Poetry Happens: In-person & virtual events + calls for poems

October 23, 2022October 23, 2022 / trishhopkinsonpoet / Leave a comment

Welcome to the Utah-focused list of Poetry STILL Happens, brought to you by Rock Canyon Poets. We’re now keeping a running list that will be updated regularly to help you get a dose of poetry by attending both in-person and online events, prompts and resources for writing your own poems, and submission calls.

Tune in on KRCL RadioActive for Poetry STILL Happens streaming recordings available on their website and Facebook, as well as the Rock Canyon Poets website and Facebook. Follow both to make sure not to miss a thing! The new features will include announcements and a reading from a Utah poet.

If you have an event or announcement related to poetry in Utah, please contact us here.

In-Person On-going Poetry Events

Speak for Yourself open mic has gone hybrid, every Thursday of the month via Zoom or in-person the 3rd Thursday of every month at Enliten Bakery attached to Gurus in downtown Provo.
Live Open Mic Night for Poets and Writers, presented by The Book Bungalow at The Book Bungalow, Saint George UT, held every fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:30 pm.

In-Person Upcoming Poetry Events

The Pumpkin Giant by Mary E. Wilkins; adapted for the stage by Reuben Fox and Joanne M. Parker This funny fairytale features fun poetry bright design, and a fearful giant. Several dates available weekends in October. Children $20, adults $22. Parker Theatre at Parker Theatre, Salt Lake City UT.
Terrance Hayes presented University of Utah Guest Writers Series and Hivemind Bookclub of Salt Lake City at Salt Lake City Public Library Main Branch, Salt Lake City UT, Thursday, October 27, 7PM
Once Upon a Midnight Dreary – Thu, Oct 27 @ 7:30PM, Legacy Tattoo, 236 25th St, Ogden, UT 84401. Join NEXT Ensemble as we explore the macabre in poetry and music. The human fascination with the morbid and frightening is nothing new. Composers and poets have been evoking fear from the beginning, and NEXT Ensemble brings you just a taste of that fear with readings of Edgar Allen Poe, performances of spooky musical themes, and more! COSTUMES ENCOURAGED
Andrea Gibson at Metro Music Hall, Tuesday, November 1, 2022, 7:00PM MDT – Andrea Gibson is an American poet and activist from Calais, Maine, who has lived in Boulder, Colorado since 1999. Their poetry focuses on gender norms, politics, social reform, and the struggles LGBTQ people face in today’s society.
Outlaw Days, Fri. Nov. 4 – Sat. Nov. 5 presented by City of Green River at City of Green River, Green River UT. This annual event is held every first weekend of November. Join us for Cowboy Action Shooting, a milk jug shoot, horseshoe tournament, cowboy poetry, country concert, and more! Tickets vary.
Dia de Los Muertos A Celebration of Life presented by by The Shops at Riverwoods, Mama Connect and Utah Mamá Latina, Celebration at The Shops at Riverwood’s on Saturday, November 5th, 2022 at 1PM. A free family-friendly event that showcases the beautiful tradition of celebrating life and remembering those who are no longer with us. The event features Music & Cultural Performances, Kid’s Activities, a Market Place, Local Shop Giveaways, Community Altars; which include the Altars, and Catrina/Catrin Contest, and the newest addition to this year’s event… A Celebration of Life through Poetry, where we invite local emerging poets to showcase their work on stage.
Poetry Jam 2023 presented by Brigham Young University Museum of Art at Brigham Young University Museum of Art, Provo UT, February 9, 2023, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Hear original poetry responding to works in the MOA exhibition Maynard Dixon: Searching for a Home at our next Poetry Jam! While Dixon is known as an artist, he also wrote poetry about the West, the people that inspired him, and his longing for a home. There is a long tradition of writers and poets responding to art and we are excited to gather for a live ekphrastic evening! To submit your own poem, please send it to moa.byu.edu by 11:59 PM on January 26, 2022. All poems must be the original works of BYU students and correspond to one or more works in the exhibition. Winners will have the chance to share their poems at the event, and all are invited to attend and listen!
Saddiq Dzukogi presented by Anne Newman Sutton Weeks Poetry Series at Bill and Vieve Gore School of Business Auditorium – Westminster College, Salt Lake City UT, Apr 21, 2023 at 02:00 pm – 03:00 pm (Fri).

Virtual Poetry Events

Speak for Yourself open mic has gone hybrid, every Thursday of the month via Zoom or in-person the 3rd Thursday of every month at Enliten Bakery attached to Gurus in downtown Provo.

Read/Listen/Watch Poems Based in Utah

Mapping Literary Utah Spotlight includes a great selection of Utah poet performances from the Bite-Size Poetry series created by former poet laureate Katharine Coles, including local favorites Rob Carney, Star Coulbrooke, Nancy Takacs and more!

Read/Listen/Watch Poems Nationally

Virtual Poetry Readings & Events via Open Books, a Poem Emporium
Poets in Pajamas series – hosted by Sundress Publications, Sundays at 7pm EDT
Green Mountains Review Social Distance Reading Series – new reading videos released on Wednesdays and Sundays. You can currently find readings by Terrance Hayes, Kathryn Nuernberger, Philip Metres, and more.
“Dear Poet”: Promoting Poetry and Poets Laureate to Kids at Home – watch poems read by poet laureates.
Listen to poems on the Poetry Archive website.

Calls for Poems (Utah-based)

Route 7 Review (Utah Tech University) – open to submissions until 11/15/2022
Provo Poetry POEMBALL Machine – Send in up to 10 short poems to be included in the POEMBALL Machines in Provo and Salt Lake City.
Utah Life call for poems: check website for upcoming themes.
Western Humanities Review – open to submissions year round.
Sugar House Review – Poetry submissions are open for Sugar Suites and current subscribers. Fast-track submissions open January 31; regular submissions open May 31.

Poetry Prompts

Fifty Two Poetry – includes 52 poetry prompts. “Write a poem a week. Start now. Keep going.”
Poets & Writers puts out regular prompts for poetry as well as fiction and nonfiction on their Writing Prompts page. You can also subscribe to their e-newsletter and receive them right in your inbox weekly.
Ploughshares shared their favorite writing prompts of all-time in this article posted in December. Lots of great prompts in this list, including one I hope to take advantage of: “Write a dialog between your eyes and feet,” from Anastacia Tolbert.
500 Prompts for Narrative and Personal Writing from The Learning Network. “The categorized list below touches on everything from sports to travel, education, gender roles, video games, fashion, family, pop culture, social media and more, and, like all our Student Opinion questions, each links to a related Times article and includes a series of follow-up questions. What’s more, all these questions are still open for comment by any student 13 or older.”

Poetry Happens: In-person & virtual events + calls for poems

July 31, 2022October 23, 2022 / trishhopkinsonpoet / Leave a comment

If you have an event or announcement related to poetry in Utah, please contact us here.

In-Person On-going Poetry Events

Speak for Yourself open mic has gone hybrid, every Thursday of the month via Zoom or in-person the 3rd Thursday of every month at Enliten Bakery attached to Gurus in downtown Provo.
Live Open Mic Night for Poets and Writers, presented by The Book Bungalow at The Book Bungalow, Saint George UT, held every fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:30 pm.
Quaran Team: Watercolors & Haiku presented by Salt Lake City Public Library at Salt Lake City Public Library Main Branch, Salt Lake City UT. Watercolors and Haiku by Linda Kohler Barnes • Exhibit runs from August 22nd to October 14th 2022.
Spring Poetry Workshop presented by Westminster College. The course runs Mondays from Jan. 10 – April 25. To be considered for this free course, submit one document with three poems and your contact information (name, phone, email, address) by Oct. 15. Participants will be notified of acceptance by Dec. 1.

In-Person Upcoming Poetry Events

The Pumpkin Giant by Mary E. Wilkins; adapted for the stage by Reuben Fox and Joanne M. Parker This funny fairytale features fun poetry bright design, and a fearful giant. Several dates available weekends in October. Children $20, adults $22. Parker Theatre at Parker Theatre, Salt Lake City UT.
Terrance Hayes presented University of Utah Guest Writers Series and Hivemind Bookclub of Salt Lake City at Salt Lake City Public Library Main Branch, Salt Lake City UT, Thursday, October 27, 7PM
Once Upon a Midnight Dreary – Thu, Oct 27 @ 7:30PM, Legacy Tattoo, 236 25th St, Ogden, UT 84401. Join NEXT Ensemble as we explore the macabre in poetry and music. The human fascination with the morbid and frightening is nothing new. Composers and poets have been evoking fear from the beginning, and NEXT Ensemble brings you just a taste of that fear with readings of Edgar Allen Poe, performances of spooky musical themes, and more! COSTUMES ENCOURAGED
Andrea Gibson at Metro Music Hall, Tuesday, November 1, 2022, 7:00PM MDT – Andrea Gibson is an American poet and activist from Calais, Maine, who has lived in Boulder, Colorado since 1999. Their poetry focuses on gender norms, politics, social reform, and the struggles LGBTQ people face in today’s society.
Outlaw Days, Fri. Nov. 4 – Sat. Nov. 5 presented by City of Green River at City of Green River, Green River UT. This annual event is held every first weekend of November. Join us for Cowboy Action Shooting, a milk jug shoot, horseshoe tournament, cowboy poetry, country concert, and more! Tickets vary.
Dia de Los Muertos A Celebration of Life presented by by The Shops at Riverwoods, Mama Connect and Utah Mamá Latina, Celebration at The Shops at Riverwood’s on Saturday, November 5th, 2022 at 1PM. A free family-friendly event that showcases the beautiful tradition of celebrating life and remembering those who are no longer with us. The event features Music & Cultural Performances, Kid’s Activities, a Market Place, Local Shop Giveaways, Community Altars; which include the Altars, and Catrina/Catrin Contest, and the newest addition to this year’s event… A Celebration of Life through Poetry, where we invite local emerging poets to showcase their work on stage.
Poetry Jam 2023 presented by Brigham Young University Museum of Art at Brigham Young University Museum of Art, Provo UT, February 9, 2023, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Hear original poetry responding to works in the MOA exhibition Maynard Dixon: Searching for a Home at our next Poetry Jam! While Dixon is known as an artist, he also wrote poetry about the West, the people that inspired him, and his longing for a home. There is a long tradition of writers and poets responding to art and we are excited to gather for a live ekphrastic evening! To submit your own poem, please send it to moa.byu.edu by 11:59 PM on January 26, 2022. All poems must be the original works of BYU students and correspond to one or more works in the exhibition. Winners will have the chance to share their poems at the event, and all are invited to attend and listen!
Saddiq Dzukogi presented by Anne Newman Sutton Weeks Poetry Series at Bill and Vieve Gore School of Business Auditorium – Westminster College, Salt Lake City UT, Apr 21, 2023 at 02:00 pm – 03:00 pm (Fri).

Virtual Poetry Events

Speak for Yourself open mic has gone hybrid, every Thursday of the month via Zoom or in-person the 3rd Thursday of every month at Enliten Bakery attached to Gurus in downtown Provo.

Read/Listen/Watch Poems Based in Utah

Mapping Literary Utah Spotlight includes a great selection of Utah poet performances from the Bite-Size Poetry series created by former poet laureate Katharine Coles, including local favorites Rob Carney, Star Coulbrooke, Nancy Takacs and more!

Read/Listen/Watch Poems Nationally

Virtual Poetry Readings & Events via Open Books, a Poem Emporium
Poets in Pajamas series – hosted by Sundress Publications, Sundays at 7pm EDT
Green Mountains Review Social Distance Reading Series – new reading videos released on Wednesdays and Sundays. You can currently find readings by Terrance Hayes, Kathryn Nuernberger, Philip Metres, and more.
“Dear Poet”: Promoting Poetry and Poets Laureate to Kids at Home – watch poems read by poet laureates.
Listen to poems on the Poetry Archive website.

Calls for Poems (Utah-based)

Route 7 Review (Utah Tech University) – open to submissions until 11/15/2022
Provo Poetry POEMBALL Machine – Send in up to 10 short poems to be included in the POEMBALL Machines in Provo and Salt Lake City.
Utah Life call for poems: check website for upcoming themes.
Western Humanities Review – open to submissions year round.
Sugar House Review – Poetry submissions are open for Sugar Suites and current subscribers. Fast-track submissions open January 31; regular submissions open May 31.

Poetry Prompts

Fifty Two Poetry – includes 52 poetry prompts. “Write a poem a week. Start now. Keep going.”
Poets & Writers puts out regular prompts for poetry as well as fiction and nonfiction on their Writing Prompts page. You can also subscribe to their e-newsletter and receive them right in your inbox weekly.
Ploughshares shared their favorite writing prompts of all-time in this article posted in December. Lots of great prompts in this list, including one I hope to take advantage of: “Write a dialog between your eyes and feet,” from Anastacia Tolbert.
500 Prompts for Narrative and Personal Writing from The Learning Network. “The categorized list below touches on everything from sports to travel, education, gender roles, video games, fashion, family, pop culture, social media and more, and, like all our Student Opinion questions, each links to a related Times article and includes a series of follow-up questions. What’s more, all these questions are still open for comment by any student 13 or older.”

Poetry Happens: In-person & virtual events + calls for poems & Utah Arts Fest picks!

May 30, 2022 / trishhopkinsonpoet / 1 Comment

Tune in on KRCL RadioActive for new Poetry STILL Happens mini-features, played throughout the month and featured on their web site and Facebook, as well as the Rock Canyon Poets web site and Facebook. Follow both to make sure not to miss a thing! The new features will include announcements and a reading from a Utah poet.

If you have an event or announcement related to poetry in Utah, please contact us here.

Utah Arts Festival – Wasatch IronPen Literary Competition

15th Wasatch IronPen Writing Marathon, in which artists of the written word face off in a 24-hour writing competition! Adult and Youth writers of all experience levels can participate in one of three genres (Fiction, Non-fiction or Poetry) or can take on the IronPen Ultra and write in all three!

Writers of all experience levels can register for the marathon at the SLCC Community Writing Center (located at Library Square, Suite 8) or register online. Participants must register by Friday, June 24th, at 6:00 p.m. Registration for the IronPen is $10 for one genre (Fiction, Non-fiction, or Poetry) or $15 for the IronPen Ultra (all three genres).

After receiving the prompt on Friday, June 24th at 6:00 p.m., writers will have exactly 24 hours to write. Submissions are due Saturday, June 25th at 6:00 p.m. Visit CWC website or call 801-957-2192 for more details.

Utah Arts Festival (6/23 – 6/26) – Poetry Picks

Jayrod P. Garrett – June 23, 4:30 pm, Wordfest Stage
Monica Lisette – June 23, 5:00 pm, Wordfest Stage
Youth Individual Poetry Slam – June 23, 6:00 pm, Wordfest Stage
Youth Team Poetry Slam – June 23, 7:30 pm, Wordfest Stage
Chelsea Guevara – June 24, 2:00 pm, The Round
Cómo acercarnos a la poesía Workshop – June 24, 4:30 pm & June 25, 6:30 pm, SLCC Community Writing Center
Wasatch IronPen Literary Marathon and Ultramarathon Start! – June 24, 6:00 pm, SLCC Community Writing Center
IronPen Writing Workshop – June 24, 6:30 pm, SLCC Community Writing Center
Monarch the Poet – June 24, 7:00 pm, Wordfest Stage
Team Invitational Poetry Slam – June 24, 8:00 pm, Wordfest Stage
Math x Poetry Workshop – June 25, 12:30 pm, SLCC Community Writing Center
Masha Shukovich – June 25, 3:00 pm, Wordfest Stage
2022 Poetry Out Loud Finalists – June 25, 3:15 pm, The Round
Rock Canyon Poets – June 25, 4:00 pm, Wordfest Stage
Trish Hopkinson – June 25, 5:00 pm, Wordfest Stage
Durga Ekambaram – June 25, 5:30 pm, Wordfest Stage
Vanessa Latrice Williams – June 25, 6:30 pm, Wordfest Stage
Spotlight Poetry Slam Team – June 25, 7:00 pm, Wordfest Stage
Individual Poetry Slam – June 25, 8:00 pm, Wordfest Stage
Community Writing Center Open Mic – June 25, 8:00 pm, SLCC Community Writing Center
Artes de Mexico en Utah – June 26, 2:10 pm, Wordfest Stage
Aaron Garcia – June 26, 3:00 pm, Wordfest Stage
Lina Vega-Morrison – June 26, 3:30 pm, Wordfest Stage
Gloria Arredondo – June 26, 4:30 pm, Wordfest Stage
Rees Sweeten – June 26, 4:30 pm, The Round
Relaxation Through Verse – June 26, 5:00 pm, Wordfest Stage
Salt Lake City Slam – June 26, 6:00 pm, Wordfest Stage
Wynter Storm – June 26, 7:00 pm, Wordfest Stage
O-Town Dream Team – June 26, 7:30 pm, Wordfest Stage

Other In-Person Poetry Events

Garden Poetry Walk – Red Butte Garden from April 1 – May 31, celebrates this unique literary art by hosting the poems written by our eleven local poetry contest winners in stand-up display boxes placed throughout the Garden. Look for them along your path. We feature other seasonal poems throughout the year. Info on this year’s contest below.
Katharine Coles | (Solve for) X poetry reading at The King’s English Bookshop, Thursday, June 2, 2022 – 5:30pm to 7:00pm
S’more Poetry is a new poetry slam event the first Friday of every month at 7pm at 213 S 1200 E in Provo in the backyard. Bring a chair or blanket to sit on and you can sign up to perform via Instagram or Facebook.
Speak for Yourself open mic has gone hybrid, every Thursday of the month via Zoom or in-person the 3rd Thursday of every month at Enliten Bakery attached to Gurus in downtown Provo.
Helicon West is free, uncensored, and open to the public. This summer, Helicon West is pleased to announce all open mic nights on May 26th, June 23rd, and July 28th.
Juneteenth Festival, June 18, 4–9 pm, Library’s Viridian Event Center, Poetry Slam at 6:30 pm
Live Open Mic Night for Poets and Writers, presented by The Book Bungalow at The Book Bungalow, Saint George UT, held every fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:30 pm
Kanab Writers Conference – July 28 – 30, 2022, Kanab Center, 20 North 100 East Kanab, Kanab, UT 84741
Poesía castellana | Spanish Poetry Share, July 11 @ 10:00 am – August 8 @ 5:00 pm at the Park City Library. Calling all Spanish-speaking poets! Add your original Spanish language poetry to our community display. Or, take home a ready-made quote of bilingual poetry to enjoy with friends and loved ones. Poetas de habla hispana: agregue su poesía original en castellano a nuestra exhibición comunitaria. O llévese una cita de poesía bilingüe para compartir entre amigos y seres queridos.
Andrea Gibson at Metro Music Hall, Tuesday, November 1, 2022, 7:00PM MDT – Andrea Gibson is an American poet and activist from Calais, Maine, who has lived in Boulder, Colorado since 1999. Their poetry focuses on gender norms, politics, social reform, and the struggles LGBTQ people face in today’s society.

Virtual Poetry Events

Speak for Yourself open mic has gone hybrid, every Thursday of the month via Zoom or in-person the 3rd Thursday of every month at Enliten Bakery attached to Gurus in downtown Provo.

Read/Listen/Watch Poems Based in Utah

Mapping Literary Utah Spotlight includes a great selection of Utah poet performances from the Bite-Size Poetry series created by former poet laureate Katharine Coles, including local favorites Rob Carney, Star Coulbrooke, Nancy Takacs and more!

Read/Listen/Watch Poems Nationally

Virtual Poetry Readings & Events via Open Books, a Poem Emporium
Poets in Pajamas series – hosted by Sundress Publications, Sundays at 7pm EDT
Wednesday Night Poetry open mic – hosted by Kai Coggin
Green Mountains Review Social Distance Reading Series – new reading videos released on Wednesdays and Sundays. You can currently find readings by Terrance Hayes, Kathryn Nuernberger, Philip Metres, and more.
“Dear Poet”: Promoting Poetry and Poets Laureate to Kids at Home – watch poems read by poet laureates
Listen to poems on the Poetry Archive web site (launched April 10)

Calls for Poems (Utah-based)

Provo Poetry POEMBALL Machine – Send in up to 10 short poems to be included in the POEMBALL Machines in Provo and Salt Lake City.
Utah Life call for poems:
- September/October 2022 issue theme of “Coming Home.” Deadline July 1, 2022.
Western Humanities Review – open to submissions year round.
For more national submission calls, visit https://trishhopkinson.com.

Poetry Prompts

Fifty Two Poetry – includes 52 poetry prompts. “Write a poem a week. Start now. Keep going.”
Poets & Writers puts out regular prompts for poetry as well as fiction and nonfiction on their Writing Prompts page. You can also subscribe to their e-newsletter and receive them right in your inbox weekly.
Ploughshares shared their favorite writing prompts of all-time in this article posted in December. Lots of great prompts in this list, including one I hope to take advantage of: “Write a dialog between your eyes and feet,” from Anastacia Tolbert.
500 Prompts for Narrative and Personal Writing from The Learning Network. “The categorized list below touches on everything from sports to travel, education, gender roles, video games, fashion, family, pop culture, social media and more, and, like all our Student Opinion questions, each links to a related Times article and includes a series of follow-up questions. What’s more, all these questions are still open for comment by any student 13 or older.”

S’more Poetry – new poetry slam in Provo first Fridays at 7pm

May 29, 2022May 30, 2022 / trishhopkinsonpoet / Leave a comment

A monthly recurring poetry slam based in Provo Utah!

First Friday of every month at 7pm (unless otherwise stated).

Please come and listen to some awesome poetry! Want to share something you’ve written? Sign up for the next slam here: https://forms.gle/BMP6YByjRTo5boB86

Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.

Poetry Happens: It’s National Poetry Month! April, 2022 in-person & virtual events + calls for poems

April 13, 2022April 13, 2022 / trishhopkinsonpoet / Leave a comment

If you have an event or announcement related to poetry in Utah, please contact us here.

April is National Poetry Month! #NaPoMo – Prompts galore & other ways you can participate…

April 2022 marks the 26th annual celebration of poets and poetry and it’s not too late to make a plan for poetry month! Whether you want to sign up to write a poem a day or unofficially just plan to crank out some poetry in April, there are plenty of prompts and resources to keep you going strong all month. And that’s not all that’s going on either. Note: Check back often, since I’ll be updating this list as I come across other resources to participate in poetry month.

National Poetry Month is the largest literary celebration in the world, with tens of millions of readers, students, K-12 teachers, librarians, booksellers, literary events curators, publishers, bloggers, and, of course, poets marking poetry’s important place in our culture and our lives. Read more about the creation of National Poetry Month here at Poets.org. And, click here for a complete list of national, virtual happenings.

Support Utah writers: Attend Indie Bookstore Day readings on April 30

Utah@125 – a collection of 125-word essays and poems to celebrate this state – will host eight simultaneous readings (plus a ninth bonus reading) on Indie Bookstore Day.

This event is thought to be the first-ever simultaneous reading at bookstores across the state. Among the readers will be former Utah poet laureates, award-winning slam poets, prominent Utah journalists, as well as award-winning fiction writers, poets, and essayists.

More than 40 writers, five in each location, will read 125-word pieces at six Utah bookstores at 3 p.m. The simultaneous readings will take place on Saturday, April 30 in Logan, Ogden, Salt Lake City, Sandy, and Provo bookstores. Plus: There will be a virtual Zoom reading at 3 p.m. and an additional Salt Lake City reading at 5 p.m. at Weller Book Works.

All of the Utah@125 readings — of essays and poems published as part of the state’s Thrive125 celebration — are free. Join the events at 3 p.m. or catch the 5 p.m. reading.

As a celebration of Utah’s writers and bookstores, this project is sponsored by the Utah Department of Cultural & Community Engagement, Utah Arts & Museums, Torrey House Press, and Utah’s independent bookstores.

PARTICIPATING STORES:

3 p.m. > Logan’s The Book Table, 29 S. Main Street.
3 p.m. > Ogden’s Queen Bee Giftery, 270 25th Street
3 p.m. > Salt Lake City’s Ken Sanders Rare Books, 268 S. 200 East
3 p.m. > Salt Lake City’s The King’s English Bookshop, 1511 S. 1500 East
3 p.m. > Sandy’s The Printed Garden, 9445 S. Union Square, Suite A
3 p.m. > Park City’s Dolly’s Bookstore, 510 Main St, Park City
3 p.m. > Provo’s Pioneer Books, 450 W. Center Street
3 p.m. > On Zoom. Visit TorreyHouse.org for Zoom registration
5 p.m. > Salt Lake City’s Weller Book Works, 607 Trolley Square

Other In-Person Poetry Events

Garden Poetry Walk – Red Butte Garden from April 1 – May 31, celebrates this unique literary art by hosting the poems written by our eleven local poetry contest winners in stand-up display boxes placed throughout the Garden. Look for them along your path. We feature other seasonal poems throughout the year. Info on this year’s contest below.
Speak for Yourself open mic has gone hybrid, every Thursday of the month via Zoom or in-person the 3rd Thursday of every month at Enliten Bakery attached to Gurus in downtown Provo.
Helicon West features the USU 2022 Creative Writing Contest Winners, April 28, 2022, 7:00 pm, CacheARTS Thatcher-Young Mansion, 35 W 100 S, Logan, UT, Helicon West is free, uncensored, and open to the public. An open mic will follow featured readers. Caffe Ibis coffee will be served.
Utah@125 Readings for Indie Bookstore Day

Virtual Poetry Events

30 Poems in 30 Days Competition – Write 30 poems based on daily prompts throughout the month of April. Winners will have a chapbook of their original poems designed and produced by the CWC. Registration required by April 30. Recommended fee is $5, but this can be waived at registration. On April 1, 2022 at 10 a.m., the first of the 30 writing prompts will be posted on the CWC’s Facebook (@CommunityWritingCenter) and Instagram (@slcc_cwc) accounts. Each morning, a new prompt will be posted.
Speak for Yourself open mic has gone hybrid, every Thursday of the month via Zoom or in-person the 3rd Thursday of every month at Enliten Bakery attached to Gurus in downtown Provo.
Utah Poetry Festival, in-person and virtual events April 2 – 16, 2022. See details below.
April 8-9th: Utah State Poetry Society Conference, virtual. Information here.
Anne Newman Sutton Weeks Poetry Series – The 2021–22 readings, followed by Q&A, are held on Zoom on Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. MT. Participants must register in advance. The debut of the 2022 issue of Westminster College’s literary magazine, ellipsis…literature and art, which features contributors and staff, will take place on Friday, April 22 at 7:00 p.m.
April 23rd-25th: Pre-Quill Conference (hybrid), Utah League of Writers, UMOCA, SLC. Information here.
April 29th, 7 PM: Utah State Youth Poetry Slam, virtual.

Utah Poetry Festival

The Utah Poetry Festival is free and open to the public. Virtual events can be watched live or streamed later via the Utah Humanities YouTube channel. In-person events will strictly follow CDC-recommended protocol for Covid-19. All virtual events will be closed captioned by AI Media. Registration will open in February. View the schedule to register. Festival attendees must register for each event they wish to attend.

SATURDAY, APRIL 2nd

1-2 PM Red Butte Poetry Walk and Workshop. Write poems in Red Butte Garden with Utah Poet Laureate, Paisley Rekdal. A poetry workshop for teens on up: writing prompts provided. Free, in-person and outside. Register with Red Butte Gardens.

4-5:15 PM Celebration of Chapbooks. An in-person reading to celebrate new and recent chapbooks by Robert Baldwin, Aaron Cance, Melissa Salguero, Lisa Roullard, Susan Sample, Natalie Taylor, Candace Thomas, and Sunni Brown Wilkinson. The King’s English patio. Masks required for entry into the store.

Ongoing virtual event: Make your own chapbook! A virtual tutorial on chapbook-making by Michelle Macfarlane available on the Utah Humanities YouTube Channel starting April 2nd.

FRIDAY, APRIL 15

7-8 PM MST Headline Reading with Jay Hopler, Kimberly Johnson and Nan Seymour. Hosted by Paisley Rekdal – A headline reading to celebrate new and recent books by Utah poets Jay Hopler, Kimberly Johnson and Nan Seymour.

SATURDAY, APRIL 16

ROUNDTABLE: 9:30-10:15 AM MST

Poetry Out Loud vs Poetry Slam: A Teacher’s Roundtable

In this panel for high school teachers, organizers will discuss what divides and unites the Utah High School Poetry Slam Initiative and Poetry Out Loud. We will discuss strategies for bolstering the strengths of both programs and bringing together these communities for the benefit of all students. With Jean Tokuda Irwin, Amanda Hurd and Sally Wilde. Moderated by Willy Palomo.

CRAFT TALK 1: 10:30-11:15 AM MST

Artist Books and Re-Thinking the Page

What happens when poets combine image with text, or treat the poem (and book) as a visual and conceptual object, not just a literary one? From poetic experiments with time and collage to radical documentary or “uncreative writing” projects, this craft discussion around book arts and writing will make you re-think the material possibilities of the page. With Kathryn Cowles, Nathan Hawke and Craig Dworkin. Moderated by Paisley Rekdal.

CRAFT TALK 2: 11:30-12:15 PM MST

Line and Stanza

Poetic structure both excites and vexes poets at every stage of development, presenting the glorious challenge of working out how the logic of the poem’s sentences will interact with the competing logic of its structure. This session features four poets who offer perspectives on the kinds of questions poets ask as they balance the demands of form (even in so-called “free verse”) against the story the poem unfolds. With Michael Lavers, John Talbot, Meg Day. Moderated by Kimberly Johnson. *This panel will have an ASL interpreter.

CRAFT TALK 3: 2-2:45 PM MST

Multi-Modal Poems

Poets increasingly work in multi-modal forms, combining text not only with image but sound, video, animation, mapping technologies and more. In this panel, we’ll explore the many ways that poetry has begun to merge with other forms of digital, visual and sonic technologies, expanding our ideas of what a poem is. With Ben Gunsberg, Danielle Susi, Laura Stott, Alex Caldiero. Moderated by Lisa Bickmore.

CRAFT TALK 4: 3-3:45 PM MST

Organizing a Poetry Manuscript with Jason Olsen, Lance Larsen, Cindy King. Moderated by Jennifer Tonge.

APRIL 16th, 7-8 PM MST Headline Reading with Danielle Dubrasky, Nancy Takacs, and John Belk. Hosted by Paisley Rekdal – A headline reading to celebrate new and recent books by Utah poets Danielle Dubrasky, Nancy Takacs, and John Belk.

Read/Listen/Watch Poems Based in Utah

Mapping Literary Utah Spotlight includes a great selection of Utah poet performances from the Bite-Size Poetry series created by former poet laureate Katharine Coles, including local favorites Rob Carney, Star Coulbrooke, Nancy Takacs and more!

Read/Listen/Watch Poems Nationally

Virtual Poetry Readings & Events via Open Books, a Poem Emporium
Poets in Pajamas series – hosted by Sundress Publications, Sundays at 7pm EDT
Wednesday Night Poetry open mic – hosted by Kai Coggin
Green Mountains Review Social Distance Reading Series – new reading videos released on Wednesdays and Sundays. You can currently find readings by Terrance Hayes, Kathryn Nuernberger, Philip Metres, and more.
“Dear Poet”: Promoting Poetry and Poets Laureate to Kids at Home – watch poems read by poet laureates
Listen to poems on the Poetry Archive web site (launched April 10)

CALLS FOR POEMS (Utah-based)

Provo Poetry POEMBALL Machine – Send in up to 10 short poems to be included in the POEMBALL Machines in Provo and Salt Lake City.
Utah Life call for poems:
- July/August 2022 issue theme of “Pioneers.” Deadline May. 1, 2022.
- September/October 2022 issue theme of “Coming Home.” Deadline July 1, 2022.
Western Humanities Review – open to submissions year round.
For more national submission calls, visit https://trishhopkinson.com.

Prompts & Resources

Sheltering-In: Poems And Poetry Resources – extensive list of resources hosted by Northampton, MA Arts Council, including digital care packages, podcasts, online workshops and exercises, prompts, online poetry readings, and more!
Social/Distance Online Writing Retreat with Amanda Moore – Join Amanda Moore for her online writing retreat with craft tips, readings to inspire, submission suggestions and more!
Writing in Stressful Times: The Covid-19 Pandemic via Adele Kenny – Adele Kenny has a wonderfully inspiring poetry blog The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog chock full of over 300 writing prompts, including her most recent post entitled Prompt #349 – Writing in Stressful Times: The Covid-19 Pandemic. She gives helpful commentary, quotes, resources, and several writing exercises and/or prompts in each post.
The Rise of Quarantine Zines and How to Make Your Own – lots of history and information on how to create and share your own zine.
Writing Prompts for Stay-At-Home Writers – hosted by LiteraryArts.org, shares prompts from established writers and poets throughout the week.
The Poetry Prompt Project, lessons and prompts by Joey Gould – eight well crafted poetry writing lessons and prompts for the beginner to advanced poet.

MORE POETRY PROMPTS

Fifty Two Poetry – includes 52 poetry prompts. “Write a poem a week. Start now. Keep going.”
Poets & Writers puts out regular prompts for poetry as well as fiction and nonfiction on their Writing Prompts page. You can also subscribe to their e-newsletter and receive them right in your inbox weekly.
Ploughshares shared their favorite writing prompts of all-time in this article posted in December. Lots of great prompts in this list, including one I hope to take advantage of: “Write a dialog between your eyes and feet,” from Anastacia Tolbert.
500 Prompts for Narrative and Personal Writing from The Learning Network. “The categorized list below touches on everything from sports to travel, education, gender roles, video games, fashion, family, pop culture, social media and more, and, like all our Student Opinion questions, each links to a related Times article and includes a series of follow-up questions. What’s more, all these questions are still open for comment by any student 13 or older.”

Poetry Happens: Feb – April, 2022 in-person & virtual events + calls for poems

February 13, 2022 / trishhopkinsonpoet / Leave a comment

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If you have an event or announcement related to poetry in Utah, please contact us here.

In-Person Poetry Events

Praise Poetry Reading on Antelope Island, February 19, 2022 from 3 – 5pm outside the Antelope Island visitor center, presented by River Writing. The poem irreplaceable is a prayer for restoration, destined to become at least 1700 lines long to reflect the 1700 square mile size (minimum) of a robustly healthy Great Salt Lake. Everyone is welcome! Though the reading is free, state park fee ($17 per vehicle) for access to Antelope Island will still apply.
Helicon West features Amanda Luzzader, Feb 24, 2022, 7:00 pm, CacheARTS Thatcher-Young Mansion, 35 W 100 S, Logan, UT, Helicon West is free, uncensored, and open to the public. An open mic will follow featured readers. Caffe Ibis coffee will be served.
Reclaiming Our Humanity: with Author Mark Nepo, presented by the Jung Society of Utah, Sat., February 26, 2022, 9am – 1pm at the A. Ray Olpin Student Union, Central Campus Drive, Salt Lake City, UT. Admission $125. Beloved as a poet, teacher, and storyteller, Mark Nepo, the New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Awakening, has been called “one of the finest spiritual guides of our time,” “a consummate storyteller,” and “an eloquent spiritual teacher.”
Sarah Blackman and Jamie L. Smith Reading and Conversation – Reading Date: Thursday, March 3 | Time: 7:00pm MT | Location: Tanner Humanities Building (Room 109). Conversation Date: Friday, March 4 | Time: 12:00pm MT | Location: TBD.
2022 Poetry In the Park & Redrock Creative Writing Seminar – The 11th annual Poetry In the Park (PIP) workshop is scheduled for Friday March 4th from 9 am to 3 pm in Zion National Park Nature Center. Renowned poet, Lola Haskins, will lead this workshop. See PIP for 2022 workshop details when the site is updated.
Redrock Writers’ 2022 Creative Writing Seminar will be held on Saturday March 5th. St. George Community Building at 245 N 200 W. In conjunction with the Redrock Seminar, come early and experience Poetry in the Park, a day of poetry workshops and writing in Zion National Park.
Join Kimball Art Center in conversation with author, Paisley Rekdal, to discuss Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning by Cathy Park Hong, March 9, 2022 7:00 p.m. Free, in-person event.
The Cowboy Train presented by Heber Valley Railroad at Heber Valley Railroad, Heber City UT, featuring a round up of old-fashioned Western music and poetry, including Brayden Weese, Cowboy Poet John Conorroe, as well as a performance by the “Saloon Girls.” $20 general admission. Friday, March 11th, 2022 at 6:30pm.
The 12th Annual Cache Valley Cowboy Rendezvous is scheduled for March 11-13, 2022 daily at 10am, presented by Cache Valley Cowboy Rendezvous, Inc.at Cache County Event Center, Logan UT Free Cowboy Poetry & Western Music Entertainment with western vendors, youth poetry showcase, virtual daily concerts, mask contest, etc.
How Flowers Bloom at Alliance Theatre, 602 East 500 South, Salt Lake City, UT, March 11 – 13, admission $14. How Flowers Bloom is a play that examines how trauma weaves its way through everyday life; it colors it, informs it, but does not stop it. Combining poetry, movement, and dialogue to tell the women’s stories, the serious subject matter of the play is balanced with humor, triumph, and healing, ultimately coming to the conclusion that happiness and stability are possible for those who continue to hope for it.
Helicon West features the USU Bull Pen Slam Team, March 24, 2022, 7:00 pm, CacheARTS Thatcher-Young Mansion, 35 W 100 S, Logan, UT, Helicon West is free, uncensored, and open to the public. An open mic will follow featured readers. Caffe Ibis coffee will be served.
Garden Poetry Walk – Red Butte Garden from April 1 – May 31, celebrates this unique literary art by hosting the poems written by our eleven local poetry contest winners in stand-up display boxes placed throughout the Garden. Look for them along your path. We feature other seasonal poems throughout the year. Info on this year’s contest below.
Helicon West features the USU 2022 Creative Writing Contest Winners, April 28, 2022, 7:00 pm, CacheARTS Thatcher-Young Mansion, 35 W 100 S, Logan, UT, Helicon West is free, uncensored, and open to the public. An open mic will follow featured readers. Caffe Ibis coffee will be served.

Virtual Poetry Events

Black, Bold & Brilliant presents the next episode in our series of conversations about Black-centric films and media by diving into the legendary conversation between James Baldwin and Nikki Giovanni. Stream begins February 15, 2022 7:00 PM MST. Register for free here.
University of Utah’s Guest Writers Series presents a reading and conversation with poets Gabrielle Calvocoressi and Benjamin Gucciardi. Thursday, February 17 | Time: 7:00pm MT | Location: Virtual Register via Zoom here.
Author Meets Readers event with Reginald Dwayne Betts, hosted by Director Erika George. Presented by Tanner Humanities Center at University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Salt Lake City UT, Tue, February 22, 2022, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM MST. Register for free here.
Everybody Writes Open Mic presented by The Salt Lake Community Writing Center every second and fourth Wednesday of each month, from 7-8 p.m. hosted virtually via Zoom; to access the Zoom link or get more information, please email us at cwc@slcc.edu.
Salt Lake Teens Write, presented by Salt Lake City Public Library at Online/Virtual Space, Online/Virtual UT, This group will meet on Zoom, Tuesdays, March 8, 15, and 22, 6–7:30pm. Aspiring writers in grades 9–12 can meet other writers and level-up their own writing. This intensive workshop will be led by the SLCC Community Writing Center. No writing experience is necessary! Apply here.
2 Hours @the Table with Michelle Vainright (they,them), presented by River Writing, Friday, March 18th from 6 pm-8 pm MST via Zoom. $40 (sliding scale). Everyone is welcome to this 2 Hours at the Table to bring the week to a close with poetry, community, and listening.
30 Poems in 30 Days Competition – Write 30 poems based on daily prompts throughout the month of April. Winners will have a chapbook of their original poems designed and produced by the CWC. Registration required by April 30. Recommended fee is $5, but this can be waived at registration. On April 1, 2022 at 10 a.m., the first of the 30 writing prompts will be posted on the CWC’s Facebook (@CommunityWritingCenter) and Instagram (@slcc_cwc) accounts. Each morning, a new prompt will be posted.
Speak for Yourself open mic has gone hybrid, every Thursday of the month via Zoom or in-person the 3rd Thursday of every month at Enliten Bakery attached to Gurus in downtown Provo.
Utah Poetry Festival, in-person and virtual events April 2 – 16, 2022. See details below.
April 8-9th: Utah State Poetry Society Conference, virtual. Information here.
Anne Newman Sutton Weeks Poetry Series – The 2021–22 readings, followed by Q&A, are held on Zoom on Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. MT. Participants must register in advance. The debut of the 2022 issue of Westminster College’s literary magazine, ellipsis…literature and art, which features contributors and staff, will take place on Friday, April 22 at 7:00 p.m.
April 23rd-25th: Pre-Quill Conference (hybrid), Utah League of Writers, UMOCA, SLC. Information here.
April 29th, 7 PM: Utah State Youth Poetry Slam, virtual.

Utah Poetry Festival

SATURDAY, APRIL 2nd

Ongoing virtual event: Make your own chapbook! A virtual tutorial on chapbook-making by Michelle Macfarlane available on the Utah Humanities YouTube Channel starting April 2nd.

FRIDAY, APRIL 15

7-8 PM MST Headline Reading with Jay Hopler, Kimberly Johnson and Nan Seymour. Hosted by Paisley Rekdal – A headline reading to celebrate new and recent books by Utah poets Jay Hopler, Kimberly Johnson and Nan Seymour.

SATURDAY, APRIL 16

ROUNDTABLE: 9:30-10:15 AM MST

Poetry Out Loud vs Poetry Slam: A Teacher’s Roundtable

CRAFT TALK 1: 10:30-11:15 AM MST

Artist Books and Re-Thinking the Page

CRAFT TALK 2: 11:30-12:15 PM MST

Line and Stanza

CRAFT TALK 3: 2-2:45 PM MST

Multi-Modal Poems

CRAFT TALK 4: 3-3:45 PM MST

Organizing a Poetry Manuscript with Jason Olsen, Lance Larsen, Cindy King. Moderated by Jennifer Tonge.

Read/Listen/Watch Poems Based in Utah

Mapping Literary Utah Spotlight includes a great selection of Utah poet performances from the Bite-Size Poetry series created by former poet laureate Katharine Coles, including local favorites Rob Carney, Star Coulbrooke, Nancy Takacs and more!

Read/Listen/Watch Poems Nationally

Virtual Poetry Readings & Events via Open Books, a Poem Emporium
Poets in Pajamas series – hosted by Sundress Publications, Sundays at 7pm EDT
Wednesday Night Poetry open mic – hosted by Kai Coggin
Green Mountains Review Social Distance Reading Series – new reading videos released on Wednesdays and Sundays. You can currently find readings by Terrance Hayes, Kathryn Nuernberger, Philip Metres, and more.
“Dear Poet”: Promoting Poetry and Poets Laureate to Kids at Home – watch poems read by poet laureates
Listen to poems on the Poetry Archive web site (launched April 10)

CALLS FOR POEMS (Utah-based)

Apply to become the next Poet Laureate of Ogden – Ogden City Arts is in search of a new Poet Laureate for the 2022-2024 cycle. Deadline is February 25, 2022.
irreplaceable, a 1700 line praise poem in the making… via Utah poet Nan Seymour, add your own lines to the poem. “irreplaceable will become at least a 1700 line poem, a chorus of praise swelling with love for our Great Salt Lake.”
Red Butte Garden’s seventh annual Spring Poetry contest – Poets of all ages are invited to enter original, spring-inspired poems. Eleven winners will have their poems displayed in the Garden’s poetry boxes and on the Garden’s social media platforms this April and May in celebration of National Poetry Month. Submissions will be accepted January 3-February 14, 2022.
Provo Poetry POEMBALL Machine – Send in up to 10 short poems to be included in the POEMBALL Machines in Provo and Salt Lake City.
Utah Life call for poems:
- May/June 2022 issue theme of “Lakes.” Deadline Mar. 1, 2022.
- July/August 2022 issue theme of “Pioneers.” Deadline May. 1, 2022.
- September/October 2022 issue theme of “Coming Home.” Deadline July 1, 2022.
Western Humanities Review – open to submissions year round.
For more national submission calls, visit https://trishhopkinson.com.

Prompts & Resources

Sheltering-In: Poems And Poetry Resources – extensive list of resources hosted by Northampton, MA Arts Council, including digital care packages, podcasts, online workshops and exercises, prompts, online poetry readings, and more!
Social/Distance Online Writing Retreat with Amanda Moore – Join Amanda Moore for her online writing retreat with craft tips, readings to inspire, submission suggestions and more!
Writing in Stressful Times: The Covid-19 Pandemic via Adele Kenny – Adele Kenny has a wonderfully inspiring poetry blog The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog chock full of over 300 writing prompts, including her most recent post entitled Prompt #349 – Writing in Stressful Times: The Covid-19 Pandemic. She gives helpful commentary, quotes, resources, and several writing exercises and/or prompts in each post.
The Rise of Quarantine Zines and How to Make Your Own – lots of history and information on how to create and share your own zine.
Writing Prompts for Stay-At-Home Writers – hosted by LiteraryArts.org, shares prompts from established writers and poets throughout the week.
The Poetry Prompt Project, lessons and prompts by Joey Gould – eight well crafted poetry writing lessons and prompts for the beginner to advanced poet.

MORE POETRY PROMPTS

Fifty Two Poetry – includes 52 poetry prompts. “Write a poem a week. Start now. Keep going.”
Poets & Writers puts out regular prompts for poetry as well as fiction and nonfiction on their Writing Prompts page. You can also subscribe to their e-newsletter and receive them right in your inbox weekly.
Ploughshares shared their favorite writing prompts of all-time in this article posted in December. Lots of great prompts in this list, including one I hope to take advantage of: “Write a dialog between your eyes and feet,” from Anastacia Tolbert.
500 Prompts for Narrative and Personal Writing from The Learning Network. “The categorized list below touches on everything from sports to travel, education, gender roles, video games, fashion, family, pop culture, social media and more, and, like

If you have an event or announcement related to poetry in Utah, please contact us here and we will include it in our next edition.

Call for Utah Poets – Poems of Summer, Deadline: CLOSED

September 4, 2021October 18, 2021 / trishhopkinsonpoet / Leave a comment

Rock Canyon Poets, in participation with KRCL 90.9 FM, are currently working on design and printing of our forthcoming chapbook Poems of Summer. The deadline was September 15, 2021.

Deadline: Closed

Tune in on KRCL RadioActive for updates on the forthcoming chapbook and for new Poetry STILL Happens mini-features, played throughout the month and featured on their web site and Facebook, as well as the Rock Canyon Poets web site and Facebook. Follow both to make sure not to miss a thing!

Rock Canyon Poets reading at the Utah Arts Festival, Aug. 27 @ 7:20pm!

August 7, 2021 / trishhopkinsonpoet / Leave a comment

Rock Canyon Poets are proud to announce they will be reading poetry for the fifth time at the Big Mouth Stage on Friday, August 27, 2021 from 7:20 – 8:00 p.m. as literary artists for the Utah Arts Festival. You can read about our 2015 performance in this Daily Herald Article: Newly formed Rock Canyon Poets perform at Utah Arts Fest.

Arts Fest: Big Mouth Stage, Aug. 27 at 7:20pm

Rock Canyon Poets boasts diverse membership, ranging from 19 to 70+ years in age with many backgrounds–including literary journal founders, editors, ex-military, business professionals, a playwright, and a periodontist. Individually, they have received several awards and been published in magazines, anthologies, journals, chapbooks, and full-length books of poetry. Rock Canyon Poets offer poetry with the tactile clarity of tin-can messages through fuzzy strings to the ears of an audience. These poems are tumbleweeds in semi-truck grills. They get stuck in your teeth, build bridges of spun sugar, and make it possible to mount a camel without a sturdy ladder.

The Utah Arts Festival takes place Friday, August 27 – Sunday, August 29, 2021 12 noon to 11pm, on Library and Washington Squares in downtown Salt Lake City (200 East 400 South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84111).

Co-founded by Bonnie Shiffler-Olsen and Trish Hopkinson in 2015, Rock Canyon Poets was established to develop camaraderie among Utah Valley poets, provide consistent workshopping and reading opportunities, and promote the disciplined study of writing poetry as a serious art form. Members meet twice a month at Pioneer Book in historic downtown Provo. The group sponsors poetry readings and an open mic on the 2nd Tuesday of every month. Membership is by invitation or portfolio submission only.

For more information, contact the Rock Canyon Poets, rockcanyonpoets@gmail.com.

Utah Writers Offer New Views of State’s 125th Anniversary in UTAH @ 125

February 26, 2021 / trishhopkinsonpoet / Leave a comment

Twenty-two writers. Twenty-two original views of Utah. Collected as Utah @ 125, these works of flash nonfiction are part of Thrive125, a far-ranging cultural initiative celebrating the state’s 125th anniversary.

What: Utah @ 125, a collection of new 125-word nonfiction pieces by Utah writers

When: Published February 2021

Where: Available at thrive125.utah.gov/utah-at-125

The flash nonfiction pieces in Utah @ 125, each just 125 words long, were commissioned from writers ranging from Utah Poet Laureate Paisley Rekdal, a University of Utah professor, to Lance Larsen, a former state poet laureate and Brigham Young University professor, and Tayler Fang, a recent Logan High School graduate, who served as 2019-2020’s National Student Poet of the West.

Other writers include slam poets, playwrights, nature writers, activists and novelists, based in Vernal, Cedar City, Provo, West Valley City, Eagle Mountain, Logan and Salt Lake City. These short-short essays describe a Bonneville Trail hike on the winter solstice, the anchoring feeling of watching quails march across a front yard, extraordinary views from on top and inside the artworks of “Spiral Jetty” and “Sun Tunnels,” and what it means to grow up in a town like Beaver.

The Utah Department of Heritage & Arts published Utah @ 125, a new digital literary chapbook, as part of Thrive125. The ambitious statehood celebration, which was launched Jan. 4 with a TV broadcast hosted by Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson and featuring Utah performing artists, will continue throughout the year.

Along with the literary chapbook, the Thrive125 initiative includes: a database of Utah’s 1896 architecture; “Becoming Utah: A Peoples’ Journey,” a short educational film with curriculum resources about Utah’s history; a One Book, One Utah state library book club highlighting Craig Child’s “Virga & Bone”; a “Voices: Discord and Harmony in 1896” digital exhibit; plus historical and cultural panels, such as “Wintertime Native American Tales”; and “Coming Together: How Utah Became the Union’s 45th Star,” an exhibition at the Utah State Capitol.

Virtual Poetry Reading by Sy Hoahwah, Tues. Feb. 23, 6 – 7pm

February 17, 2021 / trishhopkinsonpoet / Leave a comment

The King’s English Bookshop presents ONLINE | Sy Hoahwah | Ancestral Demons of a Grieving Bride

Join Yapaituka Comanche/Southern Arapaho poet, Sy Hoahwah, for a reading and discussion of his new poetry collection, Ancestral Demons of a Grieving Bride.

This free, virtual event will take place on Crowdcast and you must register here to participate. Buy your copy of Ancestral Demons of a Grieving Bride from The King’s English Bookshop and receive an autographed bookplate, while supplies last. We can only ship within the US.

Fractured storytelling for a fractured world, Ancestral Demon of a Grieving Bride draws readers into a world that appears eerily familiar but unsettling as well. Fierce, visceral, sometimes funny, and wholly original, Hoahwah’s poems will linger in a reader’s dreams long after she’s closed the book.

Event date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Time: 6:00pm to 7:00pm

Platform: Crowdcast

Registration: https://www.crowdcast.io/e/sy-hoahwah–ancestral/register

Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1575775602615781/