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Florence Poets Society -Poetry in Motions
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| FLORENCE OUTDOOR FALL POETRY FESTIVAL THIS IS OUR SIXTH ANNUAL FESTIVAL Sunday september 26 noon to five OUR PROGRAM SCHEDULE FOR THE FESTIVAL (STILL SUBJECT TO CHANGE) The master of ceremonies will be TOMMY TWILITE (poet and musician extradinaire) Noon Welcome and Opening remarks by TOMMY TWILITE 12:05 Florence Poets Society Members Howie Fairstein and Paul Richmond 12:20 F eature Reader: LORI DESROSIERS Ms Desrosiers an award winning poet and well known for her long run as an open mic hostess in Westfield , is the editor and publisher of poetry anthology Naugatuck River Review, a popular (and indispensible) weekly blog POETRY NEWS and writer of well received chapbooks. She is currently a faculty member at Westfield State University. 12:40 Florence Poets Society Members Elizabeth Crowell and Linda Wlodyka 12:55 Florence Poets Society Members Laura Rodley and Kim Rogers 1:15 Feature Reader : JANET AALFS Ms Aalfs is an educator, highly regarded poet and former Poet Laureate of Northampton, Massachusetts, She brings a unique perspective in that her poetry is often times accompanied with beautiful movement. 1:40 Florence Poets Society Members Anita Gallers and Laura Varney 2:00 2010 MASSACHUSETTS CULTURAL COUNCIL FELLOW IN POETRY JENDI REITER Jendi Reiter's books include Swallow (Amsterdam Press 2009) and A Talent for Sadness, published in 2003 by Turning Point Books. Her work has appeared in Poetry, The New Criterion, Mudfish, The Sow's Ear Poetry Review, Clackamas Literary Review, Alligator Juniper, MARGIE: The American Journal of Poetry, Best American Poetry 1990 and many other publications. Awards include first prize for poetry in Alligator Juniper's 2006 National Writing Contest, a prize in the Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg 2005 Poetry Prize contest, and two awards from the Poetry Society of America. She is the editor of highly successful online publication Poetry Contest Insider. 2:45 THE POET LAUREATE OF THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE W.E. BUTTS W.E. Butts is the author of several poetry collections, including Sunday Evening at the Stardust Café, which was chosen as a finalist for the 2005 Philip Levine Prize in Poetry and selected winner of the 2006 Iowa Source Poetry Book Prize, and the chapbooks What to Say if the Birds Ask (Pudding House Publications, 2007) Sunday Factory (Finishing Line Press, 2006), White Bees (Oyster River Press, 2001), and A Season of Crows (Igneus Press, 2000). He has received two Pushcart Prize nominations and a Massachusetts Artists Foundation Award. He is a member of the faculty of the BFA in Writing Program at Goddard College, and is listed in two editions of Who's Who Among America's Teachers. His poems appear frequently in such magazines as Atlanta Review, Birmingham Poetry Review, Cider Press Review, Cimarron Review, Mid-American Review, and Poetry East. 3:30 MUSICAL INTERLUDE 3:45 2010 MASSACHUSETTS CULTURAL COUNCIL FELLOW IN POETRY Regie Gibson, winner of the 1998 National Slam Competition Poet, songwriter, author, workshop facilitator, and educator Regie Gibson has performed, taught, and lectured at schools, universities, theaters and various other venues on two continents and in seven countries. Most recently in Havana, Cuba. Regie and his work appear in the New Line Cinema film Love Jones, 4:20 Florence Poets Society Members Michael Arraj and Bob Lipton 4:35 Florence Poets Society Members Nancy Denig and Richard Greene 4:45 Florence Poets Society Members Martina Robinson and Denise Barberet 5:00 CLOSING REMARKS TOMMY TWILITE Jan Slam Hi Everyone Yes if you were there and saw it you know how great it was. Lots of fine poetry, (neary a klinker in the bunch) and 26 readers from 12 to (well fairly older). The final duel in the last round of six fine poets Paul Richmond, Lori Desrosiers were wonderful the scoring showed it came down to a showdown between Northampton High Slam Champ Ya Ya Yazerack, Former Jan Slam winner Dane Kuttler and Michael Arraj it was a thing of poetic beauty. although Michael's fine presentation ultimately prevailed Ya Ya and Dane were excellent. The hall was basically full the entire afternoon people came and went throughout the day with perhaps 80 to 100 attendees and particpants. WHAT A PHENOMENAL TURNOUT FOR POETRY. Also we must profoundly thank our judges who were faced with difficult decisions all afternoon, the second round was scored very closely and presented the judges with a real challenge. Florence Poets Society deeply thanks everyone who was involved in promoting the event, supporting it, and helping with the logistics of getting chairs and tables up and then putting them back. Northampton Community TV videoed the event for later broadcast check out their program guide for a replay. Finally it was a real honor to present Lori Desrosiers with the Quill and Ink Award for her contributions to poetry in the Valley. THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO MADE JAN SLAM SUCH A GREAT SUCCESS. Carl and Tom |