Christopher Luna, Toni Partington, Shawn Sorensen and Steve Williams. The event will be hosted by the one and only Shawn Sorensen, master of ceremonies. Wednesday, June 10, 7:00 p.m. Book launch reading and celebration featuring Sage Cohen and special guest contributors to Writing the Life Poetic Barnes & Noble Vancouver 7700 NE 4th Plain Blvd. Vancouver, WA (easily accessible from both major freeways) For more information please email Shawn Sorensen at crm2679@bn.com. 3. From Judith Arcana: Come to these independent bookstores for evening readings by Judith Arcana from her new chapbook 4th Period English poems written in the voices of high school students talking about immigration arguing and thinking together about those always-attached themes: race, nation, class, border & language June 4, 7pm at Looking Glass Books in SE Portland and/or July 9, 7pm at Cover to Cover Books in Vancouver, WA (with its regionally renowned Second Thursday open mic series) Both readings include work-in-progress; pick one date or come to both - mark your calendar now! Reading and writing are sustainable and organic. Support your local independent booksellers to maintain the community you need. for more info: http://juditharcana.com/index.php/arc/events/ and http://juditharcana.com/index.php/writing/book/4th_period_english 4. From Melissa Sillitoe: Hi Friends! The Show and Tell Gallery is located at Everett Station Lofts: 625 NW Everett Street #231—a working/ living art space community in Portland. Featuring visual, literary, and musical programming, Show and Tell Gallery Productions hosts free artistic events in public places and promotes collaborations between indie artists. Find out more about Show and Tell Gallery: www.showandtellgallery.org or Keep up with event listings through Myspace: www.myspace.com/showandtellgalleryproductions or Check out reviews of our events at: http:/www.brokenhours.net/blog Show and Tell Gallery Productions 6/1/2009-6/15/2009 Mark your JUNE Calendar: 6/1/2009, 7:00pm, 3 Friends Mondays Caffeinated Art Series: Jason McBeth Friends Coffee House, 201 SE 12th Avenue Portland, US Cost:free The Lightning Bug Romantics are 2008 Individual World Poetry Slam runner-up Jason McBeth and Michael Roberts, author of the Puschcart Prize nominated collection "No More Poems About The Moon" (2008 Write Bloody Press). Teaming together to eradicate the lines between page and stage poetry, these two touring performance poets are polar opposites. Peanut butter and Jelly and siamese twins. Michael Roberts is trustworthy, heroically humble, and a recognized saint in seven different religions in 32 languages. Jason McBeth, on the other hand, is criminally insane. Formerly an award winning classical theater actor, McBeth grew up as a ’ward of the state’ of California, an upbringing which fostered in him a keen empathy for the plights of the downtrodden and dispossessed. He tackles these issues and more with a ferocious energy and passion that explode upon the page and stage. For more information, audio and writing samples, tour dates, and booking contact info, please visit www.myspace.com/lightningbugromanticstour or call 310-728-9904 Carrie Seitzinger has been featured in poetry venues throughout Orange County, Los Angeles, and San Diego. She self-published her first book of poetry, The Dots Don’t Connect, and one of her poems will be included in this year’s addition of the literary publication Mosaic. She recently has fallen in love with and moved to Portland, Or. 6/1/2009, 8:15pm, Show and Tell Open Mic Three Friends Coffee House 201 SE 12th Avenue, Portland, Oregon, US Cost: FREE You know, you know--this is the Portland community's open mic. With the casual comfort of the coffee shop as your backdrop, and a welcoming audience of artists and appreciators, standing on that stage is everything thrilling. You will be pod-cast so later you can show and tell with all your friends who couldn't make it. In the meantime, you'll enjoy the pleasure of performing with other passionate people and maybe make new friends in the process. Amateurs and verbal veterans alike are in high demand every Monday, so just jump and come do it. You know you're a star, so show us! 6/5/2009, 6:00pm, First Friday and Three Friends Coffee House 201 SE 12th Avenue Portland, US Cost:free Sarah Cruse is this month’s exhibiting artist! Check out her art and enjoy live music by Exosphere at 8 p.m. 6/8/2009, 7:00pm, Caffeinated Art Series: Casey Bush 3 Friends Coffee House, 201 SE 12th Avenue Portland, US Cost:free Casey Bush is a senior editor, book reviews and poetry, for The Bear Deluxe Magazine, the Pacific Northwest’s finest environmental arts magazine, and is Non-fiction editor for the on-line magazine www.WritersDojo.org. Casey will be accompanied by multi-percussionist and didgeridoo master Charles Sorgie. Bill Shively is bringing a host of new material and no musicians (save you in the audience) from Astoria. On the menu are a couple of participation pieces, a broadside about Central Oregon and some frogs. Leuth Novotny nee Bartels (recently married & 8-mo pregnant) has been on extended performance hiatus. The current massage school student & kitchen-witch-crafty domestic goddess-in-training has a variety of art projects in development. Her writing projects involve longer works & burlesque theater concepts, so the artist will be reading excerpts from a multiversal poem-in-perpetual-progress (detailing her love affair with the hyphen!). 6/8/2009, 8:15pm, Show and Tell Open Mic Three Friends Coffee House 201 SE 12th Avenue, Portland, Oregon, US Cost: FREE You know, you know--this is the Portland community's open mic. With the casual comfort of the coffee shop as your backdrop, and a welcoming audience of artists and appreciators, standing on that stage is everything thrilling. You will be pod-cast so later you can show and tell with all your friends who couldn't make it. In the meantime, you'll enjoy the pleasure of performing with other passionate people and maybe make new friends in the process. Amateurs and verbal veterans alike are in high demand every Monday, so just jump and come do it. You know you're a star, so show us! 6/15/2009, 7:00pm, Caffeinated Art Series: Blind Dates 201 SE 12th Avenue Portland, US Cost:free This week we match up James Williams; Kevin Nelson and local poet and open mic hostess, Jamondria Harris. Guest 1 "Jamondria Harris is a poet writing in Portland, Or. She is fighting an often difficult battle to write poems with real objects in them while not taking the "I" for granted.She is fascinated by the surreal aspects of things both outrageous and mundane, and is also the current host of the Alberta St. Broken Word poetry open mic on Tuesdays at the Alberta St. Pub." James Williams makes music that is a mixture of awkward genius and twisted humor that transcends genres and comes solely from the mind of one man, his guitar, his voice, and his computer. He writes: "I am one man in my apartment recording my songs on Garage Band. Kevin Nelson writes poems but prefers to call himself a poet since that’s what his poems do. He has avoided publication to date. As a poet, he crafts clean and tight imagery and delivers it with a powerful punch. On stage he has natural presence and is recognized around Portland and at other random open mic nights in other random states as a rare type of poet performer. He not only writes, he breathes the words in from the page and releases them into life. Show and Tell Open Mic, 6/15/2009 Three Friends Coffee House 201 SE 12th Avenue, Portland, Oregon, US Cost: FREE You know, you know--this is the Portland community's open mic. With the casual comfort of the coffee shop as your backdrop, and a welcoming audience of artists and appreciators, standing on that stage is everything thrilling. You will be pod-cast so later you can show and tell with all your friends who couldn't make it. In the meantime, you'll enjoy the pleasure of performing with other passionate people and maybe make new friends in the process. Amateurs and verbal veterans alike are in high demand every Monday, so just jump and come do it. You know you're a star, so show us! Where else is Show and Tell? * become a "Friend" of Show and Tell on Myspace; stay informally informed about indie art in our community: www.myspace.com/showandtellgalleryproductions If you missed Mondays, you can simply click this link and check out the talent that happened on Show and Tell's Three Friends Stage during previous weeks: http://www.brokenhours.net/podcasts/3F/3F.html Hugs, Melissa Sillitoe, Host/Producer and Nikia Cummings, Marketing Coordinator Show and Tell Gallery: “Art. Caffeine. Collaboration. Good times.” www.showandtellgallery.org 5. June 19-June 21, Mountain Writers Series Columbia Gorge Writers Conference will be held at Columbia Gorge Community College’s Hood River-Indian Creek Campus and will feature award-winning authors William Kittredge, Annick Smith, Vern Rutsala, Tom Crawford, Monica Drake, Ceiridwen Terrill and Gerald Costanzo, the Director of Carnegie Mellon University Press. In addition to three days of workshops and classes, the public may attend readings both Friday and Saturday evenings at the Columbia Center for the Arts, located at 215 Cascade Street, in Hood River. For workshop descriptions and registration, go to www.mountainwriters.org Contact person: Tim Schell at tschell@cgcc.cc.or.us (541) 506-6171. Mountain Writers Series 2804 SE 27th Avenue, #2 Portland OR 97202 503.232.4517 pdxmws@mountainwriters.org 6. Green Poems Contest http://www.virginiabookarts.org/2009/04/green-poems-submit-your-green-poem/ posted by Kevin McFadden: Green. It’s the color of our money and the banner of our environment. It can be drab as olive or sharp as spring. Green Poems is a contest whose name says it all…but not so much that you can’t further the conversation. Envy? Pastures? Miles? Acres? We don’t mind where you take it–the ecological, the economical, the ecologonomical—just not too far afield of the low 500 nms of wavelength. Supported by Poetry Daily and the Virginia Arts of the Book Center, Green Poems is a contest whose prize is a limited edition letterpress broadside and an appearance on Poetry Daily’s internationally reviewed website. Grand Prize: 30 limited edition, letterpressed broadsides, created by artists at the VABC, and special publication of the winning poem on Poetry Daily (poems.com). Contest Guidelines Submission size: Two poems per submission. Each submission should have a separate entry form. Multiple submissions may be sent in the same entry packet, with appropriate forms and fees enclosed. Entry fee: $15 per submission made payable to the “Virginia Foundation for the Humanities.” (The VABC is a program of the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities.) Entry form: Get form by clicking HERE. For a printed form, send an SASE to: Green Poems-Form Request / Virginia Foundation for the Humanities /145 Ednam Drive / Charlottesville, VA 22903. Submissions received without a completed entry form will not be eligible. Eligibility: Contest open to any poet(s) living and writing in the United States who are not employees, affiliates, or students of Poetry Daily, or the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities. Rights to works must reside with the submitting poets, though they may have been previously published. Poems must be original work by eligible submitters. Considerations: No poem should be no longer than one 8.5”x11” page in 12 pt font. Poems should be stapled together and submitted “blind,” with identifying information appearing only on the entry form. Winning poems and honorable mentions may be made available online for a limited time on the VABC website, pending permission of the author. Deadline: Submissions must be postmarked by July 1, 2009. Notification: Winners will be announced in September 2009. Judges: Poets and artists of the Virginia Arts of the Book Center. Selections will be made on literary merit, engagement of theme, and visual interest as a broadside. Judges are poets whose backgrounds are in publishing and book arts. Each has editorial experience with nationally recognized journals, anthologies, and/or prize committees, including the Virginia Quarterly Review, Best New Poets, Little Big Form, and recent VABC Companion Poems, Belle Letters, and Taste ‘Test contests.