Bainbridge Island Celebrates National Poetry Month ~ April

Inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in April 1996, National Poetry Month brings together publishers, booksellers, literary organizations, libraries, schools, and poets around the country to celebrate poetry and its vital place in American culture. Local poets and poetry lovers - clear your calendars! Here's what's in store on Bainbridge Island and in North Kitsap County:



Poetry Corners: Approximately thirty poster-size poems by Bainbridge and North Kitsap poets are displayed during April in windows and venues throughout downtown Bainbridge Island. This year's theme is "change." A complete list of poets, poems, and venues will be posted on the Bainbridge Island Arts & Humanities Council's webpage, www.artshum.org, in early April.

Eagle Harbor Book Co. Limerick Contest: The winners of the Eagle Harbor Book Company Limerick Contest will be announced at the store sometime in April. Each poem mentions a Bainbridge Island location. Info: EHBC, www.eagleharborbooks.com or 206.842.5332.

BPA Gallery Poetry Exhibit:The Bainbridge Performing Arts lobby walls are again turned over to local poets for artistically exhibited poems. This year's features poets are all legendary and long-time Bainbridge poetry teachers and mentors, including Bob McAllister, Ralph Cheadle, Everett Thompson, Nancy Rekow, Janet West, and Margi Berger. The BPA Gallery Poetry Exhibit will run through the month of April, and can be viewed Tuesday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., plus one hour prior to BPA performances.

Poetry Is! Series on BITV Poetry Is! Bainbridge Island Poets in Performance. Produced by Barbara Morrison with funding from the City of Bainbridge Island Arts and Humanities Fund. Five programs air on BITV and BKAT (Channels 12 & 22) throughout April. Featured poets: John Willson, John David, Kent Chadwick, Mary Victoria Dombrowski, Janet Norman Knox, Van Calvez, Tamara K. Sellman, Marian MacDonald, Neil Baker, and Beverley West. Information: 206.842.8728; mimidombrowski@yahoo.com.

April 6: The 24th (or 25th - no one's sure) Annual San Carlos Poetry Reading: 1 - 4 p.m. San Carlos Restaurant, 279 Madison Ave. N., Bainbridge Island. Emceed by the legendary Bob McAllister. Poets wishing to read can sign up in advance by calling BIAHC at 206.842.7901 or at the door. The community is welcome at this free, rousing celebration of our local bards. The event is a fundraiser for Exhibition, BIAHC's journal of visual and literary arts. The spring 2008 issue of Exhibition, with a theme of "Before and After," will be launched at the reading.

April 8: BPA Poetry Slam: 7:30 p.m. Bainbridge Performing Arts, 200 Madison Ave. N. $5 suggested donation. The BPA theatre is transformed into a nightclub, with refreshments and a no-host bar, for the second annual Bainbridge Poetry Slam. Poets perform their work in a competition before judges chosen from the audience and are judged on both the content of the poem and their performance. No props, costumes, or musical instruments allowed. Last year's winner, Van Calvez, will return to defend his title.

April 12: Poetry on Demand Stand: Forget your spouse's birthday and need a poem in a hurry? West Sound Academy poetry students will write an on-the-spot poem to fit your every need. Commission a poem for a wedding, your pet, or capture a chosen memory in verse. Stop by their booth in Winslow Mall throughout the day. Free!

April 12: Poulsbohemian Poetry Series: 7 p.m. Poulsbohemian Coffeehouse, 19003 Front St. NE., Poulsbo. Barbara Berger reads Margi Berger's work; Pat Loken and Helen Merrill also read their work. Open mic follows featured readers. Admission free, with snacks and hot drinks for sale. For info, check www.poulsbohemian.com or call Nancy Rekow at 206.842.4855.

April 20: Jewel Box Poetry Reading: 3 p.m. 225 Iverson St., Poulsbo. Free. Featured poets Mary Lou Sanelli and Joannie Kervran Stangeland are followed by open mic. Info: 360.779.9688 or email jewelboxpoets@comcast.net.

April 27: Poem by Poem: 2 p.m. Bainbridge Library, 1270 Madison Ave. N. Free. Poetry teachers Nancy Rekow, Ralph Cheadle, Bob McAllister, and Everett Thompson read from their work and also from selected poems by 7th grade Woodward Middle School students of Anne Kundtz, which are displayed in the library through the month.

Want to give poetry a try? Drop in on John Willson's weekly poetry workshop at the Strawberry Park Center, 7666 NE High School Road, Wednesdays 7 - 9 p.m. $15 fee - no prior poetry experience necessary! Info: 206.842.2306.

Finally, look for the spring 2008 issue of Exhibition, the Bainbridge Island Arts & Humanities Council's journal of visual and literary art, at Eagle Harbor Book Co., Bainbridge Arts & Crafts, and other local venues.