Local Poetry event April 20 a must for those new to the scene

Did You know April is National Poetry Month? As part of its celebration, Western Libraries is featuring an array of local poets and poetry at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, April 20, in Special Collections on Wilson Library's sixth floor.

The event is free and open to the public.

Bellingham poets and poetry fans may already have an idea of what the local poetry scene is like. But it's even much more rambunctious and vibrant than many imagine. And for those new to the scene, this is event is a must.

The Local Poetry event will  feature brief presentations and readings by more than a dozen local poets and project leaders, who will share information about local poetry reading series, venues, publications, publishers, conferences and more. Local Poetry will introduce attendees to a vast array of local resources.

Partners and presenters include: Dobbie Norris (poetrynight), Elspeth Jensen (Jeopardy), Carla Shafer (Chuckanut Sandstone Writers), Liz Vignali (Kitchen Sessions: Bellingham), Tamar Clarke (Teen Services, Whatcom County Library System), Sylvia Tag (PoetryCHAT), Dayna Patterson (Bellingham Review), Luther Allen (Speakeasy & Noisy Water), Allen Frost (Be Good Rain), Anita Boyle (Egress Studio Press), Chuck Luckmann (Flying Trout Press & The Skagit Poetry Festival).

Local Poetry is being offered as part of the Heritage Resources Distinguished Speakers programs, which are quarterly events featuring presenters who are authorities in their respective fields who have used Heritage Resources collections significantly in their research. This particular event is part of an initiative to build on Western Libraries Special Collections of poetry from local artists, presses, and publishers, which include the work of many Local Poetry contributors.

For more information, contact paul.piper@wwu.edu.