Michael Rogers update

Michael Rogers, who runs a monthly poetry event at the Garfield Park Arts Center and edits a poetry journal, has been hospitalized at St. Francis-Indianapolis. Two of his friends, Shirley Martin and Linda Gosnell, report that they went to the hospital on Saturday to see Michael. They were told only family members were able to visit him at this time. I'll update this post with contact info for those who wish to send get-well greetings.

Ichabod's Sketchbook

From Bookmama's, 9 Johnson Ave., Indianapolis:

Our long-awaited anthology, Ichabod's Sketchbook, is now available for sale at our store. It is a collection of works by Indiana authors, some heretofor unpublished, and features several Irvington writers. We are very grateful to all those who contributed to bring this inaugural issue to fruition and we are hopeful that many of you will decide to submit to our next issue. For more information about the submission guidelines please email: ichabodssketchbook@gmail.com with your request. The deadline for submissions is December 18, 2009.

Photos from El Salvador

During my trip to El Salvador from Oct. 20-25, I helped conduct youth poetry workshops and participated in a wall mural project. I accompanied other Indiana poets Joyce Brinkman, Joseph Heithaus, Phoenix Cole and Ruthelen Burns. We lived with families from Quezaltepeque. Here are some photos from the trip:

'Bright Star'

Today and Thursday are the final days to see “Bright Star” at Landmark’s Keystone Art Cinema, 8702 Keystone Crossing, Suite 201A. 317-579-3009. It’s a drama based on the three-year secret love affair between John Keats (Ben Whishaw) and Fanny Brawne (Abbie Cornish),

Showtimes are 1:15 p.m., 4 p.m., 6:40 p.m., 9:25 p.m.

Official movie Web site

Peter Travers of Rolling Stone : http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/movie/27810091/review/30165983/bright_star?source=movie_reviews_rssfeed

If you saw the movie and would like to comment, post a reply below.

Lylanne Musselman's new book

A PR release about Lylanne Musselman's reading in Chicagoi and her new volume of poetry.

October 27, 2009, 7:30p—Open Mic—The October Open Mic welcomes Indianapolis poet Lylanne Musselman as Featured Author when she debuts A Charm Bracelet for Cruising, recently published by Winged City Press. She teaches at IUPUI, Ivy Tech Community College and the University of Indianapolis ' School of Adult Learning.

She hosts a monthly open-mic in Indianapolis, and appears on WFHB public radio once a month with her autobiographical series. Lylanne's poetry has appeared in a wide variety of online and print journals, and has appeared in seven TallGrass Writer's Guild 'black & white' anthologies and on the spoken word CD The Sounds of TallGrass. She is an award winning poet, and was most recently a winner of the Eli Jenkins' Five and Country Senses Poetry Competition. Following her presentation is the regularly scheduled open mic where everyone is welcome to perform up to 10 minutes of poetry, fiction, music and more. Cover charge for the evening is $6 reduced to $5 for students. The event is upstairs at The Bourgeois Pig, 738 W. Fullerton, Chicago, 773-883-5282.

Poetry event updates

Erin Livingston graciously sent me an update on local poetry events. I have added them to the calendar. (Look at the upper ledt-hand corner of this page and click on the calendar month for a list of events.). Also, let this be a reminder that if you know of new ormissing event, list it with me. If you spot an error or a defunct event, let me know. I depend on readers to keep me up-to-date.

The following is from Erin (all addresses are Indianapolis, except the Barnes and Noble event, which is in Westfield):

I can offer you some corrections/update that I found in my searching today:
***The Barnes & Noble reading (at 14709 Hwy 31 N) now happens on the 2nd Tuesday of the month instead of on Saturdays. The phone number I called to verify this was 317-844-2501, which is a general number for the store. They did not have a specific contact name.
***When I called Casba today, they informed me that their Tuesday poetry open mic was on hiatus indefinitely.
***Ian Rossman of Lazy Daze has moved to Chicago. He is no longer running the open mic. As far as I know it is now run by a man named Charles.
***An event to add: Free Speaker Open Mic at the Earth House Collective Fridays 8:30-11pm
***An event to add: POWERi Slam 8:00pm (3rd Fri Nov & Dec. Last Fri starting in Jan.) Earth House @ corner of East St. & New York St. $3 suggested donation at the door. Contact: Saint Peace 317.701.2402 thesaintpeace@gmail
******An event to add: Write On Open Mic at the Poetry Spot 1111 W. 34th St & Clifton 2nd & 4th Fridays. 10pm-2am. Cover vaires. This is up and running again.
******An event to add: Indianapolis Poetry Slam 6:30 sign up 7:00pm start (2nd Weds) FREE to watch. $5 to compete. Elbow Room @ 605 N. Pennsylvania St. Contact: Erin Livingston 512-767-4680 indypoetryslam@gmail.com

Poetry on Brick Street

Brick Street Poetry, the organization that publishes the Tipton Poetry Journal and runs the monthly Poetry on Brick Street readings in Zionsville, is incorporating as a not-for-profit group. It's now considered a not-for-profit as far as Indiana is concerned, and the federal ID number is pending to make donations tax deductible for federal purposes.

In the interests of full disclosure, I must reveal that I'm a member of the board of directors. Others members include Barry Harris, Joyce Brinkman and Susan Williams.

Right now we're discussing possible projects for 2010, as well as trying to come up with ideas -- through grants or fundraisers - to improve the Titon Poetry Journal and Poetry on Brick Street readings.

You can, in a small way, help by using the search engine GoodSearch. Just indicate Brick Street Poetry as your preferred nonprofit group, and BSP will receive a small monetary contribution.

Open thread

By the time most of you read this post, I'll be in El Salvador with four other poets. We'll be conducting youth poetry workshops and soaking in the Salvadoran culture. My time on this blog will be at the mercy of whatever time I'll have to spend at Internet cafes. So, this is an open thread. Please leave comments about whatever is on your mind. I will return late Sunday. In the meantime, as they say in some parts of Hoosierland, have at it.

Dan Carpenter Book Launch

Dan Carpenter will appear for a book launch and signing for his collection of poetry, More Than I Could See, at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at Bookmama's, 9 Johnson Ave., Indianapolis (in the Irvington neighbohhod).

Glick Award winners

James Alexander Thom, Susan Neville and Christine Montross are winners in the first Glick awards, honoring Indiana writers. Details here:
http://www.indianaauthorsaward.org/2009/09/award-winners-named/

Matthew Brennan: 'The House With the Mansard Roof'

Terre Haute Tribube-Star article on Matthew Brennan and his fifth poetry collection, The House With the Mansard Roof.

http://www.tribstar.com/arts/local_story_246213219.html

Micah Ling publishes 'Three Islands'

From DePauw University:

September 16, 2009, Greencastle, Ind. — Micah Ling, part-time assistant professor of English at DePauw and 2003 graduate of the University, has authored Three Islands. In the book of poetry, Ling "brings together the three colossal figures of Amelia Earhart, Robert Stroud (the Birdman of Alcatraz), and Fletcher Christian to examine the solitude and madness that comprises their slight degrees of separation," notes a synopsis. "Existing in the channel between fact and fiction, these poems deftly swim among the slight nuances that divide captivity, isolation, and escape."

Read more at http://www.depauw.edu/news/?id=24035