Upcoming December Events

Note the scheduled fiction thesis reading at Smith Chapel has been changed to December 9.

Friday, Dec. 3

Poetry Scene @ 6:30 p.m.

Open mic night

The Erie Bookstore

137 East 13th Street

Erie, PA

Poetry Scene Prime Time @ 9:00 p.m.

open mic

The International Fellowship of Poets and

Spoken Word Artists PA Local 1136 

1136 E Lake

Erie, PA

A Celebration of Poetry and Music @ 6:30 p.m.

Featuring our own Dawn Shimp (rural Ashtabula County) – is originally from the Cleveland area, but now takes inspiration from the wildlife and natural beauty of a rural landscape.  Her work has appeared in Wild Strawberries, Ribbons, The Tanka Society of America Journal, and most recently in What I Knew Before I Knew, an anthology of poems from the Pudding House Salon – Cleveland.

Also Features:

Vernell Bristow (Columbus) – began writing poetry as a student at Denison University, then moved to Columbus to attend graduate school. She is the co-founder of Writer’s Block Poetry, which holds open mic poetry readings and special events. An award-winning member of the Rust Belt Regional Slam Team and National Slam Team, she is working on a poetry collection and a spoken-word cd.

FEATURED MUSICIAN

Wes Bieri (Clear Fork Valley) – began playing guitar at age nine with Lonnie Baker and Richland Academy, played jazz guitar to accompany his high school show choir, and recently graduated from Sinclair Community College in Dayton with an Associate degree in Music Education.  He gives guitar lessons, and performs at church services, weddings, fairs, carnivals, and coffee shops.  His repertoire includes twentieth century classical instrumentals, original ballads, and Mason Williams’ Classical Gas.

OPEN MIC – TO FOLLOW EVENING’S ENTERTAINMENT 

Evening's M.C. is Mark Hersman, Poet

Pumpkin Hollow Antiques;

24 Bell Street

Belleville, Ohio

419-886-6093

Saturday, Dec. 4 @ 8:00 p.m.

What to do with Maya Angelou 

The International Fellowship of Poets and

Spoken Word Artists PA Local 1136 

1136 E Lake

Erie, PA

Sunday, December 5 @ 4 p.m.

Dinner and Poetry Night Series at the Woodlawn Diner! This very special anniversary reading will feature several poets from the Cafe 59 Writing group, including Linda Drajem, Pat McClain, Carol Pasiecznik, Marjorie Norris, Ginger Cunningham, and Sara Ries. Since there are many of features, they will each read a brief sample of their work and there will also be open reading slots available. 

All of this excitement will take place on at the Woodlawn Diner and the dinner choices are Stuffed Chicken or Veggie Stir- Fry for $12. Reservations e-mail  Sara at brushstrokegirl@hotmail.com or call 716-903-3335 and please be sure to mention which dinner choice you'd like. 

The Woodlawn Diner

3200 Lake Shore Road

Blasdell, NY

Thursday, Dec. 9 @ 6:00 p.m.

Fiction Thesis Reading

Smith Chapel on the campus of

Penn State Behrend

5091 Station Road
Erie, PA 16563

Friday, Dec. 10

Poetry Scene @ 6:30 p.m.

Featured poet -The extremely talented, Geoff Peterson will read from his new book and will be available afterward to autograph copies. The night begins with

an open mic.

The Erie Bookstore

137 East 13th Street

Erie, PA

Poetry Scene Prime Time @ 9:00 PM

open mic

The International Fellowship of Poets and

Spoken Word Artists PA Local 1136 

1136 E Lake

Erie, PA

Saturday, Dec. 11, @9:30 a.m.

International Women’s Writing Guild 

IWWG meet up is this Saturday from 9:30 to 11:30 at the Erie Book Store. All women writers, poets, are invited to attend. 

Theme: Home for the Holidays, any format or any other work that each woman would like to share. Please feel free to forward this meeting reminder to any woman who writes that may enjoy these meetings. Prior publication is not needed.

RSVP: mmoksunger@aol.com or 459-4042 or FB

The Erie Bookstore

137 East 13th Street

Erie, PA

Tuesday, Dec 14, @7:00 p.m.

Second Tuesday Community Writers' Workshop  on Mercyhurst College's lovely Erie Campus.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Second-Tuesday-Community-Writers-Workshop/77942146913

53 Peninsula Drive
Erie, PA

Upcoming Poetry Events You Do Not Want To Miss!

Wednesday, November 17 @ 7:00 p.m.

The Erie Gang will head out for this event around 4:30 p.m. Contact me or Dawn about carpooling.

The Lix & Kix Poetry Extravaganza presents featured poetry by Major Ragain (from Kent, Ohio) Christopher Franke (Cleveland) and Blaire Miller Bommer (also Cleveland). An open mic will follow, emceed by Dianne Borsenik and John "Jesus Crisis" Burroughs.

From Dianne: “The Lix & Kix Poetry Extravaganza is pleased to be participating in the Music for Meals food drive that's running November 18-20, the weekend before Thanksgiving. We are asking you to bring canned goods (only) to the Lix show; a box will be provided for the collection of food. Please be generous. This is a chance to join with other writers, musicians, and artists to be a positive force in the community. Thank you, baaaaay-beeeee!”

Bela Dubby Art Gallery and Beer Café

13321 Madison Avenue

Lakewood, Ohio

Friday, November 19

Poetry Scene @ 6:30 PM

Poetry Scene Open Mic

Come and join in the fun!

The Erie Bookstore

137 East 13th Street

Erie, PA

Poetry Scene Prime Time @ 9:00 PM

The International Fellowship of Poets and

Spoken Word Artists PA Local 1136 

1136 E Lake

Erie, PA

Sunday, November 21 @ 2:00 p.m.

Featuring singer/songwriter/poet David Devine and The Tall Guy Band

and featured Poets Dawn Shepler Shimp and Greg Brown.

Bring two cans of food for The Second Harvest Food Bank and

get two bucks off Dave's reissue of his CD, "Ain’t That Devine".

Don't miss it…enjoy the great music and poetry and the yummy

food and coffee in an enjoyable atmosphere with fun folks.

...bring a song or a poem to share!

Presque Isle Art Gallery and Coffee House
53 Peninsula Drive
Erie, PA

Sunday, December 5 @ 4 p.m.

Dinner and Poetry Night Series at the Woodlawn Diner! This very special anniversary reading will feature several poets from the Cafe 59 Writing group, including Linda Drajem, Pat McClain, Carol Pasiecznik, Marjorie Norris, Ginger Cunningham, and Sara Ries. Since there are many of features, they will each read a brief sample of their work and there will also be open reading slots available. 

All of this excitement will take place on at the Woodlawn Diner and the dinner choices are Stuffed Chicken or Veggie Stir- Fry for $12. Reservations e-mail  Sara at brushstrokegirl@hotmail.com or call 716-903-3335 and please be sure to mention which dinner choice you'd like. 

The Woodlawn Diner

3200 Lake Shore Road

Blasdell, NY

Saturday, Nov. 13th, @9:30 a.m.

IWWG meet up is this Saturday from 9:30 to 11:30 at the Erie Book Store. All women writers, poets, are invited to attend. 

Tuesday, Nov. 9th, @7:00 p.m.

Second Tuesday Community Writers' Workshop is tomorrow night on Mercyhurst College's lovely Erie Campus.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Second-Tuesday-Community-Writers-Workshop/77942146913


Thursday, Nov. 11th, @7:00 p.m.

Our current poet laureate, Tom Forsthoefel, will give a poetry reading at
Gannon  in Palumbo 3205

Sigma Tau Delta COFFEEHOUSE

Thomas Forsthoefel, Ph.D., is professor and chair of Religious Studies at Mercyhurst College.  He has published numerous articles in journals such as Philosophy East and West, Journal of Ecumenical Studies, International Journal of Hindu Studies, and Horizons.  He has written or edited four books: Knowing Beyond Knowledge; Gurus in America; Soulsong: Seeking Holiness, Coming Home; and The Dalai Lama: Essential Writings. His poetry has been published in Soulsong, Poetry Scene: The Magazine, and Dwelling in Possibility: Voices of Erie County, and he is preparing a collection of poems, The Kiss of God, for publication.

             

An open mic

and light refreshments

will follow!

Palumbo Academic Center

109 University Square

Erie, PA 16541

It's November!

Friday November 5

Poetry Scene @ 6:30 PM

Poetry Scene 7th Anniversary Friday

Come celebrate with us!

The Erie Bookstore

137 East 13th Street

Erie, PA

Poetry Scene Prime Time @ 9:00 PM

The International Fellowship of Poets and

Spoken Word Artists PA Local 1136 

1136 E Lake

Erie, PA

Saturday November 6

What to do with Allen Ginsberg? @ 8:00 PM

1st Satuday series celebrating the work of an iconic poet 
featuring the voices of Chuck Joy, Greg Brown, Ellis Crockett,

Daryll M. Brown & Robert Brooker

The International Fellowship of Poets and

Spoken Word Artists PA Local 1136 

1136 E Lake

Erie, PA

Here Poetry, Poetry, Poetry!

Friday October 29

Poetry Scene @ 6:30 PM

Open Mic

The Erie Bookstore

137 East 13th Street

Erie, PA

Saturday October 30

The International Fellowship of Poets and

Spoken Word Artists PA Local 1136 

Poetry Scene Prime Time @ 8:00 PM

1136 E Lake

Erie, PA

Features - Greg Brown and Ron Androla  - You will not want to miss this!

Sunday October 31

Provocative Art @ 8:00 PM

Erotic Poetry Reading

Forward Hall 

2502 Peach Street
Erie, PA 16502

Poetry in Motion

Erie Art Museum

411 State St.
Erie, PA 16501

October 23 & 24, 2010
Public Opening Reception 
The Museum's new building opens to the public. FREE admission all day and plenty of activities for the whole family.

Sunday October 23, from 2 – 4 pm ....“Poetry in Motion” Four poets give mini-readings on the hour and half hour

Featuring Chuck Joy, Berwyn Moore, Ron Androla, and Cee Williams

http://erieartmuseum.org/

Tonight

Poetry Scene @ 6:30 PM

 Join us tonight for open mic.

The Erie Bookstore

137 East 13th Street

Erie, PA

Poetry Scene Prime Time (Open Mic Series) @ 9:00 PM

The International Fellowship of Poets and

Spoken Word Artists PA Local 1136 

1136 E Lake

Erie, PA

October 30th features  Greg Brown and Ron Androla  You will not want to miss that!

All Aboard Success

If you missed the recent poetry extravaganza in Erie, you missed a real treat.

The stage was set bare, Heidi Blakeslee came upon the stage to set the mood

with incense. Then Chuck Joy entered, with a brilliant performance reminiscent of John Cage, chopping a small notebook in his hand like a pack of cigs and jotted down a few notes. He exited as we listened to Sweet Jane. 

The oh so easy on the eyes professor from Mercyhurst, Brown wearing brown, hands in beige pants pockets, poet Greg Brown opened the reading with such superb poems, one about him slipping into the shower with his woman and steam rising from her neck that was “holy smoke” made me quite unsure if I could stay to listen to anyone else or rush home for a cold shower.

Next up was Kurt Sahlmann who read from his “crumb catcher” notebook. His poems were quite entertaining along with his songs, “Everybody is a Star,” not Sly and the Family Stone, but just as catchy and “Radio SOS” with some Mama’s and Papa’s overtones. Kurt is a quick wit and extremely talented as his final song proved. Kurt is a one man band playing keyboard and harmonica. He also accompanied a few of the poets while they read, which gave an amazing effect to the readings.

Then the amazing Tom Forsthoefel took the stage. Erie County’s Poet Laureate opened with a poem entitled “Year of Living Dangerously.” Tom looks as though he never lived dangerously but absolutely amazingly. His poems “Molly Brannigan's” and “25 Years” held us in our seats and completely focused.

Just before we could take a short break from these incredible performances we were held in the most pleasurable captivity by the absolutely gorgeous Dawn Shepler Shimp. The audience was transfixed on her every word as she spoke her poems which included the exquisite, “These Small Things” and “How to Grow Tomatoes.” The latter creating spontaneous applause.

After the short break, which included to the delight of this blogger, a cash bar, the audience was delighted with the fabulous storyteller Darryl M. Brown, accompanied by the delightful, Nicola Lutz. Darryl told a story using cards that the audience filled in prior to his performance. Loud gafaws were heard from me and the rest of the audience.

Then the barefoot and incredibly hot poet by the name of Geoff Peterson entered the stage with a presence that can only be described as exceptional. He read one poem regarding succubae and it still resonates in my mind, oh, oh, oh Geoff!

After Geoff’s powerful reading, the audience was given over to the...

Sexy Cee Williams. Need I say more? Not really, but I will. In his knit cap he gave a commanding reading of several memorized poems regarding faucets, Ronald Reagan, a television beauty/trophy wife and Freudian slips of “Cotton panties” (oops) that should be “candy.” Cee never disappoints his audience.

Then  Chuck Joy returned, opening with “an opener”. Chuck read a pharmacological poem, which is incredible in itself. He also read “Hail Mary” about football and the classic “Cherry Street.”  

The finalé was a group poem written by Chuck Joy and performed  by the majority of the cast of poets, narrated by Greg Brown. A rare poetry performance that I, for one, hope will be the start of many, many more performances to come.

And just to mention performances to come. Our Erie County Poet Laureate, Tom Forsthoefel, has arranged an amazing feature at Walker Recital Hall at Mercyhurst for March 27 at 8:00 PM. David Whyte will be reading. This is a great opportunity to see this fabulous talent! Really! I said, David Whyte!!! Yes, it's true, DAVID WHYTE!

http://www.davidwhyte.com/

This Week in Poetry

Friday October 15

Poetry Scene @ 6:30 PM

Mary Francis Baugh

Mary will read from and sign copies of her new book "Lake Erie Reflections in Poetry and Prose."  Join us this Friday the night begins with open mic.

The Erie Bookstore

137 East 13th Street

Erie, PA

The International Fellowship of Poets and

Spoken Word Artists PA Local 1136 

Poetry Scene Prime Time (Open Mic Series) @ 9:00 PM

1136 E Lake

Erie, PA

Keep checking back for updates. Upcoming features include Greg Brown and Ron Androla October 30. You will not want to miss that!

Sunday October 17

The David Devine Musical Caravan @ 2:00 PM

Featured poets Frank DiScala and Tomas 

Presque Isle Art Gallery and Coffee House
53 Peninsula Drive
Erie, PA

Monday October 18

and Monday October 25 from 7-9 PM

Finding a Place for Poetry in the Modern Age

Jefferson Educational Society

3207 State Street, Erie, PA.  

The cost is $25 for both sessions.

Tuesday October 19

All Aboard @ 7:30 PM

a theatrical poetry event with:

Greg Brown

Tom Forsthoefel

Chuck Joy

Kurt Sahlmann

Dawn Shepler Shimp and

Cee Williams

Erie Playhouse:

13 West 10^th Street

Erie, PA

Box Office: 814.454.2852

A fine evening of bohemian entertainment.

All seats $10.

Tickets available at the Erie Playhouse.

Sunday, October 24 Dinner and Poetry Night @ 4:00 PM Theresa Wyatt   Theresa Wyatt holds a Master's Degree in Art Education from Buffalo State College. After a lengthy teaching career that included 12 years with the NYS Dept of Corrections, Theresa is now retired. Embracing an old love of writing, her poems have been published in the American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Medicine, the Healing Muse, Blood & Thunder, Raving Dove and the Yale Journal for Humanities in Medicine, among others.  In 2008, Theresa presented her work on the panel, Poets of the Niagara Region, at the Northeast Modern Language Conference that was held in Buffalo. As an emerging poet on a local level, her work has been featured recently in a new book, Beyond Bones, Volume II, 2010, a collection featuring 12 WNY writers. The Woodlawn Diner

3200 Lake Shore Road

Blasdell, NY

$12 and includes the Veggie Lasagna or the Meatloaf Dinner and also wine, beer, dessert and Poetry! 

For reservations, e-mail Sara Ries at brushstrokegirl@hotmail.com, please be sure to mention which dinner choice you’d like!