Poetry Notes Calendar November 2022 plus a gaggle of announcements
poetlaure...@gmail.com
The calendar of poetry events for November 2022 is attached,
along with a guide and contact information for the events.
(If you print the calendar and guide, use landscape orientation.)
Scroll down this page for announcements.
First Tuesday Poets—on Zoom
· Tuesday November 1, 7-9 pm PT
· Poet in Context: Suzanne Bruce, Fairfield Poet Laureate
· Theme: “Where I find peace”
· Open mic: Present your own poetry, whether on-theme or not.
· Or just come and listen.
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88670282569?pwd=WEw5OWRMV2lLZEtzeEpJVWNwMG5xQT09
Dancing Poetry Festival Finale—on Zoom
- Saturday November 5, Noon PT
- https://youtu.be/XYe5NIxGmxs
“Women—The First Targets”—Live
- Saturday November 5, 7 pm
- The Beat Museum, 540 Broadway San Francisco
- Flyer attached.
Publishing & Marketing Workshop for Writers—on Zoom
- Wednesday November 9, 5 pm PT
- Flyer attached.
- http://www.benicialiteraryarts.org to register
Fairfield Juried Art Show—Ekphrastic, Live
- See attached flyer for full description, dates, and deadlines
- Art Show opens November 11
- Poems due December 8
- Ekphrastic reading December 10
Poets Featured in Various Venues
- Sandra Anfang will feature at Rivertown Poets Monday November 7
- Suzanne Bruce will emcee the Solano Country Library Foundation Author’s Luncheon on Sunday November 6, and will speak and read at the Fairfield Veterans’ Day commemoration Friday November 11
- Mary Susan Gast will present a poem at the Benicia rally for free and fair elections Wednesday November 2
- Evie Groch will be the featured poet for Ina Coolbrith Circle on Saturday November 19
- D.L. Lang and Kelliane Parker were among the featured poets for Tony Aldarondo’s Hummingbird zoom on October 27.
Publications
· Two poems by Suzanne Bruce appear in Poeming Pigeon, A Journal of Poetry & Art, Issue 12. She will be reading her poems at the Zoom launch of the book on Saturday
November 12.
· Kathleen Herrmann’s “Unwanted” is included in the anthology Post-Roe Alternatives: Fighting Back published by B Cubed Press.
· D.L. Lang had two poems in the Lake County Bloom on October 20. https://www.lakecountybloom.com/two-poems-by-d-l-lang/
Please let me know about any honors or awards for, or publications of, your poetry. This community of poets wants to celebrate them.
Calls for Submissions
- Join the Vallejo Poetry Society googlegroup for ongoing notifications of anthologies on an incredibly vast range of topics.
Go to https://groups.google.com/g/vallejopoetrysociety/about and click “Join Group.”
Mary Susan Gast
Benicia Poet Laureate
poetlaure...@gmail.com
The calendar of poetry events for December 2022 is attached,
along with a guide and contact information for ongoing events.
(If you print the calendar and guide, use landscape orientation.)
Scroll down this page for announcements.
Sacred Grounds—on Zoom
- Wednesday, November 30, 8:15 PT
- Mary Eichbauer featured
- Email maryei...@gmail.com for link.
Marin Poetry Center Anthology Launch—on Zoom
- Thursday, December 1, 7 pm PT
- Deborah Bachels Schmidt among the participants
- Flyer attached
First Tuesday Poets—on Zoom
· Tuesday, December 6, 7-9 pm PT
· Poet in Context: D.L. Lang, Vallejo Poet Laureate Emerita
· Theme: “Family Ties”
· Open mic: Present your own poetry, whether on-theme or not.
· Or just come and listen.
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88670282569?pwd=WEw5OWRMV2lLZEtzeEpJVWNwMG5xQT09
Alameda Island Poets—on Zoom
- Wednesday, December 7, 7-9 pm PT
- Featured: Readings from Yearning To Breathe Free—A Community Journal of 2020
- Email cath...@gmail.com for link.
“Goddesses in the Atmosphere”—on Zoom
- Thursday, December 15, 4-6:15 pm PT
- A creative showcase presented by Tricia De Jesus
- Diane Murray Ward among the featured poets
- Sign up at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/phynnecabulary-presents-goddesses-in-the-atmosphere-a-creative-showcase-tickets-473695103807
Holiday Party AND Release of First Tuesday Poets Anthology Nooks and Crannies –In Person
- Saturday, December 17, 3-5 pm
- Hosted by Benicia Literary Arts at Estey Realty 216 1st St, Benicia
- Flyer attached.
“December Cultural Celebrations” Open Mic—In Person
- Saturday, December 17, 2-4 pm
- Fairfield Cordelia Library—5050 Business Center Drive, Fairfield
- Hosted by Fairfield Poet Laureate Suzanne Bruce
- Flyer attached.
Publications
- Two poems by Jeffrey Kingman appeared in The Bloom, November 3. https://www.lakecountybloom.com/two-poems-by-jeffrey-kingman/
poetlaure...@gmail.com
The calendar of poetry events for January 2023 is attached,
along with a guide and contact information for ongoing events.
(If you print the calendar and guide, use landscape orientation.)
Scroll down this page for announcements.
First Tuesday Poets—on Zoom—Poems of 2022
· Tuesday, January 3, 7-9 pm PT
Poems of 2022—Your chance to share a poem you wrote in 2022 and a poem by someone else that helped or inspired you in 2022
· Open mic: Present your own poetry, whether on-theme or not.
· Or just come and listen.
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88670282569?pwd=WEw5OWRMV2lLZEtzeEpJVWNwMG5xQT09
Presentation of Poetry of Personal Theology by Claire J. Baker
- Sunday, January 8, 10 a.m.
- Unitarian Universalist Church, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington
Artist Reception and Poetry Reading for “Patterns” Exhibit
- Saturday, January 21, 4-6 p.m.
- Town Center Gallery, Fairfield
- More details to come regarding the exhibit January 12-February 17
COMING SOON—Call for entries in the 2023 Love Poetry Contest
Sad notice of the passing of Richard Angilly
Richard Angilly, President of the Ina Coolbrith Circle, departed this life on December 18. He is mourned by his spouse, Natica, and by all who have been touched by his poetry and his kind spirit over the years. Cards of support and condolence may be sent to Natica Angilly at 1515 Poplar Ave., Richmond CA 94805.
Publications, Awards, and Features
- Tamra Amato’s poem “Christmas Season” won an honorable mention in the Poetry Soup writing challenge in December.
- Two poems by Evie Groch appeared in the international publication Self Portrait.
- Lee Salomon has been Poet of the Month this December on the United Poets Laureate International website. Poet and Poems of the Month - December 2022
poetlaure...@gmail.com
The calendar of poetry events for February 2023 is attached,
along with a guide and contact information for ongoing events.
(If you print the calendar and guide, use landscape orientation.)
Scroll down this page for announcements.
Blue Light at the Gallery—on Zoom
- Friday, February 3, 6 pm PT
- Readings by Sandra Anfang, Trish Hopkinson, and Sandy Yannone
- RSVP to bluelig...@aol.com to get the link.
First Tuesday Poets—on Zoom
· Tuesday, February 7, 7-9 pm PT
· Poet-in-Context: Jeff Kingman
· Theme: Heart’s Desire
· Open mic: Present your own poetry, whether on-theme or not.
· Or just come and listen.
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88670282569?pwd=WEw5OWRMV2lLZEtzeEpJVWNwMG5xQT09
“How to Publish Online and How to Promote It”—webinar from Benicia Literary Arts
- Wednesday, February 8, 5 pm PT
- Wayne Goodman and Karen Mercury, presenters
- See attached flyer for details
- RSVP to lo...@requist.com
Chapbook Workshop—In person
- Saturday, February 11, 10 am-Noon
- Fairfield Civic Center Library
- See flyer attached.
- RSVP to fairfieldp...@gmail.com by February 8.
“Poetry Potpourri”—In Person
- Thursday, February 19, 11:30 am-1 pm
- Brown Bag Lunch, Poetry Presentation by Louise Moises, followed by poetry writing
- Epworth United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 1953 Hopkins St., Berkeley
Artist Reception and Ekphrastic Reading for “Patterns” Exhibit—In person
- Saturday, February 18, 3-6 p.m. (postponed from January 21)
- Town Center Gallery, Fairfield
- Send your poems to fairfieldp...@gmail.com before noon February 17.
Love Poetry Contest—deadline for submission February 20
- Flyer and Submission Guide attached.
- Love Poetry Celebration—Sunday, April 30, 3-5 pm PT on Zoom.
Ina Coolbrith Circle Annual Contest—deadline for submission March 31
- Flyer attached
- Poets’ Dinner—Saturday, June 3, noon-4 pm at Benicia City Park
SAVE THE DATE: “HOMETOWN POETRY” June 25—In Person
- Featuring newly-appointed California Poet Laureate Lee Herrick; with (by then) out-going Benicia Poet Laureate Mary Susan Gast.
- Zip Odes
- World premiere of the video “Benicia Our Home”
- At the Benicia Clock Tower, 3-5 pm
Publications, Awards, and Features
- Sandra Anfang’s new book Finishing School has just been published by Kelsay Books. If you would like a signed copy, email Sandra at rivert...@gmail.com
- Doc Janning, South Euclid OH Poet Laureate and First Tuesday Poets regular, will be one of four poets reading ekphrastic poetry for the art show “Dual Duel” in Cleveland Heights OH on February 16.
- D.L. Lang and Dee Allen. were among the poets reading for “Poetry in Praise of Mother Earth” on January 22 at Bird & Beckett Books in San Francisco. D.L. read from her new collection, Rainbow Weather: Poems for Environmental Healing.
- Poet Sandra D. Simmer published her first novel in January—The Reclamation: Earth Under Siege.
- Gail Wasserman’s poem “Declare a No Gun Zone” was selected for American Graveyard Anthology published by Red Green Books. The anthology will be sent to lawmakers in Washington, D.C.
Please let me know about any honors or awards for, or publications of, your poetry. This community of poets wants to celebrate them.
Calls for Submissions
- Join the Vallejo Poetry Society googlegroup for ongoing notifications of anthologies on an incredibly vast range of topics.
Go to https://groups.google.com/g/vallejopoetrysociety/about and click “Join Group.”
Thinking of Publishing?
- Jim White offers this link to 95 Traditional Poetry Manuscript Presses Who Do Not Charge Reading Fees
poetlaure...@gmail.com
The calendar of poetry events for March 2023 is attached,
along with a guide and contact information for ongoing events.
(If you print the calendar and guide, use landscape orientation.)
Scroll down this page for announcements.
Solano College Students’ Poetry Reading—In person
- Thursday, March 2, Noon-1:30 pm
- Solano Community College Library: Quinton Duval Reading Area, 4000 Suisun Valley Road, Fairfield
Nina Serrano’s Interview with Mary Susan Gast—Radio
- Tuesday, March 7, 2:30 pm
- KPFA Radio 94.1 FM
- You can listen to Nina on “Cover to Cover” every Tuesday at 2:00.
First Tuesday Poets—on Zoom
· Tuesday, March 7, 7-9 pm PT
· Poet-in-Context: Kathleen Herrmann, introducing her work on I Was There, Now I’m Here: Refugee Stories
· Theme: Heritage
· Open mic: Present your own poetry, whether on-theme or not.
· Or just come and listen.
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88670282569?pwd=WEw5OWRMV2lLZEtzeEpJVWNwMG5xQT09
Dramatic Reading from Yearning To Breathe Free—A Community Journal of 2020 In Person
- Sunday, March 19, 3 p.m.
- Doña Benicia Room, Benicia Public Library 150 West L St.
- Refreshments, Conversation, Book Sales
- Flyer attached.
Hike and Write with Solano Land Trust—In Person
- Sunday, March 19 (note date change; originally scheduled for March 18), 9 am – 1 pm
- Patwino Worrtla Kodai Diki Open Space Park
- RSVP by March 16 to fairfieldp...@gmail.com
- Flyer attached.
Memorial for Richard Angilly—In Person
- Saturday, March 25, 1 pm
- Unitarian Universalist Church, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington
Ina Coolbrith Circle Annual Contest—deadline for submission March 31
- Flyer attached
- Poets’ Dinner—Saturday, June 3, noon-4 pm at Benicia City Park
COMING UP IN APRIL:
Poetry Reading in Celebration of National Poetry Month—In Person
- Saturday, April 1, 10 am – Noon
- Readings by past and current Poets Laureate of Solano County, followed by open mic
- Fairfield Civic Center Library, by the pond.
Love Poetry Celebration—on Zoom
- Sunday, April 30, 3-5 pm PT
- Love Poetry Awards and Love Poetry open mic
SAVE THE DATE: “HOMETOWN POETRY” June 25—In Person
- Featuring newly-appointed California Poet Laureate Lee Herrick; with (by then) out-going Benicia Poet Laureate Mary Susan Gast.
- Zip Odes
- World premiere of the video “Benicia Our Home”
- At the Benicia Clock Tower, 3 pm
Publications, Awards, and Features
- Diane Murray Ward’s poem “Shivers” will appear in American Graveyard Anthology published by Read and Green Books.
Please let me know about any honors or awards for, or publications of, your poetry. This community of poets wants to celebrate them.
Calls for Submissions
- Join the Vallejo Poetry Society googlegroup for ongoing notifications of anthologies on an incredibly vast range of topics.
Go to https://groups.google.com/g/vallejopoetrysociety/about and click “Join Group.”
Mary Susan Gast
poetlaure...@gmail.com
The calendar of poetry events for April 2023 is attached,
along with a guide and contact information for ongoing events.
(If you print the calendar and guide, use landscape orientation.)
Oh, you may need to take a second look at the calendar. There were so many events
that we had to move April 30 up to the first line of dates.
Scroll down this page for announcements.
A Pageantry of Poetry—In person
- Saturday, April 1, 10 am – Noon
- Readings by past and current Poets Laureate of Solano County, followed by open mic.
- Fairfield Cordelia Library 5050 Business Center Dr—Fairfield
- Flyer attached.
Hike and Write with Solano Land Trust—In Person
- Sunday, April 2 (note date change; originally scheduled for March 18), 9 am – 1 pm
- Patwino Worrtla Kodai Diki Open Space Park
- RSVP to fairfieldp...@gmail.com
- Flyer attached.
First Tuesday Poets—on Zoom
· Tuesday, April 4, 7-9 pm PT
· Poet-in-Context: D.L. Lang, Vallejo Poet Laureate Emerita
· Theme: Value
· Open mic: Present your own poetry, whether on-theme or not.
· Or just come and listen.
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88670282569?pwd=WEw5OWRMV2lLZEtzeEpJVWNwMG5xQT09
Vallejo Poetry Festival: Vallejo Poets—In Person
- Tuesday, April 11, 6:30 pm
- Alibi Bookshop 624 Marin St, Vallejo
- Featuring Tony Aldarondo, Genea Brice, Kathleen Herrmann, D.L. Lang, Nina Serrano, Anna Quismorio, Rhonda Harris Slota, Jeremy Snyder
Vallejo Poetry Festival: Young Vallejo Poets—In Person
- Thursday, April 13, 6:30 pm
- Alibi Bookshop 624 Marin St, Vallejo
- Featured young poets plus young poets’ open mic
Poetry Reading “Going The Distance—Not There Yet” Zoom
- Sunday, April 16, 3 pm PDT
- Selected readings that have sustained us—sponsored by Benicia-Vallejo AAUW
- Flyer attached.
- Zoom link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88985225100?pwd=Tm9STlM3bkNlNDFkRzlSRXh1RlRpUT09
Vallejo Poetry Festival: Open Mic—In Person
- Thursday, April 20, 6:30 pm
- Alibi Bookshop 624 Marin St, Vallejo
- Open invitation to come and read a poem written by you or by someone you admire.
Live Poetry Reading—Open Mic
- Sunday, April 23, 6 pm
- Bookshop Benicia 636 1st St, Benicia
- Sign up by emailing skippe...@gmail.com
- On the subject line type BRING BACK THE OLD DAYS FOR ONE SUNDAY IN APRIL.
Vallejo Poetry Festival: Poetry Share—In Person
- Thursday, April 27, 6:30 pm
- Alibi Bookshop 624 Marin St, Vallejo
- Alibi Bookshop’s monthly book club celebrates Poetry Month by inviting everyone to bring a poem to share by a poet they’ve never read before.
Vallejo Poetry Festival: Vallejo Invitational—In Person
- Sunday, April 30, 1 pm
- Alibi Bookshop 624 Marin St, Vallejo
- Special guest readers
Love Poetry Celebration—on Zoom
- Sunday, April 30, 3-5 pm PT
- Love Poetry Awards
- Love Poetry open mic
- More info to follow.
SAVE THE DATE: “HOMETOWN POETRY” June 25—In Person
- Featuring California Poet Laureate Lee Herrick; with (by then) out-going Benicia Poet Laureate Mary Susan Gast.
- Zip Odes
- World premiere of the video “Benicia Our Home”
- At the Benicia Clock Tower, 3 pm
Publications, Awards, and Features
- Suzanne Bruce and D.L. Lang were among the 10 winners of the haiku contest sponsored by Downtown Tulsa Partnership, Magic City Books, and the Woody Guthrie Center. Now their poems are displayed on signs across Tulsa. You can see them at https://downtowntulsa.com/about/programs-and-initiatives/curbside-haiku How remarkable (as D.L. has pointed out) that two former Oklahomans became Poets Laureate in Solano County AND were prize winners in this contest.
poetlaure...@gmail.com
The calendar of poetry events for May 2023 is attached,
along with a guide and contact information for ongoing events.
(If you print the calendar and guide, use landscape orientation.)
Scroll down this page for announcements.
First Tuesday Poets—on Zoom
· Tuesday, May 2, 7-9 pm PT
· Poets-in-Context: PGN—Poetry Global Network
· Theme: World Community
· Open mic: Present your own poetry, whether on-theme or not.
· Or just come and listen.
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88670282569?pwd=WEw5OWRMV2lLZEtzeEpJVWNwMG5xQT09
Inspiration-Reversal—In Person
- Artwork inspired by your poems.
- Submit the title of your poem by Thursday, May 4 to Suzanne Bruce: fairfieldp...@gmail.com
- Read your poem on Saturday, May 6 for visual artists who will each choose a poem and then create an art piece for it.
- These creative collaborations will be shared in July.
- See flyer attached.
- Bring 2 copies of your poem to the event.
Solano County Library’s Local Authors Showcase—In Person
- Friday & Saturday, May 5 & 6 9 am – 5 pm
- Vacaville Town Square Library
- On Friday Suzanne Bruce presents talks, with audience interaction, on “Why Poetry Matters,” “How Poetry Heals,” and “Excitement with Ekphrastic.”
- See attached flyer.
SAVE THE DATE: “HOMETOWN POETRY” June 25—In Person
- Featuring California Poet Laureate Lee Herrick; with (by then) out-going Benicia Poet Laureate Mary Susan Gast.
- Zip Odes
- World premiere of the video “Benicia Our Home”
- At the Benicia Clock Tower, 3 pm
Publications, Awards, and Features
- Claire J. Baker’s poem “How to Pray” will appear in the summer issue of California Quarterly. https://www.californiastatepoetrysociety.org/publishing-with-us
- “Junebugs” by Tricia De Jesus Gutierrez appeared in the National Poetry Month episode of James Morehead’s podcast “Viewless Wings.”
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0vFC0iHVZDIwdtRpDFMJdC?si=paam_NthQvKxb6KMN8sP6w&dd=1
- Dan Williams garnered multiple prizes in the California Federation of Chapparal Poets 2023 competition, winning first place in the categories “Poems of California” and “Any Subject,” along with four other prizes.
- Love Poetry Contest entries were terrific. Award winners will be announced in a separate email, with poems posted on the Benicia Library website.
