Friday, January 3, 2020
Join Rick Kearns at GoggleWorks Center for the Arts February 6th, 2020 at 6 pm
Berks Bards welcomes Rick Kearns to join us at GoggleWorks Center for the Arts to read selected poetry. Following his reading, we'll allow ANYONE to step up to the mic and read what moves them.
When: February 6th, 2020 at 6 pm
Where: GoggleWorks Center for the Arts
201 Washington Street Reading PA 19601 Studio 238
Read Rick Kearns' Bio below:
Rick Kearns (aka Kearns-Morales) is a poet of Puerto Rican and European heritage from Harrisburg, Pa. His latest full collection was Rufino's Secret, 2012. Other books include Street of Knives, The Dead Go Swimming and five other collections. His poems have appeared in over 70 literary journals and 6 national anthologies including The Massachusetts Review, The Painted Bride Quarterly and Chicago Review. Some of his work has appeared in European and Latin American journals as well. He was named Poet Laureate of Harrisburg, Pa in 2014.
Below is a sample poem from our featured poet:
The Moon Rides a Black Horse
(for Lorca)
The moon is
riding along
the shore
thinking violins
and howling wolves,
the moon is
riding a black horse,
looking for a widow
who sings
the deep song
llanto of the unforgiving sea,
buleria of
smokestacks and
isotopes.
The moon
wants a good
red wine
and a woman
who can dance.
Saturday, December 7, 2019
Join Bri Tyson at GoggleWorks Center for the Arts January 2nd, 2020 at 6 pm
Berks Bards welcomes Bri Tyson to join us at GoggleWorks Center for the Arts to read selected poetry. Following his reading, we'll allow ANYONE to step up to the mic and read what moves them.
When: January 2nd, 2020 at 6 pm
Where: GoggleWorks Center for the Arts
201 Washington Street Reading PA 19601
Read Bri Tyson's Bio below:
Bri Tyson is a 26 year-old poet who has been writing since her early days. Born and raised in the Keystone State, she grew up believing family and friends are the key to life. Her involvement in her community has continued to nourish her writing, however, her poetry reflects a lover's discourse. Bri is a co-host of Dear RDG, a City of Reading-based podcast which focuses on providing a spotlight on local talent and national news. She is also a member of Berks NAACP Chapter and a member of Barrio Alegria, a community development organization. And she serves on the committee for the Berks County Poet Laureate and the Berks Scholastic Poet Laureate based at Reading Area Community College. Bri is also a city ambassador for No Black Girl Left Behind (NBGLB), an organization that work to establish bonds between Black women in her community. Her writing has been published on two popular sites Blavity.com and xoNecole.com. Bri is a blogger for PushaBri.com
Below is a sample poem from our featured poet:
Trials
My Mother’s Womb
Produced a Beautiful Babygirl
That wore ribbons around her head
Identification for the world
She grew
And locked her locs
Common place in her community
Beads in her constant companion
Until her maturity
She grew
Straighten strands
Rounding out her education
Heated tools and creams
Relaxing the world’s impatience
Life is such a trial
Wednesday, November 13, 2019
Join Jazer Willis at GoggleWorks Center for the Arts December 5th 2019 at 6 pm
Berks Bards welcomes Jazer Willis to join us at GoggleWorks Center for the Arts to read selected poetry. Following his reading, we'll allow ANYONE to step up to the mic and read what moves them.
When: December 5th 2019 at 6 pm
Where: GoggleWorks Center for the Arts Studio 238
201 Washington Street Reading PA 19601
Read Jazer Willis' Bio below:
Jazer Willis is a Black, Afro Sensitive and Christ centered speaker, appreciative of the arts and nationally recognized poet. Jazer is currently pursuing his BA in political science with a focus in religious studies as it relates to how the world works, at Albright College in Reading, PA. Willis's work concentrates on his own identity and what seems to affect it, as a young, African American - Christian man. Jazer speaks on race, faith, social justice, love of self, celebration of life - channeling familiar memories, overcoming adversity, and creating a periscope into what it means to be present and still surviving.
“As a rising poet, I was mentored by some of the most gifted writers”, Willis said. Jazer honed in on his writing skill by being apart of Philadelphia’s poetry collective, Philadelphia Youth Poetry Movement (PYPM) at the start of 2016. Jazer has read poetry, “slammed” poetry and given speeches in various cities and gatherings. Including, numerous competitions at Brave New Voices, featuring in social hubs such as The Union League of Philadelphia, and Chicago’s Christian - oriented, Poets In Autumn Spoken Word Show, Storytellers.
Below is a sample poem from our featured poet:
Alabaster
An ode to my mouth, from my feet - discussing my anointing.
Why you so loud for?
I hear God called you to preach
You must think you better than your pastor
Think you better than Jesus
You think you can walk in his shoes and not be bruised?
Say the things he says and get away with it?
Like the devil ain’t listening
Like this valley don’t got shadows
and a voice worth listening to
We gon’ have to walk
Slowly
Until what you say catches to what you do
Understand that purpose is worth the pain
fervency is full of fatigue
And the Lord who is word from the beginning
has grace enough to be an alabaster
Open himself
ready of oil
Spilling over with truth in scripture
All
To prepare you.
Watch Jazer Willis perform "White Lie" at the 19th Annual Brave New Voices International Youth Poetry Slam Festival
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Thursday, October 10, 2019
Join Marian Frances Wolbers at GoggleWorks Center for the Arts November 7th, 2019
Berks Bards welcomes Marian Frances Wolbers to join us at GoggleWorks Center for the Arts to read selected poetry. Following her reading, we'll allow ANYONE to step up to the mic and read what moves them.
When: November 7th, 2019 at 6 pm
Where: GoggleWorks Center for the Arts Studio 420
201 Washington Street Reading PA 19601
Read Marian Frances Wolbers' Bio below:
Marian Frances Wolbers writes poetry, short stories, novels, and drama. Her work has appeared in The Southampton Review, Remarkable Doorways, and Westview, and she was a featured poet in the 100,000 Poets for Change Project in 2011. Her novel Rider was published by St. Martin’s Press, receiving favorable reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, and Library Journal. As the recipient of a Berks Arts Council / PA Council of the Arts grant in 2018-19, she served as facilitator and producer of reading events for three writing groups locally, focusing on Writing through Trauma as healing modality. She teaches literature and writing courses at Albright College, where she is an administrator in the School of Professional Studies, for adult learners. She holds an M.A. in English Literature from Kutztown University and a B.A. in Japanese Studies from Bucknell University.
Below is a sample poem from our featured poet:
Insomnia
'Twixt the kiss
and the coffee
I barely slept last night.
Hereafter:
You may remind me
not to drink coffee
past 7 pm.
As to the other...
Well.
Perhaps there is no easy cure.
Learn more about Marian Frances Wolbers, by visiting http://www.marianwolbers.com
Find Berks Bards on Facebook and Twitter or join our Mailing List for more information
When: November 7th, 2019 at 6 pm
Where: GoggleWorks Center for the Arts Studio 420
201 Washington Street Reading PA 19601
Read Marian Frances Wolbers' Bio below:
Marian Frances Wolbers writes poetry, short stories, novels, and drama. Her work has appeared in The Southampton Review, Remarkable Doorways, and Westview, and she was a featured poet in the 100,000 Poets for Change Project in 2011. Her novel Rider was published by St. Martin’s Press, receiving favorable reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, and Library Journal. As the recipient of a Berks Arts Council / PA Council of the Arts grant in 2018-19, she served as facilitator and producer of reading events for three writing groups locally, focusing on Writing through Trauma as healing modality. She teaches literature and writing courses at Albright College, where she is an administrator in the School of Professional Studies, for adult learners. She holds an M.A. in English Literature from Kutztown University and a B.A. in Japanese Studies from Bucknell University.
Below is a sample poem from our featured poet:
Insomnia
'Twixt the kiss
and the coffee
I barely slept last night.
Hereafter:
You may remind me
not to drink coffee
past 7 pm.
As to the other...
Well.
Perhaps there is no easy cure.
Learn more about Marian Frances Wolbers, by visiting http://www.marianwolbers.com
Find Berks Bards on Facebook and Twitter or join our Mailing List for more information
Wednesday, September 11, 2019
abel d'andrea performs & teaches poetry in berks county in celebrating september as national hispanic heritage month.
Berks Bards is proud to be one of several organizations sponsoring the visit of Abel D'Andrea to Berks County in September as National Hispanic Heritage Month.
Abel D'Andrea is a renowned and powerful Puerto Rico-based poet and performer.
D'Andrea has toured the east coast as part of the spoken word poetry collective Ovejas Negras and has visited the City of Reading area twice, including a performance at the Olivet Boys and Girls Club.
D'Andrea has toured the east coast as part of the spoken word poetry collective Ovejas Negras and has visited the City of Reading area twice, including a performance at the Olivet Boys and Girls Club.
His latest collection of poetry, Cronicas de una Tragicomedia Incompleta, tells of his painful, beautiful and comical personal experiences of surviving in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. His work is gripping, playful and unapologetic.
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
Join Eileen M. D’Angelo at GoggleWorks Center for the Arts October 3rd, 2019
Berks Bards welcomes Eileen M. D'Angelo to join us at GoggleWorks Center for the Arts to read selected poetry. Following his reading, we'll allow ANYONE to step up to the mic and read what moves them.
When: October 3rd, 2019 at 6 pm
Where: GoggleWorks Center for the Arts Studio 411
201 Washington Street Reading PA 19601
Read Eileen M. D'Angelo's Bio below:
Eileen M. D’Angelo, Director of Mad Poets Society and Editor of Mad Poets Review, has coordinated over 1500 special events in the tri-state area and was the subject of a Tribute by Philadelphia’s Moonstone Arts Center in 2018. She has been published in Rattle, Manhattan Poetry Review, Paterson Literary Review, Drexel Online Journal, Wild River Review, Philadelphia Stories, Philadelphia Poets and others. A judge for the Philly area open auditions for the pilot program of HBO’s Def Poetry Jam, she conducted workshops and performed original songs and poetry on WXPN’s World Café Live, at St. Joseph’s University, Rutgers, Rosemont College, Main Line Art Center, Delco Community College, Manayunk Art Center, Hedgerow Theatre, Montco Writers Conference, Walt Whitman at 200 celebration at City Hall, and other venues. Former Board Secretary of Musehouse: A Literary Arts Center in Chestnut Hill, and former six-term President of the Philadelphia Writers Conference, Eileen is an advocate for domestic abuse awareness and Founder of Arts Against Abuse. She was named the 2017 Paralegal of the Year and was also the recipient of the 23rd Annual Victim Rights Award given by the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office and the Domestic Abuse Project.
Below is a sample poem from our featured poet:
The Art of Getting Lost
It begins with an unbroken line bending out of sight.
The road is unfamiliar, yet you pressure the pedal,
confident you are on the right road. No stops
or bathroom breaks because you are making good time.
You never see it happening as you drum your fingers
on the steering wheel to the sound of Radar Love,
leaving crowded beltways and choking smokestacks behind,
oblivious to the subtle replacement of cities
by small towns. Of small towns by trees.
And you? You are foolish enough to enjoy the ride,
as you disappear into the wide mouth of open country.
There is no sign Entering Nowhere - Population 1
to give you the option of turning the car around.
No warning that soon it will be only you
and a handful of horses, the occasional silo,
a pile of gray rocks from an old foundation.
The fields around you have never even dreamed
of a gas station, let alone a rest stop,
and as the car carries you into oblivion, you wonder:
Isn’t that the same bale of hay?
There, in the heart of desolation, as though
you alone survived the bomb . . .
It is you and the sound of crickets, you
You and the surprised sound of your own voice:
I’m in the middle of nowhere
And time slows down.
You fumble for road maps in the glove box,
pull the car to the pebbly shoulder of the road.
One crow on the wire above you
throws back his head and laughs, as you spread a map
on the hood to the curious stare of cows, the car sheepish
as if it should have known something.
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Wednesday, July 31, 2019
Join Katy Comber at GoggleWorks Center for the Arts September 5th, 2019
Berks Bards welcomes Katy Comber to join us at GoggleWorks Center for the Arts to read selected poetry. Following his reading, we'll allow ANYONE to step up to the mic and read what moves them.
When: September 5th, 2019 at 6 pm
Where: GoggleWorks Center for the Arts Studio 238
201 Washington Street Reading PA 19601
Read Katy Comber's Bio below:
Katy Comber is the co-founder of Creative Light Factory Writers' Room (creativelightfactory.org), host of AC Presents Monthly Story Slam & Poetry Jam at Steel City Coffeehouse, and creator of Affinity CoLab Presents (affinitycolabpresents.org) online arts and lit magazine. Her work appears in Dreamers Creative Writing; Paragon Press, Lagom Journal; Meat for Tea Literary Review; Studio B's Wabi Sabi anthology; and Affinity CoLab Presents. Her first collection of poems 40 Portraits of a Family is available through Amazon.
Below is a sample poem from our featured poet:
Beckon the Wordsmiths
By Katy Comber
Beckon the wordsmiths
whose pens spear
creatures drawn out
toward false light
Beckon the musicians
whose notes drift steady
to carry us away
and embolden us to remain
Beckon the sculptors
the actors, the creators
who translate
the world with their hands
Beckon the mothers, the fathers,
the lovers who cradle
and nurture and know
the art of receiving and letting go
Beckon those who pray, wrestle,
dream; who build
and rest and deliver
the power to do right
Beckon heavy laden shepherds
who know the world
by its anchors and gears
called to serve, called to protect
Beckon the curious and canny
who untangle mysteries divine
linguistic in the numerical
tenaciously reverent in pursuit of fact
Beckon their beacons, reason; wonder
songs and theorems and paradoxical joy
gather all conceits of love, chaos, and woe
to compose a world for the future we owe.
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