“Jeffery Tallcott” by Vincent Ferrini
Dorothy Shubow Nelson reads the poem “Jeffery Tallcott” from Vincent Ferrini’s Lynn book NO SMOKE. Ferrini’s first book of poetry was discussed at the at the Maud/Olson Library.
Joan of Arc & Dr Dark in Bedlam’s Park
A one act play by Michael Sperber. Performed at the Gloucester Writers Center January 16, 2019
Nancy Schwoyer and Rosemary Haughton: Reclaiming Home-Making
Excerpts from the December 5, 2018 conversation about the book Nancy and Rosemary are working on. It is based on their experiences as founders of Wellspring House and their many years of practicing “radical hospitality”.
In their words:”The phrase ‘home-making’ has traditionally meant women’s work, something of lesser importance than a ‘professional’ job. Now, it has become clearer and clearer that the essential work of both women and men is to make our only home, the earth, a home fit for all living creatures to live in.
At Wellspring, doing the everyday jobs of , literally, homemaking in the spirit of hospitality both attracted and inspired others , in the words of the mission statement, ‘to care for the earth and her people’ at many levels and into the future.”
Two of the seven founders of Wellspring House in 1981, they work for social justice at the local, state and national levels. They are known in several countries through their lectures and writings (Rosemary has published more than 30 books).
Otto Laske and Zvi Sesling
Otto Laske was born in what is now West Poland (Wroclaw/Breslau) three years before the onset of World War II. His first poetry emerged in German at age 15. After studies in music, the social sciences, and philosophy, Otto came to the U.S. as a student of music composition at New England Conservatory in 1966. Living in the U.S. led him at age to writing in English, which he continued into the middle 1990s. He turned from music to the visual arts when coming to Gloucester, MA, in 2010.
Otto’s writing practice was originally influenced by German expressionism. His artistic output is now part of the “Otto Laske Archive” comprising music compositions, animations, digital paintings and drawings at Texas State University, San Marcos.
Zvi A. Sesling, Brookline, MA Poet Laureate, has published poetry in numerous magazines both in print and online in ten countries. Sesling reviews for the Boston Small Press & Poetry Scene, is Editor of Muddy River Poetry Review. He is author of War Zones, The Lynching of Leo Frank, Fire Tongue and King of the Jungle, as well as two chapbooks, Love Poems From Hell and Across Stones of Bad Dreams. He has taught at Suffolk University, Emerson College and Boston University. He lives in Chestnut Hill, MA with his wife Susan J. Dechter.
Yonghong Gu and Joseph Torra: Excerpts
Being Exiled is a novel in progress by Yonghong Gu. She and Joseph Torra are currently translating the book into English. They read from the novel, both in Chinese and English, and discuss the translating process. Here are some excerpts from the night.
Synesthesia and the Fusion of the Arts
A program of photography, haiku, and original solo clarinet etudes inspired by Halibut Point and performed by writer/photographer Martin Ray and Clarinetist/composer Stephen Bates. Produced by the Gloucester Writers Center.
Jay Featherstone – Bodhisattva
Jay Featherstone reads Bodhisattva
Jay Featherstone – Brace’s Cove
Jay Featherstone reads Brace’s Cove
Greg Gibson & JoeAnn Hart
Since the murder of his son Galen in 1992 Greg Gibson has been an advocate for sensible gun laws. His first book, GONE BOY was, in part, a study of guns in America. Over the past few years he has concentrated on finding new ways of thinking and writing about the problem of gun violence.
JoeAnn Hart is author of the novel FLOAT, a dark comedy about plastics in the ocean, and Addled, a social satire.
In July 1976, a twenty-four-year-old white woman, Margo Olson, was found in a shallow grave in Stamford, Connecticut. A few weeks later, Howie Carter, her black boyfriend, was killed by the police. Howie and Margo’s interracial relationship held a distorted mirror to the author’s own, with Howie’s best friend, Joe. Joe’s theory was that the police didn’t have any evidence to arrest Howie; operating on the assumption that the black man is always guilty, they killed him instead. Margo’s murder was never solved. Hart reveals how racism, misogyny, the economy, and corruption affected the young people’s daily lives, and helped lead Margo and Howie to their deaths.
Mary Baine Campbell
Mary Baine Campbell is a Cambridge-based poet and scholar (of literature and the histories of travel, geography, science and utopia), as well as a climate activist. Her publications include The Witness and the Other World, Wonder and Science: Imagining Worlds in Early Modern Europe and poetry collections The World, the Flesh, and Angels and Trouble, as well as the chapbook Are Sin, Disease and Death Real? She founded and for several years directed the creative writing program at Brandeis University, where she taught until 2017. This fall she will be the Kennedy Professor of Renaissance Studies at Smith.
Walt Whitman’s 200th Birthday
Join us in celebration of Walt Whitman’s 200th birthday! His poetry is read, discussed, and enjoyed.
Occupy Dogtown
Dogtown is a 3,000 acre preserve above Gloucester Ma., often eyed by developers. It was the site of the first “Common Settlement,” in the 17th and 18th centuries, some say as a high refuge from pirates. Before dying out it became a place for the poor and the marginal. Marsden Hartley was a New England modernist painter whose drawings and oils of Dogtown celebrate it as a place of nature’s spirit. “Gloucester is never saved….” is a favorite saying of the late Joe Garland, Gloucester writer, historian, and environmental activist.
Dogtown Writers Fest Keynote
It’s here! The Dogtown Writers Festival special feature of “The Joseph Garland Keynote Address” at Gloucester City Hall featuring Sandy Tolan and Alison Carlson.
Jamie O’Hara City Council
Jamie speaks for us.
A Tribute to Walt Whitman – 200 Years
Excerpt from Come Up from the Fields, Father
With Hannah-Reneé Becker- Mezzo-soprano, Thomas Dawkins- Baritone, Gabryel Smih- Violin, Susan Slowick- Viola, Kathleen Forgac- Piano, Daniel Graham- Reader.