RWC’s annual celebration of National Poetry Month is underway with a variety of activities that will continue through the end of April. One highlight is the Poetry Coffeehouse that will be held in the Writing Center, on the evening of April 29. The Coffeehouse, which will last from 6 to 8 p.m., will be an informal, open microphone reading. Anyone interested in reading and/or listening to poetry is welcome to attend. Organizers also seek students who are musicians and willing to perform a piece or two in between poem readings. No amplfiers or heavy metal; acoustic performances are preferred. Contact Professor Rhonda Pettit at rhonda.pettit@uc.edu if you would like to perform or need more information. Pettit said she hopes to provide food, drink as well at the Coffeehouse.
A prominent feature throughout National Poetry Month here is the Poetry Wall, featuring favorite poems submitted by students, staff, administrators, and faculty, in Muntz Hall and on display stands in the Science and Allied Health Building.
Also throughout the month, special poetry exhibits are on display in Muntz Hall featuring Poetry’s Response to 9/11, Poetry Cartoons, and an exhibit created by students.
There is also a Poetry Writing Contest, open to students, staff, and faculty. The deadline for entry is April 17. On April 8, Professor Pettit held a Poetry Writing Workshop for anyone interested in submitting a poem to the contest. Contest instructions are available from Professor Pettit. Winners will be announced on April 23.
In addition to the Coffeehouse, two other significant performances have also been scheduled as part of the celebration. New York performance poet Liza Jessie Peterson performed on April 8 (see review elsewhere in this issue). On April 23, William Shakespeare’s birthday, the Cincinnati Shakespeare Festival will be on campus to present a performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 10 a.m. to noon, in the Muntz Auditorium.