Welcome to the City of Pleasanton’s Civic Arts Literary page. The Civic Arts Literary page has been created to provide enthusiasts of the written word a listing of City sponsored literary events throughout the Tri Valley.
We are Pleased to Welcome our 2009-2011 Poet Laureate, Deborah Grossman. . . |
As the City of Pleasanton Poet Laureate, Deborah envisions continuing the “Century House Featured Poets” series, the Teen Poet Laureate program and other school programs. She plans to launch a “Celebrating Famous Poets” series. Guest poets will talk about the poet, read his or her poems and then read their own poems in a similar style. The first in the series will be “Celebrating: Robert Frost.” She will also partner with talented local poets in “Poetry Rocks in Many Languages” sessions. Poets will read a poem in the original language and then read their translation. Deborah also looks forward to coordinating several poetry programs at the Senior Center.
Deborah has written poems throughout her life. In the fourth grade, she organized her poems and favorite literary quotes into a blue, cloth-covered three-ring notebook. In 2006 Deborah published Goldie and Me, a book exploring the many facets of freedom, family, and food through the lens of poetry. On topics from Sunday car rides to Hurricana Katrina, several poems were written by her mother, Goldie W. Chavenson. Goldie and Me is available on amazon.com and at Towne Center Books in Pleasanton.
Her poems and essays have been honored at Ina Coolbrith Circle competitions, the Las Positas Literary Contest, the Pleasanton Poetry and Arts Festival, and the Alameda County Fair. She judges poetry at several Northern California venues and mentors poets of all ages.
Deborah often says, “Poetry lifts voices, minds and hearts in our neighborhood and around the world. Poems blend reality and imagination about the present, past and future—and expand one’s horizons at any age.”
To contact Deborah about the City of Pleasanton Poet Laureate programs or to join the email distribution list: pleasantonpoetry@gmail.com or follow her on Twitter@PleasantonPoets.
Pleasanton Civic Arts and Poet Laureate Deborah Grossman Present these Upcoming Events. . .
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Laugh Out Loud Poetry! Click here for informational flyer.
Sunday, August 1, 2010 - 2:00 to 4:00 pm,
Century House, 2401 Santa Rita Road, Pleasanton, CA 94566
Ready for some mid-summer laughs? Pleasanton poet, author and blogger Sandra Kay will host an afternoon of humorous poetry. An accomplished humor writer, Sandra will introduce the long tradition of laughter in American poetry and read some of her own poems. We will then feature a medley of four other Bay Area poets with a natural talent for the funny side of poetry.
At the Open Mic following the presentation and refreshments, the public is invited to read a poem trending toward the humorous, or on any subject they choose.
Sandra Kay is the author of eat, write & exercise (creative nonfiction), Beautiful Fish, (poetry collection) and has been published in several 4th St. Saturday Salon’s Livermore Wine Country Literary Anthologies. She writes a popular blog, teaches seminars on blogging, and is also a mixed-media artist.
Refreshments and Open Mic follow. Cost: $5.00; Students free
Pleasanton Poetry on Main: A Monthly Gathering of Poets
Thursday, September 16, 2010 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
On-going the 2nd Thursday of the month
Little Valley Winery, 739 Main St., Pleasanton
Calling all Poets! Starting on Sept. 16th, we’ll host a once-a-month group for feedback and appreciation of each others’ poems in downtown Pleasanton at Little Valley Winery. Marilyn Slade of Pleasanton, author of humorous poetry and prose, will co-host the gatherings. Bring two poems for critique. Free event. Soft drinks provided. No-host wine by the glass with ID.
BOO-etry 2: A Poetry Reading for Halloween Day!
Sunday, Oct. 21, 2010 - 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Cost: $5.00; Students, free
Century House, 2401 Santa Rita Road, Pleasanton
Something wonderfully mysterious is brewing for BOO-etry 2! Get your scariest poems dusted off to read at the suspiciously special Open Mic. Halloween costumes are welcome, but optional.
Poetry and Prayer: A Panel Discussion on Poetry as a Language of Faith
Tuesday Nov. 16, 2010 - 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Cost: $5.00; Students, free
Firehouse Arts Center, 4444 Railroad Ave, Pleasanton **New Venue**
Poet Laureate Deborah Grossman will host a panel discussion with several Tri-Valley clergy from various faiths about the role that poetry plays in their religious tradition. The clergy will read examples of poetry in liturgy and speak about the significance of poetry in their faith.
A Toast to Heroes: A Literary Evening on the Myth & Reality of the Hero & the Un-hero
Friday, Feb. 18, 2011 - 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. Cost: $5.00; Students, free
Firehouse Arts Center, 4444 Railroad Ave, Pleasanton **New Venue**
Poet Laureate Deborah Grossman and Livermore Poet Laureate Cher Wollard will co-host the first Literary Evening at the new Firehouse Center. Narrator Robert Eastwood, award-winning poet, author and artist from San Ramon, will weave his perspective on the mythology of the heroic and un-heroic with other invited Bay Area writers.
For information, contact Michelle Russo, City of Pleasanton Civic Arts,. mrusso@ci.pleasanton.ca.us (925) 931-5350 or Deborah Grossman, City of Pleasanton poet laureate at pleasantonpoetry@gmail.com or www.facebook.com/PleasantonPoetry .
