To the uninitiated, the Grand Rapids poetry and spoken word scene may still appear to be an underground movement. But to those in the know, it is exploding in popularity with regular events happening at a myriad of venues across the city. The continued vitality of the community in part may be owed to those … Continue reading Local wordsmiths produce a preponderance of poetry (via Rapid Growth)
Do you have a notebook full of poems you want someone hear? Or maybe a story that needs to be read out loud? A song in your head that wants an audience? A whole new community of like-minded individuals is waiting for you in 2015, with help from the Union County Community Arts Council. Barbara … Continue reading ‘Spoken word’ highlights upcoming Union County event (via Charlotte Observer)
Last year, Sam Tidwell walked across America. On Thursday, he walked into the auditorium at Soledad High School to speak to 300 seniors about poetry and writing. His message: It doesn’t take a cross-country sojourn to bring out your creativity. The journey starts within. Tidwell, a 23-year-old college graduate, described a year of walking from … Continue reading The Five R’s: Poetry in motion (via The Californian)
This Poetry Pairing features Leah Umansky’s poem “Khaleesi Says” and the Op-Ed column “Bring Me My Dragons!” by Maureen Dowd. A new Poetry Pairing appears on the first Thursday of each month. To view all the Poetry Pairings we’ve published in collaboration with the Poetry Foundation since 2010, and to find activity sheets to help … Continue reading Poetry Pairing | ‘Khaleesi Says’ (via NYTimes)
First, their moving performance on TheQueen Latifah Show went viral, and now these Los Angeles teen poets are just a few donations away from changing some lives. Founded in 2006 by teacher and literacy coach Diane Luby Lane, Get Lit is a non-profit organization striving to bolster teen literacy rates through poetry. By bringing their specially designed curriculum to … Continue reading The Teen Spoken Word Poets That Enchanted the Internet (via GOOD Magazine)
Teens and tweens are invited to join the Poetry Club at the Madison Public Library. Each meeting will include a chance to read a favorite poem (original or not) and a chance to learn some new styles and approaches to writing poetry that may simplify the process and offer new inspiration for writing poet. The … Continue reading Madison Public Library invites teens and tweens to join their Poetry Club (via NJ.com)
Full Title: IN-Q brings poetry to pop culture with concert also featuring Mike Posner, Magic Giant (via SGV Tribune) Los Angeles resident IN-Q, short for IN-Question, started rapping at age 13. He was sure he’d get signed to a record label and become an internationally-known emcee. He began working toward his goal, but by the … Continue reading IN-Q brings poetry to pop culture (via SGV Tribune)
Stanza after stanza of rich poetry flowed out of the memories and hearts of Covenant Harvest Academy students during the school's third Poetry Out Loud competition Wednesday. The event is part of students' studies in English teacher Joy Noga's class, and helps them to dive deep into complex, emotion-filled poems and to learn more about … Continue reading Passion for poetry (via Morning Sun)
Full Title: Natasha Trethewey | A conversation on what it means to be a Poet Laureate (via Eternal Graffiti) A couple days ago I talked about a conversation I had with a younger poet who did not know who Shane Koyczan was. Which reminded me of a conversation I had at a youth writing workshop … Continue reading A conversation on what it means to be a Poet Laureate (via Eternal Graffiti)
Poets and publishers from around the world will converge upon Bridgewater College Jan. 15-18 for a conference to celebrate poetry, creativity and the global exchange of ideas. The Bridgewater International Poetry Festival is designed primarily as a performance venue, but will also feature seminars and informal sessions in the college’s Boitnott Room for discussion and … Continue reading Bridgewater College to host International Poetry Festival (via Augusta Free Press)
