Melinda Palacio, Santa Barbara Poet Laureate 2023-2025
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| Poetry at Vita Arts in Ventura |
April is packed with poetry. On any given day there might be more than one poetry event to celebrate National Poetry Month. Ventura County got the ball rolling early with their poetry festival at the end of March. Last weekend, I managed to attend the monthly reading at the Vita Arts Center. Two poets laureate were featured: Ventura Poet Laureate Mary McFadden and Millenial Poet Laureate David Olivera. It was a perfect balmy day for listening to poetry outdoors. Next month’s features at the Vita Art Center include Carol Davis and Caron Perkal; make sure to find the not-so-secret back entrance from the parking lot, May 3 at 3pm.
Yesterday, I joined local author Stephanie Barbé Hammer, along with Rich Ferguson and Kathleen Florence from Los Angeles. If you picked up a copy of last week’s Santa Barbara Independent, you might have seen the announcement for our reading at Chaucer’s Books Thursday, April 9 at 6pm. Coordinating the schedules of four poets and a bookstore is no easy feat. Thanks to Stephanie and Chaucer’s Michael Takeuchi for wrangling us poets and making this event possible. There’s also an interview in the Santa Barbara Indpependent, where I answer Tiana Molony’s questions about poetry month and my first full-length poetry book, How Fire Is a Story, Waiting. I am looking forward to hearing our guest poets, as well as Stephanie, who reads her own work very well. Her words will inspire your own poems and stories. Chaucer’s now has a dedicated space with chairs for events, a welcome improvement to their book events.
A new venue for me is the Blanchard Library in Santa Paula. The librarian contacted me and asked if I would offer a presentation on my poetry for their Latino Poetry Program. On Saturday, April 11 at 11 am, I will share some of my poetry and original songs on guitar and ukulele. A monthly open mic follows from noon to 2pm.
What’s become one of my favorite poetry month events, Poetry in Parks, returns this year. Last month, State Archeologist and poet Scott Green received the Director’s Award from California State Parks for creating Poetry in Parks. Santa Barbara’s state park is the Presidio. By assisting with curating the event, I have been able to bring together other groups that I am involved in. Last year, we had Rosal Ortega Flamenco. I met Rosal Ortega at a birthday party on the beach and was convinced to take her adult flamenco dance class. It’s a lot of fun. This year, the Ladies Social Strumming Club will play a few songs. Our other musical act is The Gruntled, aka Mark Zolezzi. We will also have two youth poets, Takunda Chickowero and last year’s Poetry Out Loud winner, Alicia Bautista Blanco, who will perform a Pablo Neruda poem in Spanish. Additional poets include Stephanie Barbé Hammer, Lori Anaya and Santa Barbara’s Poet Laureate George Yatchisin, Poet Laureate Emerita, Emma Trelles, and West Hollywood Poet Laureate Jen Cheng. Poetry in Parks, a free community event, takes place on Friday, April 17, 5:30-7:30pm at the Presidio Chapel, 123 E. Canon Perdido Street.
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| Poetry in Parks, Friday, April 17 at 5:30 at the Presidio Chapel |
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| The Ladies Social Strumming Club |
Take advantage of all the poetry month offerings.
National Poetry Month Events:
Saturday, April 11
Authentic Latina Voices. Poetry, Song, and Storytelling. How to bring your most authentic sef to the stage and page with Santa Barbara Poet Laureate Emerita, Melinda Palacio. Saturday, April 11 from 11 to Noon at the Blanchard Community Library in Santa Paula. There will also be an open mic from noon to 2pm.
Sunday, April 12
The Poetry Zone. Monthly poetry reading and open mic, hosted by Bjorn Birnir at the Karpeles Manuscript Museum, 1:30 pm.
Monday, April 13
Tim Seibles Reads. Celebrated poet, Tim Seibles, reads at the Unity Chapel, 227 E. Arrellaga Street, 5 to 7 pm, host Laure-Anne Bosselaar, will also read. $5 donation.
Tuesday, April 14
Lowstate Writing Salon. Writing Community at the Blue Owl, 7pm.
Wednesday, April 15
12th Annual “Spirits in the Air: Potent Potable Poetry,” The Good Lion. Santa Barbara Poet Laureate George Yatchisin curates this reading. Hear local poets read poems about their favorite drinks, 4:30-6:30, no host bar, The Good Lion, 1212 State Street. Featured Poets: Clayton E. Clark, Mason Granger, Justin Graham Hoops, Rebecca Horrigan, Amy Michelson, Diana Raab, Linda Saccoccio, Jason Scrymgeour, David Starkey, and host George Yatchisin.
Thursday, April 16
The Montecito Poetry Club. The group discusses the work of poet Danusha Lameris Thursday morning, 10-11:30 am, Montecito Library, 1469 E Valley Rd, Montecito.
Friday, April 17
Poetry in Parks at the Presidio Chapel. A poetry month presentation in Santa Barbara’s only State Park, the Presidio. An evening of poetry and music, featuring the Gruntled, the Ladies Social Strumming Club, poets include Lori Anaya, Stephanie Barbé Hammer, Takunda Chickowero, Alicia Bautista Blanco, Jen Cheng, George Yatchisin, Emma Trelles and hosts: Melinda Palacio and Scott Green of California State Parks. Free community event Friday, April 17 from 5:30 -7:30pm, the Presidio Chapel, 123 E. Canon Perdido Street.
Saturday, April 18
Solvang’s Celebration of National Poetry Month. The Elverhoj Museum of History and Art presents poets Dorothy Jardin, Carey McKinnon, Jeff McKinnon, Teresa Mc Neil MacLean, and Cynthia Carbone Ward, at the Elverhoj Museum in Solvang, 4pm.
Sunday, April 19
Poetry Club. A welcoming space to share the art of poetry. Read your own poems or your favorite poems, discuss and explore the poems in a positive environment at the Goleta Community Center, 5679 Hollister Avenue, Goleta, CA 93117. Free monthly event, sponsored by the Goleta Valley Library.
Sunday, April 19
Let’s Chat About Poetry. Host Laure-Anne Bosselaar asks that you bring in a favorite poem to that you love (not written by ) bo be read for poetry month. The domecil Studio, 1223 State Street, Santa Barbara, 4-5 pm, free.
Friday, April 24
Open Mic & Art Gallery/Noche de micrófono abierto y galeria de arte. All are welcome at the library’s open mic. Secure your spot by April 10, Central Library, 40 E Anapamu, 6-7:30 pm.
Wednesday, April 29
An Evening with Martin Espada. An evening with Award-winning poet Martín Espada, UCSB Campbell Hall, 7:30 pm.
*an earlier version of this column was published in the Santa Barbara Independent
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