Vandalism at the BAC

The BAC was vandalized on Wednesday evening.  The space was not only affected, but the art as well.  When I spoke with Jana Rush, the event coordinator of the BAC, she estimated that the cost of repairs is close to $100,000.00 and the art, of course, is irreplaceable. The folks at the BAC truly love their community and this is just unfortunate and disgusting. 

So, if you can, please donate a monetary gift to the BAC to help them get back on their feet.  They've been extremely gracious to us in the past, and this is one way in which we can show our sympathy and support. 

Please make checks out to: The Business of Art Center 
Please mail donations to: The Business of Art Center, 515 Manitou Ave., 80829  

Also, this Saturday from 3 -- 5 p.m., come down to Venue 513 for a beverage to commiserate and show your support.

September's Reading

Hi all!

The Reading Series will resume on September 14th, 2012, at 7:30 p.m. at the B.A.C.  Price Strobridge, the Poet Laureate of the Pikes Peak Region, will be the featured reader. 

Looking forward to seeing everyone!  

Poetry Invasion at the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center -- Call for Submissions & for Reading Participation!

Interested in participating in a poetry reading on August 17 at the Sange de Cristo Arts Center in Pueblo? The 3rd Place is an exhibition space that changes each month and is largely curated by the public.  The Arts Center is looking for submissions of postcard-sized art and poetry to display, and are also setting up a few readings.  The first will be an open mic on August 3, and a more organized reading on the 17th.

Here are a few links about the 3rd Place and the Poetry Invasion Exhibit, if you'd like more information:
http://sdc-arts.org/thethirdplace.html
https://www.facebook.com/notes/the-third-place-in-the-hoag-studio/calling-all-poetry-gurus/374301819285666

July 2012

Abby Murray rocked the BAC last month!  She read some classics as well as new work from her upcoming chapbook Quickdraw: Poems from a Soldier’s Wife (available at finsihinglinepress.com).  Binghamton is pretty lucky!  Abby and her baked goods will be missed greatly. 

Tom and Ilene Preble will host a reading on their ranch July 28^th from 2:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.  Please bring a piece to read and a dish to pass.  RSVP via email by July 14: cswritersreading@gmail.com.  Directions will be sent via email.

The reading series will take a brief nap this summer but will start back up again in September 2012.  Stay tuned for information regarding September’s reading.

Hope you all are safe.

Mandy  

What a fun, talented bunch!

May/June 2012

Hi there!  A lot took place last month at the Colorado Springs Writers Reading Series. 

As most of you know, Abby Murray will be leaving in August to begin working toward her doctoral degree in English at Binghamton University in New York.  Over coffee one afternoon, she asked me if I would be interested in continuing the reading series.  After a couple emails and a few pep talks, Abby handed the Reading Series over to me -- all packed in a box and a seat belt tote bag.  I look forward to being an active part of this community of writers and continuing this fellowship, this conversation about writing.     

The featured writer in May was Jenn Gutierrez.  She read from her current book of poems Silence Imbibed, published by Anaphora Literary Press.  Gutierrez's work is haunting and evocative.  She also teaches English Composition at PPCC and is currently working toward her doctoral degree in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Denver.

Here are some pictures of Gutierrez charming the crowd.

A warm and captivating reader! 

This Friday, June 8th, the one and only Abby Murray will read from her upcoming book of poems Quick Draw: Poems from a Soldier’s Wife. The reading begins at 7:30 p.m. and will be held at the BAC (513 Manitou Avenue).

Also, on Friday from 5 -- 6:30 p.m. Bill Hyer's co-author will be signing copies of his book The Long Way Home.

See you then!

Mandy Solomon

Hi all,

For those of you who haven't heard or read about it, The Poet Spiel will be at the BAC tomorrow evening to perform. I tried to upload the poster, but the darn thing is a PDF and this blog is having none of it.

So, tomorrow night, the BAC, 8pm. Go to www.thebac.org for even more info. The art that accompanies the exhibit looks vibrant and clever. However, I've been asked to mention that this is a performance with content for adults only, and those younger than eighteen will not be admitted.

Have fun!

APRIL PHOTOS & MAY PREVIEW

Our last featured author was Danen Jobe, English faculty at Pikes Peak Community College. I had a bunch of great photographers there too, and we had plenty of shots to flip through. Thanks to those of you who were able to make it!

I know you may be getting tired of me saying I have another big announcement for the CSWRS literary community, but I do. Again. You'll have to show up this Friday to hear it!

We'll be hosting poet Jennifer Gutierrez, DU grad student and author of Silence Imbibed, which was recently released by Anaphora Literary Press. She's a gifted poet and warm reader, so I'm looking forward to introducing her to everyone in a couple days.

This month, we will be meeting in Venue 515 (due to an exhibit opening), which is next door to the main gallery at the BAC. There will be a cash bar available and I'm hoping that Orchard Ovens Bakery will be open for us as well - they're situated in the lobby of 515.

I'll see everybody at 7:30pm this Friday, May 11th. I'll leave you with a couple photos from the talented and super sweet Christopher Gilbert. (Thanks, Chris!) I will surely miss this community of writers and artists when I leave Colorado!

Danen Jobe - Featured Author, reading from Niagara Blues

 Althea Smith - Open Mic

 Tom Preble - Open Mic

 Loring Wirbel - Open Mic