‘Poetrypalooza’ comes to Downey

DOWNEY – Running informally for several years, “the green salon” evolved into a Downey Arts Coalition event to simplify the monthly meeting of local artists, poets, musicians, and other creative people who gathered in the tradition of 1920s Paris to share and discuss art. It is open to anyone interested in the arts. On Aug. 23, “the green salon” will host POETRYPALOOZA, a county-wide, month-long poetry festival that celebrates local poets, artists, and musicians.

Held the fourth Saturday of every month (except November and December), “the green salon” shows artwork or art films, has one or more local musicians or musical groups, and holds both open mic and featured poets’ readings. At times, it has included dance, theatrical reading, and documentary film.

Started by Roy Anthony Shabla, the Director of Collections of the Downey Museum of Art and a poet and painter, “the green salon” was an attempt to create community among artists. Until the Downey Arts Coalition collaborated on a poetry series that evolved into “the green salon,” attendance was primarily filled by Los Angeles and Long Beach artists, though guests have come from San Francisco, Portland, Oregon, and beyond.

Now, it is an institution for local Downey poets, musicians, and other creative people.

The August salon will begin early with poetry workshops by Frank Kearns and Terry Walker. Both Downey residents, Kearns will work on surface construction of the line; and Walker, a respected artist and craftsman, will work with functional poetry.

Representing Downey at POETRYPALOOZA this year, Lorine Parks, host of Poetry Matters, will give a rare reading of her work with ZzyZx WriterZ, the acclaimed writing group that created POETRYPALOOZA. Shabla hopes it will double the attendance of “the green salon” and fill the day.

In between sessions live music by Shy But Flyy, Skypeia, and Nick Adams will be performed.

Books of poetry and CDs by local Downey artists will be available. Garden ornament “light catchers” will  be sold to raise funds for the Downey Museum of Art.

This is a free event and everyone is welcome.  For more information, see the schedule below, “like” “the green salon” on facebook, or email roy@downeyarts.org.

What: POETRYPALOOZA

When: Saturday, Aug. 23, 4-10 p.m.

Where: Private home of Roy Anthony Shabla. For the address, email roy@downeyarts.org or call (310) 625-0143.

4 p.m.: poetry and a movie

5:30 p.m.: dinner and a movie (“Dead Poets Society”)

5:30 p.m.: poetry critiques

7 p.m.: music (skypeia)

7:30 p.m.: open mic

8 p.m.: featured readers (Lorine Parks and ZzyZx, WriterZ)

9 p.m.: music and poetry (Shy But Flyy)

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Published: Aug. 21, 2014 - Volume 13 - Issue 19