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Welcome to the schedule of poetry events happening in Massachusetts! This schedule contains events happening all over the state, as entered by our Poetry Partners and others. It is not limited to Mass Poetry events. To submit an event, click here. For more questions regarding our calendar, you can email marketing@masspoetry.org
Central MA [clear filter]
Tuesday, September 25
 

3:00pm EDT

The Winners’ Reading for the WCPA Poetry Contest: The Frank O’Hara Prize
Join the winners of the 2017 WCPA Annual Poetry Contest: The Frank O'Hara Prize for a reading of their work and the work of contest judge, Lori Desrosier. There will be an opportunity to mingle over refreshments as well.

This year's winners include: First Prize - Richard Fox, Second Prize - Jeff Walt, Third Prize - Jennifer Freed, and Honorable Mention - Marsha Kunin. Contest Chairperson, Robert Steele, will moderate the ceremony.

Lori Desrosiers' books include The Philosopher's Daughter published by Salmon Poetry in 2013 and Sometimes I Hear the Clock Speak, Salmon Poetry, 2016. Her poems have appeared in Contemporary American Voices, Best Indie Lit New England, String Poet, Blue Fifth Review, and many other journals and anthologies. She is Editor-in-Chief of Naugatuck River Review, a journal of narrative poetry, and WORDPEACE, an online journal dedicated to peace and justice, and serves as an editor for several other publications. She teaches Literature and Composition at Westfield State University and Poetry in the Lesley University M.F.A. graduate program.


Tuesday September 25, 2018 3:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
First Unitarian Church
 
Thursday, December 17
 

7:00pm EST

Poetry of the Season
The WCPA celebrates the Poetry of the Season on Tuesday, December 17, at 19 Carter in Berlin.  Gary Hoare and Ted Blackler will read two winter classics; Dylan Thomas' "A Child’s Christmas in Wales" and Beatrix Potters' "The Tailor of Gloucester", following a community open reading.  Bring winter-themed writing to share; it can be your work or that of someone else.
 
This event is free and open to the public.

Readers/Speakers


Thursday December 17, 2020 7:00pm - 8:30pm EST
19 Carter
 
Tuesday, January 26
 

1:00pm EST

Curt Curtin @ Tatnuck Bookseller
Curt Curtin will present work from his first full-length book of poetry, titled "For Art's Sake."  Due to his low vision, Curt will introduce his poems which will be read by his wife, Dee.)


Tuesday January 26, 2021 1:00pm - 2:30pm EST
Tatnuck Bookseller and Cafe
 
Monday, February 8
 

2:00pm EST

Curt Curtin @ Annie's Book Stop
Curt Curtin will present work from his first full-length book of poetry, titled "For Art's Sake."  Due to his low vision, Curt will introduce his poems which will be read by his wife, Dee.)


Monday February 8, 2021 2:00pm - 3:30pm EST
Annie's Book Stop (Worcester)
 
Thursday, February 11
 

TBA

Inaugural Michael True Memorial Poetry Reading
Free and open to the public. Sponsored by Assumption College and the Worcester County Poetry Association.

Readers/Speakers

 
Friday, March 12
 

6:00pm EST

Curt Curtin and Judy Ferrara
Worcester poets Judy Ferrara and Curt Curtin will read their work.


Friday March 12, 2021 6:00pm - 8:00pm EST
Bedlam Book Cafe 138 Greet St, Suite 1, Worcester, MA
 
Sunday, February 13
 

3:00pm EST

“A Walk in the Woo” Worcester’s Rain Poets Read
Now that the snow is on the ground, we’re turning our thoughts to giving voice to the poetry that has filled Worcester’s rainy streets.

We have invited the poets who created the Rain Poems to share their work in a reading for friends and family at the Park View Room (just off Elm Park @ 230 Park Ave, Worcester).

The reading will take place on Sunday, February 13th, 2022, from 3-4 pm (with February 27th as a snow date).


Co-Founder / Co-Host
Readers/Speakers


Sunday February 13, 2022 3:00pm - 4:00pm EST
Park View Room
 
Thursday, February 17
 

7:30pm EST

2022 Michael True Memorial Reading
Announcing the 2022 Michael True Memorial Reading featuring Jonathan Blake.

Thursday, February 17, 2022
Curtiss Performance Hall
Tsotsis Family Academic Center
Assumption University
500 Salisbury St.
Worcester, MA  01609

The reading will be free and open to the public, though public health metrics may require a change to that plan.

Download the flyer feature artwork by Julie Chlapowski alongside a poem by feature Jonathan Blake.


Co-Founder / Co-Host
Readers/Speakers


 
Tuesday, April 19
 

4:30pm EDT

Miriam Levine Reading - Featuring Enzo Silon Surin
The FSU English Department is excited to invite back to campus our talented alumnus, Enzo Silon Surin '00! Enzo is a Haitian-born award-winning writer, poet, educator, publisher, and social advocate. He is the author of three collections of poetry, including When My Body Was A Clinched Fist (Black Lawrence Press, 2020), winner of the 21st Annual Massachusetts Book Award for Poetry, and the chapbook, A Letter of Resignation: An American Libretto (Central Square Press, 2017), as well as the co-editor of Where We Stand: Poems of Black Resilience (Cherry Castle Publishing, 2022). Enzo’s work gives voice to experiences that take place in what he calls “broken spaces.” Co-sponsored by the Framingham State University English Department, Office of Development & Alumni Relations and Center for Inclusive Excellence, this year’s Miriam Levine reading, a free event, is made possible in part through a grant from the University’s Council on Diversity and Inclusion. Please visit the event website for further information, including reservations and parking information.

Readers/Speakers
avatar for Enzo Silon Surin

Enzo Silon Surin

Editor/Publisher, Central Square Press
Enzo Silon Surin is a Haitian-born poet, publisher, advocate and author of the chapbook Higher Ground (Finishing Line Press). He was recognized in 2015 by PEN New England (New England’s chapter of PEN American Center) as a Celebrated New Voice in Poetry. His work has appeared in... Read More →


Tuesday April 19, 2022 4:30pm - 6:00pm EDT
Framingham State University, Heineman Ecumenical Center
 
Monday, May 2
 

5:00pm EDT

A Reading With Martín Espada
Please join us for this reading, and help us launch the new paperback edition of Floaters.

Readers/Speakers

Monday May 2, 2022 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
Old Chapel, University of Massachusetts Amherst
 
Wednesday, June 22
 

5:00pm EDT

Memorial Poetry Reading for the Late Joan Erickson
Please join us for this special memorial poetry reading to honor the late Joan Erickson (1937-2021), a talented artist and beloved poet in the Worcester area poetry community who suddenly passed away last year in May. Poets and friends scheduled to read examples of Joan’s wonderful slice-of-life poetry (which often chronicled the people and everyday events in her life) as well as share some of their own favorite memories of her include Eve Rifkah, Glenn D'Alessio, Tom Ewart, Paul Szlosek, Susan Roney-O’Brien, Nancy Nowak, and Peggy O’Connell, with more to be announced.

The event will be hosted by poet Paul Szlosek, and light refreshments will be served.

For more infomations contact Paul Szlosek at poetsparlor@hotmail.com.

Click Here to Read poems by Joan Erickson and Paul Szlosek.


Readers/Speakers
avatar for Paul Szlosek

Paul Szlosek

Co-Founder/Co-Host, The Poetorium at Starlite



Wednesday June 22, 2022 5:00pm - 6:30pm EDT
Tidepool Bookshop, Llc
 
Sunday, November 19
 

2:00pm EST

Poetry at Fruitlands
Join the New England Poetry Club at Fruitlands Museum for a reading by Ann Bookman, Mary Beth Hines, and Alfred Nicol. This poetry reading will be held in the Wayside Gallery. Admission to the program includes admission to the Fruitlands Museum Art Gallery and Grounds. Registration is encouraged: see https://thetrustees.org/event/88750/.

Sunday November 19, 2023 2:00pm - 4:00pm EST
Fruitlands Museum
 
Sunday, December 17
 

2:00pm EST

Poetry at Fruitlands
Join the New England Poetry Club at Fruitlands Museum for monthly poetry readings this winter. Our December 17 program features Marie Gauthier, Len Krisak, and Jhonny Victor.

Sponsoring poetry in New England since 1915, the New England Poetry Club presents readings by poets with ties to the New England states and annual poetry contests. Members of the NEPC benefit from being part of a community of poets, gathering for readings by members with new books, and participating in monthly writing workshops.

Sunday December 17, 2023 2:00pm - 4:00pm EST
Fruitlands Museum
 
Sunday, January 21
 

2:00pm EST

Poetry at Fruitlands
Join the New England Poetry Club at Fruitlands Museum for monthly poetry readings this winter. This month's poets are Mary Buchinger, Timothy Gager, and John L. Holgerson.

Sponsoring poetry in New England since 1915, the New England Poetry Club presents readings by poets with ties to the New England states and annual poetry contests. Members of the NEPC benefit from being part of a community of poets, gathering for readings by members with new books, and participating in monthly writing workshops.

This poetry reading will be held in the Fruitlands Museum Wayside Visitor Center. Parking is available next to the building and the Visitor Center is wheelchair accessible.

Readings are free with admission to the Museum's Art Gallery, Gift Shop and Visitor's Center: $5 for nonmember adults, seniors, students, and children ages 5-13. There is no charge for Trustees Members or children under age 5.

Please note that the historic buildings: The Fruitlands Farmhouse, the Shaker Museum and The Native American Gallery, are closed for the season.

Sunday January 21, 2024 2:00pm - 4:00pm EST
Fruitlands Museum
 
Sunday, January 28
 

6:00pm EST

Museum Of Poets MA

Sunday January 28th Museum Of Poets Comes To MASSACHUSETTS! An Imersive Poetry Experience Where Poets Use Fully Curated Set Designs To Tell Their Stories.

Come Out And Enjoy A Dope Experience Hosted By Fly Ry @TheFaceOfCT and Music By DJ Young Kels & DJ Big Ron. Take Pictures At Any Of The Set Designs, Enjoy Food, Drinks And Listen To Some Of The Dopest Poets That Massachusetts Has To Offer.

Tickets Are On A Climbing Scale So Get Your Discounted Tickets Earlyyyyy! See You Soon
Have Questions? Contact Fly Ry On IG @TheFaceOfCT

Sunday January 28, 2024 6:00pm - 9:00pm EST
124 Main Street, Spencer, MA 01562
 
Wednesday, February 14
 

5:30pm EST

Love Poems After Dark

Join us for a magical evening of love poems that will make your heart skip a beat! This in-person event will take place at the Black Sheep Bah-Bah-Q & Kitchen, located on Chandler Street in Worcester, MA, USA. Get ready to be swept away by the power of words as talented poets share their heartfelt verses in an intimate setting. Whether you're a hopeless romantic or simply curious, this event promises to ignite your emotions and leave you with a renewed appreciation for the beauty of love. Don't miss out on this enchanting night of poetry and connection!

Wednesday February 14, 2024 5:30pm - 6:30pm EST
Black Sheep Bah-Bah-Q & Kitchen
 
Sunday, March 17
 

2:00pm EDT

New England Poetry Club: Poetry at Fruitlands
Poetry reading with poets Maru Colbert, Gary Duehr, A.M. Juster.

Sunday March 17, 2024 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Fruitlands Museum
 
Sunday, April 7
 

1:00pm EDT

New Book Launch at Worcester State University
Bill O’Connell has been living in the Pioneer Valley in Massachusetts between the Connecticut River and Quabbin Reservoir since 1984. A retired social worker, he teaches literature and writing at Greenfield Community College and runs a small handyman business. Bill’s books of poetry include Sakonnet Point (Plinth Books 2011) & On The Map To Your Life (Dytiscid Press 1992) plus poems in anthologies and literary magazines such as The Sun, Poetry East, Colorado Review, Green Mountains Review, etc. A new collection, When We Were All Still Alive, is just out from Open Field Press.

Jonathan Blake has been following the gospel of his heart for as long as he can remember. Writer, educator, arts activist/organizer, he makes his home in central Massachusetts. On the campus of Worcester State University in the twelve years before the pandemic, he hosted a round robin open reading series for students, faculty and staff, and the greater Worcester County poetry community called ONE POEM.

Sunday April 7, 2024 1:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Worcester State University
 
Thursday, May 30
 

6:30pm EDT

Poetorium at Starlite Poetry Open Mic (Featuring Jovonna Van Pelt & Jonathan Andersen)
Please join us for a special double feature edition of our monthly open mic and featured poetry reading series The Poetorium at Starlite hosted by Paul Szlosek and Ron Whittle. It will be a full evening of poetry and spoken word starting with a brief interview on stage with our two featured poets Jovonna Van Pelt (Author of Unrelated Questions) and Jonathan Andersen (Author of Augur and Stomp and Sing), followed by poetry readings by our features, a 10-minute tribute to a dead poet by a guest reader, a short intermission, and then an open mic (with 5-minute slots for each reader). Admission is free, but a hat will be passed for donations to pay our features and compensate Starlite for the use of their space.

Thursday May 30, 2024 6:30pm - 9:30pm EDT
Starlite Bar & Gallery 39 Hamilton Street, Southbridge, MA, USA
 


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