Modesto-Stanislaus Poetry Center

Poetry on Sunday Series @ Carnegie
2015-08-23 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Carnegie Arts Center, Gemperle Gallery, 250 N. Broadway Ave., Turlock, CA, United States
Come join us at the Carnegie Arts Center in Turlock for our next installment of the quarterly Poetry on Sunday series, featuring Karen Mitchell, Gillian Wegener, Jennifer Lagier, and nancee kinkaid maya. This event is FREE and open to the public, with an open mic following the reading. Join us in celebrating the spoken word!
Download the PDF flyer here.

Submission Deadline: The Biggest Valley
2015-08-30 | CA
SEEKING POEMS
The Biggest Valley: Poems from California’s Heartland will showcase poems written by individuals who were born, raised, or have lived or worked for at least five or more years in California’s Central Valley. The anthology will be published by Sugartown Publishing in the spring of 2016. For more info, download the PDF flyer.

Second Tuesday @ Barkin' Dog
2015-09-08 18:00 - 20:00 | Barkin’ Dog Grill, 940 11th St, Modesto, CA, 95354, United States
The Second Tuesday Poetry Series is happening at the Barkin’ Dog Grill! 940 11th Street, Modesto.
Join us on September 8 at 6:00 p.m. for a great reading, and come and enjoy a great dinner too.
Jeanne Foster
Jeanne, a professor of English Literature and Creative Writing at St. Mary’s College, divides her time between Berkeley, and Italy. Widely published, she is currently working on two Italian-centered projects: a memoir of ballroom dance in Italy and, along with poet Alan Williamson, translations of the poetry of Bianca Tarozzi. Jeanne is co-editor of Appetite: Food as Metaphor (BOA), and her critical work A Music of Grace, explores the sacred in contemporary poetry. Her collection A Blessing of Safe Travel won the Quarterly Review of Literature Poetry Award, and her new collection, Goodbye, Silver Sister, was published by Northwestern University Press in 2015.
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Tom Myers
Tom is a retired elementary teacher who has lived the vast majority of his life in California’s Central Valley. He lives with his wife Anne and assorted pets and is active in the Modesto poetry scene. Much of his work originates from his love of nature – hiking and birding are two of his favorite activities. His poems have appeared in More Than Soil, More Than Sky, hardpan, Quercus Review, Collision II, 4more, Modesto Poets’ Corner, and Stanislaus Connections. He has one chapbook, The Lost Language of Birds.
Our Most Excellent Open Mic will follow the featured readers, so bring a poem or two to share! For more information, email info@mostpoetry.org.
You can also download a PDF flyer right here.

George A. Rogers Park Fundraiser
2015-09-19 | CA
A fundraiser for George A. Rogers Park which honors the memory of the much-loved George Rogers, teacher, poet, and musician, will be held on Sept 19. Information about tickets is in the flyer below. This event will also be the launch of the new chapbook of George’s poetry, definitely something to read and enjoy. All proceeds benefit the park and programs for children.

SLaM on RyE
2015-09-24, 2015-11-05 | Prospect Theater Project, 1214 K Street, Modesto, CA, United States
SLaM on RyE will return this fall with poetry slams on Thursday, September 24th and Thursday, November 5th. There will be featured poets, an open mic, cash prizes, DJ Jimmy, and lots more. All this will take place at the Prospect Theater. Ticket links are still in the works, so more on this soon!

Tuolumne Writers Retreat
2015-09-25 08:00 - 2015-09-27 17:00 | Columbia State Historic Park, 11255 Jackson Street, Columbia, CA, United States
The Tuolumne Writers Retreat is coming up on September 25th-27th in Columbia. You can find out more at www.sonorawriters.org or by calling 209-743-8097. This will feature 16 writers’ workshops, prose and poetry open mics, a Ghost Poetry Walk, guest speakers, book signings, and performances. It sounds like a lot of fun, so if you are interested sign up early and give yourself something to look forward to.
UPDATE: Salvatore Salerno of Modesto, a MoSt board member, will be teaching a workshop titled “Making a Poem” on Saturday, September 26 at the Tuolumne Writers’ Retreat. His recent chapbook is “New Wine in Old Barrels.”

Northern California Women’s Music Festival
2015-10-23 19:00 - 2015-10-24 23:00 | Unnamed Venue, 11th Street, Modesto, CA, United States
The Northern California Women’s Music Festival will be held on October 23rd and 24th in downtown Modesto. This includes the poetry portion of the event with readings by the winners of the poetry contest and the launch of the chapbook honoring this festival. Buy your tickets now. Info at www.northerncaliforniawomensmusicfestival.com.

Second Tuesday @ Barkin' Dog
2015-12-08 18:00 - 20:00 | Barkin’ Dog Grill, 940 11th St, Modesto, CA, 95354, United States
The Second Tuesday Poetry Series
is happening at
the Barkin’ Dog Grill!
~~940 11th Street, Modesto~~
Join us on December 8 at 6:00p.m.
for a great reading,
and come and enjoy a great dinner too.

Ed Bearden
Ed Bearden is Modesto’s immediate past poet laureate and recipient of the 2007 literary arts award. His poetry has received three Pushcart prize nominations. He is the author of several poetry chapbooks and one full length collection, Riding the Tractor. He has also authored a book of humor and a collection of more than 80 articles published by local newspapers.
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Roberta Bearden
Roberta is a poet, a painter, and a musician. She has been writing poetry for thirty years. She recently had her first full-length poetry book On The Museum Steps published. She plays ukulele with a small band through Memorial Hospitals complimentary therapies for cancer survivors. She was selected Outstanding Woman in Stanislaus County in 1991 for her volunteer work with people with disabilities.
Our Most Excellent Open Mic will follow the featured readers, so bring a poem or two to share!
Download the PDF flyer here. For more information, email info@mostpoetry.org.

Second Tuesday @ Barkin' Dog
2016-01-12 18:00 - 20:00 | Barkin’ Dog Grill, 940 11th St, Modesto, CA, 95354, United States
Come to the Barkin’ Dog on Tuesday, January 12 for a great meal and some great poetry. The reading starts at 6:00 and this month will feature the terrific Kate Asche and poets from the New Year’s Poetry Challenge. Don’t miss out!
Our featured reader will be Kate Asche. Her poetry has appeared in The Missouri Review (audio online) and in Bellingham Review, RHINO, and elsewhere. Her poem “Incoming” was selected by Camille Dungy for the summer 2015 issue of Colorado Review. A graduate of the UC Davis creative writing progroma, she teaches workshops in Sacramento and is contributig editor at Under the Gum Tree. Follow her at social media and at www.kateasche.com. Her chapbook, Our Day in the Labyrinth, came out from Finishingline Press in 2015.
Also this evening, we’ll celebrate the completion of the 7th annual New Year’s Poetry Challenge and hear poems from this year’s poets! See you at the Barkin’ Dog!

Fourth Annual Modesto Poetry Festival with Troy Jollimore and Heather Altfeld
2016-02-06 09:00 - 16:00 | St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1528 Oakdale Road, Modesto, CA, 95355, United States
The Modesto-Stanislaus Poetry Center is proud to announce its 4th Annual Poetry Festival featuring workshops with special guests Troy Jollimore and Heather Altfeld, luncheon, and poetry contest. 9:30 am – 4 pm at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1528 Oakdale Road, Modesto.
$30 for MoSt members; $35 for non-members. (Hint: you should join.)
*Participants are encouraged to pre-register, but may register at the door. Doors open at 9 am.For questions about the festival, please email info@mostpoetry.org. For questions concerning the poetry contest, please email Louise Kantro at kantro@sbcglobal.net.
See our flier and contest/registration forms.

MoSt Board Meeting
2016-02-25 18:30 - 19:30 | CA
We will be having a Board meeting on Thursday, Feb. 25 at 6:30 p.m. at Gillian’s house.

Poetry on Sunday Series @ Carnegie
2016-02-28 14:00 - 16:00 | Carnegie Arts Center, Gemperle Gallery, 250 N. Broadway Ave., Turlock, CA, United States
Come join us at the Carnegie Arts Center in Turlock for our next installment of the quarterly Poetry on Sunday series, featuring Angela Morales Salinas, Nancy Haskett, Sarah Haskett, and Katy Brown. This event is FREE and open to the public, with an open mic following the reading. Join us in celebrating the spoken word!
Download the PDF flyer here.

Poet and photographer Katy Brown, whose work frequently appears on Medusa’s Kitchen Blogspot and Convergence, has won awards in The Ina Coolbrith Circle, The Berkeley Poets’ Dinner, and The International Dance Poetry Competition. Her poetry has been in Brevities, Rattlesnake Review, The Song of San Joaquin, Poetalk, Persimmon Tree, and Harpstrings, as well as in several anthologies such as Sacramento Voices, Entering, and Fog and Woodsmoke. Other writing credits include, automobile humor, greeting cards, a multiple-ending book, a poetry workbook, and a series of short mysteries for young readers. Her secret power is that she can catch a lizard with a blade of grass.
Nancy Haskett has been writing since she was in high school. An educator for over 30 years, she retired in 2011 and is an active member of the poetry community in Modesto, CA. She is a member of the Ina Coolbrith Circle, MoSt (Modesto Stanislaus Poetry Center), National League of American Penwomen and other local writing groups. Nancy has presented her poetry at the Carnegie Arts Center in Turlock, CA and has been published in many places, including the anthology More than Soil, More than Sky; Stanislaus Connections; Penumbra; Homestead Review; Iodine Press; Song of the San Joaquin; The Pen Woman, and more. In her spare time, Nancy enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her family.
Sarah Haskett is the daughter of an English teacher and an artist; surrounded by these inspirations, she has, not surprisingly, been writing poetry since she was a child. She is a high school English Honors and Creative Writing teacher, and therefore much of her inspiration to write comes from her classroom, as well as the injustices of society. Having recently graduated as a Master in Teaching for Social Justice, Sarah finds ways to meld her passion for writing with her passion for bringing awareness to those social issues. Her writings have been published by Modesto Poet’s Corner, Stanislaus Connections, and the booklet she publishes with her Creative Writing students each year. In her almost non-existent spare time, she likes to travel and hike with her husband and their two dogs, Ringo and Whiskey.
Angela Morales Salinas is a retired kindergarten teacher who writes poetry for love. She has been published locally in Penumbra, Something So Write, Stanislaus Connections, and hardpan.
Angela states, “I came to this country speaking nothing but Spanish. When I went to school, I quickly learned to speak English. I fell in love with how two languages could work together to create something unique. I have been in the San Joaquin Valley for most of my life, starting at the very southern end, Kern County, and making my way slowly but surely up north. I have chosen to work in a neighborhood that many people do not like to think about. I understand. It is hard to look at want and fear because if you are not careful that is all you will see. You have to be able to look past that and see the absolute joy and hope that is there beneath the surface. This crazy mix of languages, people, and ideas has been my inspiration. There is beauty in the ugliness, and harshness masks a gentleness that’s also there. If I can give voice to what our valley is trying to tell us, I will have done I think, what I was sent to do. But to accomplish this I know I must listen carefully, look deeply and allow love to guide my voice.”

Second Tuesday @ Barkin' Dog
2016-03-08 18:00 - 20:00 | Barkin’ Dog Grill, 940 11th St, Modesto, CA, 95354, United States
The Second Tuesday Reading Series continues with featured readers Julia Levine and Linda Prather. 6:00 at the Barkin’ Dog Grill — more info to come!

Deadline: Poets' Corner Contest
2016-03-11 | CA
March 11th is the deadline for this year’s Modesto Poets’ Corner contest! The guidelines are up at https://www.modestogov.com/prnd/poet_corner.asp. Share the link and let everyone and their parents know that this contest is out there!

Deadline: Aileen Jaffa Young Poets Contest
2016-04-15 | CA
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.
Any student enrolled in a Stanislaus County school, grades K through 12, is eligible to submit up to 3 entries, at $1 per entry. Read more and download the entry form on the Contest Page.

MoSt Annual Gala
2016-04-17 14:00 - 17:00 | Barkin’ Dog Grill, 940 11th St, Modesto, CA, 95354, United States
Join us during our open house for food and drink, music, a silent auction, and poetry. Funds raised at this benefit will help MoSt Poetry Center to continue to bring poetry to schools, senior centers, and community organizations. Just this year, we have held our annual poetry festival in February, are working on establishing a chapbook series for local up-and-coming poets, and are partnering with the Carnegie Arts Center in Turlock to bring United States Poet Laureate Juan Felipe Herrera to the Carnegie for a reading and workshop.
Music by Dr. David Chapman and Travis Silvers of the Modesto Junior College Music Department. Silent auction items to include gift baskets, arts and crafts, gift certificates, and more! Please contact info@mostpoetry.org if you have a silent auction item to donate.
Tickets $20 each; includes food and beverage. Tickets are available from MoSt board members, at the door, or online at Eventbrite–just click below.

MoSt Board Meeting
2016-04-28 18:30 - 20:00 | CA
Our next Board Meeting is scheduled for April 28 at 6:30 at Tom Portwood’s home. Please contact us at info (at) mostpoetry.org for more information about attending.

Poetry for Peace and Justice
2016-04-29 18:00 - 20:00 | Peer Recovery Art Gallery, 1222 J Street, Modesto, CA, 95354, United States
A Free Community Event at the Peer Recovery Art Gallery, 1222 J Street Modesto CA 95354.
Come listen to original poems, spoken word, music by local artists and peace readings from thought leaders, hosted by The Modesto Peace Life Center. Download the PDF flyer for more information.

Second Tuesday @ Barkin' Dog
2016-05-10 18:00 - 20:00 | Barkin’ Dog Grill, 940 11th St, Modesto, CA, 95354, United States
Join us for our monthly reading series featuring fantastic local poets and an open mic following the reading!

Poetry on the Spot
2016-05-13 15:00 - 18:00 | CSU Stanislaus, 1 University Circle, Turlock, CA, 95382, United States
MoSt Poets will do Poetry-on-the-Spot at CSU Stanislaus from 3pm to 6pm. That means: you pick 5 words, we write you a poem!

35th Annual Poets' Corner Celebration
2016-05-15 13:00 - 15:00 | McHenry Museum, 1402 14th St, Modesto, CA, 95354, United States
A reading to celebrate the 35th annual Poets’ Corner contest from the City of Modesto; 1:00 at the McHenry Museum.

Poetry on the Spot @ Art Walk
2016-05-19 17:00 - 21:00 | Preservation Coffee, 1030 J Street, Modesto, CA, United States
MoSt Poets will do Poetry-on-the-Spot for the Third Thursday Art Walk in downtown Modesto at Preservation Coffee. Poetry on the Spot means: you pick 5 words, we write you a poem!

Poetry on Sunday @ Carnegie
2016-05-22 14:00 - 16:00 | Carnegie Arts Center, Gemperle Gallery, 250 N. Broadway Ave., Turlock, CA, United States
This very special reading will feature the winning youth poets from the Aileen Jaffa Poetry Contest, administered by MoSt and the Modesto Chapter of the National League of American Pen Women. Please join us! Download the PDF flyer here.
Read more about the competition on our Contests page.

Summer Poetry Workshop: Poetry of Place with Gillian Wegener
2016-06-15 18:00 - 20:00 | Stanislaus County Library, 1500 I Street, Modesto, CA, 95354, United States
Join Modesto Poet Laureate Gillian Wegener, Modesto-Stanislaus Poetry Center (MoSt), and the Modesto Library for the first in a series of poetry workshops. Come read and write poetry focused on place — the places we love and the places that haunt us. Play with image, metaphor, and rhythm and bring place alive for those who read your work. This free workshop is open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided. For more information contact the Modesto Library at (209) 558-7814.
Sponsored by Friends of the Modesto Library, Modesto-Stanislaus Poetry Center.

Poet Laureate Reception
2016-07-12 16:00 - 18:00 | McHenry Museum, 1402 14th St, Modesto, CA, 95354, United States
Join the Modesto Culture Commission and Modesto-Stanislaus Poetry Center in welcoming the new City of Modesto Poet Laureate and honoring the outgoing Poet Laureate, our own Gillian Wegener. There will be a poetry reading and light refreshments will be provided.

Second Tuesday @ Barkin' Dog
2016-07-12 18:00 - 20:00 | Barkin’ Dog Grill, 940 11th St, Modesto, CA, 95354, United States
Join us for our monthly reading series and open mic at the Barkin’ Dog Grill in Modesto! This month’s featured readers will include MoSt secretary Tom Portwood and Susan Kelly DeWitt.
Tom Portwood is a founding member of the Modesto-Stanislaus Poetry Center, and serves on its board as its Secretary. His poems have appeared in Modesto Poets Corner, Stanislaus Connections, hardpan, Many More, Describing the Depths, and Song of the San Joaquin, as well as More than Soil, More than Sky: the Modesto Poets anthology. By the Pond is his first chapbook.
Susan Kelly-DeWitt is the author of Spider Season (Cold River Press, 2016) and nine previous poetry collections, including The Fortunate Islands (Marick Press, 2008). A former Wallace Stegner fellow, her work has appeared in numerous anthologies and journals at home and abroad. She has also been featured at Wordstock, and on Writer’s Almanac, Verse Daily, and Ted Kooser’s American Life in Poetry. For more information, please visit her website at www.susankelly-dewitt.com.

Summer Poetry Workshop: Persona Poetry with Linda Scheller
2016-07-16 13:00 - 15:00 | Stanislaus County Library, 1500 I Street, Modesto, CA, 95354, United States
Save the date for a workshop on Persona Poetry at the Modesto Library with MoSt Board member Linda Scheller.
This free workshop is open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided. For more information contact the Modesto Library at (209) 558-7814.
Sponsored by Friends of the Modesto Library, Modesto-Stanislaus Poetry Center.

Second Tuesday @ Barkin' Dog
2016-08-09 18:00 - 20:00 | Barkin’ Dog Grill, 940 11th St, Modesto, CA, 95354, United States
Join us for our monthly reading series and open mic following the reading! This month’s featured poets include Mai Der Vang and members of the Hmong American Writers’ Circle.

Summer Poetry Workshop: Ekphrastic Poetry with Gary Thomas
2016-08-27 13:00 - 15:00 | Stanislaus County Library, 1500 I Street, Modesto, CA, 95354, United States
Save the date for a workshop on Ekphrastic Poetry at the Modesto Library with MoSt Board member Gary Thomas.
This free workshop is open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided. For more information contact the Modesto Library at (209) 558-7814.
Sponsored by Friends of the Modesto Library, Modesto-Stanislaus Poetry Center.
