Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

The powers in poetry gather. Rhode Island's the place. And April 19 to 23 is the time.
More than a dozen state poets laureate from around the country are convening for the fourth Biennial Gathering of U.S. Poets. It's five days of poetry readings, workshops and discussions. This will happen in schools, libraries and other places open to the public. And it's free.

The theme of this year's gathering, which plays off Rhode Island's official motto, is "Poetry for Hope."

The poets laureate come from such places as Alaska, Indiana, South Dakota, Tennessee and, of course, Rhode Island.

Lisa Starr is Rhode Island's poet laureate. She is the author of five books, including three books of poetry. She lives on Block Island with her husband and two children, where she runs an inn and the month-long Block Island Poetry Project, a series of events going on every weekend this month, National Poetry Month.

Here are some highlights from the schedule of the Biennial Gathering of U.S. Poets:

On Monday, April 20, at 7:30 p.m. the festival officially kicks off at Providence City Hall. Each of the visiting poets laureate will read a poem. And members of the Providence Institute for Non-Violence will recite hip-hop and rap.

On Tuesday, April 21, at 6 p.m. the poets laureate will lead three different workshops in Pawtucket: one is at Mixed Magic Theatre, 171 Main St.; and two are at the Blackstone Valley Visitor Center, 175 Main St. At 8 p.m. the poets gather at Mixed Magic Theatre for performance poetry.

On Wednesday, April 22, at 7:30 p.m., there's a celebration of poetry and Earth Day at Salve Regina University in Newport. Joining the visiting poets will be Salve faculty and students.

On Thursday at 2:30 p.m., three poets lead three workshops at Salve Regina University.

 Tags  Newport RI Pawtucket RI poetry Poetry for Hope Providence RI

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