April is National Poetry Month

In 1996, The Academy of American Poets introduced National Poetry Month, a nationwide month long celebration of poetry to increase awareness and appreciation of poetry all month long every April.  

New York, The East Coast and Western New York can lay claim to poets such as: Billy Collins, Muriel Ruckeyserl, Louise Gluck, Tupac Amaru Shakur, June Jordan, John Ashbery, Frank O"Hara, Walt Whitman, Edgar Allan Poe, Allen Ginsberg, Dylan Thomas, W.H.Auden, Peter Orlovsky, Gregory Corso, and Langston Hughes. 

Celebrations in Western New York include readings at:  Just Buffalo Literary Center, The Screening Room, The Center for Inquiry, The Rooftop Poetry Club, EM Tea Coffee Cup, Talking Leaves, Hallwalls Contemporary Art Center, Crane Library, Albright Knox Art Gallery,  Rust Belt Books, Empire State College and many more.  

On April 21st, 2010 at 7:30 pm, The Screening Room will feature two Buffalo poets, Gunilla Theander Kester (The Empty Chair: Love and Loss in the Wake of Flight 3407) and Professor Anthony Hughes (Ph.D. Associate Professor of English, Hilbert College.) 

The Screening Room has open slots available for everyone.  Arrive 7:15 pm to check in, $2 admission for an evening of outstanding poetry.  For more information:  The Screening Room Northtown Plaza Business Center 3131 Sheridan Drive, Amherst NY 14226 and online:  www.screeningroom.net/.  Whatever you plan to do make it to The Screening Room to listen, read, relax, eat, drink and celebrate the written and spoken word. 

"Stop this day and night with me 
and you shall possess the origin of all poems, 
You shall possess the good of the earth and sun,
there are millions of suns left.  
You shall no longer take things at second or third hand 
nor look through the eyes of the dead, 
nor feed on the spectres in books,
You shall not look through my eyes either, nor take things from me,
You shall listen to all sides and filter them from yourself."

- © Walt Whitman "Song of Myself II" (May 31, 1819 – March 26, 1892.) 

© Susan Marie

Susan Marie Public Relations
Think Twice Radio
This is NOT the Apple
New York USA 2010

Contact Me

Benefit For Jon Croom: Buffalo Firefighter: Pearl Street April 11

On August 24^th, 2009, two of Buffalo’s Bravest Firefighters attempted to save the lives of those they thought were in danger. It was a day of great pride, but also of incredible sorrow.  

Those who knew Jon Croom, knew a man of strength, integrity and purpose. He was a brother, a father, a son, our friend. Jon left behind a daughter, not yet 3 yrs old, and a new son, born only 2 weeks after his death. He never even held this child. It is for this reason that we, Jon’s friends, have come together to lend a hand to what Jon started.  We are earnestly working together to create a college fund for each of his children, Johanna and Jonathan, so that they can experience the same zeal for life that Jon himself enjoyed.   

A benefit in honor of Jon’s life and memory will be held April 11^th, 2010, at Pearl Street Brewery.  14 bands, a 50/50 raffle and a basket auction are featured. All of the bands have donated their time, and Pearl Street has graciously donated the space.  100% of the proceeds will go directly to the trust funds in place for the children of Jonathan Croom.

“This gift will show Jon’s kids how much he meant to his friends, and how much this community appreciates the sacrifice he and Lt. McCarthy made for us,” said Jason Hall, owner of Sessions Studio in Black Rock, who graduated with Croom from the Buffalo Academy for the Visual and Performing Arts.

The organizers of this event are seeking in-kind donations to enhance the Basket Auction the day of the event. We are hopeful that you will see the great opportunity to commit, as a community; to the children of our neighborhood Hero, and that you would consider helping us reach our goal.   

For more information, Jay Hall, Sessions Video (716) 447-1508, purchase tickets online HERE and HERE.  Please see event on FaceBook.

 

Interview Amina Masood Janjua: Defence For Human Rights: Dr. Aafia Saddiqui

© Mr and Mrs. Masood Janjua (Masood is still missing)

Mrs. Amina Masood Janjua speaks of her quest for her husband, Masood Janjua, wrongfully aducted for 4 1/2 yrs. Amina dedicated her struggle to from Defence of Human Rights to locate and bring home people forcibly and wrongfully abducted. Mrs. Janjua speaks of Pakistan and American govt, misunderstandings, how they work in unison to weaken all people, realities of how/why people are abducted, work in Human Rights, and the latest case of Dr. Aafia Saddiqui. Dr. Saddiqui's case to date, is the largest abomination of every human right. The United States government is refusing to set her free. Please click HERE to help free Dr. Saddiqui and assist Mrs. Janjua in finding her husband, Masood, as well as all missing persons. Mrs. Janjua was featured on Frontline World

Part I:  http://www.thinktwiceradio.com/sue-marie/audio/100205/1.mp3

Part II:  http://www.thinktwiceradio.com/sue-marie/audio/100205/2.mp3

Dr. Aafia Saddiqui, Before and After Wrongful Abduction 2003

Susan Marie Public Relations
Think Twice Radio
This is NOT the Apple
New York USA 2010

Contact Me

Bunny Up For Gabrielle Bouliane: Feb 14 Nietzsche's

On February 14th, 2010 at Nietzsche's  248 Allen Street downtown Buffalo from 2pm - 11pm, we are Bunnying-Up on Valentine's Day to celebrate the beautiful life of our fabulous friend, Gabrielle Bouliane.  This fundraising party will be the perfect way to honor L*O*V*E, Gabby style!

Gabrielle left this world end of January 2010 due to a rare form of cancer.  This benefit is a celebration of her life.  Gabrielle was a forerunner in supporting the arts, music and literary scene in Buffalo and WNY, bringing National and Global exposure to artists, musicians and this fine city.  Gabrielle was a filmmaker, poet, writer, began the Nickel City Poetry Slam and covered many local and national musicians.  All funds from Feb 14, will go directly to Gabrielle's family. A new fund will be announced in Gabrielle's honor to assist an emerging leader in cancer survival or one wishing to pursue the field of arts. 

Musicians donating their time include:  The Irving Klaws, Blue Rocket Trio, The Steam Donkeys, Geno McManus, Joe Rozler,  John Lombardo, Shaky Stage, Emile Latimer, Noa Bursie, Kilissa Cissoko, John & Mary (John Lombardo and Mary Ramsey of 10,000 Maniacs), and a special appearance by Scott Carpenter and Fleuron Rouge Bellydance Troupe and more TBA.  Poetry by:  Patricia Smith, Rachel McKibbens, Jacob Rakovan and more TBA.

The donation is a minimum of $5 (at the door) - to $100, as much as you are able to give. We need to be together in tribute to the joy and love that was Gabby's spirit.  If there were not music, dancing, drinking, kissing, poetry and smiling, then we would not be honoring Gabrielle respectfully.

Gabrielle was a supernova and loved by all that knew her.  Her last public performance was in Austin Texas at the Austin Poetry Slam.  View her performance on You Tube, "Gabrielle Bouliane: Austin Poetry Slam", filmed by Eirik Ott and the Feb 14 event is on facebook.  Just search: Bunny Up For Gabrielle.

To volunteer or be a part of the festivities, please contact Rachel, Molly or Colleen at: bunnyupforgabrielle@gmail.com, if you are unable to attend yet still wish to donate to the fund and her family or you are out of state; do this via PayPal at the email above.

Celebrate the life of one extremely selfless woman who never gave a second thought about celebrating each and every one of us.  In the very least we owe her no less than what she has coordinated in the past which is one of the biggest parties we can muster - Buffalo style.

Donate, attend, volunteer and contact Molly, Rachel and Colleen above.  Most importantly, share her work, keep her dreams in motion, and live your own dream now, not tomorrow or  ten years from now, but right this minute. Life is far too short too waste.  Gabrielle would have loved that.

Please pass this on to anyone who may like to attend, it is open to everyone.


LIVE audio Austin Poetry Slam (with 35 call in messages)
LIVE show Gabrielle Bouliane 
© Indie Feed - Mongo 2009

# # #

Susan Marie Public Relations
Think Twice Radio
This is NOT the Apple
New York USA 2010

Contact Me

© Poster David A. Moore 2010
(Print it at 100% of file size (11 x 17) white cover stock.)

 

Nickel City Poetry Slam 2007 © Rose Salley Albright Knox