For those who missed the last tree and subsequent announcements, Tree is shaking again. The unrestricted open mic is back until at least August. You no longer have to be published by particular publishers to read at the “open mic”. And there will be two prizes…the Origami Crane for best poem of open mic…won last year by Cameron Anstee, and a second award with judge and prize tbd for best taped performance at open mic.
If you haven’t been in a while you’ll see there are sometimes a panel interview of feature poet inviting a poet for discussion after readings and a new addition of a poem by a pre-selected or pre-volunteered reader to remember a poet who has passed on, years ago, or centuries ago. Poem talks about craft happen sporadically as well.
There also will be a new focus on lightening the mood to make it a warm friendly space whether you are new or mature in the craft.
The free pre-Tree workshops continue year round. Come for 6:45-7:45 on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month and a facilitator will do small group poetry discussion. How Poems Work, or prompts to write, time to share your poem in a safe environment, focus on one particular poet or style. The focus shifts with the instructors. 2010 facilitators include rob mclennan, Cameron Anstee, Terry Ann Carter, Guy Simser, Claudia Coutu Radmore, Ronnie R Brown and myself.
Pictured is the last feature reader, Tonja Gunvaldsen Klaassen with workshop facilitator rob mclennan.
Kevin Connolly is the next feature reader at Tree on May 11. I mentioned reading his last book and seeing him at the OIWF 2 years ago.