Thursday, April 10, 2008

Poets Salon Every Thursday Night


Poetry Workshop as always, this Thursday, 6 PM to 9 PM in Pasadam CA.

This Thursday evening, April 10, 2008
we will welcome Sam Bills, manager
of our local Ten Thousand Villages.

Sam will share the story of
Ten Thousand Villages, which markets the handicrafts
of artisans worldwide, and tells their stories.
It is a locally operated non-profit retail store,
governed by a volunteer board of directors and
staffed by over 70 volunteers and a small part-time paid staff.
The Pasadena store is one in a network of over
100 Ten Thousand Villages fair trade stores in North America
whose efforts improve the economic status of artisans in
developing countries.

Our local store will present our Poets on Site
performance as a celebration
of the Earth on Thursday April 24, 7:30 PM.
Our poems and music will celebrate Fish Canyon Falls,
Eaton Canyon and other natural beauty. (Please
email your poems during the next week
for our booklet to accompany the performance.)

Bring 20 copies of any poem for workshop if
possible. We have a copier, but it is important
to come early if you need copies. as always,
listeners are welcome to comment and
observe. You do not need to have a poem
to participate. Fresh viewpoints are always
appreciated.

Last week, we had a full and excellent workshop,
finishing close to "on time".

Please write as much as possible on the poem pages,
to give the readers full benefit of your listening.
And be sure, as always, to make your verbal comments
short, so as to give everyone a chance to read and speak
about the poems. Poets have asked interesting questions to direct the
comments and receive the kind of feedback they would most
appreciate in the time allowed! Save your special longer comments
for writing on the page, conversation after the workshop,
and follow up talks and emails.

Thanks to everyone for great commentary
and a wonderful evenings together, such good spirits
and sharing. Some photos follow,

of last week's workshop and shinobue
performance by Rick.
Thank you Debbie for sharing tanka journal information
last week!

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Thursday Night Poetry Salon January 10, 2008



Dear local poets and friends,

We look forward to seeing you this week
at our Thursday evening gathering.
Poetry Workshop 6:30 to 8:30
(dinner served throughout)
followed by 8:30 to 9 P.M.
entertainment.

Musical entertainment will be a continuation
of the historical flute demonstration Rick gave, this time
featuring duets on copies and
original flutes from renaissance to 19th century.
Our friend Harry Bower from San Francisco
and Rick Wilson will perform. A special treat will be
duets on two renaissance bass flutes (you have not seen
that flute yet). Few makers have constructed
copies of the bass renaissance flute, so the fact
that both Rick and Harry own one,
made by a friend in Paris-- putting two in the same room...
gives us quite a rare experience. You will love the
haunting sound of these elusive instruments.

Bring 15 copies of your poem (if you need copies,
we have a copier here, try to do this as soon as you arrive.)

We have copies of Justin's great magazine
"Behold the Pirate Pig" available
for $10. (Several of our members are
included) Also a poem by Pauli Dutton was
recently published in the delightful
Shakespeare's Monkey Revue, issue #2.
We have one copy here for display, and I have
ordered more --they will be $5 each.

See above two photos from last week. The first shows some of our
poets during the workshop. In the last you can see our much
appreciated friend Harry singing "Some Old Songs" with his ukulele.
His Indonesian inspired tempeh curry and salad, followed by black rice
pudding were loved by everyone.

Our new ideas for commentary have been wonderful, and as long as we
all cooperate by being brief and aware of time, we see them demonstrated
as adding a rich level of interaction to the workshop.

Hope to see you all soon. Thank you for your happy participation
and wonderful poetry.

I love these poets (Kath)

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

October 11, 2007 Thursday Night Poetry Workshop and Review


A great series of Thursday Night workshop readings, entertainments and review these last few weeks! Last week we celebrated Justin Kibbe's birthday and Sharon Hawley presented the story of her 120 day solo bike ride this summer from Virgina to California, complete with a chapbook of poems from the trip.

This week we are looking forward to an enthusiastic group, 6:30 pm at Kath and Rick's 439 S Catalina Ave, in Pasadena. As an alternative venue-- and if it is more convenient to you--we are suggesting any poets who would like to go to Book Soup for a reading and signing by Sharmagne Leland-St. John to do so. It is at 8818 Sunset Blvd in Los Angeles. We'll expect a full report next week if you go! We'll miss you but we want to support this event --so let's be in two places at once.

In related events-- Kath, with help from Sharon, initiated the Caltech Poetry Club a couple of weeks ago at the Caltech Club Fair, and we are hoping for participation with them, some good events at Caltech, and featured readers there from our local group. Don Campbell has been conducting a poetry class for teenagers in Pasadena and several Poets here have read at the class, Monday Night Poetry this week featured fantastic poets Ruth Nolan and Jeff Green from Palm Springs, who presented a chapbook made especially for the event. Sample to be seen at tomorrow's worshop. More soon about details. Welcome all poets.

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Today: Thursday Night Poetry Workshop September 13, 2007 and Review

Thursday Poetry Workshop continues tonight with workshop poetry 6:30 to 8:30, followed by voice and Ukulele "Songs By Heart" from Harry Bower, our friend and guest from San Francisco. See him here on the right playing historical flute at last week's workshop, accompanying our friend Curtis Berak, collector and player of antique Hurdy Gurdies. Poets Justin Kibbe and Karine in left foreground. We had a full house.
Here see Calokie and the Turquoise Coincidence Girls... Paulie Dutton, who also wore turquoise, had already left. (Giggle)
Rick Wilson and Harry Bower playing historical flutes for the poets after last week's workshop.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Thursday Poetry Workshop Tomorrow, August 23, 2007




While Rick and Kath climb long vines and wander paths amidst the poetically and mathematically inspiring tropics pictured above, tomorrow's workshop is scheduled for 6:30 to 8:30 PM at their home. Gail and Steven will host at the Wilson's and after the workshop, Steven Radice will present a half hour program, presenting some tunes on the Puerto Rican cuarto, the traditional Puerto Rican four stringed guitar-like instrument we brought home to him from our last trip! Also above, see the last workshop in progress while we were home.
Some interesting poetic reminders:

  • Did you know Don and Kath did a (spontaeous) collab... see the first reading of Where Is the Motherwell? while visiting the Robert Motherwell painting exhibit at the Huntington Gardens.
  • There are just two more days to enter the Second Simian Contest and submit to Shakespeare's Monkeys Revue.
  • The publishing party for the new "Why" edition of the San Gabriel Valley Poetry Quarterly will happen
    next Monday night, August 27th, at 8pm inside the backroom of the Santa Catalina Branch of the Pasadena Public Library on 999 E. Washington Blvd. Many of our members are included.
  • You can follow Rick and Kath in Puerto Rico by checking on their home page for the latest postings.
  • Follow our member Sharon Hawley on bike across the country, and leave encouraging messages on her blog!
  • Wednesday, August 8, 2007

    August 8 Workshop tomorrow



    Last week's workshop, above was a lively group of ten poets, Janis, Wendy, Janet, Mary, CaloKie, Pauli, Richard, Mira, Kath and Rick. The entertainment was a performance by Kath and Rick of Japanese and Chinese flute and percussion. See you tomorrow!

    Wednesday, August 1, 2007

    Thursday Poets Workshop at the Wilsons: Can it be as good as last week?




    Last week's Thursday Night Poetry Workshop at the Wilson's was the largest ever, and a great success as you can see from the smiles above. Seventeen poets attended, with most reading recent work. Afterwards Rick Wilson gave a short performance on his fujara, a Slovakian traditional shepherd's flute, acquired two weeks ago on our visit to Bratislava.
    This week, tomorrow, Thursday, August 2, at 6:30 pm we'll have an Asian evening, again at Kath and Rick's with Asian dinner snacks and a repeat performance of the music we did on Sunday for our "Rattle of Bamboo" reading, the annual anthology of our Southern California Haiku Study Group. Rick will play two Japanese flutes, shinobue, and ryuteki and one Chinese flute, a jade dizi. Kath accompanies on percussion. The photo above was taken after our Pacific Asia performance, with Debbie Kolodji, moderator or the Haiku Study Group.
    Related Upcoming events: On Saturday, August 4, Mira Mataric and her husband Gene Schultz will present a program of slides, music and poetry: "Travel to Sweden"-- at the Pasadena Central Library, Donald R. Wright Auditorium from 2 to 5 pm.

    Wednesday, July 18, 2007

    Shakespeare in the Park for Poets' Night, Thursday, July 19, 2007

    This week poets will meet at Garfield Park for a performance of "The Taming of the Shrew" at 6:30, performance starts at 7 pm. More details below! Those who had to leave early last week missed Rick playing his new fujara pictured above. We bought this 5 foot "shepherd's" flute on our trip to Bratislava. It has three fingerholes, and is known for its haunting melodies. We had a great workshop with eight reading poets in attendance and three other listeners. Kath made light Slovakian food, a traditional potato soup with caraway seeds, and sausage sandwiches (both vegetarian and other) all reminiscent of our recent travels. Following the slide shows, and film clips, we showed films of a traditional Slovakian music and dance from Bratislava, as well as a performance by the Vienna State Opera doing Mozart and Strauss that we attended in Vienna on our one day there. Here are the details for tomorrow's Shakespeare in the Park special event:

    As special event tomorrow, Don Campbell designated this as
    "Shakespeare Night" (the play's the thing) --so
    this will replace our usual Thursday workshop.

    On Thursday, July 19th, the ever totally free Shakespeare by the Sea
    is performing The Taming of the Shrew in Garfield Park, South Pasadena.
    The play starts at 7:00 p.m., but try to get there at 6:30 like normal, and meet in front of the stage... so we can set up our lawn chairs/blankets next to each other. Everyone could bring a picnic dinner (or grab take out on the way to have during the performance.

    Garfield Park
    1000 Park Ave
    South Pasadena, CA
    see

    for a map if you need one
    .

    And here's a review to tempt you more:

    And here's a review to tempt you more
    .

    Thursday, July 5, 2007

    Thursday Night Poetry July 5, 2007


    Everyone is expected at Thursday Night Poetry tomorrow, Don Kingfisher Campbell will welcome you all at the Wilson's as usual even though we're in Bratislava right now at another math conference. You can follow our adventures at our home page Last week's entertainment at Thursday Night Poetry was one of our favorites. A fascinating and unusual presentation of bt Asuncion Ojeda and her niece, Sarah Kimbrough of kulintang music, a traditional music from Mindanao island in the southern Philippines. Asuncion and Sarah are students/performing members of the Reseda-based World Kulintang Institute, which was founded by master teacher Eleanor Academia. Philippine kulintang represents only one of the many gong-chime traditions found in southeast Asia, and it is an art which is, unfortunately, in danger of extinction. The music, which dates back to the 3rd century, A.D., presents an organic interaction between melody and rhythmic modes. More photos of that evening soon. For July 5th's meeting, Kath made a rich curried vegetable stew, which will be served, and Rick left a slide show of our Canadian and NY trips of two weeks ago.

    Tuesday, June 19, 2007

    Poetry at the Wilsons Continues This Week: Thursday, June 21, 2007 : Workshop Ongoing even from Japan and Canada


    Last week we welcomed poet friends for a fantastic workshop just 3 hours after we returned from Japan. We all enjoyed Japanese snacks we brought home, and Rick show slides and film from Kyoto, Yokohama and Kamakura, Japan. See http://www.oldflutes.com/Kathy&Rick
    for photo essays. This week, Thursday June 21, Gail and Steven host while Kath and Rick are at the University of Waterloo, in Canada. Above, see last week-- Rick playing his gagaku flute purchased during our trip to Japan, and Kath (on far right) playing her new (accordian-like) Japanee percussion instrument. Our wonderful substitute-hosts Steven and Gail welcome us home.

    Wednesday, May 30, 2007

    Tomorrow Night It's Mexican Night at the poetry Workshop


    Above see Lynn Vartan, extraordinary percussionist back from her Mexican tour with stories, photos and a Mexican feast. Last week's workshop was a great one, here see Don Campbell, in center, Debbie Kolodji at left, CaLokie between them, and the great Marvin Dorsey on the right, all immersed in poetic thought. Tomorrow Night we'll have our regular poetry workshop followed by a special presentation by Lynn Vartan and Dorian about their recent trip to Mexico. Lynn was on tour as guest percussionist with the Tambuco Ensemble in Mexico City. She and Dorian are guest chief chefs in Kath's Kitchen--we'll all prepare some especially loved dishes from their trip.

    Thursday, May 24, 2007

    A Poetic Night at the Opera: Thursday Poetry Workshop May 24, 2007

    Thursday Night Poetry continues tomorrow night, each poet brings a new poem for critique and discussion. Photo from last week's workshop, Kath read "Meet Me There". To her right in photo, is Debbie Kolodji, who read her poem "Cruising San Francisco Bay". Justin Kibbe read "That is Not Super Woman" and Marvin Dorsey read "Shadow Boxing". A rousing 3 part "Not the Brother John Round" written by CaLokie, (far right, enjoying Kath's Puerto Rican style plantain soup and empanadas) was read by him, Kath and Marvin, most riotously to everyone's delight. Dinner snacks this week will be Italian (lasagne and eggplant parmagian) in honor of the Caltech recent opera chorus concert. For our entertainment we'll show excerpts from Rick's film of last weekend's shows, with Kath in the alto section.

    Wednesday, May 16, 2007

    This Thursday Poetry Workshop and Glass Flute show and play: tomorrow, May 17, 2007

    Thursday Evening Poetry Workshop carried on in style while we were in Puerto Rico (here's the group waving to us on one of the days we were gone...from our own living room!) This week the workshop will begin promptly at 6:30, dinner snacks served and poetry started immediately. Afterwards, Rick will provide the entertainment, a presentation of his rare crystal glass flute, made in France by Claude Laurent in 1834. He'll play one set of Variations by Jean Louis Tulou which is music of the time, and would have been played on such a flute. Announcement: Look see our CaLokie is the new featured poet on Kath's Ephemeral Poetry Blog. It was such a delight to be able to do this... and I am not finished. More photos and some sound files to come. This week Thursday workshop, at 7:30 Kath has to leave go to an important choral rehearsal, for the Glee Club Concert at Caltech. (It's free and all opera, very entertaining. It's 8 P.M. on Friday and Saturday nights on the Caltech campus. Friday at Dabney Lounge, Saturday at Ramo Auditorium. The locations are right across from one another, near the center of campus and very close to our house. Park there. Here's the Caltech map More reports will follow here...I am planning to make links to ur past Thursdays, with all ur traveling I have not shown you glimpses of the past few weeks and they were wonderful! More soon, and see you Thursday!

    Tuesday, May 1, 2007

    Poetry Workshop this Thursday May 3, 2007 at the Wilsons! Please Attend!

    Thursday Night Poetry will be in full poetic swing at Kath and Rick's again this week, even though (thanks to the man on the left) they are hosting from San Juan Puerto Rico! Professor Herealal Janwa, our host, invited Rick to work on mathematical collaborations here at the University, and so Kath is along, having her poetry influenced by the rainforests. Please follow our adventures at our Puerto Rico Trip Page. We are posting regular updates, including links to Kath's poetry written during our stay. She'd love it if someone read their favorite so far! Dinner was made for Thursday before we left, and it will be defrosted for serving on Thursday. Steven Radice will present an unusual entertainment singing favorites on guitar and ukulele after the workshop. We're hoping everyone will come and keep our house warm and full of poetry while we are gone. Kath is looking forward to interesting reportd and poems when she comes home!

    Thursday, April 26, 2007

    Thursday Night Poetry Hosted from Puerto Rico, April 26, 2007

    Here are Kath and Rick hosting the Pasadena Thursday Night Poetry Workshop from under a Mango Tree in the Botanic Gardens in San Juan, Puerto Rico. (See those mangoes in the upper left of the photo?)Rick was invited by Herealal Janwa, at the University of Puerto Rico, a former post doc and collaborator of Rick's at Caltech, to work on some projects together here. Kath always comes along for the adventure. We're assuming the poetry workshop is going on right now in our home, as planned, under the loving care of our friends Steven and Gail and with poets serving the soup and cookies Kath made for poets nights while we are gone. More reports on the last few poet's nights and also on our trip to follow. Meanwhile...here's Kath's first poem of the trip,
    Simulations from the Tropics

    Wednesday, April 18, 2007

    Belly Dance the Night Away at the Poetry Workshop Tomorrow


    Tomorrow is Bellydance Night at the Poetry Workshop. We'll expect to start poetry workshop and Critique at 6:30 PM along with a rich middle eastern lentil soup Kath is making for poetry dinner, with some hummus and pita pockets, and after that, at 8, Kath will attempt a solo version of our dance show program from this last weekend (unless any friend bellydancers come to rescue her, and join the entertainment). After that we can relax and watch the "real thing" Rick's film on dvd of the Friday night performance, and have some of Kath's specialty... pumpkin cheesecake...in progress as I write. Rick will show another favorite from the Dance Show, one of our more experienced members, Christy Canaria dancing with a sword on her head, and our guest (leaving tomorrow early), fabulous dancer Kristina Cañizares doing her act at Gitani Restaurant in Burbank on Sunday. In fact, Kath's new poem, to be read tomorrow is a tribute to her and her dancing, so you'll see what I'm talking about!

    Wednesday, April 11, 2007

    Bellydancing your Poems Away

    Oh my, well, again, those are not the poets at the poetry workshop! One of them is (Kath in back row, second from left). Come watch us dance Friday and Saturday at the Caltech Dance Show, Ramo Auditorium and Gitani Restaurant, 7 PM in Burbank. (Write to Kath if you need more details!) Poetry Workshop this Thursday as usual at Kath and Rick's! Soup's made and cornbread baked, cookies ready. Rick and Steven have prepared a great entertainment on the theme of Stephen Foster, America's first great songwriter, with historical flute, guitar and banjo ukulele. Kath will be at rehearsal for the dance show, but is hoping it will be a full house otherwise. As soon as this weekend is over, full reports of the last two wonderful workshops will be posted, Hurdy Gurdy Night with Curtis Berak, and Gypsy Music and Dance with Toti O'Brien.

    Wednesday, April 4, 2007

    Tomorrow's Gyspy Night at the Poetry Workshop

    Well no, that's not the poetry workshop, it's Toti O'Brien (one of our poets, in forground with accordion) and friends. We'll be having our usual poetry workshop tomorrow night, April 5, 2007 at Rick and Kath's with a big vegetable stew and all the trimmings as you all get of your caravans and join us. Workshop at 6:30, Toti playing accordion and telling some stories of her heritage at 8 or so. Can't wait to see you all again. I am working on a report of our last event, will post later, so check back for great photos and a story!

    Sunday, March 25, 2007

    French Festival at Thursday Night Poetry, March 22, 2007

    No one wanted to leave, this was a favorite night so far. Great poetry, and poet friends, French baroque music on a rare and beautiful instrument, and three French soufflés! See our French Night at Thursday Night Poetry Workshop report. Bruce Teter and Marishka Hopcroftprovided music by Couperin and Chedeville on harpsichord, musette de coeur, and recorder. Poets participating were CaLokie, Toti O'Brien, Justin Kibbe, Sharon Hawley, Albert Kung, Debbie Kolodji, Mira Mitaric and Kath. Musician friends attend the workshop as well as making music--Bruce and Marishka, as well as oboist Paul Sherman (who is planning a future program for one of our evenings), his wife Asuncion Ojeda, and Rick Wilson.

    Wednesday, March 21, 2007

    Thursday Night Poetry meets the French Musette

    Tomorrow, Thursday, March 22, 2007 will be French Night at the Thursday Evening Poetry Workshop and Critique. Workshop starts ar 6:30 PM, Music at 8 PM, dinner snacks throughout. Our guests will be Bruce Teter (see him performing at a concert) who will play the musette, pictured above, and also recorder; his wife Marishka will play our harpsichord. Our friend Bruce is also a professor at UCLA, specializing in brain research. Please come as early as possible, and stay for the music, as our guests have prepared a special program! We are so lucky to have them visit. They will come early to tune the harpsichord and are also looking forward to the poetry!

    Sunday, March 18, 2007

    Thursday Evening Poetry on Irish Night --(March 15, 2007)

    Oh yes, this was the best. How could it be otherwise, with the luck of the Irish. See the story of the night a wonderful workshop and celebration ("oh my Guinness"...as Michael Dunnn would say!)

    Wednesday, March 14, 2007

    WORKSHOP NIGHT CHANGED TO THURSDAYS

    We've changed our workshop night to Thursdays! You'll love our report on Elizabethan Night at the Evening Critique Workshop, March 7, 2007 at Kath and Rick's! Look there for details and directions. This Thursday we'll be having an Irish Night, Kath will cook some favorites from THE JOYCE OF COOKING and we'll feature Celtic Music with Rick Wilson and Steven Radice.

    Tuesday, March 6, 2007

    Wednesday Critique and Poetry Party Tomorrow

    Welcome poets, to our poetry party and critique tomorrow. You can see a bit of last week's festivities Wednesday Evening Critique and Chinese New Year celebration Feb. 28, 2007 at Kath and Rick's. Rick presented his collection of Chinese flutes and gave a short recital. Kath made a Chinese meal, homemade rice crackers, mock duck rolls with plum sauce, hot and sour soup, mapo tofu, and homemade fortune cookies... (after so many requests) she's promised to post some recipes soon. Tomorrow night we'll start promptly at 6:30 with the Critique, followed by an introduction to Elizabthan music and the viola da gamba, by our friend musician Phil Schlosberg, accompanied by Rick on flute. Plan to stay for the music and dinner snacks to be served throughout. So much fun we poets have together!

    Sunday, February 25, 2007

    Wednesday Evening Critique February 21, 2007

    Our lively (all are welcome!) Wednesday evening Critique was hosted at the Wilson's and began at 6:30 with poets presenting new work, copies passed to all, and engaging commentary, challenging and friendly, enjoyed. Pictured here, left to right are poets Justin Kibbe and CaLokie, as well as Don Campbell, and Mary Torregossa (co-hosts of the Critiques). Kath provided the atmosphere with an Asian Indian themed meal and Rick and friend Asuncion Ojeda gave an inspiring entertainment later in the evening,with a recital of rennaissance flute duets. See our poetry party for details on the evening! coming this Wednesday, February 28, 2007: poets meet if possible in front of the workshop location at 5:45 to hear Kath and the Caltech Glee Club (at Dabney Lounge at Caltech) sing three poetic songs in a final rehearsal for performance. Workshop and dinner snacks as usual at the Wilson's at 6:30 p.m. This weeks theme is Chinese New Year. Kath is making Chinese dinner snacks, and Rick will play Chinese music on flutes from his collection. Kath's Shanghai journals, albums and poems will be available for browsing. Thanks to Debbie Kolodji for her beautiful "valentine" see the post below!
    Don Campbell's new issue of the San Gabriel Valley Quartely (God Issue) is ready now. To order send $7. through Paypal to sensitive@earthlink.net

    Thursday, February 22, 2007

    blushing magnolia

    Rick and Kath
    at the Pacific Asia Museum
    February 17, 2007

    Sunday, February 18, 2007

    Poets in Love: 2/14/07 Wednesday Evening Poetry

    It was an unusual night, see the Valentines Poetry Party, newly hosting the 6:30 Wednesday Evening Critique at Kath and Rick's. Among the readers were Debbie Kolodji, second from left in photo (see her interesting and poetic livejournal .) Debbie moderates the Southern California Haiku Study Group once a month at the Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena. Kath and Peggy Cramer, who also read, attended the haiku workshop last Saturday. Mira Mataric (front left in the photo above, who also hosts wonderful poetry events in the area and in 2005 won the Literary Award Arsenie Charnoevich, from the govenment of Serbia read one of her poems. Jack Chansler, front right in photo, read a beautiful sonnet. Friendly and animated poetic discussions followed. Kath read her "Couplets in Bed" published in Don Campbell's San Gabriel Valley Poetry Quarterly #32. Go to Paypal and send $7 to sensitive@earthlink.org to order your copy of the "Rhyming Issue". As accompaniment to her poem, each guest received a "pink gel marker" (part of the poetic fantasy) which, which she explained... could not begin to measure up to the one in her poem. But still, nice party favors! (We still have some left for next time.) Dinner snacks were Kath's Maltese Minestra (a hearty traditional soup) spicy black lentils, curried corn and homemade cookies. The musical entertainment was a lovesong medley by our friend composer and musician Steven Radice. Rick accompanied on historical flute, and Kathy with voice and Vietnamese DanMo! (You'll see photos on the web page link above.) We made a recording and will post when ready.) Coming this week: appetizers and Wednesday Evening Critique at 6:30 pm, dinner snacks and entertainment at 8. This week will feature "Renaissance Duets" with Asuncion Ojeda and Rick Wilson, a short introduction to the renaissance flute and recital. Please come visit and write Kath for directions!

    Saturday, February 10, 2007

    Wednesday Night Poetry Party (Feb.7, 2007)

    Our Poetry Party was a great success this week. See Our Poetry Party Page for photos and details. Starting next Wednesday we'll be hosting the Wednesday Evening Critique Workshop, moderated by Don Campbella and Mary
    Torregrossa. Poets bring 10 copies of a new poem for discussion. Dinner snacks this included a "Vegetable Stew" by our friend and gourmet cook Harry Bower, from San Francisco, especially prepared and defrosted for the occasion. Also chocolate chip cookies and macaroons by Kath were among the many delicacies. Rick Wilson presented a short recital of the 19th century "pathetic air" Roselin Castle for the evening, and showed a few samples from his collection of 150 antique flutes. See the page link above for more details. Each party event will include an evening's entertainment. Next week (Wed. Feb 14) we will present Steven Radice singing a love-song medley with his own ukulele and guitar accompaniment.

    Sunday, February 4, 2007

    Vrooming into a new Poet's Night Tradition


    We're celebrating Vroom and starting a new Wednesday Night Tradition at Kath's. This Wednesday we'll show off ModernVerse co-author Michael Dunn's new book "Beyond Door's Threshold Light". See his new feature on Ephemeral Poetry You can see he's virtually present in the photo on the left, we've wishfully included him at one of our poet's night gatherings. On the right is artist, harpsichord builder, and collector of antique hurdy gurdy's Curtis Berak entertaining poets Don Campbell and Peggy Castro with his wonderful playing. Above you'll see Rick, Kath, and co-author Laurie Blume together at our Vroom reading in Chicago. See our visit with Laurie in Chicago and her reading her poem published in Vroom there last year. Our new traditional Wednesday meetings will follow Don's Wednesday afternoon poetry critique 4 tp 5:30 pm at Allure cafe on the corner of Sierra Madre Blvd and Colorado Blvd in Pasadena. We'll have 6:30 p.m. dinner snacks, poetry, conversation and entertainment at Kath's. Each evening will feature a musical or artistic contribution. This week Rick Wilson, collector and player of historical flutes will present a short flute demonstration and recital focused on the nineteenth century "pathetic air on Roselin Castle" by Charles Nicholson, along with other poetic and artistic references. We'll also have copies of Don's new chapbook "A Poet's Allusions" on hand. This one with a beautiful cover print by Alexei Jawlensky, "Solitude". You can order Don Kingfisher Campbell's new chapbook by going to PayPal and sending $6 (includes postage) to sensitive@earthlink.net

    Friday, January 19, 2007

    Party favors: A Collector's Edition of VROOM

    Remember when "Vroom" vroomed into Pasadena??? You can now order a new copy of "Vroom", the unofficial publication of poetrydmv, as edited and presented by member poet and "Pasadena poetry guru" (and party host) Don Campbell, in April, 2006, as a Poetry Month celebration. The re-issue contains poems by forty member poets. This collector's edition is a tribute to the poetic community that developed and to the ideals that the poets who belonged held in common. Thankfully, we have our party continuing here at Modern Verse, and many of the poets who found that international poetic community a treasure, continue those friendships and share their work on pathetic.org and shakespearesmonkeys.com To see audio clips and readings from Vroom, see the original Vroom Publishing Party, April 2006 To order your collectors copy, go to Paypal and direct $12. to sensitive@earthlink.net

    Thursday, January 11, 2007

    2007 Poetry Calendar

    Don Campbell stopped by to deliver a pile of poetry calendars to our home in Pasadena... you can have one too! You'll love this new 2007 Poetry Wall Calendar that
    Don has compiled. It features 36 Southern California poets, 3 poems a page, facing each month of open poetry dates... to order: go to Paypaland send $12. sensitive@earthink.net (includes mailing). Of course you'll find ones by some poets you know!