Reception for new Redmond Poet Laureate, Michael Dylan Welch

Welcome Redmond's new third Poet Laureate, Michael Dylan Welch, at a reception on October 30 at the Redmond Library. Read more about it here:

http://www.redmond.gov/cms/one.aspx?portalId=169&pageId=6983

So Long and Thanks for all the Fish! The End of my Tenure as Poet Laureate and my Last Redmond Reading

Yes, I thought it was appropriate, coming at the end of my tenure as Poet Laureate, to leave you with a quote from "The Hitchhiker Guide to the Galaxy," since the theme of my work here was "geeks for poety, poetry for geeks." I had a great time and have been honored to work with the Redmond community. (PS: You can read an essay account of my first year as Poet Laureate in the new Poet's Market 2014, which just came out.) I think the highlights of the last year and a half include working with local artists at VALA, working with teens and the chance to talk poetry with our mayor!

I'll still be Poet Laureate through the end of September, and I'll be reading as part of the Jack Straw Reading for RASP at the Old Redmond Schoolhouse on September 27 at 7 PM (along with fellow Jack Straw writers Chelsea Werner-Jatzke and Daemond Arrindell) so come out and see us! It seems like a nice way to end my time as Poet Laureate of Redmond. And don't worry - I'll still be around...performing at VALA as part of ArtsCrush with Kelly Davio and artist Michaela Eaves on October 9 from 6-9 PM (Poetry and Visual Art just seem to go together, don't they?) and speaking at Geek Girl Con (Oct 19-20, downtown Seattle) on some of my work in Redmond.

The announcement of the next Poet Laureate of Redmond is coming soon. Watch this space!

Teen Workshop with Karen Finneyfrock at Old Schoolhouse September 7 at 2 PM

This is the workshop that was rescheduled from the August date. It is now on for Saturday, September 7th at 2 PM at the Old Schoolhouse.

The poetry workshop designed for teens is hosted by Redmond Poet Laureate, Jeannine Hall Gailey, and will be facilitated by the Hugo House’s Karen Finneyfrock. Finneyfrock is author of the YA novel The Sweet Revenge of Celia Door.
Using prose from Daniel Handler, Why We Broke Up, and poetry from Shanny Jean Maney, I Love Science, for inspiration, we will write list poems, poem tweets and poems about the universe or other geek-y subjects. There will be time for both writing and sharing. No experience in poetry writing necessary. 
Partners include the Richard Hugo House and WA State Arts Commission.

www.redmond.gov/poetlaureate  (425)556-2316

Where in the World is your Redmond Poet Laureate, August Edition

If you want to catch me in action reading in August, here's where I'll be:

August 5: Reading in Auburn, Washington at the Station Bistro at 7 PM with fellow Redmond poet Dawn-Marie Oliver. Read all about it here: http://www.auburn-reporter.com/community/217414661.html

August 15: Reading with Kelly Davio at Ladies Night at The Grape Choice wine bar in Kirkland, Washington, 7 PM.

August 26: Annie's Blooms in Portland, Oregon with Kelly Davio, 7 PM: http://www.annieblooms.com/event/kelly-davio-jeannine-hall-gailey-poetry-reading

Stay tuned for information on when we're rescheduling our teen workshop with Karen Finneyfrock, hopefully for the first week in September!

Redmond Reporter Write Up

A very nice article in this week's Redmond Reporter talks about my participation in "Like One" anthology for the One Fund, a charity dedicated to the Boston Bombing Victims:
"Redmond's poet laureate helps offer hope for victims of Boston bombings"
http://www.redmond-reporter.com/news/217822101.html

Pick yourself up a copy here: http://www.amazon.com/Like-One-Poems-For-Boston/dp/0989686906/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375456329&sr=8-1&keywords=Like+One%3A+Poems+For+Boston
It's for a good cause!

Teen Workshop Today Cancelled - to be Rescheduled for September

So sorry to announce this, but we had to cancel the Karen Finneyfrock teen workshop at the Redmond Schoolhouse today due to lack of RSVPs (perhaps too much sunshine?)
We are currently working on another date and time, probably in early September. Stay tuned!
Thank you!

Derby Days Poetry Reading and Workshop for Teens with Hugo House's Karen Finneyfrock

In case you were hoping for a poetry fix with your Derby Days celebration plans, I'll be reading on the main stage (opening for band Recess Monkeys) from roughly 3:00-3:15. Blink and you'll miss me!

And, a joint venture with Hugo House - a Teen Poetry Workshop with Karen Finneyfrock:

Geeking Out: Teen Poetry Workshop with Karen Finneyfrock
July 24, 2013, 6:30 PM

Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center
16600 NE 80th St Redmond, WA 98052
Come geek out with us on poetry!  The poetry workshop designed for teens is hosted by Redmond Poet Laureate, Jeannine Hall Gailey, and will be facilitated by the Hugo House’s Karen Finneyfrock. Finneyfrock is author of the YA novel The Sweet Revenge of Celia Door.

Using prose from Daniel Handler, Why We Broke Up, and poetry from Shanny Jean Maney, I Love Science, for inspiration, we will write list poems, poem tweets and poems about the universe or other geek-y subjects. There will be time for both writing and sharing. No experience in poetry writing necessary.

Partners include the Richard Hugo House and WA State Arts Commission.

Please RSVP for this FREE event.