Poetry for the (Young) People
It’s a joy to announce some summer poetry activities for youth I am part of, in partnership with local community organizations. There are so many hard-working, devoted people creating spaces and programs for young people in our county! I would be grateful if you keep sharing these with me.
As Poet Laureate for the County one of my goals is to do everything I can to support all things poetry. I also am committed to developing new opportunities for people to explore poetry. In today’s missive, and next week, I’ll highlight some of these additions.
Poetry Outdoors
Did you know? Friends of County Park Santa Cruz has a stellar Youth Outdoor Leadership (YOL) program for young people in the unincorporated community of Live Oak, where youth services are lacking because it isn’t formally a city. We have a special program planned on June 4, which includes participation by the 34 current YOLs. Pop-up Poetry in the Park at Brommer Street Park is an all ages event which begins with a reading, followed by poetry activities for young people. This event is also supported by SC County Parks.
1-2pm Poetry Readings by Billy Butler, Victoria Bañales & Farnaz Fatemi (all ages)
2-4pm Poetry Pop-up Activites for youth 10-18
Summer Program Partnership with Santa Cruz Public Libraries
This summer (which is shockingly almost upon us) I am partnering with the wonderful youth librarians at SC Public Libraries to offer poetry programming at six county branches. These poetry hours will dovetail with the theme of the library’s Summer Reading Program, Find Your Voice, in June and July.
In Find Your Poetry Voice we will explore poetry writing and language play using a range of approaches, for people with or without experience writing poems. Participants can come to any location for their age group.
More County Events
Salón de Música y Poesía returns to Watsonville Center for the Arts (375 Main St) this Friday, May 19, 6-8pm. Features Mina Reyes, Adam Bolaños Scow, Bob Gómez, Joseph Jason Santiago LaCour, Uriel Mendoza, Jovita Molina + student performances. Snacks, poetry, music and fun. Donations accepted.
Inter|Act Spoken Word Open Mic continues with lively programming at Abbott Square. The next event is Tuesdsay, 5/23, when I will be the featured reader. Save the date for Pride Night on Tuesday 6/20, co-hosted with Diversity Center of Santa Cruz. These events begin at 7pm.
Community Writers of Santa Cruz County, via Zoom, will host Watsonville Poet Laureate Bob Gómez. Saturday, May 27 from 2:30-4:30pm, with open mic.
Youth Poetry Contest
Each year the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau sponsors a Poetry Contest “Grown in Santa Cruz County & the Pajaro Valley for 7th-12th graders. This year’s winning poem was written by Pajaro Valley H.S. senior, Luke Zamora.