More Sanguinetti
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| Hélène Sanguinetti |
Art of Kindness
Here at annogram, we subscribe to kindness and now there’s a podcast on the topic. Host Robert Peterpaul interviews artists, writers, directors, filmmakers, and others in the entertainment industry to discover how they promote kindness. For starters, Lin-Manuel Miranda shares how to achieve dreams.
National World War I Memorial
Sculptor Sabin Howard has worked years on A Soldier’s Journey, a bronze frieze that this September will be the centerpiece of the National World War I Memorial in Washington, D.C. The nearly 60-feet long and 10-feet high sculpture, featuring 38 human figures, which will depict an American going to war across five scenes. Follow Howard’s progress on the memorial here.
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| Phillis Wheatley Peters (1753-1784) |
Enslaved poets Jupiter Hammon (1711-1806) and Phillis Wheatley Peters (1753-1784) were the first Black Americans to have their work published. On April 18, at 6:30pm, historian David Waldstreicher will explore their amazing lives. Register here for this free Preservation Long Island event at the Cold Spring Harbor Library or via Zoom.
Your Brain on Art
That’s the title of a book that asserts that enjoying or creating art lights up the brain’s pleasure centers, improves cognitive function, reduces stress, and improves longevity—among many other benefits! Thanks to field agent Linda Simone for sharing this article that affirms what we have intuited all along.
Creative Opportunities
Bronx River Books, all April; come into the bookstore, recite a minimum 14-line poem from memory and receive a $5 gift certificate
Bethany Arts Community's 2024 Fall Multidisciplinary Residency for writers, performers, artists—any and all artistic mediums, by April 10
The Cardinal Prize for poets over 40, by April 29
Pure Slush Press, call for work on theme “older,” by April 30
Rhino, open for poetry, by June 30
Solstice, open for fiction, poetry, translation, graphic lit, by May 31
National Parks Artist Residencies
New and Recent Releases
Adele Annesi, Liminal Space: Where Story Happens (podcast)
Jan Boulware, et al, eds., Mamas, Martyrs, and Jezebels: Myths, Legends, and Other Lies You’ve Been Told about Black Women
(Black Lawrence Press)
Jim Daniels, Comment Card
(Carnegie Mellon University Press)
Barbara Dickinson and Margie Herrick, Your Life, Your Path Oracle Card Deck for Your Most Fulfilling Life and Your Life, Your Path | How to Use Our Oracle Card Deck (Independently published)
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C. Francis Fisher, trans., In the Glittering Maw: Selected Poems by Joyce Mansour (World Poetry Books)
Pamela Laskin, Trellises and Thorns (Dos Madres Press)
Heller Levinson, The Abyssal Recitations (Concrete Mist Press)
Geoffrey Olsen, Nerves Between Song (Beautiful Days Press) available May 4
Alice Yang, trans., Abounding Freedom by Julien Gracq (World Poetry Books)
Creative Workshops
Maine Media Workshops, July 22-26, The Teacher on the Bookshelf: A Poetry Workshop with Kevin Pilkington; register here (limited spots—register SOON)
Racoco Productions, Tuesdays (Zoom) and Thursdays (Live), improvisation classes; email info@racoco.org
Mahopac Poetry Workshop, 6pm, second Wednesdays
Mahopac Writers Group, 6:30pm, Thursdays
ModPo, University of Pennsylvania’s free poetry course and global community
Norwalk Poetry Workshop, first and third Mondays, 6:30pm; email poet_laureate@norwalkpl.org to register
The Peekskill Writing Table, serious critique for writers, second and third Tuesdays via Zoom; email tpwritingtable@gmail.com
The Poets Salon, led by Ed Ahern and Alison McBain of Fairfield Scribes Press, 10am, every second Saturday
Writers and Artists Lunch Conversation, second Fridays, noon
Yorktown Poetry Workshop, 6pm, fourth Wednesdays
April-May Events – ET
Molloy University Poetry Series, April 7, 2pm, Christina Rau; also FB event: https://www.facebook.com/events/2589092797959560
Bilingual Poetry Zoom, April 13, 2pm, hosted by Marta López Luaces and Nuria Morgado; featuring annogram poets Janet Kaplan, Heller Levinson, and Mary Newell
Saturday Afternoon of Poetry at Scarsdale Public Library, April 13, 3pm; refreshments
Writers in Conversation at the Norwalk Public Library, April 18, 6:30pm; Laurel Peterson hosts historical mystery writers David Rich and Andrea Penrose
Cold Spring Harbor Library, April 18, 6:30pm, historian David Waldstreicher discusses enslaved poets Jupiter Hammon (1711-1806) and Phillis Wheatley Peters (1753-1784); register here for this free event also on Zoom
San Antonio Botanical Garden, April 20, 10am, Linda Simone, Jim LaVilla-Havelin, Eddie Vega, Mobi Warren, and Arrie Porter read original haiku and offer tips on writing haiku
Sarah Lawrence Poetry Festival, April 19-21
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| Elana Bell, Pamela Laskin, and Aracelis Girmay at the Annual Spring Poetry Festival |
Ruby City, April 27, 10am, San Antonio’s 4th Annual National Poetry Month Ekphrastic Poetry Contest Reading
Greenhaven Open Studios (Rye, NY), April 28, 11am-6pm, including painter Suzanne Sumien among 19 artists
Unnameable Books, May 4, 7pm, book launch of Geoffrey Olsen’s Nerves Between Song (Beautiful Days Press)
High Mountain Meadow Poetry Reading Series, May 5, 2pm, Christina Rau and open mic, Wayne Public Library (NJ)
The 52nd Annual Spring Poetry Festival (NYC), May 10
San Antonio Central Library, May 18, 1pm, Linda Simone and other Stone in the Stream poets read original work inspired by Norma Jean Moore paintings—poems and artwork on display through June 15
Studio Theater in Exile, May 18, 7pm, and May 19, 3pm; There Is A Message in Our Movement, choreographed by Sharon Simmons-Wright; purchase tickets here
Monthly Readings – ET
Second Mondays, 6:30pm, BACCA Poetry Chats with host Christina Rau
Every Tuesday, 2pm, Spoken Word World (Paris)
Every Tuesday, 7pm, Curley’s Diner
Third Fridays, 7pm, Hudson Valley Writers Center Open Mic – click third Friday for details
Frequent Saturdays (check Facebook), 5pm, LitBalm
Spring Vegetable Risotto
This takes a little effort but is worth all the stirring.
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1 clove garlic, peeled and minced
2 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise, sliced 1/3 inch thick
5 cups Not-Chick’N™ or vegetable stock
1 pound asparagus, ends trimmed
1/2 cup frozen peas
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
2 tablespoons fresh basil, thinly sliced
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups Arborio rice
1/2 cup dry white wine
Dash fresh pepper
Heat oil in large saucepan; cook onion until translucent, 2-3 minutes. Add garlic; cook 1 minute. Add zucchini, lower heat; cook until soft and lightly browned, 18-20 minutes. Simmer stock in pan large enough to hold asparagus. Add asparagus; simmer 3 minutes. Remove asparagus, cut into bite-sized pieces, and place in bowl with peas, 1/4 cup of the cheese, and 1 tablespoon of basil. Keep stock simmering.
Once zukes are cooked, stir in 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 tablespoon basil. Add butter and rice, increase heat to medium high; cook, stirring, 1-2 minutes. Add wine and stir until evaporated, 1 minute. Add 1/2 cup simmering stock; stir until liquid has been absorbed, 2 minutes. Continue adding 1/2 cup stock at a time, until rice is barely tender and mixture is creamy, 17-20 minutes. Rice mixture should be bubbling. Stir in contents from bowl, season with salt and pepper, and serve.
ʼRound the Net
Poet Susana Case on being interviewed by Grace Cavalieri for The Poet and the Poem
Poet Suzanne Cleary on having a poem recently featured in Verse Daily
Guitarist and songwriter Michael Cefola for letting us know about the first Gibson Guitar store (“Gibson Garage”) in London
Translators Chen Du and Xisheng Chen on their Yan An poem in Tab Journal
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| Elizabeth Hulse |
Art historian and translator Beth Gersh-Nesic on her Bonjour Paris article, “Picasso in Fontainebleau”
Pianist and Fitzgerald Fan Bob Gironda for sending annogram a book on dear F. Scott
Poet Cindy Hochman, one of 35 poets in Nūr Mélange (Quitab Editions), a ghazal anthology forthcoming this summer
Music educator, and my uber-talented niece, Elizabeth Hulse on participating on a SXSW panel celebrating Austin City Limits’ 50th anniversary
Poet and essayist J. Chester Johnson on being named to the Board of Advisors for the Poetry Outreach Center of the City College of New York; and on his poem, “Night,” in the Carnegie Hill Village blog
Poet and author Marilyn Johnson on recent work in Plume
Poet Heller Levinson for this in-depth review of his work in Sulfur Surrealist Jungle
Poet Maria Lisella on receiving an Honorable Mention in the 2023 Ginsberg Poetry Awards
Guitarist Trev Lukather on the People feature on his band The Effect
Yorktown Poet Laureate John McMullen for this article on Lord Byron (1788-1824)
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| Lord Byron (1788-1824) |
Poet Mary Newell on work in Interim and a Singing Apple Press video, “Bee Adjacency,” in Singing Apple Press
Poet Jean-Luc Pouliquen for introducing annogram to the work of German film director Volker Sclöndorff
Bassist Larry Schwartzman for this James Cotton Band video featuring Luther Tucker
Poet Margo Taft Stever on being nominated for a Pushcart Prize for “Horse and Rider, Falling,” in The Red Wheelbarrow 16
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| Sarah Bracey White |
Poet and memoirist Sarah Bracey White on her essay in Mamas, Martyrs, and Jezebels (Black Lawrence Press), Black Westchester interview, Mercy University Black History Month talk, and quote on the wall at the Briarcliff Manor Library (at left), “Libraries showed me the world beyond my limited horizons.”
Sustained Imagination
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F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896-1940) |
Wishing you that sincere and radiant world.
Until next time,
Ann