Women Musicians Network 23rd annual concert, Thursday, Nov. 7th Berklee Performance Center

Women Musicians Network  

23rd annual concert, Thursday, Nov. 7th 

Berklee Performance Center 

Kirk Etherton 

I think this is Boston's best annual concert: completely different every year, extremely diverse and very high quality. Often, I run into people who share my opinion.  

I met a very interesting Berklee student a few years ago (she was older, having taught classical piano at a university in Japan before discovering jazz, and eventually getting a full scholarship to Berklee). 

This woman knew music--travelled widely, had her own radio show, etc.--and she insisted, "This is the best annual concert anywhere! For me, missing this show would be musical tragedy." 

As always, it's at the B.P.C. and focuses on Berklee women students and their bands from around the world, plus special guests. 

There are 10 (yes, ten) original acts again this year, ranging from Cuban Jazz and Flamenco, to Korean Folk, R&B, and Poetry set to music and dance. 

The WMM concert (and its co-founder / leader / host, Lucy Holstedt) has gotten special commendations from the Cambridge Mayor's Office and the Mass. House of Representatives, and been featured on WGBH's "Eric in the Evening."  

I hope to see you there. 

Women Musicians Network 

23rd annual concert 

Berklee Performance Center 

8:00 pm - 9:30 pm  

Tickets: only $10 in advance / $15 day of show 

www.berklee.edu/BPC 

-------------------------- 

Directed by Lucy Holstedt.  

Supported by Berklee's Center for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion & the Office of External Affairs, plus Boston Union Realty. 

Boston National Poetry Month Festival, 2019 Now, with more music!

Thea Hopkins: A few guitar lengths from Somerville

Boston National Poetry Month Festival, 2019

Now, with more music!

By Kirk Etherton

This year's Festival is April 3-7 (see website below). As a Somerville resident, poet, and musician, I always enjoy writing about it from a "Somerville perspective." This year's photo is—for a change—of an artist who lives just over the line, but still in "Camberville." (Or is it "Somerbridge?")

Thea has released several CDs, and tours extensively. On Saturday, April 6, she'll bring her uniquely fine singing and guitar playing to the Commonwealth Salon, in Boston Public Library, Copley Square. As in previous years, this is where much of the Festival takes place.

Saturday is the Festival's biggest day, and it includes lots of Somerville folks. Doug Holder, founder and publisher of "Ibbetson Street Press," will start with a tribute to Sam Cornish, Boston's first Poet Laureate. Somerville resident, poet, and State Rep. Denise Provost is a featured reader.

Lloyd Schwartz, the City's newest Poet Laureate (plus a Pulitzer Prize-winning music critic), will share his poetry—as well as other creative observations. Our former Poet Laureate, Gloria Mindock, is also a publisher: when I host the "Panel on Craft and Publishing," she'll have many insights to share.

Berklee professor Lucy Holstedt (yes, of Somerville) will read some of her own poetry, and provide piano accompaniment for a number of other featured readers. Lucy also produces the Festival's always-popular "Evening of Poetry, Music & Dance," which this year is Thursday, April 4.

The New England Poetry Club was founded over 100 years ago. Hear what the NEPC is up to these days, from Somervillians Hilary Sallick (Vice President) and Linda Conte (Treasurer)—plus Mary Buchinger, President.

Sunday at the Commonwealth Salon, Somerville singer-songwriter Madelyn Holley, age seven, will probably be making her third Festival appearance. (Last year, she performed a really good song about fish.) The great claw hammer banjo player Yani Batteau, who was a City resident for years, will perform a number of original and other songs.

Oh...and Somerville's incomparable Bert Stern will be one of 10 Keynote Poets I'll have the honor of hosting at the BPL on Friday afternoon.

Somerville establishments that generously help to make this a FREE festival include: the UPS Store & Business Center on Somerville Avenue; Siam Ginger Thai Cuisine; and Master Printing & Signs.

Thanks also to Market Basket, for helping to promote the Festival. (You can probably find one of the Festival's fine printed programs at the front of the store.)

These are all great local businesses I've relied on for years. Special thanks to the Sater family: without them, we wouldn't have the Arts at the Armory (or The Middle East Restaurants & Nightclubs, over in Central Square.)

Don't forget to take a good look: http://www.bostonnationalpoetry.org

Boston National Poetry Month Festival, 2018 Now, with more music!

Boston National Poetry Month Festival, 2018

Now, with more music!

By Kirk Etherton

This highly diverse festival--now in its 18th year--is happening April 4-8. Most events are at the Boston Public Library: the first, as always, is a Friday (April 6) afternoon of "Keynote Poets." This year includes the acclaimed "Melopoeia," a fusion of music and spoken word featuring Rhina Espaillat, Alfred Nicol, and John Tavano.

Berklee guitarist Julian Dinwoodie

Friday evening is the fifth annual "Music, Poetry, and Dance" concert; it's at The Community Church of Boston, and includes performers from Berklee College of Music.

The evening is sponsored by the great Middle East Restaurants and Nightclubs.

Saturday, the incomparable Tomas O'Leary will perform songs on his accordion (and also recite poetry), and award-winning American singer-songwriter Thea Hopkins will be there with a fantastic guitar. Sunday's performers include Madelyn Holley (age six), making her second Festival appearance playing the ukulele. Later, Berklee professor Beth Bahia Cohen will play violin.

Of course, there are plenty of great people who will "simply" be reading unforgettable poetry: Lloyd Schwartz; Gail Mazur; Fred Marchant; Joan Houlihan; Charles Coe; Kate Finnegan; Richard Hoffman; Melissa Castillo-Garsow, Rep. Denise Provost--plus Boston's current and former Poets Laureate, and many more.

There are also two Open Mics, a panel on "Craft and Publishing," and...well, go see for yourself at: bostonnationalpoetry.org

NOTE: the Festival begins Wednesday evening, April 4, with a High School Slam Poetry Contest.

As always, all events are FREE and open to the public.

Stone Soup Poetry: a savory mix every Monday evening.

A 20 pound rock, from 20 feet down.

Good for making a poem, but not soup.

Somerville resident Kirk Etherton

Many a poet has passed through Stone Soup Poetry founded by the late Jack Powers on Beacon Hill over 4 decades ago. I had the privilege of  being the president of Stone Soup one short year--about 20 years ago. I also conducted a series of interviews with Powers, and the interviews are online, and one is in the video collection at the University of Buffalo. Somerville resident  Kirk Etherton is the  "interim host" of the venue now--so he offered to share a few words..

Stone Soup Poetry: a savory mix every Monday evening.

by Kirk Etherton

It's an honor--and lots of fun--to be the "interim host" of this long-running series. Stone Soup was founded by the legendary Jack Powers; in recent years it's been hosted by the talented and tireless Chad Parenteau. I agreed to take Chad's place for a little while, when he needed to go on hiatus.

We meet Mondays, starting at 7:00 pm and going til 9:00 pm (at the very latest). There are a number of great "regulars," including Carol Weston, Martha Boss, and Lee Varon. Deborah Priestly, a very fine poet and storyteller, is sort of the "co-host." Cambridge Poet Populist Lo Gallucio has stopped by, and read some amazing work. Berklee prof. Lucy Holstedt has recited poetry, and performed original music.

I knew this would be a good experience, but it's far surpassed what I imagined. Stop by if you can. Read a poem that means something to you (original or not); sing a song; tell a story. Now, more than ever, I think, we need to get out and do real things with real people.

Admission is only $5.

Stone Soup Poetry, at Out of the Blue Gallery, 541 Mass. Ave., Central Sq., Cambridge. Come on down!

Boston National Poetry Month Festival, 2015 April 9 -12 (Boston Public Library & Fisher College)

By Kirk Etherton   


  

Denise Provost/Somerville Poet/State Legislator

Somerville is home to so many fine writers, chances are good you may be one them. Even if you aren't on the "official program," perhaps you'll recite a poem at the Open Mic.

The Festival is celebrating its 15th year; 2015 promises to be more diverse and exciting than ever. It begins Thursday evening with a program of Poetry, Music & Dance (produced by Somerville resident & Berklee prof. Lucy Holstedt). Participants include various members of the Berklee community, and electric bassist Ethan Mackler.

Friday afternoon features 13 great "Keynote Poets." Included are Somerville resident & Pulitzer Prize winner Lloyd Schwartz, David Ferry (National Book Award), Kathleen Spivack, Charles Coe, and Diana Der-Hovanessian (recipient of the Barcelona Peace Prize—plus countless other accolades).

Friday evening, it's the Festival's first "High School Slam Poetry Competition." Six teams will compete. The event is hosted by well-known slam poetry organizer "Mr. Hip"; teams represent schools from Brookline, various areas of Boston, plus the North Shore.

I should mention that poet Harris Gardner—who co-founded this annual event— resides here in Somerville. Denise Provost, one of the fine "Featured Poets" on Saturday, lives here as well; of course, she is also a highly regarded State Representative. On Sunday, you won't want to miss award-winning poet Ifeanyi Menkiti (Somerville resident and owner of the world-famous Grolier Poetry Book Shop).

Somerville's Doug Holder, who kindly suggested I write this week's column, is another exceptional poet you'll want to hear on Sunday. Doug's neighbor Bert Stern, a profoundly talented writer, is reading Sunday as well.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I must tell you that I, too, am a "Somervillen"! (I'll be hosting some events, and also performing.)

NOTE: this is a FREE event, and all are welcome. One reason it's free is the generosity of various excellent area businesses. In Somerville, many thanks to The Norton Group (real estate), Master Printing & Signs, Blue Cloud Gallery, and Sweet Ginger Thai Cuisine. Thanks also to Union Square's fantastic Market Basket, for helping with publicity.

In what I call "Greater Somerville," which includes Cambridge and Boston, special thanks also to Harvard Book Store, boloco, and the Middle East & ZuZu Restaurants and Nightclubs.

I can't begin to mention everything and everyone this Festival has to offer (a panel discussion on "Craft & Publishing," a reading by Boston's new Poet Laureate, book tables, etc.), so you should really check out the Festival's website.

It's easy to learn more—including how to sign up for the Open Mic I mentioned at the beginning, plus where and when everything is taking place. Go to: bostonnationalpoetry.wix.com/poetry