Word Play Festival 2017Jun 23, 2017 at 7 p.m. to Jun 24, 2017 at 4:30 p.m.
WORDPLAYFestival 2017A literary gathering of readers and writers at which everyone is welcome.All attendees are encouraged to bring their publications for sale to other participants.
Friday, 23 June 2017
7 p.m.Stompin' at the Grand Terrace and other South Side Chicago Hot SpotsA poetry reading by Phil Bryant '73, Gustavus English Professor, in collaboration with Carolyn Marie Wilkins, jazz composer and faculty member at Berklee College of Music, Boston, Massachusetts.A reception will follow the program.
Saturday, 24 June 2017
10 a.m.A Week on the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers:Thoreau's 1861 Minnesota Journey Revisited
Dave Solheim, poet and former English professor, will read from his travelogue, which includes Thoreau's notebook entries.In 1861 the famous writer and naturalist, Henry David Thoreau, spent several months in Minnesota including a steamboat trip up the Minnesota River to the Lower Sioux Agency about one year before the Dakota Civil War. Solheim has been visiting many of the locations of those Thoreau travels. He will read from his book-length manuscript, which includes many of Thoreau's field notes, and present his own observations of the locations linked through time to Thoreau's experience
11 a.m.Poetry Lessons from the Aunts and Uncles, Athena Owen Kildegaard '83, poet and English professor at the University of Minnesota, Morris."If Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman are my grandparents -- and I do think of them that way -- then who are the aunts and uncles? They are many, of course. And some of them have been leaving us in the last few years: John Rezmerski, Phil Dacey, Phebe Hanson, Bill Holm '65 of course.These are the Minnesota aunts and uncles. I will read a little of their work, talk about what I've learned from these poets, and read some of my own to demonstrate, ideally, that I did in fact learn a few things along the way. So this is sort of a talk about poetic lineage and regionalism. e/span>
1:00 - 4:30 p.m.Open MicAll who attend are welcome to read samples of their own work, favorite works by other writers, talk about a favorite book or writer, or tell a story. Please schedule a 10 minute time slot with solheimdave@cmail.com.
4:30 p.m.The Green House, Joyce Sutphen, Minnesota Poet Laureate and Gustavus English professor.Joyce will read from her most recent book of poetry, which is set in Ireland.
Following the readings, Barbara Laman and Dave Solheim invite all attendees to a picnic buffet at their home, 711 Edgerton Street, St. Peter.
WordPlay is organized by Gusties Julie Johnson, Jane Norman Leitzman, and Dave Solheim, with graphics by eholz graphics. It is co-sponsored by the English Department. All programs are open to the public at no charge.Donations are requested to cover the cost of facilities and refreshments.All donations above these expenses will be given to the Gustavus English De