Modesto-Stanislaus Poetry Center

Coffee, Tea, and Poetry
2022-03-26 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | CA
Join us to talk about poetry you’ve been enjoying.

You are invited to a Zoom meeting. Coffee, Tea and Poetry
When: Mar 26, 2022 02:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAtf-yprz4sGtV6Un3kWL9tjH_ZdUt8zIOt

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

2023 Aileen Jaffa Young Poets Awards Ceremony
2023-05-13 14:00 - 16:00 | Carnegie Arts Center, 250 N. Broadway, Turlock, CA, 95380, United States
AILEEN JAFFA YOUNG POETS CONTEST
Co-sponsored by MoSt (Modesto-Stanislaus Poetry Center) and the National League of American Penwomen (NLAPW), Modesto chapter.
This contest is offered as a means of encouraging young writers throughout Stanislaus County and as a way to remember poet Aileen Jaffa, the founding President of the Poets of the San Joaquin and member of the Modesto Branch of the National League of American Pen Women.
Awards and Recognition
First, second and third place winners in each category will receive cash awards from the MoSt Poetry Center. Prizes are: First Place $25, Second Place $15, Third Place $10. In addition, the Modesto Branch of the National League of American Pen Women will award a $60 Aileen Jaffa Outstanding Poem award in each of two combined categories, Categories 1 and 2, and Categories 3 and 4.
The current president of the NLAPW Modesto chapter will present the awards, and the winning poems will be read at an Awards Ceremony at 2 P.M. on Saturday May 13, 2023 at the Carnegie Arts Center, 250 N. Broadway, Turlock.
For more information, contact info@mostpoetry.org

City of Modesto Poet's Corner Reading/Reception
2023-06-04 13:00 - 15:00 | McHenry Museum, 1402 14th St, Modesto, CA, 95354, United States
Join us at McHenry Museum on Sunday, June 4 at 1 pm for a reading featuring the winners of the 2023 Poet’s Corner Contest, sponsored by the City of Modesto.
For contest information, please visit the City of Modesto Poet’s Corner page. (Contest info will be updated soon.)

Stanislaus County Youth Poet Laureate Reading and Reception
2023-08-26 14:00 | Carnegie Arts Center, 250 N. Broadway, Turlock, CA, 95380, United States
Please join us to celebrate our finalists for the Stanislaus County Youth Poet Laureate contest 2023-2024. Meet our finalists, Janelle Yulo of Modesto and Zoe Byron of Oakdale, and our Youth Poet Laureate Faith Delgado. With readings and refreshments.
At The Loft, 3rd floor of the Carnegie Arts Center,
Stanislaus County Youth Poet Laureate program is a partnership between Modesto-Stanislaus Poetry Center, Stanislaus County Library, Stanislaus County Office of Education, MJC’s School of Language Arts and Education, and the Stanislaus Library Foundation.

MoSt's 10th Anniversary Fundraiser w/ CA Poet Laureate Lee Herrick & Stan Cty Youth Poet Laureate Faith Delgado
2023-09-23 14:00 - 17:00 | CA
Join us on the afternoon of Saturday, September 23, 2023 for an afternoon of wine, hors d’oeuvres, and readings by California Poet Laureate Lee Herrick and Stanislaus County Youth Poet Laureate Faith Delgado.
Your ticket supports poetry in Stanislaus County, including monthly reading series in Modesto and Turlock; sets of poetry books for area schools; Poetry Out Loud; poetry readings at senior communities; free poetry workshops and poetry book discussions at the Modesto Library; the Youth Poet Laureate program; poetry on the spot at events across the county; annual workshops by noted poets from across California, the Modesto Poetry Festival every February, and much more!
TICKET SALES END FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15th AT MIDNIGHT. $50 purchase through https://poetrygala2023.brownpapertickets.com/.
Please email info@mostpoetry.org to request sliding scale price.

Poetry on the Spot at the Gallo Family Fun Festival
2023-09-24 13:00 - 16:00 | Gallo Center for the Arts, Gallo Center Plaza, Modesto, CA, 95354, United States
FREE FOR EVERYONE! SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2023
1 PM – 4 PM
The Gallo Center for the Arts presents its first annual Family Fun Festival—a community event that will take over the Gallo Center Plaza and the Modesto Rotary Music Garden with a host of FREE activities. We’ll be typing poems for anyone who wants one–but you can also enjoy music, dancing, chalk art, lawn games, exotic reptiles, face painting, balloon animals, and more. Free; no ticket purchase required.
Food trucks will be on site for those wishing to purchase hot dogs, frozen yogurt, and other treats.

Poetry Out Loud - Informational Meetings on Zoom
2023-10-25 14:30 - 17:00 | Zoom
Bring Poetry Out Loud to your school!
Poetry Out Loud is a national poetry Recitation Contest for high
school students that starts at the school level with students
memorizing and reciting poems. School winners move on to the
county contest run by Modesto-Stanislaus Poetry Center in early
February 2024. The finalist there goes on to the state contest in
Sacramento in March, 2024.
Please attend one of these informational Zoom meetings to find out
more: Wednesday, October 25 at 2:45 and at 3:45. (Same meeting,
two different times for your convenience.)
https://us02web.zoom.us/i/87048923866?
pwd=[REDACTED]
This link can also be found at www.mostpoetry.org, the website of
Modesto-Stanislaus Poetry Center. Contact us with any questions.

12th Annual MoSt Poetry Festival with Maya Khosla
2024-02-03 10:00 - 14:00 | Carnegie Arts Center, 250 N. Broadway, Turlock, CA, 95380, United States
MoSt Poetry Festival
Saturday, February 3, 2024
“Writing the Way Through Wild Spaces”
Workshop leader: Maya Khosla, Wildlife Biologist, Poet, Filmmaker
Carnegie Arts Center 250 N. Broadway Turlock, CA
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Doors open at 9:30 a.m. — continental breakfast included
$40 RSVP at https://poetryfestival12.eventbrite.com

Maya Khosla is a biologist and writer. As Sonoma County Poet Laureate (2018-2020), she brought Sonoma’s communities together to heal through gatherings, field walks, and shared writing after the recent wildfires. Her books include “All the Fires of Wind and Light” (Sixteen Rivers Press; 2020 PEN Oakland/Josephine Miles Literary Award), “Keel Bone” (Bear Star Press; Dorothy Brunsman Poetry Prize). She is the winner of the 2023 Fund for Wild Nature Grassroots Activist Award and co-winner of the Environmentalist of the Year Award from 2020 Sonoma County Conservation Council (SCCC). Her work has been featured in For the Wild, her writing was part of the award-winning documentary films including “Village of Dust, City of Water,” about the water crises in rural India.

Scan to purchase your ticket

This event is supported in part by Poets & Writers.

Dos Rios State Park Nature Poetry Walk
2024-10-27 09:00 - 12:00 | Dos Rios State Park, 3559 Shiloh Rd, Modesto, CA, 95358, United States
A special event for poetry lovers! Join a State Park Interpreter and special guest, poetry author, Salvatore Salerno. Bring your favorite poem or poetry book about nature and share with other poetry enthusiasts. Walk 2.5 miles round-trip to the amazing pond Oaks. Share or just listen to poems that connects us to nature. Please bring good walking shoes, sunscreen, snack, and water. Bring lunch to eat at the day use area, along the pond, following the poetry walking tour. Register: https://www.parks.ca.gov/EventDetails/16477

Second Tuesday - MoSt Member Potluck/Open Mic
2025-12-09 18:00 - 20:00 | The Dragonfly Art for Life, 1210 J Street, Modesto, CA, 95350, United States
Join us for our December reading at The Dragonfly- Art for Life for a joyful open mic and potluck for members of Modesto-Stanislaus Poetry Center.
We’d love to have you there! It’s not too late to join MoSt–you can join at the door, even.

Nature Poetry Reading & Walk at Dos Rios State Park
2026-03-21 10:00 - 12:00 | Dos Rios State Park, 3559 Shiloh Rd, Modesto, CA, 95358, United States
Nature lovers and fans of poetry are welcome to celebrate Spring at the 4th Nature Poetry Reading and Walk at Dos Rios State Park on Saturday, March 21 at 10:00 a.m.. Participants can bring a few of their own nature poems to read, or read poems from their favorite nature poets. After the one-hour reading at the ramadas, an optional hike will be offered by park staff along the 1.8-mile trail around the oxbow pond. Loaner binoculars are available.
