This week is the final round for launching my poetry collection Circle. . .Home, a publication brought to Greater Lansing through local events, with the publication and events made possible in part by a grant from the Arts Council of Greater Lansing. Thanks to all of you who have extended moral and/or material support during the year!
Tonight I speak on the theme “Throughout Generations” and share a selection from Circle. . .Home at the Kiwanis Club of Holt, which meets at Charlar Place (4230 Charlar Drive). A special thanks to Karla Janing for introducing me to club members! Doors open at 6pm, dinner starts at 6:30pm, and the program at 7pm.
It feels right that my last event of the year mirrors the first — “Light in the Dark” from April. Like that feature performance, “generations: a night of poetry & music” on December 9, at (SCENE) Metrospace is a benefit for The Listening Ear Crisis Center. Performing with me are oboist Gretchen Morse (Lansing Symphony Orchestra) and band The Heades. The program begins at 7pm and suggested donation is $10 – 5, with proceeds going toward the Capital Area Sexual Assault Response Center.
“generations” is a unique performance in that the musicians and I organically developed the program, selecting poems from Circle. . .Home around a theme: the impact of war throughout generations, whose survival offers hope and inspiration despite cycles of violence. The event observes the international campaign 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence (Nov. 25 – Dec. 10) with its 2012 theme, calling for an end to militarism and gender violence. Partners include the RCAH Center for Poetry at MSU and Peace Education Center of Greater Lansing.
It would be a great pleasure to see old and new friends at this final event for 2011! Also, this performance is the last for at least several months, due to a hiatus I am taking. I look forward to the company of whomever will gather for the poetic-musical evening, which at the same time supports survivors of sexual violence in our community.
Mel, felicidades!! And the new year may bring triumphs on all your endeavors.