Nancy Allen * 3 August

The Gallery Walk performance art series at Everybody Reads Books and Stuff happens this Sunday, 3 August, at 2pm. (ER is located on E. Michigan Ave. of Lansing, MI, next to the Gone Wired Cafe.)

Featured is poet NANCY ALLEN who is joined by her daughters Courtney and Katie:

Ms. Allen's poetry has been published by The New Citizens Press and The Sunshine Lady Foundation. She partnered in conceptualizing and organizing the program Words of Hope and Healing (April 2008), which resulted in two performances that benefited the Women's Center of Greater Lansing.

Various Women Writers also are sharing poems. And YOU too are invited to read! Ms. Allen calls on words that "celebrate poetry, life, love and words of hope and healing."

Earth Charter Oneness Book Project

I came across an interesting web site for The Peace and Collaborative Development Network.

It posts a Global Call for Submissions: Earth Charter Oneness Book Project, which sounds incredible.

The goal date for first considerations is 15 August.

Aug 13-17 * Writing Workshop

Good news! The Leaven Center, located in Lyons, MI, is offering a writing workshop very soon! If you have yet to visit, Leaven's retreat lodge neighbors the Grand River and a lively stretch of forest.

Here is the latest announcement from Leaven about the workshop:

We are happy to welcome back Anya Achtenberg and Demetria Martinez, who will lead the writing workshop Telling the Truth About Our Lives: The Art of Autobiography, August 13-17, at The Leaven Center. The workshop is filling up, but we have space for a few more! You will find an interview with Anya in Leaven Notes, in which she explains the importance of autobiographical writing in our lives and to social justice work.

June & July Poetry - DotP

I recently published poetry on my web site Dey of the Phoenix:

*What Women Know About Love
*Fear

Comments are welcome!

24 July * POETRY in the City

A fabulous event kicks off this week in Lansing, Michigan

POETRY IN THE CITY

This annual poetry series (once called Poetry in the Park) is organized by Rina Risper, president and publisher of The New Citizens Press. Here are details from Ms. Risper about 24 July and future dates:

POETRY on the Capitol Steps,
Thursday, July 24, 2008, 7-9 p.m.

Who: Calling all poets and lyricists to perform on Lansing's Capitol steps at "Poetry in the City at the Capitol “. A new generation of language artists are shaping new thought processes through a common love of poetry and spoken word. This event is free and open to the public.

What: Poetry in the City at the Capitol Performance will be hosted by the coordinator of the Nu Poet Collective and Publisher of The New Citizens Press, Rina Risper. There will also be a special performance by The Nu Poet Collective and feature by Text Me TV’s Host, Logic. There’s an opportunity to participate for everyone. Out of town poets receive first up on the mic.

When: Thursday, July 24, 2008 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Where: On the steps of the Capitol at Michigan Avenue in Lansing, MI. Please bring a lawn chair or blanket

Why: We are living to be heard by the rest of the people who understand that a tremor can be created with words.

How: To enter, e-mail me a list of those who plan on reading. (Please include "Poetry in the City – June 24th" in the subject line of your email.)(All material must be in spoken word form).

Make history on the steps where laws are made. Make your voice heard. Join us there to either share a word or hear a word. For more information, please call 517.372.8466.

Other PIC events will be:

Thursday, August 7th at Michigan Women’s Historical Center and Hall of Fame, 7-9, & Thursday, September 18 at Shabazz Academy from 5-7

This program is funded in part by The Lansing Jaycees and The New Citizens Press. It’s program of the NorthWest Initiative.

Susan Harris * 13 July

This Sunday, 13 July, at Lansing's Everybody Reads book store, Susan Harris debuts her poetry compilation The Substance of Things (Hoped For). The event begins at 2pm. If I wasn't in Belgium, I would be there!!

After finishing my starter read of TSoT(HF) in its entirety, I say

amazing,
beautiful,
sonorous,
and plaited perfectly.

I first heard Susan perform her words at the 2006 Women in the Arts Festival (East Lansing, Michigan). She moved me so much that I sought her out after the show. She was introduced by the Day Stage emcee as a 20-year performer at WITA. And in 2007, she hosted the word-art part of WITA's Day Stage.

Way to go, Susan! Enjoy the solo limelight for all your words this weekend.