Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit
presents Berkson & Gustafson
Crawford, Mikolowski, Perron, Teichman,
Vranich & others also to read.
Thursday, June 12, two events:
7 pm, “In conversation: Bill Berkson”
Born in New York in 1939, Bill Berkson is a poet, critic, teacher and sometime curator who has been active in the art and literary worlds since his early 20s. Director of Letters and Science at the San Fransisco Art Institute from 1993 to 1998, Berkson taught art history, critical writing and poetry, and directed the public lectures program there between 1984 and 2007. Recently, he was Distinguished Paul Mellon Lecturer for 2006 at the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture in Maine. A collection of his criticism, “the Sweet Singer of Modernism & Other Art Writings,” was published in 2004, and “Sudden Address: Selected Lectures 1981-2006” in 2007.
Designed to stimulate audience dialogue and response, Berkson will read provocative passages from his recent books. Covering topics ranging from museum practice to art criticism and art history, Berkson will then ask the audience to respond to these passages, and will engage and direct a lively discussion amongst the audience.

Jim Gustafson

8 pm, “Poetry Still Ain’t News: A Reading Celebrating Jim Gustafson”
Jim Gustafson (1949-1996) was Detroit’s legendary boisterous bard. This event, celebrating his life and work, features readings by famed San Francisco poet Bill Berkson, as well as readings by: Lynn Crawford, Mark Grafe, Glen Mannisto, Ken Mikolowski, Michelle Perron, Ned Richardson, Dennis Teichman, Mick Vranich, and others.
Both events are free and open to the public. Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD), 4454 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, 313.832.6622, www.mocadetroit.org

Book Launch/Music-Poetry Concert
at Oakwood Hospital In Dearborn

Jan Krist

June 13 — Features Jan Krist, Jim Bizer, M.L. Liebler & Open Mic
Join Us for An Evening Celebrating the Release of M.L. Liebler’s new Wayne State University Press book Wide Awake in Someone Else’s Dream in a seemingly unlikely venue at Oakwood Hospital’s Main Branch with a reading & special performance by well known and widely acclaimed singer songwriter Jan Krist, Jim Bizer and M.L. Liebler performing their special Magic Poetry Acoustic Show. In addition, the program will feature readings by several of the writers in The Oakwood Hospital Arts in the Spirits Program and open mic for all. The event will take place Friday, June 13th at 7 p.m. in the Kalman Auditorium, of Oakwood Hospital located at 18101 Oakwood Blvd (between Rotunda and The Southfield Expressway-easy to find) in Dearborn, MI, 48124. For directions and info 313.593.7000 or e-mail Lisa.Rutledge@oakwood.org

Poets @ The Opera House 2008 Set
Please make plans to join us for this July (our 11th years) as the Springfed Metro Detroit Writers and Poets & Writers, Inc. present at The Detroit Opera House in their wonderfully air conditioned Cadillac Lounge on Madison Street level with a great line up of some of the Metro area’s and the country’s best writers. In addition to the schedule below, please note that we will once again offer 4 week creative writing workshops at The Learning @ The Opera House Program this summer. Please note that none of our Monday night 7:00pm readings conflict with any Tiger Home Games! They are away on the following Monday, so street parking will be plentiful. The Detroit Opera House is at 1526 Broadway at Madison. It covers one city block between Witherell, John R, Broadway and Madison. It is across from Comerica Park and next to Grand Circus Park.

 Katie Scott and Laurel Blossom

THE SCHEDULE
July 7 — Pat Barnes, Lori Volante, Joy G. Friedler & Mary Tischler                       
July 14 — E. Susan Sheiner, Mary Ellen Soroka, Anca Vlasopolos with musician Dr. Christian W. Kreipke & Rhonda Welsh   
July 21 — Diamond Dancer, Lucinda Sabino, Maria Costantini & Katie Scott              
July 28 — Detroit’s Joan Hudson & community open mic for all.
August 4 — South Carolina Poet & Writers’ Community Founder Laurel Blossom, Kent State Poet Brooke Horvath, with Detroit’s Mary Sitto & Suzanne Scarfone.

GATHERING OF WRITERS
Thursday, June 19, 7 pm
This months’ special guest, Amy Gerold’s poetry is rich in metaphor and imagery and seeks to find the sacred in the ordinary or to capture the moment as it explores such as childhood, family, traditions, relationships, loss, life changes, nature and poetry itself. A GATHERING OF WRITERS meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 7:30 P.M. at the Plymouth Coffee Bean, 844 Penniman Avenue, Plymouth, MI.  A Gathering of Writers is associated with the writing group — A Gathering of Writers Write. Instructor: Ms. Lisa Rye, MFA, Vermont College.

MUSING POETRY AND MUSIC CAFÉ
Third Sundays, 3-5 pm at Pure Concepts Center
Featured performers and open mic. Hosted by performance poet and vocalist Ann Holdreith, this innovative venue promises great fun for all who attend and participate. Pure Concepts Center, 23023 Orchard Lake, Farmington, 48336 (just north of Grand River on the west side). 248 583-7765
Upcoming Feature: June 15- Jere Stormer, charming, ecclectic mix of American roots music, Zilka Joseph, Indian roots poetry imbued with stunning, sensuous imagery.

Lamb’s Songwriters Showcase
Showtime 8:30 pm at Memphis Smoke in Royal Oak,
Main Street at 11 Mile Rd
248-543-4300
Your host, John D. Lamb.

Sunday, May 25, 8:30 p.m.
Featuring: Jill Jack, Andy Baker, Jere Stormer, Barbara Barrett, Jim Smith, Marilyn & host John D. Lamb.
Sunday, June 29, 8:30 p.m.
Featuring: Blair, Luke Sayers, Tracy Kash, Paul Miles, Courtney Robb & Mike Sneed & host John D. Lamb.
Sunday, July 20, 8:30 p.m.
Featuring: Julianne (from Redhill), Stephen Clark (from WXYZ), Will & Ann Rowland, Dennis Kingsbury,
Tom Mansell & host John D. Lamb.

Springfed Writers’ Retreat – 1st Annual
Springfed Arts will begin hosting the newly christened Springfed Writers Retreat, October 9-12, 2008 at the Birchwood Inn,Harbor Springs, MI. Director John D. Lamb had hosted the Walloon Writers’ Retreat at Michigania, a University of Michigan affiliated facility near Boyne City for nine years. Lamb says that the move to the Birchwood Inn will be a smooth one. He has been hosting his songwriter retreats at the Inn for thirteen years and claims that much good writing happens in Harbor Springs, the city that inspired the name Springfed Arts. The rooms and beds at The Birchwood Inn are more comfortable than cabins and the walkways to the conference area are closer and easier to travel. Good shopping is nearby and the fall colors will be peaking. Lamb assures that he will continue to offer quality staff and quality food. The Springfed Writers Retreat will announce this year’s featured guest writers in an upcoming newsletter.

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