Last week River & Word hosted its first Poetry reading and we can happily say it was a success! Quinn Carver Johnson has the gift of words, which kept the audience entertained while he read excerpts from his latest book, titled The Perfect Bastard. Other poets participated in open mic sessions that started and ended the evening, and awesome doesn’t begin to describe what it felt like to experience so much talent in one room. Great job to Quinn and our host, Shelley Nation!
You don’t have to be a poet to enjoy poetry. Perhaps you aren’t sure if you enjoy poetry. If that’s the case, you might be surprised at how inspiring it is to watch others express their own words in rhythm and meter. Our next featured poet will be David Jennings on February 4 (also known and easily remembered as First Wednesday Poetry Series), and you are invited to join us whether you’re an experienced poet or just exploring.
But, before we have another poetry gathering, we have two more events that might perk your eyes and ears. Join us this weekend as we welcome Oklahoma folk singer Jonathan Marshall, coming to us all the way from Oklahoma City. He’ll start playing at 6 PM, but come in an hour early to participate in a delicious potluck! We’re asking for a $10 entry fee to help Jonathan cover his travel expenses. We’re sure grateful to have him!
We’ll close out our events for the month with our first feature film on Wednesday, January 21, at 6 PM. The film, titled “Eternal Song: Ancestral Wisdom for Collective Healing,” is one part of a series of documentaries we look forward to sharing with our local patrons. We’ll explore First Nations from across the globe, what it means to be indigenous, and what it means to have your culture and the world you reside in fractured.
Thoughtful discussion will follow each film, and for your comfort, an intermission will occur during.
Watch for more exciting events in February. We are ironing out the details on a 10-week beginning painting class set to start in late February; a poetry workshop hosted by our own talented in-house poet; and information regarding the closing of our current exhibit, A Bouquet in Yellow, and the opening of our next art exhibit and gallery opening event. We thank each of you for a great first month in business!
Wado! Kellie & Shelley
River & Word Arts Collective 