The recent brouhaha over North Carolina’s poet laureate has died down, but the objections to Gov. McCrory’s choice shouldn’t have surprised anyone familiar with the large and lively community of poets here. Poets’ expectations about who should hold that post might be expected to differ from a politician’s. After all, they care about poetry. They … Continue reading Final thought on poetry (via Charlotte Observer)
DR Neal Hall, hailed as the Malcolm X of International Poetry, is special guest at the fourth annual Jamaica Poetry Festival — The International Edition, which takes place next Sunday at the Louise Bennett Garden Theatre in St Andrew. The author of acclaimed books such as Nigger For Life and Winter's A Coming Still, Hall … Continue reading Big Names for Poetry Festival (via Jamaica Observer)
My 11-year-old son, Nate, perches on a stool in the kitchen, frowning at the sheet of paper in his hands. “O.K., I think I’ve got it,” he announces. “Lay it on me,” I say. “Much have I traveled in the realms of gold,” he begins. “And many goodly states and kingdoms seen.” Slowly, but with … Continue reading The Case for Bribing Kids to Memorize Poetry (via NY Times)
So interesting. During a recent stroll in Fort Tryon Park, in Upper Manhattan, I spotted a green placard emerging from a tuft of purple flowers. Its white letters read: Let no one say, and say it to your shame, That all was beauty here, until you came. I was enchanted to find a park sign … Continue reading The Mysterious Case of the Park Poet (via The New Yorker)
This is amazing! Always great when J. Ivy blesses us with his talent. Hip-hop’s favorite poet and Grammy Award–winning artist J. Ivy bares his soul in this inspirational memoir of pain transformed into healing and empowerment. J. Ivy is a true pioneer and trendsetter who’s bridged the worlds of hip-hop and poetry through his appearances … Continue reading J. Ivy’s Forthcoming Memoir Now Available for Pre-Order (via Amazon)
The Connecticut poetry slam team known as Verbal Slap is performing Saturday, Aug. 2, to raise money for its trip to Oakland, Calif., to compete in the National Poetry Slam. The fundraising event, called the Connecticut Regional Poetry Slam, will be at the M. White Lounge, 2288 Fairfield Ave., Bridgeport, from 7 to 10 p.m. … Continue reading CT Team Verbal Slap Headed To National Poetry Slam (via Hartford Courant)
Literature, Ezra Pound once said, is news that stays news. And for America’s state poets laureate, the news cycle has been churning since earlier this month, when Valerie Macon, North Carolina’s newly appointed laureate, resigned abruptly after an outcry from several of her predecessors. To the former laureates and other detractors, Gov. Pat McCrory’s choice … Continue reading Is Poetry Dead? Not if 45 Official Laureates Are Any Indication (via NYTimes)
Poetry has long been an action-packed artistic genre in Western North Carolina. Here, it’s not merely written but spoken, slammed and taken into schools (thanks to Poetry Alive! — which celebrates its 30th anniversary with an event at The White Horse on Aug. 15 — and LEAF in Schools & Streets, among other initiatives). In … Continue reading Poetic injustice: Locals respond to N.C.’s poet laureate debate (via MountainXpress)
Music, poetry and good vibes will take over the UMMI and Living Village Community Gardens this Saturday in Jersey City. Host and co-organizer Dujuana Sharese, best known as the wordsmith behind local band Spoken Sound, was originally set to have a one-act concert in the community space. With help from Mark "Wyme" Santos of the … Continue reading Music, poetry festival hopes to ‘Rise Up’ in Jersey City (via NJ)
Bay area poets! Calling all Billy Shakespeares! The City of Emeryville seeks your best villanelle, sonnet, haiku, free verse, or any other kind of poetry you deign to write (as long as it doesn't exceed fifteen lines) for its new contest, Poems on the Emery Go-Round. The Poet Laureate program of Emeryville (which is a … Continue reading Emeryville Wants Your Poetry (via EastBayExpress)
