Sedona, AZ -- The difference between a poet and a novelist is -- what it takes a
novelist a book to get across, a poet can do it with but a few
words.
Condensed in a good poem are volumes of meaning, served compact and
complete, sometimes in rhyme; other times in prose; and yet others
in free verse.If you love poetry or write poems you would like to read for other
likeminded individuals, the Old Market place between The Martini Bar
and Ravenheart on 89A, every first and third Tuesday of the month, is
where you want to be from 8 p.m. on.
Twice a month local poets and sometimes tourists take the stage and
share their writing with an enthusiastic and appreciative crowd
during the poetry open-mic event.
As entertaining as any concert, poets take turns in rapid-fire
succession delivering their poems through the evening.
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Photo by tommy acosta |
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Dara Tokarz reads a poem. |
According to organizers Greg Nix and Christopher Graham Fox, poets
sign up 15 minutes prior to the start time and can sign up
throughout the night as well.
The open mic goes in rounds, each poet reading one piece until all
the poets on the list are heard. At the end of the list, another
round is started with either one of the organizers starting off the
round with a poem.
Local poets like Mike Blevins, Dara Tokarz, Jennifer Valencia, Julio
Perez, Rose Moon, Andrea Griffin and others often participate.
According to Mr. Nix, open-mic poetry nights have been going in
Sedona for a number of years.
“I got involved with it when it was at Random Acts of Coffee in
2005,” Mr. Nix said. “When Random Acts closed, it bounced around
from site to site until this year. Ostensibly, it is part of the
Gumptionfest Artistic Support Foundation and sponsored by the
Martini Bar [Szechuan Restaurant], Ravenheart Coffee, and New
Frontiers Market Place. But really, me and Fox just like hosting
these events and were missing having a regular poetry open mic.”
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Photo by tommy acosta |
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Andrea Griffin shares her thoughts |
He said most of the participating poets seem to embrace free verse
which, according to Mr. Nix, is pretty typical of most modern poetry
these days.
“Free verse is poetry that is not regulated by a defined or specific
meter, rhyme, or rhythm. It just kinda is,” Mr. Nix said. “Other
than that, we just like to create a space where poets and writers
feel free and welcome to express themselves. We don't judge or score
the poetry and the "winners" of the nightly gift certificates are
decided by Fox and I. Very arbitrary, we just monetarily reward the
poets we think deserve it for reading the first time, or having a
really awesome piece, or just because we feel like it. There's no
standard, just whatever the night brings.”
The next open mic will be July 3rd and will be hosted by Mr. Nix and
Mike Blevins.
The next open mic will be hosted by
Mr. Fox on July 17...and so on.
For more information or to advertise in the
Sedona Verde Valley Times print publication, please email Rita
Livingston, Publisher at
publishersedonaverdevalleytimes@webtv.net
Visit the SVVT
archive page.
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