Welcome to For Better or Verse
Hello from your Santa Cruz County Poet Laureate
Welcome to For Better or Verse—news about poetry in Santa Cruz County.
I’m excited to bring you this blog. Soon after being appointed 2023-24 Santa Cruz County Poet Laureate I began hearing from people about open mics, amazing teachers doing work in their classrooms, new local anthologies, and more. As someone who thinks of myself as paying attention to the local literary scene (which I knew was thriving), I’ve been surprised—in a fantastic way—about poetry news and goings-on in our community.
I’m guessing some of you might feel like I do and that you’d be grateful to keep hearing about more. This blog is born out of that presumption. I also welcome you to share news with me about the people you know doing something great in poetry-land, or about the event you want to promote or the contest you want young people to hear about. Today I’m just getting started.
I also hope to use this space to let you know about things I get to spearhead, facilitate, or participate in as our county poet laureate. Things are percolating—I’ll keep you posted!
Do you know about Poetry Out Loud?
Although the 2023 POL has just wrapped up, I need to tell you about it because it’s such a special program.
A national program sponsored by the NEA, our local POL, supported by the County Office of Education and Arts Council of Santa Cruz County, offers young people the chance to connect to others while they meet with volunteer teachers weekly between late fall and winter. They choose poems to memorize, recite, and present to the public in a competition. I have had the honor of being one of the judges in recent years and these students have blown my mind. On the evening of February 6 each participant was part of an event at Bookshop Santa Cruz which is open to the public—I highly recommend attending next year! Reciters took turns coming to the mic–emptyhanded (although there is a prompter, should they forget a word or lose their place). Each recited one of the poems they had memorized between December and February. We judges scored them in 5 categories--including Physical Presence, Voice & Articulation, and Interpretation. It can’t be easy for them, and it’s certainly a challenge to judge—they each bring so much passion, effort and attention to the poem and to their performance. Our County Champion this year, Tashi Liem, proceeded to the state finals, and the state champion will compete nationally.
In their statement about the program, Tashi said, “Poetry is where I go when I need to make sense of how I feel. Feelings that seem too big to fit anywhere always turn out to be the perfect size for a poem.” This is yet another reason I’m so inspired by Poetry Out Loud. And one more thing. California’s county champions were invited to submit original written works at the state level through the Poetry Ourselves contest. Tashi submitted there—and took 3rd overall. (Follow the link to read the three winning poems—I guarantee you will be moved).
Poetry & Spoken Word coming down the road--
Book Launch for Two Local Poets—both of whom are also beloved teachers at Cabrillo College: March 25, 3pm. Poets Nikia Chaney & Adela Najarro. More info here.
Poets' Circle Reading Series: April 6, 5-7pm. Poets Adela Najarro & Olga Rosales Salinas, Watsonville Public Library; virtual option available. More info here.
Open Mics are back—And I had no idea in what force! A few to check out:
Kimberley Bermender is hosting the bi-weekly Inter|Act Spoken Word Open Mic at Abbott Square on Tuesdays 7-9pm. The next date is March 28. More info and to (optionally) sign up ahead here.
The Ugly Mug in Soquel has an open mic every Monday evening starting at 5pm with signups. Musicians and spoken word performers participate. 4640 Soquel Drive in Soquel. Event listings here.
Mic Drop is a multi-genre open mic which takes place the last Sunday of every month (5:30pm) at the space now known as the 418 Project, 155 S. River St. in Santa Cruz. More info on upcoming events here.
National Poetry Month: I’ll have more upcoming news for April. Meanwhile, take a peek at The Santa Cruz Public Libraries events & resources for Poetry Month, here.
What else should I know about? Please contact me so that I can tell everyone about it here. Email: poetlaureate@santacruzpl.org
This is the missing link I've been looking for! I'm excited to know of these open mic opportunities to share with my students, my poet-daughter, and to attend when I can! This is a really useful service, Farnaz--plus I love the title and snazzy delivery! Thank you!