Fwd: Upcoming Saratoga Poet Laureate Events

[Dan Wilcox]

from Saratoga Springs' busy Poet Laureate -- note change in the schedule of the Caffe Lena Poetry Open Mic to the 4th Tuesday of each month.

DWx

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Jay Rogoff <jro...@skidmore.edu>
Date: Wed, Jan 21, 2026 at 10:18 PM
Subject: Upcoming Saratoga Poet Laureate Events
To: Jay Rogoff <jro...@skidmore.edu>

Greetings, Poetry Lovers!

Welcome to the first in a series of announcements of poetry goings-on in Saratoga Springs and the surrounding community. These listings include events I've organized as the city's new poet laureate, but also Kristina Kulin's LIT NIGHTS and the Caffe Lena OPEN MIC nights hosted by the inimitable and indefatigable Carol Graser. The Lena Open Mic asks a $5 donation. All other events are free and open to the public.

Tuesday, January 27, 7 pm, the Inn at Saratoga: LIT NIGHT: COMING OF AGE STORIES. Kristina Kulin has assembled an evening of growing-up literature and has asked me to read and discuss one of my poems as part of the program. The Inn at Saratoga is at 231 Broadway, Saratoga Springs.

Sunday, February 1, 11-1, Northshire Bookstore: POETRY REPAIR CAFÉ. I will be upstairs at the Northshire for two hours to discuss ways of getting your poem to do what you want it to--or to learn more fully what it wants to do. The Northshire is at 424 Broadway, Saratoga Springs.

Sunday, February 1, 3 pm, Tang Museum, Skidmore College: LAUREATE POETRY SERIES: A READING BY CHASE TWICHELL, APRIL BERNARD, & PEG BOYERS. Three nationally known poets, whom we are lucky to have living here in Saratoga, will read from their work, followed by a book signing and reception. This event is funded in part by Poets & Writers with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

       

Friday, February 13, 7 pm. Saratoga Arts: LIT NIGHT: LOVE POEM POTLUCK. Kristina Kulin invites us to celebrate Valentine's Day by bringing a favorite love poem to read aloud. Saratoga Arts is at 320 Broadway, Saratoga Springs.

Tuesday, February 24, 7 pm. Caffe Lena: POETRY OPEN MIC. A Saratoga Springs institution for 20 years, Carol Graser's open mic moves to its new schedule, the fourth Tuesday of each month. February's installment features the young, terrifically engaging poet Maggie Greaves, followed by an open mic for local poets. Bring your work! Caffe Lena is at 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs. $5 donation requested.

Finally, video of two laureate poems commissioned in January: "The Art of Governing," written for the New Year's Day inauguration of the Saratoga Springs Mayor and City Council (poem begins at 10:25 on the video: https://saratogaspringsny.new.swagit.com/videos/371010), and "History," written for MLK Saratoga's Martin Luther King Day Celebration, January 19, and read with audience participation; recorded by painter Anne Diggory (https://photos.app.goo.gl/zpBTkx5iKtCGZMTT8).

COMING IN MARCH: TWO POETRY REPAIR CAFÉS (March 1 at Northshire Bookstore, March 29 at Saratoga Springs Public Library), a Four-Week POETRY WORKSHOP for ADULT POETS at Saratoga Springs Public Library, an APRIL FOOL'S EVE reading of original comic poems (March 31, venue TBA), and MORE! Stay tuned for details.

And don't hesitate to get in touch with questions, suggestions, or even to let me know that you'd rather not receive these emails.

Metaphorically yours,

Jay

Jay Rogoff

Saratoga Springs Poet Laureate, 2026-2027

jro...@skidmore.edu

Learn about my latest book, Becoming Poetry: Poets and Their Methods,

and my most recent poetry collection, Loving in Truth: New and Selected Poems