NATIONAL POETRY MONTH

Some Ways to Celebrate

By G. Murray Thomas

FIGHTING WORDS (MOVIE)

Beverly Center Mann’s Theaters
April 6 - 13

It’s National Poetry Month, and what better way to celebrate than go to a poetry movie? I’m not talking about a documentary or a poet biopic, but a regular Hollywood love story where the main characters are all poets, and the climatic scene is a poetry slam. The movie is Fighting Words, and it’s playing at the Beverly Center Mann’s Theater from April 6 to April 13. Fighting Words stars Thomas Howell, Jeff Stearns and Tata D’Agostino. It features poetry and/or performances from some of SoCal’s best poets, including Mona Jean Cedar, Jerry Quickley, Charles Ellik, Doug Knott and Charles H. Webb. (In the interest of full disclosure, it also uses one of my own poems.) It’s a great date picture, especially if you’re trying to convince you current date that poetry can be interesting.

On Friday night, April 7, at 7 pm, Director Paul Edwards and some of the poets in the movie will be at the theater greeting moviegoers and answering questions.

GV6 THE ODYSSEY (DVD)

Various Venues Throughout the Month

You also have the option of a poetry documentary this month. GV6 The Odyssey features 31 SoCal poets talking about poetry. This movie manages to bring a true poetic spirit to discussions about how one writes poetry, and what it means. (For a full review, check our Reviews Archive.) Each event will feature an excerpt from the film, plus selected poets performing their works. The poets and director Bob Bryan will also answer questions.
     Sat. April 7, 7 pm -- Found Theater, Long Beach
     Sat. April 14, 8 pm -- UnUrban Coffeehouse, Santa Monica
     Sat. April 21, 8 pm -- Antigua Cultural Coffeehouse, L.A.
     Sat. April 28, 8 pm -- Echo Park Film Center, Echo Park
     Wed. May 2, 7 pm -- Safari Sam’s, Hollywood
     Sat. May 5, 8 pm -- Tribal Cafe, L.A.

LONG BEACH POETRY FESTIVAL

Various Venues in Long Beach
April 10 - 14

Finally, there is a traditional Poetry Festival to give you your fill of poetry readings. The 8th Annual Long Beach Poetry Festival runs from April 10 through April 14, 2007. Included are a variety of open and  featured readings. For additional information, call 562-881-2370. (In more full disclosure, I will be hosting the Tuesday Open Reading, and I will be part of the Friday night featured reading.)
     Children’s Poetry, Tues. April. 10, 10:30 am - Long Beach Barnes & Noble
     Open Poetry Reading, Tues. April 10, 7 pm - Long Beach Barnes & Noble
     African-American Poetry, Wed. April 11, 7 pm - Roscoe’s Chicken & Waffles
     CSULB MFA Poets, Thurs. April 12, 7 pm - Long Beach Barnes & Noble
     Featured Poets, Fri. April 13, 7 pm - Viento Y Agua Coffeehouse
     Haute Dog Poetry Contest, Sat. April 14, 2 pm - Dog Beach
     Long Beach Poets, Sat. April 14, 7 pm - Long Beach Barnes & Noble

For complete information on these events, including all featured poets, see the Poetix.net April 2007 Calendar.

So have a happy Poetry Month. There's plenty of poetry for you to enjoy.