The first reading of Village Poets in 2014 will be dedicated to the presentation of a new poetry-and-art book edited by Maria Elena B. Mahler. The reading will take place on Sunday, January 26, 2014 at 4:30 p.m. and will include two segments of Open Mike - before and after the featured group reading, as well as refreshments.
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| Dancer Upstairs with Marie Anne Favreau - by Stephen Linsteadt |
The book contains an introduction and essay by Lois P. Jones, host of Pacifica Radio’s “Poet’s Café” (KPFK, Los Angeles 90.7 fm), and co-producer of the Moonday poetry reading series in Santa Monica. Lois is a four-time Pushcart nominee, and the winner of the 2012 Tiferet Poetry Prize and the 2012 Liakoura Prize. About this collection of art and poetry, Lois explains:
"When Stephen Linsteadt embarked on his metaphoric journey, he was striving toward a deeper sense of conception. If art implies a desire for the sacred it is, as Eckhart Tolle suggests, a portal or an access point which ultimately leads you to yourself. It is this portal that bids we enter, freely and without agenda. Each of the twenty-seven writers in Woman in Metaphor, all of various ages and beliefs – practiced poets or sensitive observer, transversed this threshold, returning with their own compelling visions."
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| Beyond Words by Stephen Linsteadt |
"The artwork alone is worth the price of the anthology and the same can be said for the poetry. However, if you are expecting the usual classical female figure studies or poetry that sings the songs of love, requited or otherwise, this is not for you. Woman in Metaphor is not just about gender, it is an analysis of the meaning gender and all of the spiritual dimensions that it comprises. The poetry and art combine to give us what any great work of art strives for – a new way of envisioning a topic." - From a review by Ed Bennett in Quill and Parchment Read more>>
List of Poets included in "Woman in Metaphor"
“Woman in Metaphor” is a global community of poets from diverse countries, including Argentina, Chile, Germany, Poland, England, Spain, and a Native American. Pushcart Prize nominees include: Lia Brooks, Lois P. Jones, Sharmagne Leland-St. John, Susan Rogers, and Marci Vogel. Other award winning poets include Katrina Naomi (Templar Poetry Competition), Kate Kingston (The Ruth Stone Prize, the Atlanta Review International Publication Prize, and the Colorado Council on the Arts Literary Fellowship in Poetry). Russell Thorburn is the current poet laureate of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Other published poets include: Sharon Alexander, Nancy Scott Campbell, Elsa S. Frausto, Anita Harmon, David Dodd Lee, Sylvia Linsteadt, Genie Nakano, Dean Pasch, Mary Kay Rummel, Maja Trochimczyk, Mel Weisburd, M.J. Whistler, Kath Abela Wilson, and Mariano Zaro. And the new voices of Meg Cox, Indiana Jane Linsteadt, and Taylor Wade.
The book's editor, Maria Elena B Mahler, is a poet whose work has been published in English and Spanish in Badlands, Solstice, Quill & Parchment, Global Alchemy, Saint Julian Press and Poets on Site. She was a finalist for the 2011 San Francisco-based Primer Concurso de Poesía Latinoamericana en Español, and is published in the anthology by Colectivo Verso Activo. Recently, her work was also selected for the Spanish anthology Se Buscan Quijotes, published by El Centro de Estudios Poéticos in Madrid, Spain. Maria Elena also co-authored the non-fiction book The Heart of Health (Truth Publishing Co.) and also enjoys writing fiction. She was raised in the South of Chile. After graduating with a degree in Communications, she lived and worked in Mexico and Canada, and finally settled in the Sonoran Desert of Southern California in 2003.
The painter, Stephen Linsteadt was featured at Bolton Hall Museum as a poet in 2012. Stephen Linsteadt is a painter, poet, and writer. He is the co-author of The Heart of Health; the Principles of Physical Health and Vitality. His latest book is titled Scalar Heart Connection. His poetry is published in Moments of the Soul (Spirit First), Solstice, Cradle Songs (Quill & Parchment Press), Saint Julian Press, Poets on Site, and others. His paintings have appeared in Reed Magazine, Badlands Literary Journal, and Birmingham Arts Journal and can be seen at StephenLinsteadt.com.
POET LAUREATE OF SUNLAND TUJUNGA
We are seeking candidates for the position of Poet Laureate of Sunland Tujunga. The current Poet Laureate ends her term in April, with the final solo reading in February (see the Calendar of Readings Page).
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
1) All applicants must be at least 18 years old and active members of the Sunland-Tujunga community. The candidates should be residents of Sunland or Tujunga (which includes Shadow Hills - zip codes 91040 and 91042). They must show a history of active interest in the local community.
2) All applicants must be able to demonstrate an active participation in poetry activities through publication and/or featured poetry readings.
3) The applicants must agree to serve as Poet Laureate for a term of two years, including volunteer activities, poetry readings, publications, and other projects contributing to the promotion of poetry and the arts in the community.
HOW TO APPLY
Please download, print and return the attached application form (PDF) from the website: www.villagepoets.com/apply.html. Attach the following:
1. List of publications and featured readings
2. Sample of poetry (approx. five poems, with two about Sunland-Tujunga)
3. History of community service.
4. One paragraph discussing a favorite poet.
5. One paragraph describing how you as Poet Laureate would promote poetry.
Submit the Application form with a sample of poems, other items 1-5 from the above list and a check for $10.00 made out to McGroarty Arts Center and send to: McGroarty Arts Center, Poet Laureate Applicant 7570 McGroarty Terrace, Tujunga CA 91042
If you have questions regarding the Poet Laureate program call Marlene Hitt at (818) 951-1041, or email to poetlaureate@mcgroartyartscenter.org. Please check our website www.villagepoets.com or our blog villagepoets.blogspot.com for further poetry information.
POET LAUREATE DUTIES
Becoming Poet Laureate of Sunland-Tujunga is not only a great honor it is a commitment to the community. The Poet Laureate is expected to use his or her talents and means to make the community more aware of poetry. While there are no specified duties that are assigned, the Poet Laureate of Sunland-Tujunga is expected to hold a reasonable public presence in the community. Each Poet Laureate provides community service according to his or her special skills. In the past, Sunland-Tujunga Laureates have read poetry at community events and public schools; they have also written commemorative poems and created programs for the Arts, given speeches and readings. Each Laureate has produced at least one book during his or her term in office.
DEADLINES AND THE TIMELINE
January 1 to 31, 2014 - Application Period
January 31, 2014 - Application DEADLINE for all applicant’s materials (postmark)
February 20, 2014 - Notification of Finalists by mail, email or phone (postmark) March 2, 2014 - Interviews and Readings of Finalists In-person Interviews and Readings of Finalists before the Committee, at Bolton Hall Museum in Tujunga (attendance is required for all finalists)
March 15, 2014 - Notifications Notifications of the Poet Laureate for 2014 - 2016 by phone, email or mail (postmark)
April 27, 2014 - Passing of the Laurels Ceremony at the McGroarty Arts Center, 7570 McGroarty Terrace, Tujunga CA 91042