On Wednesday, October 15th at 5pm in Patio Las Campanas in Tlaquepaque the third show in the outdoor Autumn poetry readings known as Verses in the Village. Crowds have been enthusiastic and listened intently to master poets practice their craft. This show should be no exception, featuring the humorous and insightful verse of Paul Jones Jr. and cowboy poet and storyteller Michael Coyote Peach.
Against the beautiful backdrop of Tlaquepaque with fountains vines, flowers, sculpture, staircases, and arches with clinging vines, these poets are certain to have the audiences laughing. Both Jones and Peach have earned reputations for humor in their performances in what should be a delightful evening.
Sound for Verses in the Village shows is provided by former Dore Records artist Gary Scott who has promised to entertain the crowd with a song or two. One of those songs will feature a collaboration with Sedona Poet Laureate Gary Every.
A former bonfire storyteller at multiple resorts in southern Arizona, Every is looking forward to honoring the season by breaking out a couple regional Halloween tales.
Paul grew up in rural NY, where he went to school for art at SUNY Oswego. Writing letters to penpals as a teenager showed him the power of words to connect with strangers. He has been performing poetry since 2002 throughout NY and AZ. He was inspired by the Flagslam community to try slam for the first time this year, and has since won slams in Flagstaff, Prescott and Sedona, and was a finalist at both the AZ All-State Championship in Maricopa and the Blackberry Peach National Qualifier.
His poetry often uses humor to question what connects us all in the age of digital culture, and challenges people to go outside more, and take care of one another.
Paul has worked in outreach and behavioral health with young adults for 14 years, where he leads them on weekly hikes in Sedona. In his spare time he’s an artist, naturalist and practices the ancient art of firemaking by rubbing sticks together.
Native Arizonan Michael Peach is related to the Peaches who moved to the Verde Valley in 1878.
He is a former instructor at Northern Arizona University, a former member of the Arizona Humanities Speakers Bureau, and the author of several books on Arizona and Verde Valley history.
He wrote and directed the City of Sedona’s award-winning official Arizona 2012 Centennial Celebration Event. Peach has been performing original living history programs at the Sedona Heritage Museum and at venues statewide since 2000.
He has been an interpreter of cultural and natural resources here in the Verde Valley since 1985, and is the senior interpretive guide trainer for Pink Jeep Tours.
Won’t you join us Wednesday, October 15th at 5pm in beautiful Patio Las Campanas for a delightful evening of comedy and poetry with a Halloween story or two tossed in. Join your friends and neighbors for a good time and wonderful show.