Firefly Bookstore is putting on a series of poetry events during the month of April, in celebration of National Poetry Month. This is the second year of this event entitled ‘Nothing Rhymes With Kutztown’, and features local writers and poetry enthusiasts.
National Poetry Month was first introduced in 1996 by the Academy of American Poets to highlight and celebrate poetry in the United States. It has been held every April since its inception, with libraries, bookstores, publishers and authors organizing special events nationwide.
The co-owners of Firefly are excited about the upcoming events.
‘There are poetry lovers all over the Kutztown area, not only from the University. We think last year’s events really encouraged other people to try more open-mic nights,’ said Firefly’s Matthew Williams. ‘In particular, the High School Poetry Club has been very active since last year, and have been putting together monthly events. It’s pretty great!’
The events during April will include Michael Sgrignoli who will be performing his work ‘Dinorific Poetry’ on Saturday, April 19, from 11 a.m. to noon at the Kutztown Community Library. Michael with his illustrator Ethan, are a father-son team from Mechanicsburg. Sgrignoli will introduce younger listeners to some familiar and not-so-familiar dinosaurs through lively, funny and informative poems.
Teen Open Mic Night hosted by the Kutztown High Poetry Club will be held on April 19, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Global Libations in Kutztown. Local young poets will be reading both their own works and poetry from other writers. Attendance will be open and younger readers are encouraged to participate.
Poem In Your Pocket Day is held Thursday, April 24. Poetry lovers are encouraged to select a poem, carry it with them, and share it with others throughout the day. They can also share their chosen poem on Twitter by using the hashtag #pocketpoem. Participants can stop by Firefly Bookstore to pick up a poem, or they can select their own.
The last event will be an Open Mic Night on Friday, April 25 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Global Libations. Attendees are invited to come to listen or read their own work. Interested parties are also encouraged to read other authors’ works. Sign up will begin at 6:30.
All of these events are free and open to the public. Anyone who is interested in participating in the upcoming events should contact the owners of Firefly Bookstore, who are coordinating with the venues.
Firefly Bookstore – 230 West Main Street, Kutztown, 484-648-2712
Global Libations – 21 East Main Street, Kutztown, 484-646-9683
Kutztown Community Library – 70 Bieber Alley, Kutztown, 610-683-5820
