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Poetry performance in the Creek

Spring Poetry Festival

The launch of the Spring Poetry Festival on May 3 at the Creek Gallery offered all that is good about the Coast: raw talent, a community spirit, music and a sunny day.

Co-organizer Jane Covernton kicked off with a Roberts Creek moment, a poem by George Payerle about the royalty of the Creek, Doug and Helen Roy. Michael Barnholden read from his work Notes Outside Notes, along with his wife, Nancy Newman. Barnholden is better known for his historical non-fiction work, but he demonstrates the heart of a poet. Junco Jan’s reading from her soon-to-be-released, on-line book, Mental Case 101, was a gritty and real take on a tortured life.

Nina Haedrich was delightful. Speaking the words of her poetic inspiration, Mary Oliver, she told the audience to pay attention, be astonished and tell about it. She sang her first poem that was inspired by the poet Rumi, and read from a series of “fearsome” poems. Her prose poem about Meg who wanted to die at home was powerful. She concluded with more work by Mary Oliver and several of her own about otters and sunlight.

Judith Penner, a published poet, opened with a poem by her granddaughter that was both humorous and insightful. Penner read selections from a longer prose poem and from her contest-winning work, three tweet-length poems published in The Capilano Review.

The second half of the session included Linda King, Apryl Leaf, Penny Allport and Covernton’s own work.

“Super classy,” was what one of the guests called the chamber music ensemble Esto that played during a break.

When Covernton and co-organizer Laurie Verchomin put out a call for poets, they received 37 responses and decided not to turn anyone away. That meant stretching the festival over four Sundays. The next session takes place Sunday, May 10 starting at 1 p.m. then continues on May 17 and 24.  For the May 10 session, First Nations poets Barbara Higgins (Xwu’p’a’lich) and Holly Ann Higgins (Kwatleemaht) will read, along with Baeleay Callister, Yanira Cuellar, Andrea Cotes, Danika Dinsmore, Chris Fink-Jensen and David Roche. Keely Halward provides the music. Micheal D. Mann will also be on stage launching his latest book, Poems and Songs, an existential project (published by Calendula Farms).

Admission is by donation. The venue (behind the Gumboot Restaurant) is light and comfortable; enjoy the artwork on the walls as you listen. The artists showing include Carole Hand with Jazz Portraits of Sonny Rollins and Billie Holiday, Sheryl McDougald with her Nature Series, Covernton’s photographic meditations and portraits of Bill Evans by Evan Ramsay and Tara Butler.