Western Book Roundup

National Poetry Month Across the Region

By Jenny Shank, 4-02-08

In 1996, the Academy of American Poets declared April to be National Poetry Month, and no one seems inclined to argue with them.  Poets and poetry-lovers across the country continue to get in the spirit of things with readings and events, and our region is no exception.  Check out the national poetry map on Poets.org, which fills users in on everything you’d want to know about poetry in your state, including “Poetic History,” “Favorite Poems,” poems about the state, readings, workshops, and more.  Read on for a sampling of the many poetry-related events across the region this month.

Colorado
The Denver Office of Cultural Affairs is sponsoring a slew of poetry events.  On Friday, April 4, poets will be reading their works from street corners in Denver arts districts, to coincide with the regular First Friday gallery openings (6:30 p.m.).  The following week, Denver Poet Laureate Chris Ransick will be on hand for Liquid Poetry: A Celebration of Verse and Ale at the Wynkoop Brewery (April 11, 7 p.m.), featuring “beer-related poetry,” which really, is the only kind.  “The Wasteland”?  All about beer.  Really, read it again.

Idaho
In Boise you can attend a poetry slam just about every week, with the VAC Poetry Slam at the Visual Arts Collective on April 7 (7 p.m.), a slam featuring spoken word performer Jared Paul at the Hatch Ballroom on April 17 (6:30 p.m.), and the Boise Poetry Slam at the Neurolux on April 21 (7:30 p.m.).

Montana
The Missoula Public Library begins its month-long series of poetry events on April 3 with poet Lowell Jaeger’s presentation, ”Losing Your Mind: How to Read Poems/How to Write Them” (7 p.m.).

New Mexico
The University of New Mexico will sponsor a poetry slam that kicks off today and continues through April 5.  Every Wednesday at noon this month, the UNM bookstore will host readings by New Mexico poets.

Oregon
The Oregon State Poetry Association is gearing up for its conference, which will take place April 25-26 in Salem, and feature the opening of the Oregon Poetry Collection at the Oregon State Library, along with workshops on “Free Verse, Light Verse, Do-It-Yourself Chapbooks” and “Gothic Poetry.” Bloomsbury Books in Ashland will host readings by local poets all month long.

Wyoming
Straight Outta Riverton: For National Poetry Month, the Riverton, Wyoming library will host the hip-hop group Lyrical Tacticians on April 19, who will be “representing in the library at 8 p.m.” Word.  A freestyle battle will follow on April 21 at 4 p.m.

Have some regional literary news or events to share?  If so,

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