Poets United to Advance the Arts Gives Back for National Grandparents' Day, September 13th...

Since its inception, Poets United to Advance the Arts has been committed to 4 core activities in increasing arts awareness and promoting literacy:

1. PERFORMANCES-- Monthly, professional performances at various venues throughout Illinois

 

2. EDUCATION--Educational programs and workshops in schools and libraries

 

3. LITERATURE--Creating, publishing and promoting poetry books and informational products

 

4. OUTREACH--Voluntering our time and talents to local nursing homes, churches, and those in the arts community

In keeping, we celebrated National Grandparents' Day with some lovely folks in the senior community, on Sunday, September 13th.

It was a "grand" celebration of poetry, music, conversations and gift giving!

GIFTS PRESENTED TO SENIORS INCLUDED:

BIBLES

BOOKS

CALENDARS

CELL PHONE HOLDERS

CRAFT ITEMS

CUPS AND COCOA MUGS

DECORATIVE FRAMES

MOVIES

ROSARIES

TEAS

TOILETRIES

 

A special thank you goes out to our supporters and donors:

EVELYN COGDELL

DEBORAH TAYLOR

A.D. MOORE

CRYSTAL THOMAS (VICTORY CENTRE)

ANONYMOUS (Someone who appreciates seniors for their life contributions)

Black Ensemble Theatre to Debut Lillian Mitchum's Short Play-"Thirsty!"

 

 

 

The Black Ensemble Theater will present a short play written by Lillian E. Mitchum, as part of its four play summer series.

 

The production of "Thirsty" will take place at the Black Ensemble Theater

 at 4450 N. Clark Street, Chicago

On August 26th at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $15.00 per person.

 

 

It promises to be an evening to remember! 

Image: Freedigitalphotos.net

Book That Poet Provides Listings for Global Readings!

Are you a poet seeking venues to share your works?
Would you like to teach workshops or share your love of the arts with youth in your school area?
Do you have poetry books available that you'd like to have featured online?

Book that Poet is an online directory for poets and performing artists, that provides booking and promotional opportunities for poets worldwide!

For a small annual fee you can be listed for one year, or two.

For more details, visit www.Bookthatpoet.com today.



Image: Nikola Hartmann

Honoring Black History Month

ONE OF OUR VERY OWN!

Join fellow poetry enthusiasts for a monthly reading by a featured local poet.

Henry L. Jones

Henry L. Jones is a poet, author, activist and artist who focuses on cultural and social issues. He blends life experiences and history to write about the Black experience using vivid images. Jones published Run into Blackness: Feeling My Poetic Gumbo, (Pneuma Publishing International, Inc.) which received praises in many media sources. This was his first commercial book. He has obtained awards, honors, and recognitions such as the Dr. Harriette Bias-Insignares Award for Poetry. Dr. Bias-Insignares is Nashville’s Poet Laureate/Ambassador of Letters. He collaborated with photographer Carlton Wilkinson in The African Male Museum Series, which won the Tennessee Arts Commission’s Individual Artist Fellowship (visual art). A concerned activist, Jones’ essay and poem were published in Houses of God, a gospel music CD release and book by the House of Blues Music Company & Platinum Entertainment. Various artists included: The Winans, Stevie Wonder, LA Mass Choir, The Temptations, Andrae Crouch Michael Brooks & The Nation, Cissy Houston, and others. This project raised nearly half million dollars to rebuild Southern churches attacked by racially motivated fires and bombs in the 1990’s. He recites his poetry often at cultural programs, festivals and literary events. Jones was the featured poet for the Southern Festival of Books (2010) debut stage of Chapter 16 (Humanities Tennessee), a new journal about books, writers and literary events in Tennessee. He has been a visiting poet at numerous colleges and taught ways to unleash creativity in workshops.


SEE DETAILS HERE:

http://www.scarrittbennett.org/event/poets-corner-featuring-henry-jones/

Date: February 26th
Time: 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Fondren Hall, 2nd Floor

 

Review--If I Could Hear God Laugh

If I could Hear God Laugh is a collection of inspirational poems by Prentiss Wilbur Gardley that I highly recommend.

The author's "range" is as impressive as Mariah Carey's! With more than 50 poems on an array of timely topics, there's something that will resonate with readers young and old.

Here's a sample of one of his pieces....

MAMA'S LITTLE MAN 

 

 

I remember how mama wanted to be in love

She wanted somebody to love her the same

And everytime it didn't work out

Somehow I thought I was to blame

 

Her strongest vice, til the end of her life

Was for someone to love her back

Mama wanted to be somebody's wife

Someone who knew how to act

 

She searched for love as if it were gold

She longed for someone to have and to hold

I watched her give every inch of her soul

From the days she was young

Till the time she grew old

 

It was I who held her when she cried

Wiped the tears from mama's eyes

Rub her back until she was sleep

Then go into my room and weep

 

See, I was mama's Little Man

I'd sit on her bed at night

While she would make her wedding plans

That never turned out right

 

I took care of my mama

Until I went astray

And the thought of that still haunts me

Each and every day

 

If only I would have stayed by her side

To comfort mama when she cried

Rub her back until she was sleep

Then go into my room and weep

 

 

(c) 2004 Prentiss Wilbur Gardley 

 

Join Poet & Playwright for Choose...!

Black Ensemble Theatre will present "CHOOSE"- a play written and created by Lillian E. Mitchum, as part of its summer Series on August 20, 2014-7:30 p.m..

Tickets are $15.00, $30.00 for the entire series.

At 4450 N. Clark Street
Chicago, IL
Phone 773-769-4451

For more info, visit: WWW.Blackensemble.org/

20 Year Celebration a Huge Success!

The highly-anticipated, long awaited 2-day celebration honoring 20 years of artistic excellence and arts advocacy for Poets United, took place last week.

This well-attended event was fun for all; with the first day of activities held at the beautiful Beverly library. The day included an open mic segment, a tribute to Maya Angelou, selected readings by Baba Griot, a poetry trivia contest, a small awards ceremony, and a "spread" fit for royalty.

The following day, the group hosted their "hot," annual backyard barbeque referred to as "Poetry on da' Patio."
The weather was beautiful, the conversations stimulating, and the music...mellow.
It was an affair to remember!

If you missed it, you truly missed out.
A special thanks to all of those who supported this milestone achievement  through attendance or donations!
You made the difference.