Don Kingfisher Campbell at Bolton Hall, April 22

After the celebrations of "Passing of the Laurels" - a wonderful gathering of poets and poetry lovers at McGroarty Arts Center, and crowning Dorothy Skiles the next Poet Laureate of Sunland-Tujunga, we are happy to announce that Don Kingfisher Campbell will be the featured poet at our monthly reading on April 22, 2012 at 4:30 p.m. at Bolton Hall Museum, 10110 Commerce Ave, Tujunga.

Don Kingfisher Campbell is currently studying for an MFA in Poetry at Antioch University, Los Angeles. Mr. Campbell has taught Creative Writing for 28 years in the Occidental College Upward Bound program and has been a Guest Teacher even longer for the Los Angeles Unified School District. Kingfisher is the host of Saturday Afternoon Poetry in Pasadena, editor of the San Gabriel Valley Poetry Quarterly, and founder of POETRYpeople youth writing workshops.

Don has recently been awarded a commission by the city of Pasadena to compose a poem for the City Speaks art exhibit and also won first place in the 2011 Whittier Poetry Contest. His poetry has been published in numerous anthologies and journals, as well as widely online.

For more information see the site for San Gabriel Valley Poetry Quarterly and Don Kingfisher Campbell's personal site.

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Additional information about our "Passing the Laurels" event, Dorothy Skiles, and a photo album will be posted online after Don's feature.

This Sunday! Passing of the Laurels Ceremony

On April 15, 2012, at 3:00 p.m. at McGroarty Arts Center in Tujunga, CA, the Sixth Poet Laureate, Maja Trochimczyk, will pass the laurel wreath to the Seventh Poet Laureate, Dorothy Skiles. The new Poet Laureate will serve for a term of two years, 2012-2014.

The ceremony will include poetry reading by Kathabela Wilson, Just Kibbe, Maja Trochimczyk, Joe DeCenzo, and the new laureate. The poets will be accompanied by musicians, guitarist, Dr. William Lenaburg and flautist Prof. Rick Wilson. The event will include group readings of poems by Maja Trochimczyk and Joe DeCenzo.

Joe DeCenzo, the Third Poet Laureate of Sunland-Tujunga will serve as the event's MC. The ceremony will also include commendations from the city, county and state officials. Reception to follow.

MAJA TROCHIMCZYK discusses her term as Poet Laureate on her blog Poetry Laurels: "As a new citizen (American for mere two years), and a resident of Sunland for just fifteen years, I was delighted to have been elected the Sixth Poet-Laureate of Sunland-Tujunga in March 2010. English is my second language, so it was quite an honor. During my “Passing of the Laurels” Ceremony in April I was wearing a silly grin almost the whole time: I was so excited! I picked my motto for the two years in office to be “Poetry ... in pursuit of happiness." A list of activities during her two-year tenure is on her website: www.trochimczyk.net

DOROTHY SKILES has served as the President of the Village Poets group since its inception and has planned the Monthly Readings at Bolton Hall Museum. Her bio and a sample of her poems are on this blog - she was our Featured Poet in September 2011.

Poetry Corner at Easter Festival and "Passing of the Laurels" on April 15

On Saturday, April 7, 2012, at 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Village Poets of Sunland Tujunga will present a Poetry Corner at Easter Festival in Sunland Park, Sunland, CA.

Village Poets and guests will read their own poems for children, as well as classic poems, stories, and tongue-twisters. There will be songs, games, balloons, and awards. The following poets will participate: Maja Trochimczyk, Marlene Hitt, Joe DeCenzo, Dorothy Skiles, and Beverly Collins.

Village Poets wish everyone wonderful, safe, healthy, and happy Easter and Passover holidays!

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PASSING OF THE LAURELS CEREMONY

On April 15, 2012, at 3:00 p.m. at McGroarty Arts Center in Tujunga, CA, the Sixth Poet Laureate, Maja Trochimczyk, will pass the laurel wreath to the Seventh Poet Laureate, Dorothy Skiles. The new Poet Laureate will serve for a term of two years.

The ceremony will include poetry reading by Kathabela Wilson, Just Kibbe, Maja Trochimczyk, Joe DeCenzo, and the new laureate. The poets will be accompanied by musicians, guitarist, Dr. William Lenaburg and flautist Prof. Rick Wilson. The event will include group readings of poems by Maja Trochimczyk and Joe DeCenzo.

Joe DeCenzo, the Third Poet Laureate of Sunland-Tujunga will serve as the event's MC. The ceremony will also include commendations from the city, county and state officials. Reception to follow.

MAJA TROCHIMCZYK discusses her term as Poet Laureate on her blog Poetry Laurels: "As a new citizen (American for mere two years), and a resident of Sunland for just fifteen years, I was delighted to have been elected the Sixth Poet-Laureate of Sunland-Tujunga in March 2010. English is my second language, so it was quite an honor. During my “Passing of the Laurels” Ceremony in April I was wearing a silly grin almost the whole time: I was so excited! I picked my motto for the two years in office to be “Poetry ... in pursuit of happiness." A list of activities during her two-year tenure is on her website: www.trochimczyk.net

DOROTHY SKILES has served as the President of the Village Poets group since its inception and has planned the Monthly Readings at Bolton Hall Museum. Her bio and a sample of her poems are on this blog - she was our Featured Poet in September 2011.