On an evening noted as the last Thursday in September 2019

September 26, 2019 "word, revisited,"  at the Carriage House Theater, performance space of the Cayuga Museum of History and Art, Auburn, NY. Left to Right:  Jim Brady, open mic; Crystal Pierce, open mic; Heidi Nightengale, open mic; Dionna Vereen, featured poet; Laura William French, open mic;  Rachael Ikins, open mic; Dan Cleveland, open mic; Ron Van Nostrand, M.C. and publisher/Olive Trees, a  close to 30 years print zine; and  Jim Ellis, open mic.

Those that came to the Carriage House Theater (Cayuga Museum of History and Art) Olive Trees’ and aaduna’s “bi-monthly ‘word revisited’ event on September 26th were treated to an amazing performance, a soliloquy of words and even educat[ion] regarding a poetic form.

Dionna Vereen performed two pieces that not only were meant to be heard, but to be seen and to be felt. She also taught us how to put together a contrapuntal poetic form and also shared with us her anthem, which she wrote from a prompt given to her at a workshop. In between each piece, she shared a little of herself, in hopes of establishing and understanding with the audience about what drives her forward to be one of the “future literary champions that define the twenty-something generation.”

In that evening’s open mic segment, Jim Brady started off with some of his clever and witty observations on life. He was followed by Heidi Nightengale, who shared with us a poem she had written 30 years ago which she thought she had lost forever. Good news, a friend found it when she was cleaning out things from long ago and sent it to her.

Ron Van Nostrand and Dan Cleveland read tributes to Greta Thunberger. Dan also read a poem of his from long ago. Jim Ellis read two poems, one dealing with Simple Kindnesses, which we could all use. Chris Pierce debuted two of her own for the audience, while Rachel Ikins read one of hers and another by an author, who appears with her in a newly published World Wildlife Foundation book. Laura French related stories in poetry regarding growing up amidst the car parts from her father’s mechanic business and the people to which it drew. Ron Van Nostrand tried to use the new form of contrapuntal poetry he had learned to tie together three banal haikus he had written to close the night.

Dionna Vereen, photo on file

Ms. V in her own words:

“I just wanted to…say how grateful I am to not only know you folks and to have seen ya'll again… but to be a featured poet with your reading series on top of that! Really jazzed. It gave me a much needed and desired space to share some pieces I've been digging into and experimenting with that I otherwise wouldn't have so readily. I deeply appreciate it. It was really cool. And the audience's feedback and questions after the reading were really great and a helpful progression as well. I've never truly spoken publicly about my poetry or answered questions about it in a more formal setting. A lot of good firsts. So, thank you. I had a blast.” 

*****

“word, revisited” occurs on the 2nd and 4th Thursday at 6 PM. This county-wide literary event is convened at the Carriage House Theater, the multi-venue performance space that is adjacent to and part of the Cayuga Museum of History and Art. The museum sponsors this series celebrating writers in any genre with Olive Trees and aaduna. Admission is $3/person and all proceeds from admittance and refreshments go to supporting the ongoing work of the Museum.

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