April Newsletter - HAPPY POETRY MONTH!

[Benicia Poet Laureate]

Dear Poets Near and Far,

LAST MINUTE OPPORTUNITY!  Deadline for submitting to the  Love Poetry contest is this coming Sunday night, March 23!  Let that love inside you pour onto paper and email to BeniciaL...@gmail.com. Check the guidelines attached to this email.

Our Celebration of National Poetry Month is OUR BEST TO YOU on Sunday, April 27, 2-4 pm at the Benicia Library.  

It's going to be a POETRY PARTY  with a luscious food spread and a fabulous Open Mic!  Come join us as 10 area Poet Laureates, past and present, and a wide variety of local poets choose their own personal best or favorite poem to read (or another poet's).  Save the date but no need to RSVP.  Flyer attached but correct date is Sunday, April 27!

There is much going on this last week in March continuing on into April.  I hope to see you at some of these events!

Thursday March 20, 10:30 for brunch, 11am for meeting: Table Talk, at The Inn at Benicia Bay, EAST D St., Benicia.  Join a group of writers across genres who exchange information on writing and publishing.  March 20 the topic will be "Starting Small" and participants are invited to bring some sample or idea about starting small. Next month's meeting will be moved to April 12. To RSVP or for more info, email grimm...@gmail.com

Friday, March 21, 6pm PDT on ZOOM: Love's Meditation! Readings from a beautiful anthology by four First Tuesday Bay Area Poets on shared themes.  RSVP to Bluelig...@aol.com for the link.

Wednesday, March 26, 7pm:  Poetry by the Bay, Mira Theatre, 51 Daniels Ave., Vallejo, for an open mic opportunity.

Thursday, March 27, 10:30am, PDT on Ozcat Radio, 89.5 FM:  Art Beat Poetry Hour.  Use the Tune In app to hear this in your local time zone.  Poets are invited to come at 10:20 to read 2 rounds of their poems on live radio.  Hosted by DJ Lala and Tom Stanton.

Saturday, March 29, 1-3:30 pm:  A Fusion of Film and Poetry, Vallejo Naval and Historic Museum, 734 Marin St ,Vallejo, Hosted by Vallejo Co-Poets Laureate Jacalyn Eyvonne and Kathleen Herrmann. Includes Open Mic. www.MonologuesInternational.com

Saturday, March 29, 1-4pm: Beth Barany Fiction Writing Workshop, St Paul's Church, Undercroft Room, First St., Benicia. An opportunity for those who also write fiction to sign up on Eventbrite. Details on sponsor's website Benicialiteraryarts.org.

Tuesday, April 1, 6:30-8:30pm: First Tuesday Poetry Open Mic in Benicia Library in the comfy chairs near the main room fireplace. Hosted by Yours Truly. All Welcome to bring 2-3 poems, each with a maximum reading of 3-3.5 minutes with longer pieces by previous arrangement. If you attended our workshop Keeping Our Hearts Alive during Difficult Times, please bring your poem inspired by socio-political experience. Come at 6:15 for cookies and conversation!

Saturday, April 5, 1-4pm:  Local Author Book Festival at Benicia Library is a free event where you can chat with authors, peruse books, and find out the rich literary resources of Benicia. Cosponsored by Benicia Literary Arts where you can find out more info at Benicialiteraryarts.org.

Sunday, April 6, 2-4pm: Poetry with Purpose at Alibi Bookstore, 624 Marin St., Vallejo. A reading, conversation and book signing with Lee Herrick, our CA Poet Laureate. Hosted by Vallejo Co-Poets Laureate.

Friday, April 11, 6-7pm:  Community Art Celebrated with Poetry at Temple Arts Lofts Gallery, 340 Virginia St, Vallejo.  Art may be viewed at the Gallery (call for times) or at their online website. Reception will follow. Send your poem(s) (inspired by 1 or 2 art pieces) of 42 lines or less in a word doc to khe...@gmail.com by April 8.

Saturday, April 12:  Table Talk. See March 20 for contact details.

Sunday, April 13, 2-4pm:  Tea House Poetry at Integrity Space,717 Marin St., Vallejo.  Open Mic opportunity sponsored by Integrity Project and Solano County Arts Council. 

Saturday, April 19, 5:30-7pm: Let Your Words Embrace Art at the NY2CA Gallery, 617 First St., Benicia. An Ekphrastic event featuring the art of Nanette Wylde. Viewing starts March 20 during regular gallery hours 12-5pm, Thursdays through Sundays. Your poetry or prose piece, maximum 400 words as a pdf, is due by noon, April 18, to becky...@gmail.com. Cosponsored by Benicia Literary Arts and the Benicia Poet Laureate.

Wednesday, April 23, 7 pm: Poetry by the Bay. See March 26 for details.

Thursday, April 24, 10:30am:  Ozcat radio. See March 27 for details.

Sunday, April 27, 2-4pm:  Our Best to You.  See opening description and flyer.

ONGOING...

The Joel Fallon Poetry Scholarship is available for seniors at both Benicia High and Liberty High.  Deadline for applying is April 11. See the guidance counselor office or school website for details! Sponsored by the Benicia Poet Laureate.

In addition to the Benicia Love Poetry Contest detailed above with a deadline of March 23, there are 2 other contests currently running:

Deadline April 1:  98th Annual Spring Contest sponsored by Ina Coolbrith Circle.  You may choose to enter up to 4 categories.  Awards on Zoom June 7, 1-4pm, and you must be present to win. Details on coolpoetry.org.

Deadline April 15:  Dancing Poetry Contest sponsored by Artists Embassy International is a large contest with many prizes.  Details can be found at www.dancingpoetry.com

In Peaceful Poetry,

Kathy

Katrina Monroe

Benicia Poet Laureate