Today’s newsletter is brief, but I want to make sure you know about some events around the corner, with more to come from me at the end of the month.
But first I wanted to thank the Young Outdoor Leaders program (ages 10-17) for joining me after the Poetry In the Park reading on June 4 for word-finding, poetry-writing, and zine-making at Brommer Street Park. I had a great time working with this group of about 20 lively young people and their imaginations. The wind picked up towards the end of the afternoon and I am so thankful for staff members from the program who chased down wayward bits of images as they were cut and pasted in the zines. It was fun to stay on our toes. As I mentioned in an earlier missive, County Park Friends is running this program, and it’s a really special group.
Speaking of poetry outdoors!
SC County Parks’ new series Poetry and Music in the Parks officially launches on July 9, from 1:30-3:30, at Mesa Village Park in Watsonville (790 Green Valley Rd). Come on out to hear poems from Adela Najarro, Olga Rosales Salinas, & Joseph Jason Santiago LaCour, along with musicians before and after the poets. I’m thrilled to emcee these readings throughout the year, with three poets each on Sundays August 6, October 8, and November 5. Each event will include music, 1:30-3:30.
And save the date of August 6 at Brommer Park, with poets Aideed Medina, Dion O’Reilly and David Sullivan. More info will follow.
More Poetry Events
Magdalena Montagne will hold a new workshop June 29th at the Garfield Park Branch Library: "Find Your Voice: Poetry Writing and Collage Making". Join the circle and write a poem in a creative and supportive environment. Then if you wish, turn your poem into visual art. No experience necessary. From 2:30:-5:00. Pre-registration and more details at https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/10670595
The Hive Poetry Collective continues to pour tall servings of poetry nectar, live at Bookshop Santa Cruz. Our next event is Tuesday, July 18 at 7pm. We will host county local, Jamaica Baldwin, and Bay Area Poet, Francesca Bell. I can guarantee this will be a spirited and moving evening. More info and registration link at hivepoetry.org.
New Drop-in Poetry
Finally, I just heard about a new event called Poetry Nightz beginning Tuesday June 20 at Coffeeville Watsonville (948 East Lake Ave). Every other Tuesday, 7-9pm. Check out the Instagram accounts @coffeevillewatsonville or @existingwithesme to hear more, or just show up.