Nikki Giovanni is coming to Greensboro April 27, 2008

Come see her for FREE April 27 at 3 pm at Carolina Theatre

Nikki Giovanni is a world-renowned poet, writer, commentator, activist, and educator. Over the past thirty years, her outspokenness, in her writing and in lectures, has brought the eyes of the world upon her. One of the most widely-read American poets, she prides herself on being "a Black American, a daughter, a mother, a professor of English." Giovanni remains as determined and committed as ever to the fight for civil rights and equality. Always insisting on presenting the truth as she sees it, she has maintained a prominent place as a strong voice of the Black community. Her focus is on the individual, specifically, on the power one has to make a difference in oneself, and thus, in the lives of others.

Learn more at www.nikki-giovanni.com

march 30- april 5

Can You Hear Me Now?
Remembering James Ephraim McGirt, George Moses Horton, and Randall Jarrell
Sunday, March 30 • 2:30 pm at Central Library, 219 North Church St.
James Ephraim McGirt was a well-known literary figure at the turn of the 20th century. George Moses Horton, born a slave in the 1790s, protested his confinement in poetry. Randall Jarrell is considered one of the mid-20th century’s most important American poets. Presenters will explore how these writers are part of Greensboro’s literary and freedom legacy and how they transcended the boundaries others tried to impose on them.

Poetry Jazz and Java
Monday • March 31 • 7 pm
The Green Bean • 1341 South Elm St.
The Writers’ Group of the Triad and the Greensboro Public Library present the popular Poetry, Jazz & Java series, which features a variety of local poets and live music. Don’t miss your opportunity to hear from some of the area’s best writers. Call 373-3636 for more information.

UNC-Greensboro Poetry Reading
Thursday, April 3 • 5 pm at the UNC-G Faculty Center
David Blair Alumni Poetry Reading

Poetic Families and Friends Celebrate National Poetry Month
Thursday, April 3 • 6:30 pm at McGirt-Horton Branch, 2509 Phillips Ave.
Are you a budding poet? Families and friends read and write poems together. Light refreshments will be served.

Night of Words
Thursday, April 3 • 8 pm to 10 pm at Basket Doodle, 317 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

Like I Said
Friday, April 4 • 8pm - 10pm at Art Monguerz, 610 South Elm Street.

april 6 - april 12

Local Voices - An Afternoon of Open-mic Readings
Sunday, April 6 from 3-5 pm at Vance Chavis Branch, 900 South Benbow Rd.
Come and read an original piece or a favorite poem. For more information, call 373-5838.

Poetry Jazz and Java
Monday • April 7 • 7 pm
Starbucks at Quaker Village
5607 W. Friendly Ave.
The Writers’ Group of the Triad and the Greensboro Public Library present the popular Poetry, Jazz & Java series, which features a variety of local poets and live music. Don’t miss your opportunity to hear from some of the area’s best writers. Call 373-3636 for more information.

International Poetry Night
Tuesday, April 8 • 7:30 pm at Glenwood Library, 1901 W. Florida St.
Don’t miss this celebration of poetry and music from around the globe. Bring a poem to share in any language that you choose. For more info, call 297-5003.

UNC-Greensboro Poetry Reading
Thursday, April 11 • 8 pm at the UNC-G Faculty Center
Dean Young Poetry Reading

Bicentennial Heritage Festival
Friday, April 11, from 11 am - 6 pm and Saturday, April 12 from 1 - 6 pm in the Cultural District, Downtown Greensboro
Stop by the “PoetryGSO Zone” in the “Many Cultures” area. Everyone is invited to come to our booth and write poems about Greensboro.

Mind Over Matter
Friday, April 11 • 8 pm - 10 pm at Tate Street Coffee House, 334 Tate St.

Poetry Jazz and Java
Friday • April 11 • 8 pm
Renaissance Jazz Cafe • 117 North Greene St.
The Writers’ Group of the Triad and the Greensboro Public Library present the popular Poetry, Jazz & Java series, which features a variety of local poets and live music. Don’t miss your opportunity to hear from some of the area’s best writers. Call 373-3636 for more information.

African-American Literature Club
Saturday, April 12 • 3 pm at Hemphill Branch Library, 2301 West Vandalia Rd.
View a film about Nikki Giovanni, followed by readings and discussion of her works. For more information, call 373-2925.

april 13- april 19

Poetry and Healing Workshop
Sunday, April 13 • 2 - 6 pm and Tuesday, April 23 • 7 - 9 pm.
Central Library, 219 North Church St.
Discover the healing power that writing poetry can provide in this workshop led by Jacinta White.

Inspired Poetry
Monday, April 14 • 7 pm at Central Library, 219 North Church St.
Hear Pamela Cruthis Holyfield, author of By The Servant’s Hand. We will also have selected readings of Buddhist and Jewish poetry as well as readings from Rumi and the Koran. An open mic will follow.

How to Back Your Rhymes with Rhythms, Part I
Wednesday, April 16 • 7 pm at the Glenwood Branch Library, 1901 W. Florida St. Learn how to use “Reason,” a music software program by Propellerhead, to mix music and lay down beats to take your rhymes to the next level. Call to register: 297-5000.

UNC-Greensboro Poetry Reading
Thursday, April 17 • 8 pm at the UNC-G Faculty Center
Alan Shapiro

Poem in your Pocket Day!
Thursday, April 17
The idea is simple: select a poem you love during National Poetry Month then carry it with you to share with co-workers, family, and friends on April 17. Join in the fun using ideas below, or let us know how you will celebrate Poem In Your Pocket Day by emailing
steve.sumerford@greensboro-nc.gov

• Post pocket-sized verses in public places
• Handwrite some lines on the back of your business cards
• Add a poem to your email footer
• Post a poem on your blog or social networking page
• Text a poem to friends

Words Knitted Crocheted & Stitched Together For NationalPoetry Month
Thursday, April 17 • 6:30 pm at McGirt-Horton Branch,2509 Phillips Ave.
Hear poems written by our McGirt-Horton Branch Knit and Crochet Group members, who have written and knitted poems in celebration of National Poetry Month. Families are invited.

Poetry and the Jazz Aesthetic
Friday, April 18 • 7 pm at Central Library, 219 North Church St.
In addition to being National Poetry Month, April is also Jazz Appreciation Month. The Black Ink Writers Collective will celebrate both jazz and poetry. Enjoy poetry that explores themes such as spirituality, the blues and jazz. Hear readings by: Demetrius “D Noble” Noble, Anjail Rashida Ahmad, Teri Hairston, Diana Hayes and Tanya Owens. Live jazz will also be featured. This program is co-sponsored by the Creative Writing Program, N.C. A&T State University.

Let There Be Words!
Saturday, April 19 • 2 pm at Kathleen Clay Edwards Branch, 1420 Price Park Rd. Join us for an afternoon of poetry, spoken word performance and music, featuring talented local wordsmiths from such explosive cats as The Collective & Introvert Creative Group. Also, an open-mic extravaganza woven in; feel free to come and read your own works, or those
of a favorite poet. For more info, contact Jonah Meyer at 373-2159.

Teen Time: Poetic Expressions
Saturday, April 19 • 3 pm at the Vance Chavis Branch, 900 South Benbow Rd. Express yourself through written or spoken word. Remember...raps and rhymes are poetry too!

African American Book Discussion Group - Langston Hughes
Saturday, April 19 • 2 pm at Hemphill Branch Library, 2301 West Vandallia Rd. The group will discuss the works of Harlem Renaissance poet Langston Hughes and listen to recordings of the author. For more information, call 373-2925.

Poetry Jazz and Java
Saturday • April 19 • 7 pm
Tate Street Coffee House • 334 Tate St.
The Writers’ Group of the Triad and the Greensboro Public Library present the popular Poetry, Jazz & Java series, which features a variety of local poets and live music. Don’t miss your opportunity to hear from some of the area’s best writers. Call 373-3636 for more information.

april 20- april 30

Monday Night Poetry - Collegiate Open-mic Night
Monday, April 21 • 7 pm at Central Library, 219 North Church St.
Greensboro Public Library celebrates all area college poets and invites them to read and share their mentor’s work as well as their own.

Authorship Debate - William Shakespeare
Wednesday, April 23 • 12 noon at Central Library, 219 North Church St. Was Shakespeare really the author of the works attributed to him? Join us for a discussion about the Bard with local scholars. The traditionalists (Stratfordian’s) maintain that the famous Bard was indeed a poet, playwright and an actor. Critics known as “Oxfordian’s” argue that a more likely contender may have been Edward De Vere, Christopher Marlowe, Sir Francis Bacon, William Stanley or perhaps even Queen Elizabeth herself! We can all agree, April 23 is William Shakespeare’s Birthday so bring your lunch; drinks and dessert (birthday cake) will be provided.

An Evening of Tall Tales from Greensboro with Logie Meachum and Bruce Piephoff
Wednesday, April 23, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Green Hill Center, 200 North Davie Street. Award winning storyteller Logie Meachum and musician Bruce Piephoff have collected a series of fanciful stories to commemorate Greensboro’s Bicentennial. In addition to Meachum and Piephoff’s performance, the winners of the Youth Bicentennial
Poetry Contest will be on hand to read their poems. They will be joined by the Black Achievers Youth Group from the YMCA who will also be reading their poems.

UNC-Greensboro Poetry Reading
Thursday, April 23 • 7 pm at the UNC-G Faculty Center
Kelly Cherry and Leigh Anne Couch

How to Back Your Rhymes with Rhythms, Part II
Wednesday, April 23 • 7 pm at the Glenwood Branch Library, 1901 W. Florida St. Get feedback and have fun as you lay down your rhymes backed by beats and music. Call to register: 297-5000.

Stitches Beyond Words… Words Beyond Stitches
Thursday April 24 • 6:30 pm at McGirt-Horton Branch, 2509 Phillips Ave. Celebrate National Poetry Month with the Families and Friends Knit and Crochet Group. Discuss favorite poets, stitches and stitch a poem of your own.

Poetry Reading - A. Van Jordan & Natasha Trethewey
Friday, April 25 • 7 pm at the UNCG Elliot University Center Auditorium.
Natasha Trethewey won the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for poetry for Native Guard, her 2006 collection about black Union soldiers who guarded a fort off the coast of Mississippi during the U.S. Civil War. A. Van Jordan is the author of Rise and MACNOLIA. Among other awards, Jordan has received the Whiting Award, the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award, the PEN/Oakland Josephine Miles Award, and the Pushcart Prize. This program sponsored by UNCG Masters of Fine Arts and the UNCG Center for Creative Writing in the Arts.

Hemphill Branch Library Teen Book Club
Saturday, April 26 • 3 pm at the Hemphill Branch, 2301 West Vandallia Rd.
Watch a screening of a film about Nikki Giovanni followed by readings and discussion of her works.

NC Writers’ Network Spring Conference
Saturday, April 26 • 3:30 pm at the Elliott Center Auditorium, UNCG. This year’s conference will feature keynote speaker, renowned poet Linda Gregg; also short readings by Anjail Ahmad, Craig Nova, Lee Zacharias, Valerie Nieman, William Trotter, Steve Willis and Mark Smith-Soto. For more information, call 334-5241.

Monday Night Poetry • Two Views – Two Poets
Featuring Mark Smith Soto and Susan Meyers
April 28 • 7 pm at Central Library, 219 North Church St.
In her first full-length collection, Keep and Give Away, Susan Meyers examines everything from minutia to marriage, crumbs to crows. Nothing is too commonplace to escape her attention as she traverses terrains of childhood, loss, relationships, and death. This book was selected as the winner of the South Carolina Poetry Book Prize.
Costa Rican-American Mark Smith-Soto is professor of Romance Languages and Director of the Center for Creative Writing in the Arts at UNCG, where he also edits International Poetry Review. A 2005 winner of a National Endowment for the Arts fellowship in creative writing, his poetry has appeared in a long list of literary magazines.

Electric Thunder Tumbling
Wednesday, April 30 • 6:30 pm at Central Library, 219 North Church St.
This is a collaborative writing workshop and open mic with the Inner Groove Poets. Lalenja Harrington, local poet and facilitator will lead participants through a synergistic collaborative writing process that encourages creative input from all members. The workshop will include exercises and creative tips developed with poets from The Arc of High Point who “bring it on” every month at Barnes and Noble. The session concludes with an open mic designed to elicit the workings of the mind’s inner groove.

Past Poetry GSO Calendars: 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007

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