Diane di Prima, the most prominent woman among the male-dominated Beat poets, who after being immersed in the bohemian swirl of Greenwich Village in the 1950s moved to the West Coast and continued to publish prolifically in a wide range of forms, died on Sunday in San Francisco. She was 86. Her husband, Sheppard Powell, … Continue reading Diane di Prima, Poet of the Beat Era and Beyond, Dies at 86 (via NY Times)
Additional Info: About Button: Button Poetry is committed to developing a coherent and effective system of production, distribution, promotion and fundraising for spoken word and performance poetry. Information courtesy, YouTube
The 2020 Nobel Prize in Literature has been awarded to the US poet Louise Glück "for her unmistakable poetic voice that with austere beauty makes individual existence universal." She is the first American to win the prestigious award since Bob Dylan was honored in 2016. Toni Morrison was the last American to receive the prize … Continue reading Nobel Prize in Literature awarded to American poet Louise Glück (via CNN)
Additional Info: Poet: Aiya Meilani (IG @aiyapapayaa) After months of preliminary rounds with over 200 young poets hailing from the SF Bay Area, 12 finalists stepped up to the mic at the Sydney Goldstein Theater on April 6th for a night of spoken word poetry at 2019 Teen Poetry Slam Finals. Information courtesy, YouTube
"The Age of Phillis,” a poetry collection by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers, reimagines the life of Phillis Wheatley, a Black poet who achieved literary stardom as an enslaved young woman in colonial Boston. Though Wheatley, who died in 1784, left behind a sizable body of work, much of her biography has been recovered from the memoir … Continue reading The 2020 National Book Awards Longlist: Poetry (via The New Yorker)
Additional Info: About Button: Button Poetry is committed to developing a coherent and effective system of production, distribution, promotion and fundraising for spoken word and performance poetry. Information courtesy, YouTube
University of Wyoming Libraries is partnering with the Albany County Public Library (ACPL) to offer a series of events to celebrate African American poetry in October. Lift Every Voice: Why African American Poetry Matters is a national program dedicated to enhancing appreciation of the extraordinary range and richness of the 250-year-long African American poetic tradition. … Continue reading UW Libraries to Host Lift Every Voice Poetry Programs in October (Via Wyoming News Now)
Additional Info: About Button: Button Poetry is committed to developing a coherent and effective system of production, distribution, promotion and fundraising for spoken word and performance poetry. Information courtesy, YouTube
Stockton native and spoken-word artist Brandon Leake is going to the finals of NBC’s “American’s Got Talent.” Leake performed a poem Tuesday night about his relationship with his father and how it impacted him growing up. On Wednesday, the voting results were in — and Leake made it to the finals! “America, thank you so … Continue reading Stockton spoken-word artist makes it to finals of ‘America’s Got Talent’ (via KCRA)
Additional Info: Brandon Leake proves that there is power in words. Brandon might bring a tear to your eye with his passionate poetry to his father Tyrone. Information courtesy, YouTube
