March edition of Benicia and Beyond

[Benicia Poet Laureate]

Dear Poetry Lovers,

Here is the monthly edition of IN PERSON poetry events that are near Benicia. You should have received the PL letter last weekend of upcoming events in Benicia   I am not posting the online events because there are too many (on Zoom 1000 miles away is the same as your backyard) and they tend to be regularly reoccurring.  BUT IF you have a FREE online POETRY WORKSHOP  open to ALL regardless of membership or locality, please send it my way by the 20th of the previous month in which it is held.  Thank you to Becky Bishop White for her assistance pulling this together.  Please accept our apologies in advance for any mistakes and omissions.

 ****For additional details, contact the hosts, the location or the website of each event.

MARCH 2, 12-2,  YOUTH POETRY LETTER WORKSHOP at JFK Library in Vallejo hosted by Co Poets Laureate Jacalyn Eyvonne and Kathleen Herrman.

MARCH 3,  VALLEJO NAVAL AND HISTORICAL MUSEUM, 734 Marin St., will have an opening event of The Jewish People - Stories, Voices, Visions, at which D.L. Lang will be the featured reader at 5:30.

MARCH 5, BENICIA LIBRARY on “L” St.  First Tuesday Poets host an Open Mic session to which all adults and teens are invited to come read or just listen in a supportive environment. 6:15 for Cookies and Conversation, 6:30 - 8:30 for program.

MARCH 7, 10:30 AM on OZCAT RADIO ART BEAT HOUR 89.5 FM and streaming. Kathleen Herrman will interview Jacalyn Eyvonne, poet, photographer, and film maker, about her work.

MARCH 9, 12-2  PM, VALLEJO JFK LIBRARY. “Poetry in Motion” is held every second Saturday as an open mic, hosted by Kathleen Herrman, Co Poet Laureate of Vallejo.

MARCH 11 AND 25, 7 PM. CHRIS CLUB SPEAKEASY Open Mic, 656 Benicia Road, Vallejo.  Adults only.

MARCH 14, 10:30 AM on OZCAT RADIO ART BEAT HOUR 89.5 FM and streaming. Nina Serrano will interview yours truly, Katrina Monroe, about my poetry and process.

MARCH 16, 2-4 PM, FAIRFIELD CIVIC LIBRARY, “A Poetry Affair.”  Twelve past and present Poet Laureates of Solano County and the CA Poet Laureate, Lee Herrick, will read from their work, followed by an open mic.  1150 Kentucky St.

MARCH 19, 6:30-8:30 PM ON ZOOM.  Louise Moises will present a free workshop, “How to Make Your Spoken Poetry Zing.”  Louise has formal education in Theatre Arts with a specialty in Oral Presentation of Literary Works and has honed her craft over the years, winning prizes for her written poetry and acclaim for her spoken word at many venues. Bring a short piece of poetry to the Zoom session of 12-24 lines. Louise will offer you both general techniques to make your poetry shine and gentle guidance on an individual basis.  For the ZOOM link, go to the website BeniciaLibrary.org and click on the calendar’s March 19 box where you see the workshop listed.  Zoom room will be open 10 minutes in advance.  If you need assistance call the Library at 707-746-4343.

MARCH 27, 7-9 PM, POETRY BY THE BAY at MIRA THEATRE, 51 Daniels Drive, Vallejo.

This open mic night reoccurs every fourth Wednesday in a historic theatre.

MARCH 28, 10:15-11:30, on OZCAT RADIO POETRY HOUR 89.5 FM and streaming.

Poets gather  at the station at 1026 Georgia St in Vallejo to read their works live on the popular radio program hosted by DJ LaLa.  This event reoccurs every 4th Thursday.

If you would like to perform your poetry at the SOLANO COUNTY FAIR in June, go to 

scfair.com/perform-at-the-2024-fair. Applications must be received by MARCH 29.

And finally, there are 2 widely respected contests coming up in March with a deadline of APRIL 1.

On my previous email last weekend you received the info and guidelines for THE BENICIA LOVE POETRY CONTEST, which draws submissions from all over California,  the rest of the country, and even some international English speaking countries.   THE PRIZES AND THE HONORABLE MENTIONS COME WITH SERIOUS BRAGGING RIGHTS AS WELL AS PRIZE MONEY.  Please refer to that email which was sent from this same address.  It is also published on First Tuesday Facebook site and the websites of BeniciaLibrary.org and BeniciaLiteraryArts.org.

Also, the INA COOLBRITH CIRCLE’S 97TH ANNUAL POETS’ DINNER has a post office mark submission date of April 1.  The final results are announced at a June 8th picnic in Pinole (must be present to win.)  There are 8 categories for you to submit 4 poems in.  See their website for details!

Whew!  That’s a lot to keep us all busy!

Kathy

Katrina Monroe

Benicia Poet Laureate