The 2015 National Poetry Month is now finished. THANK YOU to all those that participated to make this year's event a success! We look forward to seeing you next year.
Below is the information from the 2015 Poetry Month.
Below is the information from the 2015 Poetry Month.
10th National Poetry Month
Galway Kinnell and Barbara Dudley at Conkling Hall 2010.
“To me poetry is somebody standing up, so to speak, and saying, with as little concealment as possible, what it is for him or her to be on earth at this moment.” (Galway Kinnell)
A Special Thanks to Our Guests
Sue Beatty Janet Botaish Diane Gallo Owen Sholes Leah Umansky Barbara Ungar A Special Thanks to Our Hosts Conkling Hall The Palmer House Café Way-Out Gallery The Planning Committee Peter Boudreaux Alberto Caputo Tom Corrado Nancy Dyer Linda Miller Katrinka Moore Claire North Mary Ann Ronconi All events are free.
Donations to the Rensselaerville Library are welcome. |
The Dedication
This year, The Rensselaerville Library’s 10th Annual Celebration of National Poetry Month is dedicated to the memory of Poet Galway Kinnell, winner of both the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize, and author of more than two dozen volumes of poetry, as well as numerous translations. He is recognized for a body of work that “pushed deep into the heart of human experience.” (New York Times obituary). In 2010 and 2012, he honored our village with readings at Conkling Hall. 
|
Visual Poetry/Words & Images Workshop
Location: Rensselaerville Library
Date & Time: Saturday, 3/28, 10:30-12:30pm
Poet Katrinka Moore will facilitate a Saturday morning workshop in combining words and images to create visual poetry — making art in the spirit of play. Participants will practice a few visual poetry techniques and prepare work to display during Rensselaerville’s Poetry Month in April.
Open to beginning and experienced writers. This is an opportunity for visual artists to play with words and for writers to have fun expanding possibilities for their work.
Date & Time: Saturday, 3/28, 10:30-12:30pm
Poet Katrinka Moore will facilitate a Saturday morning workshop in combining words and images to create visual poetry — making art in the spirit of play. Participants will practice a few visual poetry techniques and prepare work to display during Rensselaerville’s Poetry Month in April.
Open to beginning and experienced writers. This is an opportunity for visual artists to play with words and for writers to have fun expanding possibilities for their work.
Five Nights - Five Different Approaches to Poetry
Location: Rensselaerville Library [April 30: Palmer House Café]
7-8 PM
4/2 April Foolishness: Nonsense & Rhymes Without Reason (Mary Ann Ronconi)
Calling all kids, all ages! Bring along your favorite silly poems to share and we'll talk about the rhyme and reason of them. From Mother Goose to Dr. Seuss, Shel Silverstein to Oft' Heard but Never Seen, nonsense verse serves up a lot of wisdom wrapped in foolishness. Kick off Poetry Month with some April Fool's fun at the Library.
4/9 Poems Without Rules: Prose Poems (Diane Gallo)
The prose poem is a hybrid: it looks like a paragraph and punches like a poem. Perhaps because the shape appears so simple - it lowers the guard against the poetic compression, imagery and language that can come barreling out of innocent looking lines. If this is all new to you, come give a listen. If you have a favorite prose poem, bring it along to share. If you would like to try your hand at composing a prose poem, stay until 9. Poet, screenwriter, teaching artists, Diane Gallo, will throw out a few simple prompts, you will write a few lines and presto! you may have rolled out a prose poem.
4/16 Poems with Rules: From Haiku to Sonnet (Linda Sonia Miller)
Traditionally poems have come in "vessels or containers," poetic forms that provide a structure based on syllables, repetition, number of lines, rhyme, etc. For centuries, both poets and readers from Japan to Italy to England have found poetry following these forms satisfying for reflecting what they are feeling, observing, or pondering. Come enjoy an hour talking about, reading and listening to poetry written "in form." Please bring along your favorites to read aloud. Then if you would like to try your hand at writing a poem "following the rules," stay until 9:00 writing and sharing efforts with Linda's guidance.
4/21 Robert Frost, A Poet Connected to Nature (Sue Beatty & Owen Sholes)
Though Robert Frost included the word “nature” in only about twenty of his poems, from his teen years on, he spent as much time as he could walking outdoors and “botanizing.” The landscape, both that of New England and of western states where he traveled as a young man, was the source of many of his metaphors. Paying particular attention to flowers, birds, farming, and the resurgence of nature in the aftermath of abandoned farms, Frost developed the realities of nature into myriad images. Join Sue Beatty (The Sage Colleges) and Owen Sholes (Assumption College, MA), both Huyck Preserve researchers, to explore Frost's work across this diverse spectrum of connections to nature.
4/30 The Big Poetry Roundup: Cowboy/girl Poetry at The Palmer House Café (Janet Botaish)
Western poems and ballads collected by our favorite cowgirl, Janet Botaish, and by audience volunteers – like you. Come enjoy heritage poetry and music inspired by a life herding cattle and spending long nights under the stars around a campfire. Free program begins at 7PM when Cowgirl Janet will bring on the poems and range tunes from local musicians. Make an evening of it: Chuck wagon dinner menu created by Palmer House chef, Micah Kuhar, starts at 5:30. Cash bar all evening. Coffee compliments of The Library. Dinner reservations: 518 797 3449 palmerhousecafe.com
7-8 PM
4/2 April Foolishness: Nonsense & Rhymes Without Reason (Mary Ann Ronconi)
Calling all kids, all ages! Bring along your favorite silly poems to share and we'll talk about the rhyme and reason of them. From Mother Goose to Dr. Seuss, Shel Silverstein to Oft' Heard but Never Seen, nonsense verse serves up a lot of wisdom wrapped in foolishness. Kick off Poetry Month with some April Fool's fun at the Library.
4/9 Poems Without Rules: Prose Poems (Diane Gallo)
The prose poem is a hybrid: it looks like a paragraph and punches like a poem. Perhaps because the shape appears so simple - it lowers the guard against the poetic compression, imagery and language that can come barreling out of innocent looking lines. If this is all new to you, come give a listen. If you have a favorite prose poem, bring it along to share. If you would like to try your hand at composing a prose poem, stay until 9. Poet, screenwriter, teaching artists, Diane Gallo, will throw out a few simple prompts, you will write a few lines and presto! you may have rolled out a prose poem.
4/16 Poems with Rules: From Haiku to Sonnet (Linda Sonia Miller)
Traditionally poems have come in "vessels or containers," poetic forms that provide a structure based on syllables, repetition, number of lines, rhyme, etc. For centuries, both poets and readers from Japan to Italy to England have found poetry following these forms satisfying for reflecting what they are feeling, observing, or pondering. Come enjoy an hour talking about, reading and listening to poetry written "in form." Please bring along your favorites to read aloud. Then if you would like to try your hand at writing a poem "following the rules," stay until 9:00 writing and sharing efforts with Linda's guidance.
4/21 Robert Frost, A Poet Connected to Nature (Sue Beatty & Owen Sholes)
Though Robert Frost included the word “nature” in only about twenty of his poems, from his teen years on, he spent as much time as he could walking outdoors and “botanizing.” The landscape, both that of New England and of western states where he traveled as a young man, was the source of many of his metaphors. Paying particular attention to flowers, birds, farming, and the resurgence of nature in the aftermath of abandoned farms, Frost developed the realities of nature into myriad images. Join Sue Beatty (The Sage Colleges) and Owen Sholes (Assumption College, MA), both Huyck Preserve researchers, to explore Frost's work across this diverse spectrum of connections to nature.
4/30 The Big Poetry Roundup: Cowboy/girl Poetry at The Palmer House Café (Janet Botaish)
Western poems and ballads collected by our favorite cowgirl, Janet Botaish, and by audience volunteers – like you. Come enjoy heritage poetry and music inspired by a life herding cattle and spending long nights under the stars around a campfire. Free program begins at 7PM when Cowgirl Janet will bring on the poems and range tunes from local musicians. Make an evening of it: Chuck wagon dinner menu created by Palmer House chef, Micah Kuhar, starts at 5:30. Cash bar all evening. Coffee compliments of The Library. Dinner reservations: 518 797 3449 palmerhousecafe.com
PIZZA, POETRY & CRAFTS
Location: Library
Date & Time: Friday, 4/17 at 5:30pm
With Linda Styer
Location: Library
Date & Time: Friday, 4/17 at 5:30pm
With Linda Styer
Post-It Instant Poems |
Poetry Salon & Art Opening |
|
Lead: Nancy Dyer & Peter Boudreaux
Location: Way-Out Gallery Poetry Salon Date & Time: Saturday, 4/18 at 4pm We will read & share some short poems first. Yes, that's right, bring a short poem, maybe Robert Frost, Ogden Nash, your favorite Haiku, a psalm or your own work. Poet and songwriter Pete is bringing his guitar. We'll play with a word or two, or maybe a concept and see how he makes it into a song or a very short poem. Then we get out our pens, a stack of 3" by 3" post-its and actually write poems that fit. You can write about a friend, nature, politics, sports, anything else you can imagine. There is only one rule: Say something on a post-it and post-it. Let's cover the wall. Anyone can add a poem, or two or more. Can't say too much though, that's the fun. Supplies provided & everyone welcome. Poetry Workshop and Open MicLead: Avery Stempel
Location: Berne Public Library Date & Time: Friday, 4/24 at 6:30pm Avery Stempel will host a short (1/2 hr.) poetry writing workshop for ages 10 - adult with an open mic event at the end. Avery Stempel is a local writer and performer who has been a featured reader at Cafe Lena, McGeary's, Poet Speak Loud Series, Social Justice Center and Live at the Living Room. |
Location: Way-Out Gallery Poetry Salon
Date & Time: Sunday, 4/19 at 4pm-6pm A tribute to Galway Kinnell by Ginny Carter & Art Opening showcasing the work of Alberto Caputo. Enjoy a festive afternoon of performance poetry, music, free verse, poetry-art installations, and a glass of wine with friends and neighbors. Featuring regional writers: Peter Boudreaux, Tom Corrado, Susan Kayne, Howard Kogan, Linda Sonia Miller, Katrinka Moore, Dan Wilcox, Mimi Moriarity. Looking for Poetry related gifts?
The 2013 Haiku Project Broadsides are available for $10 or purchase an individual card for $1 with an envelope. Look for the 2014 Haiku Project on IndieGoGo.
2013 Writers: Tom Gilroy, Jim McKay, Michael Stipe, Patrick So & Shin Yu Pai. 2014 Writers: Lisa Gill, Tom Gilroy, Steve Peters, Shelley Silver & Shin Yu Pai. Rensselaerville resident Tom Gilroy is the curator of this yearly fundraising project for the Library. Writers record daily haikus in a recycled library card notebook for the month of April. 
|
10th Annual Favorite Poem Project & Open Mic
Dedicated to the Memory of Poet Galway Kinnell (1927-2014)
Leads: Linda Miller & Claire North
Location: Conkling Hall
Date & Time: Sunday, 4/26, 2:00-4:00pm
An afternoon of poetry, good company & refreshments, emceed by Claire North. Dedicated to the memory of Poet Galway Kinnell, this event will open with readings of his work, followed by YOUR readings of YOUR favorite poem and/or an original poem. Of course you can just sit back and enjoy an afternoon of poetry.
Can you remember a poem you loved as a child? A poem taught in school, sent to you by a friend or lover, or read in a book? Are you a poet with an original poem to share? Or would you simply enjoy the pleasure of getting to know your neighbors in new ways as they read aloud their favorite and/or original poems? If your response is “yes” to any of these questions please join our Favorite Poem Project. Refreshments will be served.
Leads: Linda Miller & Claire North
Location: Conkling Hall
Date & Time: Sunday, 4/26, 2:00-4:00pm
An afternoon of poetry, good company & refreshments, emceed by Claire North. Dedicated to the memory of Poet Galway Kinnell, this event will open with readings of his work, followed by YOUR readings of YOUR favorite poem and/or an original poem. Of course you can just sit back and enjoy an afternoon of poetry.
Can you remember a poem you loved as a child? A poem taught in school, sent to you by a friend or lover, or read in a book? Are you a poet with an original poem to share? Or would you simply enjoy the pleasure of getting to know your neighbors in new ways as they read aloud their favorite and/or original poems? If your response is “yes” to any of these questions please join our Favorite Poem Project. Refreshments will be served.
Berne Public Library, 1763 Helderberg Trail, Berne, NY 12023, 518.872.1246
Conkling Hall, 8 Methodist Hill Rd, Rensselaerville, NY 12147
Palmer House Café, 1462 County Route 351, Rensselaerville, NY 12147. 518.797.3449
Rensselaerville Library, 1459 County Route 351, Rensselaerville, NY 12147, 518.797.3949
Way-Out Gallery, 5046 Delaware Turnpike, Rensselaerville, NY 12147
Conkling Hall, 8 Methodist Hill Rd, Rensselaerville, NY 12147
Palmer House Café, 1462 County Route 351, Rensselaerville, NY 12147. 518.797.3449
Rensselaerville Library, 1459 County Route 351, Rensselaerville, NY 12147, 518.797.3949
Way-Out Gallery, 5046 Delaware Turnpike, Rensselaerville, NY 12147