Poetry Communities Linking and Celebrating

When Two Poetry Worlds Unite

Michael Sedano

 

Collegiality doesn’t just happen, movers and shakers make it happen, when they are thoughtful people. Poets must support one another because, if we don’t read together, surely we will read separately. It's better when we join in unity.

This is la mera verdad, never so true as Thursday evening, September 17, when a twelve years in operation reading series, The Anna Broome Room, joins with the twenty-plus years Altadena Poet Laureate program, to feature poets published in The Altadena Poetry Review Anthology 2026, published by Golden Foothills Press,  http://www.goldenfoothillspress.com

Anna Broome sizzles with enthusiasm with good cause. It's a spectacular evening.

 

A stellar lineup of poets reading from the pages of the book plus additional work, makes this an extra special event. Co-hosts Anna Broome and Altadena Poet Laureate Emerita Thelma T. Reyna, welcome to the stage anthology Editor-in-Chief Lester Graves Lennon and Assistant Editor Sehba Sarwar, who recently wrapped their two-year term as Co-Laureates. 

 

Completing the the lineup are Mikela Bjork, Linda Kaye, Michael Sedano, John Martinez, and G.T. Foster.

 

The evening begins with an intriguing musical performance by Josh Duron, whose ethereal guitar music blends jazz, blues, flamenco, and Latin rock.

Josh Duron sings from el corazón

 

With the audience warmed up by Duron’s captivating music, Reyna, the publisher of Golden Foothills Press, and Broome, share an infectious celebratory spirit that energizes the readers and, in turn, Broome Room regulars and first-timers to the site, an arts incubator and affordable housing complex for artists. https://www.artsharela.org

Anna Broome generously yields the spotlight to Thelma T. Reyna

Broome gives the transitions between readers a Broadway hit show high-energy. All that’s lacking is a bank of teevee cameras broadcasting live from Art Share LA! As with any live event, you have to be there or be square. No dress code, Levi's and Capris and fancy shirts welcome.

 

Anna Broome takes a dual role, MC and featured Reader.

Two separate poetry communities coming together ignites a creative spark that hopefully continues into future readings. La Bloga encourages gente to buy copies of the anthology to read the work of the spotlighted poets. For more information, here’s La Bloga’s column celebrating the Anthology and Poet Laureate program. https://labloga.blogspot.com/2026/05/twenty-years-of-altadena-poets-laureate.html

Altadena Poet Laureate Emeritus Lester Graves Lennon

Mikela Bjork

Altadena Poet Laureate Emerita Sehba Sarwar

Linda Kaye reads accompanied by piano for a change of pace.

Michael Sedano makes his debut as a feature.

John Martinez conquers the blinding spotlight.

G.T. Foster shares a mostly-memorized program.

Blinded by the light, Thelma T. Reyna gets an illuminating collegial assist from Anna Broome

Energized by the performances, audience members gather in conversation with performers.