Poetry slam for teens and adults April 16 at Natrona County Library in Casper

April is National Poetry Month. If you are a poet and you know it, show your stuff during “Poetry Slam” sponsored by the Natrona County Public Library. The event will be held at the Metro Coffee Company Saturday, April 16 at 7 p.m.

Poets should prepare two or three original poems to read aloud during their three-minute time limit, and will receive a free drink courtesy of the Friends of the Library. Prizes will be awarded for the best entries. Don’t forget to bring your own audience! Teens and adults, grades 7 and up, are welcome to participate. The event is free and open to the public.

Performance time is limited, so please sign up in advance at the library or by calling 577-READ ext 2. Poets will need to arrive and check in at 6:45 the night of the event.

FMI: April Szuch, (307) 237-4935; www.natronacountylibrary.org

"N*GGER WETB*CK CH*NK: The Race Show" comes to UW Jan 20

On Thursday, January 20, "N*GGER WETB*CK CH*NK: The Race Show" comes to the University of Wyoming Arts and Sciences Auditorium

"A very funny play, and a very important one as well."Travis Smiley, NPR

Called "jaw-dropping . . . infectious . . . explosive . . . inspiring" by the LA Times, this original play, written, directed, and acted by three UCLA grads, is a hilarious look at the impact these three racial slurs have had on their lives, and on our culture. N*W*C, as it calls itself, argues that "we must talk about these words to create change: we have the right to use them, because they have been used against us. But our use is going somewhere new." Weaving together ensemble work, monologues, slam poetry, and stand-up comedy, N*W*C has expanded the genre of populist theater, so that "what you'll experience," they say, "won't feel like any theater you've seen before, but you're still going to love it. Maybe even a little more. . . . And we hope you laugh you're a** off too." Sold out last time: this time, A&S.

General Public $27 /Students & Seniors $23.

FMI: http://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/culturalprograms/info.asp?p=26331

Slammin' in Casper

If you are a poet and you know it, show your stuff during “Poetry Slam” sponsored by the Natrona County Public Library. The event will be held at the Metro Coffee Company Saturday, October 23 at 7 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

Poets should prepare two or three original poems to read aloud during their three-minute time limit, and will receive a free drink courtesy of the Friends of the Library. Prizes will be awarded for the best entries. Don’t forget to bring your own audience! Teens and adults, grades 7 and up are welcome to participate.

Performance time is limited, so please sign up in advance at the library’s reference desk or by calling 577-READ, ext 2.

"Poetry Box" meets weekly at Natrona County Library

From April Szuch at the Natrona County Publlic Library in Casper:

Do you enjoy reading or writing poetry? The Natrona County Public Library is starting up a new discussion group just for poetry lovers! “Poetry Box” will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the library, Fridays, September 10, 17 and 24 and then monthly thereafter.

The group will discuss attendees’ original poems, read and discuss published poetry, and do creative exercises for poetry writing. Each attendee is encouraged to bring a short poem to share (either original or published). Refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Library. For more information, call 577-READ ext 2.

Henry Rollins drops into Jackson June 23

Teen Poetry Slam May 7 at Teton Co. Library

Teen Poetry SLAM will be held on Friday, May 7, 6-10 p.m., in the Teton County Public Library Ordway Auditorium in Jackson. The program is free and open to the community with support from the Charles Engelhard Foundation and Teton County Library Foundation.

Teton County Library invites teens to recite poems and perform other forms of verbal expression, including rap, during a Teen Poetry SLAM at 6 p.m., Friday, May 7 at the library. Pizza and snacks will be served.

During the month of April, the library invited teens to submit original poems to the library's excellent panel of judges. Winners of the April contest, celebrating National Poetry Month, will be announced at the SLAM. Contest entries gave a lyrical twist to an array of topics, including grandma, cats, music, love, social customs, school, skiing, rainy days, horses and much more.

For information about teen programs at the library, contact Teen Program Coordinator, Steve Whisenand, 733-2164 ext. 247 or visit online at www.TCLib.org.

Teton County teens invited to submit poems

In celebration of National Poetry Month --

The Teton County Public Library in Jackson is sponsoring a Teen Poetry Contest.

Teens are invited to submit original poems for judging by the library's panel of judges, and prepare to recite them aloud at the Poetry Slam in May.

Contact: Teen Program Coordinator, Steve Whisenand, 733-2164 ext. 247.

Mary Hein wins lit conference poetry slam

Long-time WWInc and WYOPoets member Mary Hein claimed first place in the 23rd annual Casper College Literary Conference poetry slam Saturday night at Metro Coffee in Casper.

Mary out-slammed a field of competitors comprised mainly of high school and college students, along with one of the WAC fellowship winners, Lori Van Pelt of Saratoga (she finished third).

For her efforts, Mary won the "Mystery Bag" prize, presented by slam emcee George Vlastos. In the bag was a bottle of imported Vlastos olive oil.

Second place went to Heidi Johnson, a Casper College student and editor of the "Expressions" literary magazine. Her prize was a pair of recycled lighting fixtures provided by writer and scavenger Tom Rea.

Thanks to all the participants. And Mary Hein has agreed to come back next fall to defend her crown.

Start practicing now, all you slammers!

"Thresholds" -- 23rd Annual Literary Conference

October 8-10
presented by Casper College and ARTCORE
Attend three enriching days of writing workshops and free public talks on poetry, fiction, and nonfiction, as well as readings by recipients of the 2009 Wyoming Arts Council Poetry Fellowships.

Featured Presenters
All talks are free and open to the public.
William Powers, Author of Blue Clay People: Seasons on Africa’s Fragile Edge.
Tim Sandlin, Author of Rowdy in Paris, Skipped Parts and Sex and Sunset.
Greg Pape, Author of American Flamingo and Sunflower Facing the Sun.
Linda Hasselstrom, Author of No Place Like Home: Field Notes from a Western Life.

WRITING WORKSHOPS
Two day workshops are $60 and require pre-registration. Seats are limited. Please sign up early (coming soon).[ Register Today! ]
“Start and Finish Your Novel,” Tim Sandlin, 2-5 p.m. Oct. 8-9
“Writing to See, Seeing to Write,” Linda Hasselstrom, 2-5 p.m. Oct. 8-9
“Writing for Change,” William Powers, 9 a.m. - noon, Oct. 9-10
“Poetry Workshop,” Greg Pape, 9 a.m. - noon, Oct. 9-10

For more information and to register for workshops visit:
www.caspercollege.edu/events
Questions?
Contact Terry Rasmussen
2009 Literary Conference Director
307-268-2480