This coming Sunday, January 31st, at 3 p.m., the Manayunk Art Center kicks off the first of five programs devoted to formal and metrical poetry, featuring yours truly.
The first program is entitled “Formal Poetry is Alive & Well” and begins with me presenting a short talk on Philip Larkin & Edna St. Vincent Millay. Not seeing a connection apart from the obvious? Come hear the talk…! After that local formalists will read poems in the spirit of the event–either their own work or poems they admire. There will also be an Open Mic.
The event will be the perfect springboard for the series of formal poetry workshops that will follow throughout the spring. Sign up for a single workshop or all 4:
• Workshop 1 – BASIC METER & BLANK VERSE – Sunday February 7th 12-2 p.m.
If you have ever shaken your head and claimed you can’t “hear meter” here is your opportunity to acquire this basic poetic skill
• Workshop 2- RHYME & HOW NOT TO FORCE IT – Sunday February 28th 12-2 p.m.
Rhyme made subtle, slant rhyme, assonance, consonance, and tricks of the trade.
• Workshop 3 – INTRODUCTION TO FORMS – Sunday March 14th 12-2 p.m.
The villainous villanelle, the seductive sestina, the tricky little triolet and more…
• Workshop 4 – THE SONNET – Sunday April 18th 12-2 p.m.
Your chance to create one of these classic 14-lined poetic jewels!
Registration forms will be available at Sunday’s event or online here. (Simply mail to Peter Krok, care of Manayunk Art Center, at the address given.)
I am very excited to have this opportunity, because it has long been a dream of mine to teach the craft of formal poetry to a willing audience. Hope to see you there!
