Summer poetry newsletter

[Benicia Poet Laureate]

Dear Lovers of poetry,

Happy summer - may you find rest and inspiration in these longer days!

This is the only newsletter until the end of August.  Please make note of special events and recurring activities.

FIRST TUESDAY POETRY will be on hiatus until September 2 (Yup, right after Labor day!)  Instead we will have our annual POETS' PICNIC on July 20, 12:30-3, at Benicia City Park at the picnic grove alongside West K St near First St. I hope to see our usual gang plus some folks who have difficulty joining us in the evenings.  Bring your lunch and favorite drink (no alcohol allowed) and 2-3 pieces of poetry for the open mic about 3 minutes each for 2-3 rounds.  I will provide cookies and extra water for everyone.

The EKPHRASTIC to ART OF A COMMUNITY at ARTS BENICIA is coming up on JULY 12, 2-4 PM at 1 Commandant's Lane, Benicia.  There is still time to view the 190 art pieces at the gallery, choose one not previously chosen on the sign in sheet, and write your inspired poem.  Deadline for receiving your poetry is July 1.  Other specific instructions next to the sign in sheet when visiting the gallery. 

Even if you are not writing a poem, come on July 12 to hear some wonderfully inspired art and poetry.

 2025 JULY Ekphrastic Reading event FLYER.png

Another EKPHRASTIC at MAIN ST. GALLERY, MARTINEZ, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY will be coming up in the early fall with viewings starting September 5.  Save the date of OCTOBER 12, 3-5pm, for the reading. This will be cosponsored by the Poet Laureate Program and Benicia Literary Arts.  **Details will be in the late August Newsletter.**

OTHER EVENTS:

WEDNESDAYS, 7/9 AND 8/13, 6-8PM:  MEET YOUR POETIC COUSINS AND ANCESTORS, at JFK Library, 505 Santa Clara St.,Vallejo, a reading and explanation of the draft of famous poets.  Hosted by David Hakim.

THURSDAYS, 7/10 AND 8/14, 10:30-12:  TABLE TALK, at the Inn of Benicia Bay, east D St, Benicia.  An opportunity for writers of all genres to exchange ideas, resources, and explanation of the craft of poets of significance.  For more details and to RSVP , email host Beth Grimm at GRIMM...@gmail.com.

SATURDAY, JULY 12, 2-4PM, EKPHRASTIC TO ART OF A COMMUNITY (see above.)

SUNDAYS,  7/13 and 8/10, 2-4pm:  TEA HOUSE OPEN MIC POETRY at Integritea Space, 717 Marin St , Vallejo, hosted by Co Poets Laureate Kathleen Herrmann and Jacalyn Eyvonne.

WEDNESDAYS, 7/23 AND 8/27, 7:30-9:30:  POETRY BY THE BAY at Mira Theatre, 51 Daniels St., Vallejo.  Open Mic hosted by Keith Thompson and Cynaka.

THURSDAYS, 7/24 AND 8/28, 10:30-11:30:  OZCAT POETRY HOUR ON OZCAT RADIO,89.5FM.  Use the Tune In App to hear this in your local area. Poets are invited to read 2 rounds of poetry on live radio, hosted by DJ Lala and Tom Stanton.  (Please arrive by 10:15.)

SATURDAY, 7/26, 2-5 PM: DECADE OF POETIC UNITY at Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum, 734 Marin St.  Celebration of Vallejo's Poets Laureate with music, history, reading, panel discussion and the launch of an Anthology.

SATURDAY, 8/2, 3-6 PM: EKPHRASTIC EVENT and RECEPTION to SUMMERTIME EXHIBIT at Solano Town Center Gallery, 1350 Travis, #D-8, Fairfield.  Art will be on display in gallery and online starting 7/8.  For details, contact Suzanne Bruce, at fairfieldpoetl...@gmail.com.

SATURDAY, 8/23, 2-3 PM:  MARIN POETRY CENTER TRAVELING SHOW at Berkeley Public Library, 1901 Russell St., Berkeley.

TUESDAY, 9/2, 6:15-8:30:  FIRST TUESDAY OPEN MIC AT BENICIA LIBRARY IS BACK!

And, not to be forgotten, CONGRATULATIONS GO TO:

Lydia Browne who won our Joel Fallon Poetry Scholarship.

All the winners of our Love Poetry contest which can be viewed on both the Benicia Library website and the Benicia Literary Arts website.

All the recognized poets of the Solano County Fair and the Ina Coolbrith Circle.

Have a wonderful summer!

Kathy

Katrina Monroe

Benicia Poet Laureate