Gregory Pardlo, Jeffrey Brown and Robert Morgan. Gregory Pardlo made national news recently when Digest (Four Way; paperback, $15.95), his second collection of poems, was awarded a Pulitzer Prize. A teaching fellow at Columbia University, Pardlo was an unexpected winner; his book had been rejected by all the major publishers when he submitted it in … Continue reading Three best poetry books of May (via Washington Post)
When spoken-word performer Paul Flores heard about the resumption of diplomatic relations and the process to end the Cuban trade embargo, he immediately thought of two places: Mexico and France. Mexico because he won’t have to go there first to sneak a flight to Havana and then sneak back in. France because he won’t have … Continue reading S.F. man plans spoken-word collaboration with Cubans (via SF Chronicle)
Back in the usual venue, the Warehouse Theatre, for the May edition, a hand picked line-up of poets and wordsmiths delivered a Spoken Word show that aimed to promote and celebrate originality last Wednesday evening. A bit of a step up from the usual, poetry lovers were welcomed with a red carpet and the beating … Continue reading Namibia: Originality Shines At Spoken Word (via All Africa)
Alice Notley, a poet who has worked in a wide variety of forms and styles in more than 25 books, has been awarded the lucrative and prestigious Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize. The prize, presented annually by the Poetry Foundation to to a living American poet for lifetime accomplishment, comes with $100,000. Ms. Notley, who was … Continue reading Alice Notley Wins $100,000 Poetry Prize (via NY Times)
Nobel laureate and political activist Wole Soyinka has put himself forward as one of three candidates for the position of Oxford professor of poetry, a 300-year-old elected post which is seen as the top academic poetry role in the UK. First held by Joseph Trapp in 1708, the professorship, second only in prestige to that … Continue reading Wole Soyinka leads candidates for Oxford professor of poetry (via The Guardian)
To a few adult ears in the audience, Deja Dennis’ spoken-word piece “Empty Seats” came across as searing comment on high truancy rates. “I look at the empty seats. And I fill them with dead bodies of those who attended schools turned crime scenes. Because maybe, if they had been here, they might still breathe. … Continue reading Peoria students find an outlet with spoken-word poetry teams (via Peoria Journal Star)
Full Title: The Writers Asylum Will Present an Evening of the Spoken Word May 16 (via Hartford Courant) The Writers Asylum will present an Evening of the Spoken Word on Saturday, May 16 at 7:00 p.m. at The Gallery on the Green, Canton. This lively and powerful community event will feature poetry and prose for … Continue reading The Writers Asylum’s: Evening of the Spoken Word (via Hartford Courant)
Full Title: Poets Help Give Underfunded Schools A Voice With Spoken Word Workshops (via Huffington Post) A team of young poets is bringing spoken word to kids that deserve a voice. Project Voice -- a team of educators and writers -- performs spoken word to encourage literacy and creative expression among young students. In celebration … Continue reading Poets Help Give Underfunded Schools A Voice (via Huffington Post)
CLPE = Centre for Literacy in Primary Education Hoorah for the just-out CLPE poetry award shortlist! What treasures! In fact it’s the only award for a book of children’s poetry in this country. Lucky for writers of children’s fiction there are at least 10 opportunities for them to submit to prizes which are solely for … Continue reading Why is children’s poetry so invisible? (via The Guardian)
Screams erupted Tuesday in the Washington Pavilion for the brave poets who performed. Young teens from every school in the Sioux Falls School District hollered and whooped, all in the name of an ancient literary art form. The Eighth-Grade Poetry Slam is a farewell of sorts, a massive event near the tail end of middle … Continue reading Students say goodbye with poetry (via Argus Leader)
