Poetry Atlanta Presents... Alice Friman & Megan Volpert, Jan. 17

Poetry Atlanta Presents... partners with Georgia Center for the Book and Poets & Writers for a reading by Alice Friman and Megan Volpert on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 7:15 p.m. at the Decatur Library auditorium, 215 Sycamore St.

Alice Friman is the poet-in-residence at Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville and the author of nine acclaimed volumes of poetry. Her latest is Vinculum, a dazzling collection whose poems vibrantly embrace the deep connections between people.

Megan Volpert's anticipated new book Sonics in Warholia has just been released by Sibling Rivalry Press. It is a strikingly personal work that brilliantly revives the prose poem form. Megan currently is a teacher and co-directs the Atlanta Queer Literary Festival.

We'll have copies of the poets' new books for sale and signing at this program courtesy of Blue Elephant Book Shop.

January Readings & Events

Wednesday, January 11, 8 p.m.
Callanwolde Open Mic Poetry Night
Callanwolde Fine Arts Center
Join amateur and professional poets alike as Callanwolde celebrates the art and performance of poetry with its open mic poetry reading night in the unique setting of the Callanwolde Library. Poets who would like to share their original poetry are welcome. Readings are open to the first ten poets who call and sign up. 404-872-5338 ext. 228. Tickets are sold at the door. $5 General Admission, $3 Students with ID, Seniors, and Members. For more information call (404) 872-5338 or visit www.callanwolde.org.

Friday-Saturday, January 13-14, 7:30 p.m.
Kodac Harrison: In Too Deep
7 Stages Theatre
Poet, musician and artist Kodac Harrison returns to 7 Stages for a multi-media show featuring poetry, music, dance, art and more. Harrison is retiring from music after this special event and there will also be a CD release in conjunction with In Too Deep. 7 Stages is at 1105 Euclid Ave. in Little Five Points. www.7stages.com or www.kodacharrison.com

Tuesday, January 17, 7:15 p.m.
Poetry Atlanta Presents... Alice Friman and Megan Volpert
Decatur Library Auditorium
Poetry Atlanta and Georgia Center for the Book present an evening with two noted poets. Friman's new collection, Vinculum, is out now from LSU Press, while Volpert's latest, Sonics in Warholia, is out from Sibling Rivalry Press. The library is at 215 Sycamore Street in Decatur. Park in the lower level of the deck to easily access the auditorium.  www.georgiacenterforthebook.org

Thursday, January 26, 8:00 p.m.
What's New In Poetry Series: Evie Shockley, Chelsea Rathburn & Megan Kaminski
Emory University
The Emory Poetry Council will host a reading at the Barnes & Noble campus bookstore, 1390 Oxford Road. The reading is free and parking is available on the street and in the deck behind the store.  www.poetrycouncil.campuslifetech.org

Sunday, January 29, 4:00 p.m.
Billy Collins
Emory University
The former US poet laureate will give a free reading at Glenn Auditorium on the Emory University campus. The reading is free, but requires tickets. Contact the Emory box office for details. http://arts.emory.edu/box-office/

Tuesday, January 31, 7:15 p.m.
Collin Kelley reads from Remain In Light
Decatur Library Auditorium
Award-winning poet and novelist Collin Kelley launches his new novel, Remain In Light, at this event hosted by Georgia Center for the Book. The novel follows a young poet, Martin Paige, as he works with a Parisian widow to uncover the secrets of her husband's murder 30 years earlier during the 1968 student riots. The library is at 215 Sycamore Street in Decatur. Park in the lower level of the deck to easily access the auditorium.  www.georgiacenterforthebook.org

Benefit for Bryan Pattillo on Dec. 18

A benefit for local poet and spoken word artist Bryan Pattillo will be held during Java Monkey Speaks on Sunday, Dec. 18, 8 p.m. Bryan, who has been on the Java Monkey Slam Team for seven years and performed around the world, was hit by a car while riding his bike last month and is unable to work and does not have health insurance.

Poets who want to read that evening will be asked to make a $5 donation to add their name to the sign-up sheet. The sign-up list will be limited to 40 people. Poets may also sign up, but give their slot to someone else as a tribute.

Host Kodac Harrison will also pass the collection jar, money usually reserved for the featured poet will be donated and Java Monkey Coffee House has agreed to give part of that night's proceeds to help Bryan. There will be a continuous open mic from 8 to 11 p.m., so come out and help support one of Atlanta's most noted poets. Java Monkey is located at 425 Church Street in downtown Decatur, across the street from the MARTA station.

December Readings & Events

Sunday, December 4, 5:00 p.m.
Louise Runyon & Friends
Forever Friends Building, AtlantaPoet Louise Runyon will read from her newly published collection The Clearing at the Forever Friends Building, 1151 Sheridan Road, Atlanta, 30324. Music from Pat Vas Dias and Margaret Hayman will begin at 4:45 p.m. $10 suggest donation. www.louiserunyonperformance.com

Tuesday, December 6, 7:30 p.m.
Poetry Night at Outwrite ft. Rupert Fike, Megan Volpert and Senoritawesome
Outwrite Bookstore
Poet Franklin Abbott hosts a reading by local poets Megan Volpert (Sonics in Warholia) and Rupert Fike (Lotus Buffet) as well as acoustic music by Lauren Fareira, who performs under the name Senoritawesome. 991 Piedmont Ave. www.outwritebooks.com

Thursday, December 8, 8:00 p.m.
What's New In Poetry Series: Anselm Berrigan & Edmund Berrigan
Emory University
The Emory Poetry Council will host a reading at the Barnes & Noble campus bookstore, 1390 Oxford Road, featuring Anselm and Edmun Berrigan. The reading is free and parking is available on the street and in the deck behind the store.  www.poetrycouncil.campuslifetech.org

Friday, December 9, 7 to 9:00 p.m.
Erato Spoken Word Competition
Georgia Tech Campus
Erato, Georgia Tech’s journal of arts and literature, is hosting its first annual Spoken Word Competition featuring college students from around the metro. The event includes the performance and judging of spoken word finalists as well as free coffee, provided by Octane Coffee Bar, and desserts, provided by the journal staff members. An anthology of finalists will be available the week before and at the event. The competition will take place in the center of Georgia Tech’s campus at the Campanile fountain.

Thursday, Dec. 15, 7:00 p.m.
The Last Tango at 10th & Piedmont
Outwrite Bookstore
THIS EVENT HA BEEN POSTPONED.


Sunday, December 18, 8:00 p.m.
A Benefit for Bryan Pattillo
Java Monkey Speaks
A benefit for local poet and spoken word artist Bryan Pattillo will be held at Java Monkey Coffee House on Sunday, Dec. 18, 8 p.m. Bryan, who has been on the Java Monkey Slam Team for seven years and performed around the world, was hit by a car while riding his bike last month and is unable to work and does not have health insurance. Host Kodac Harrison will pass the hat, money usually reserved for the featured poet will be donated and Java Monkey itself has agreed to give part of that night's proceeds to help Bryan. There will be a continuous open mic from 8 to 11 p.m., so come out and help support one of Atlanta's most noted poets. Java Monkey is located at 425 Church Street in downtown Decatur, across the street from the MARTA station.

November Readings & Events

Tuesday, November 1, 7:30 p.m.
Poetry Seance
Bound to Be Read Books
Local poets will conjure up the spirit of their favorite dead poets for this special event featuring Franklin Abbott, Karen Head, Lisa Allender, Amy Pence, Alice Teeter, Cleo Creech and more. 481-B Flat Shoals Ave., East Atlanta Village.  www.boundtobereadbooks.com.

Sunday, November 6, 4:30 p.m.
Louise Runyon
Shambhala Center, Decatur
Runyon reads from her newly-released third book of poetry, The Clearing. This book includes 39 poems exploring the subject of "clearing," as well as Petunias In The Window, a story for children and adults about a mother’s struggle to save her New York City apartment building from demolition. The book includes illustrations and other artwork by Suzanne Clements. $10 donation (optional). 1447 Church Street. www.LouiseRunyonPerformance.com/Poetry  

Monday, November 7, 7:15 p.m.
David Bottoms
Decatur Library Auditorium
Georgia Center for the Book welcome back Georgia’s Poet Laureate David Bottoms to read and sign his new collection, ”We Almost Disappear." 215 Sycamore St. www.georgiacenterforthebook.org.

Monday, November 7, 6:30 p.m.
Natasha Trethewey
Emory University
Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Natasha Trethewey gives the Phillis Wheatley Reading as part of the Creative Writing Program Reading Series at Emory University in the Jones Room, 311 Woodruff Library. The reading will be followed a by reception and book signing. www.arts.emory.edu

Wednesday, November 9, 8:00 p.m. 
Poetry At Callanwolde: Rupert Fike and Adrian Fillion
Callanwolde Fine Arts Center
Rupert Fike's collection of poems, Lotus Buffet, was published this year by Brick Road Poetry Press and will be available at the reading. Nominated for the Pushcart prize in fiction and poetry, his work has appeared in numerous publications, including Rosebud, The Georgetown Review and Natural Bridge. His non-fiction work Voices from The Farm is now available in paperback. Adrian Fillion has published poems in The Atlanta Gazette, The DeKalb Literary Arts Journal, Poetry Venture and Red Hand Book. Tickets are sold at the door. $5 General Admission, $3 Students with ID, Seniors, and Members. For more information visit www.callanwolde.org.

Wednesday, November 9, 7:30 p.m.
An Evening of Spoken Word with Kimberly Dark
Bound to Be Read Books
Kimberly Dark’s spoken word shows have twice been named on Curve magazine’s top 10 performances of the year and, in 2010, Campus Pride named her one of the “Top 25 LGBT Favorites” on Campus Pride’s 2010 “HOT LIST!” –  the ‘best of the best’ in LGBT actors, comedians, performers, and more – diverse, provocative, inspiring, and enlightening. Bound to Be Read Books, 481-B Flat Shoals Ave., East Atlanta Village. www.boundtobereadbooks.com

Thursday, November 10, 8:00 p.m.
What's New In Poetry Series: Bloof Books
Emory University
The Emory Poetry Council will host a reading at the Barnes & Noble campus bookstore, 1390 Oxford Road, featuring poets published by Bloof Books: Shanna Compton, Maureen Thorson, Sandra Simonds, Anne Boyer, Patricia Lockwood, and Peter Davis. The reading is free and parking is available on the street and in the deck behind the store.  www.poetrycouncil.campuslifetech.org

Saturday, November 12, 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Johns Creek Poetry Festival
Northeast Spruill Oaks Library
A day of readings, events and activities for children and adults by local poets and a special appearance by Thomas Lux. 9560 Spruill Road.

Saturday, November 19, 4:00 p.m. 
Barbara Knott 
Academy Theatre, Avondale Estates
Barbara Knott’s poem “Boxwood” was selected by Nikki Giovanni as winner of the 2009 New Millennium Writings’ poetry award . Her chapbook Soul Mining was published by Finishing Line Press in 2011. In this program, she will be accompanied by dancers Sandra Hughes of the Mask Theater and Malita Belloso and Kevin Wilson of Calo Gitano Flamenco Dance Academy. Admission Free. 19 Center Street. For more information, visit www.grapevineartandsoulsalon.com and click on Barbara’s Book.

Tuesday, November 22, 7:30 p.m.
Antron-Reshaud
Outwrite Books
Antron-Reshaud signs his latest book of poems, short stories, and ruminations, Ayo: Lost and Found. 991 Piedmont Ave. www.outwritebooks.com

Friday, December 9, 7 to 9:00 p.m.
Erato Spoken Word Competition
Georgia Tech Campus
Erato, Georgia Tech’s journal of arts and literature, is hosting its first annual Spoken Word Competition featuring college students from around the metro. The event includes the performance and judging of spoken word finalists as well as free coffee, provided by Octane Coffee Bar, and desserts, provided by the journal staff members. An anthology of finalists will be available the week before and at the event. The first place winner will receive an award of $100, and the runner-up will receive $50. The competition will take place in the center of Georgia Tech’s campus at the Campanile fountain.

7th annual Voices Carry reading Oct. 29

Poetry Atlanta is teaming up with the Atlanta Queer Literary Festival to present the 7th annual Voices Carry reading on Saturday, October 29, 7:30 p.m. at The Philip Rush Center. This event is free and open to the public.

The evening will feature:

Cecilia Woloch: A recent National Endowment for the Arts Fellow and author of the collections Carpathia and Late, Woloch teaches at the University of Southern California and regularly teaches workshops in America and abroad.

Rupert Fike: Fike is the the author of Lotus Buffet, which has just been released by Brick Road Poetry Press. His work has appeared in many publications including Atlanta Review, FutureCycle and the Texas Review of Poetry.

Alice Lovelace: Lovelace is an award winning playwright, performance artist, internationally published and award winning poet producer, and a teacher of poetry.  She is the editor of the anthology CRUX: A conversation in words and images South Africa to South USA and 100 Poems of Solidarity for Haiti.

Franklin Abbott:  Abbott co-founded and serves as Chairperson of the Atlanta Queer Literary Festival. He is a psychotherapist, editor and poet. Boyhood: Growing Up Male is his most recent anthology and Pink Zinnia is his most recent book of poetry.

Karen Head: Head is the author of Sassing (WordTech Press, 2009), My Paris Year (All Nations Press, 2009) and Shadow Boxes (All Nations Press, 2003). Her poetry has appeared in many journals and she is the graduate communications director at Georgia Tech.

Collin Kelley: Kelley is the author of three poetry collections including the recently re-issued Slow To Burn and two novels, Conquering Venus and the newly-released Remain In Light.

Th Philip Rush Center, 1530 DeKalb Ave., Atlanta, 30307 (same building as Radial Cafe).

October Readings & Events

Thursday, October 6, 7:00 p.m.
Poetry at Tech Event in Alpharetta
Featuring: Thomas Lux, Travis Denton and John Stepens
Special reading in association with Birmingham United Methodist Church and the City of Milton to be held at the church, 15770 Birmingham Highway. Open to all. To see the full Poetry at Tech 2011-12 schedule, visit www.poetry.gatech.edu.

Saturday, October 8, 7:30 p.m.
Finishing Line Press Poetry Reading
Bound to Be Read Books
Collin Kelley will host a reading by local poets published by Finishing Line Press including Eve Hoffman, Ann Lynn, Robert Wood, JC Reilly and Maureen McGranaghan. 481-B Flat Shoals Ave., East Atlanta Village.  www.boundtobereadbooks.com.

Wednesday, October 12, 8 p.m. 
Poetry At Callanwolde: Stacey Lynn Brown and Terry Hensel
Callanwolde Fine Arts Center
Stacey Lynn Brown, a poet, essayist, and playwright, is the author of the book-length poem Cradle Song (C&R Press, 2009). She teaches creative writing at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Terry Hensel has published poems in a number of anthologies, including Encore, O'Georgia, Reach of Song, and Creative Collaboration of the Southeast. He has won or placed in several state and national poetry contests, and is active in the Georgia Poetry Society.Tickets are sold at the door. $5 General Admission, $3 Students with ID, Seniors, and Members. For more information visit www.callanwolde.org.

Friday, October 14, 7:00 p.m.
What's New In Poetry Series: Susana Gardner, James Maughn, Marthe Reed, Mackenzie Carignan, Marci Nelligan
Emory University
The Emory Poetry Council will host a reading at the Barnes & Noble campus bookstore, 1390 Oxford Road. The reading is free and parking is available on the street and in the deck behind the store.  www.poetrycouncil.campuslifetech.org

Tuesday, October 18, 7:15 p.m.
A Southern Poets Reading Evening ft. Janisse Ray, John Lane & Thomas Rain Crowe
Decatur Library Auditorium 
Georgia Center for the Book event featuring three acclaimed poets. Janisse is a native Georgian whose books include Ecology or a Cracker Childhood and Drifting Into Darien, and her new poetry collection, A House of Branches, is informed by her life-long interest in wilderness preservation. John Lane is a South Carolinian who writes powerfully about the woods and wilds in many books and whose new volume of poetry, Abandoned Quarry, marks him as ”the finest Southern landscape poet we have today.” Thomas Crowe is a native North Carolinian and author of a dozen books of prose and poetry, and his just-published book of poems Crack Light illustrated by photographs speaks movingly to the ties between humans and the earth in his western North Carolina hill country. 215 Sycamore St. www.georgiacenterforthebook.org.

Wednesday, October 19, 7 p.m.
Erato Reading Series ft. Tania Rochelle, Tavares Stephens, and Alice Lovelace 
Georgia Tech Library
Georgia Tech's literary magazine, Erato, will host three noted local poets in the Neely Room of  Library West Commons. For information and directions, visit www.library.gatech.edu.

Thursday, October 20, 6 to 8:00 p.m.
AQLF Graphic Intervention Reading
Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA)The Atlanta Queer Literary Festival partners with MODA as part the museum's Graphic Intervention: 25 Years of International AIDS Posters exhibition. Local poets will read poems inspired by posters on display. Expected to read are Cleo Creech, Franklin Abbott, Brent Calderwood, Megan Volpert, Theresa Davis, Collin Kelley and more. MODA, 1315 Peachtree St. (across from the High Museum). www.museumofdesign.org.

Thursday, October 27, 7:30 p.m.
Poetry at Tech: Stephen Dobyns, Carl Dennis & Kate Johnson
Kress Auditorium@The Robert C. Williams Paper Museum
A free reading by three noted poets at the Adam Stephens Night Out For Poetry. Please note that Dobyns has been added to this even after missing the Sept. 27 reading. Kress Auditorium, 500 Tenth Street, NW Atlanta, GA 30309.  Plenty of free parking available just in front of the building's entrance or through the gate, which is straight ahead as you turn off 10th Street. To see the full Poetry at Tech 2011-12 schedule, visit www.poetry.gatech.edu.

Saturday, October 29, 7:30 p.m.
Poetry Atlanta & AQLF Present VOICES CARRY
The Philip Rush Center
Poetry Atlanta and Atlanta Queer Literary Festival present the seventh annual reading featuring Cecilia Woloch, Rupert Fike, Alice Lovelace, Franklin Abbott and Karen Head. Collin Kelley will host. Free! Philip Rush Center, 1530 DeKalb Ave., Atlanta, 30307 (same building as Radial Cafe.