PoemCity 2022 Programs

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Friday, April 1, 4 p.m.  

Irish Music & Poetry

Kellogg-Hubbard Library • In-person only

Musicians Benedict Koehler and Hilari Farrington will play traditional Irish music, joined by Irish poet Angela Patten reading from her work. This in-person program at the Kellogg-Hubbard Library is our kickoff event for PoemCity 2022. 

 

Saturday, April 2, 10 a.m.–noon

Vermont Poet Pairing Workshop: Ruth Stone/Bianca Stone

Zoom only

Like great food and wine pairings, PoemCity presents Vermont poet pairings to delight the senses and soul! This workshop is based on the work of Ruth Stone and Bianca Stone, a family duo that takes us deep into the heart of Vermont. Bianca Stone is the caretaker and workshop leader of the Ruth Stone House and an accomplished poet following in her grandmother's footsteps. Led by Laurie McMillan on Zoom. 

 

Monday, April 4, 7 p.m.

Poetry Society of Vermont Members’ Reading

Zoom only

Featuring George Longenecker, author of Star Route, Linda Quinlan, author of Chelsea Creek, Geza Tatrallyay, author of Extinction Rebellion and Arctic Meltdown, and Bianca Amira Zanella, PSOV President, Phoenix Books Poet in Residence and founder of The Paper Poet.

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Wednesday, April 6, 7 p.m.  

A Reading from New and Collected Poems, Jay Parini

Zoom only

Vermont poet Jay Parini reads from his New and Collected Poems: 1975–2015, plus a selection of poems written since that book was published. This is a First Wednesdays program. Visit vermonthumanities.org/first-wednesdays for more information.

 

Saturday, April 9, 10 a.m.–noon  

Vermont Poet Pairing Workshop: Galway Kinnell/David Budbill

Zoom only

Like great food and wine pairings, PoemCity presents Vermont poet pairings to delight the senses and soul! This workshop is based on the poetry of Galway Kinnell and David Budbill, two passionate poets whom we have lost recently and who will weave a rich tapestry for us as we delve into their deep and lustrous work to engage our own voices on the page. Led by Laurie McMillan on Zoom. 

 

Monday, April 11, 6:30 p.m.  

Pantoum Poetry Workshop

Kellogg-Hubbard Library • In-person only

Samantha Kolber, author of Birth of a Daughter, will lead participants in writing pantoums, a poetic form based on four-line stanzas and repeating lines. Good for all writing abilities! This is an in-person program in the Hayes Room of the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. 

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Tuesday, April 12, 7 p.m.
Venus Rising Reading 
North Branch Café • In-person only

Samantha Kolber, Meg Reynolds, and Tricia Knoll will read their work from the recently published anthology Venus Rising: Musings & Lore from Women Writers (Our Galaxy Publishing). Proceeds from the sale of this beautiful book supports FemTruth Youth, a nonprofit menstruation education organization. The authors will also read poems from their most recent published books. Enter a raffle to win a copy of the anthology!

 

Wednesday, April 13, 7-8:30 p.m.  

Emerging Poets Reading

Zoom only

Hosted by Mary Rose Dougherty, editor of the Poetry Society of Vermont’s Mountain Troubador, this reading will feature high school poets and Mountain Troubador staff reading their original work. Q&A to follow.

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Saturday, April 16, 10 a.m.–noon  

Vermont Poet Pairing Workshop: Louise Gluck/Mary Ruefle

Zoom only

Like great food and wine pairings, PoemCity presents Vermont poet pairings to delight the senses and soul! This workshop is based on the poetry of Louise Gluck and Mary Ruefle. This pairing of poets will excite the careful and deep reader of poetry to stimulate our senses and existential explorations. 

 

Saturday, April 16, 2–3:30 p.m. 

Garden Dreams Concert

This concert will feature Aaron Marcus on piano and spoken word by Sam Sanders. Based on their recently released CD, Garden Dreams, this concert will highlight original music and some poetry discovered through PoemCity! This performance was available for viewing on Zoom. 

 

Sunday, April 17

PoemCity Easter Eggs

Be on the lookout for poetry-filled eggs at the library on Easter Sunday morning!

 

Monday, April 18, 6:30 p.m.  

What Poetry Can Do: A Reading

Zoom only

Poets L. R. Berger, Peter Murphy, and Tom Schmidt will read from their original work with Q&A to follow. L.R. Berger will be reading from Indebted to Wind, Peter Murphy from Underwater, and Tom Schmidt from Like, A Metaphor. 

 

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Tuesday, April 19, 7 p.m.  

An Evening of Kindness and Hope

Bear Pond Books • In-person only

James Crews, editor of the new anthology The Path to Kindness: Poems of Connection and Joy, will host a reading of featured poets from the anthology including Shari Altman, Megan Buchanan, Dan Butler, Judith Chalmer, and Laura Foley. This is an in-person program at Bear Pond Books at 77 Main Street in Montpelier.

  

Wednesday, April 20, 6 p.m.  

What Next? Workshop

Kellogg-Hubbard Library • In-person only

This group workshop will explore not only the uncertainty, outrage, and losses that is our daily life these days, but find the deeper still waters that soothe and connect us. Poets Samn Stockwell, Scudder Parker, and Eva Zimet will host a generative workshop with a choice of prompts and a reconvened group time for participants to share their work and get feedback from the facilitators. This program is an in-person event in the Hayes Room of the Kellogg-Hubbard Library.

 

Wednesday, April 20, 7 p.m.

Reading with Samn Stockwell, Scudder Parker, & Eva Zimet

Kellogg-Hubbard Library • In-person or Zoom

These poets will read from their work in the Hayes Room at the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. 

 

Thursday, April 21, 6:30 p.m.  

Book Group Discussion: Langston Hughes

Zoom only

Facilitator Gina Logan will lead a discussion on the poetry of Langston Hughes. Part of the Vermont Humanities Council Reading & Discussion Series. Copies of The Selected Works of Langston Hughes will be available in April. 

 

Friday, April 22, 7 p.m. 

All Ages Anything Goes Slam! 

Lost Nation Theater • In-person only

Vermont Poetry Slam Champion Geof Hewitt hosts this "Anything Goes" Slam where poets, acoustic musicians, jugglers, and anyone else with special talents are invited to take 3 minutes (or less) on stage in an attempt to wow the judges (and the audience) for enormous glory and a very modest prize. 

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Saturday, April 23, 2022 10 a.m.–noon  

Vermont Poet Pairing Workshop: Robert Frost/Sydney Lea

Zoom only

Like great food and wine pairings, PoemCity presents Vermont poet pairings to delight the senses and soul! This workshop is based on the poetry of Robert Frost and Sydney Lea. Their pairing will give us a way to walk the metaphorical and real woods of our experience. 

 

Saturday, April 23, 2022 11 a.m.

Compositions of Truth and Nature

Zoom Only

In an Earth Day Weekend event, Ashley Anne Strobridge of Astrobridge Artistry will be reading poems inspired by the wonder of Nature and the inner world of our psyche from her as yet unpublished art and poetry book entitled: Compositions of Truth and Nature. You can browse Ashley's work at: www.astrobridge-artistry.com

 

Sunday, April 24

Poetry in the Park 1-2:30 p.m.

Hubbard Park, Old Shelter • In-person only

This outdoor reading will feature Susan Atwood, Andrea Gould, Jesse LoVasco, and Lisa Masé, a group of poets who have been writing and critiquing each other's work for years. This is an in-person event at the Old Shelter in Montpelier’s Hubbard Park. 

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Monday, April 25, 6:30 p.m.

Queer Poets Read: The Urgency of Language

Zoom only

Linda Quinlan, author of Chelsea Creek and winner of the Wicked Woman Poetry Prize, will host a panel of LGBTQ+ poets who will read and discuss their work. Featured poets will include Michael Carter, Kathryn Eberly, (sb) sowbel, Kimberly Ward, and others. 

 

Wednesday, April 27, 6:30 p.m.  

All Our Black Voices with Toussaint St. Negritude

Kellogg-Hubbard Library • In-person and Zoom

People of all ethnicities are invited to share and read aloud their favorite poem(s) by Black poets. Hosted by Toussaint St. Negritude, this program will be offered live in the Hayes Room of the Kellogg-Hubbard Library as well as virtually.

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Friday, April 29

Poem in Your Pocket Day

Sponsored by the Academy of American Poets, you can participate in Poem in Your Pocket Day by stopping by the library for a free pocket-size poem at any circulation desk. Carry it in your pocket for easy reading, swapping with

friends, or spontaneous readings.

 

Saturday, April 30, noon  

Poetry from the Balcony

Kellogg-Hubbard Library • In-person only

Poets Mary Elder Jacobsen, Robyn Joy, Leah Beckhoff, and Rain Nissen-Reilly will read original work from the balcony of the Kellogg-Hubbard Library, hosted by Toussaint St. Negritude. Participants are encouraged to gather on the lawn of the library to listen and enjoy. This is an in-person event at the front entrance of the Kellogg-Hubbard Library.

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Poetry & Art Exhibits

 

Vision & Voice

Paired original poetry and artwork by Art Resource Association artists on display at the Center for Arts & Learning, 46 Barre Street in Montpelier.

 

Walking My Eyes Writing My Mind

Haiku and photography by Linda Hogan on display at the Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre Street in Montpelier.

 

Student Exhibit

Poetry and artwork of Main Street Middle School sixth-graders on display at the Berlin Mall, 282 Berlin Mall Road in Berlin.

 

Budding Poets Garden

Original poetry from Roxbury Village School students on display at the  Hunger Mountain Coop, 623 Stone Cutters Way in Montpelier.

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Projecting Poems

PoemCity poems paired with original photography by Ruby Singer will run on a slide show in the window of 50 Main Street in Montpelier from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. Thanks to Montpelier Alive and Montpelier Property Management for their help in making it possible. View the slideshow in a PDF HERE