Spring,
2011 Workshops
(scroll down for details)
Enjoy themed discussions, workshops and exercises designed to help enhance and inform the way that you look at the poetry that you read and write. Limited attendance guarantees special attention to your own voice, questions and interests. Daily workshops are complimented by great meals, yoga, morning song, evening poetry and musical performances, open readings, and plenty of time for personal recreation.
Session 1: March 31- April 3:
Poetry and Faith with Scott Cairns, Claire Bateman, Carl Bigheart, Julianna Anderson, Dianalee Velie and Jayme Hennessey.
Join us for Poetry and Faith, co-sponsored by The Harbor Baptist Church… Please join us for a weekend celebrating and exploring what we mean when we use words like spirit, faith, prayer… In an interactive series of workshops we will look at a variety of “faiths” and how and where their paths intersect with poetry historically and in our lives today. Scott Cairns is a renowned poet and theologian, known for many things, in particular his “challenging rethinking of the relationship between religion and poetry.” He will address the entire group and also lead small group writing workshops with participants, as will poet Claire Bateman. Complimenting their work will be the team of long-time BIPP friends Julianna Anderson and Dianalee Velie who will explore the dynamics of “Poetry as Prayer."
Session 2: April 7-April 10:
Listening for Lost Stories with Jen Lighty and special guests.
It is commonly known that trauma survivors "forget" their experiences in order to survive. In these workshops we will listen for the lost stories within ourselves and our immediate surroundings. By observing and connecting with our bodies we have the opportunity to explore our individual traumas, by connecting with the outside world we have the opportunity to witness the ways in which trauma has shaped our culture on both local and global levels. These workshops are founded on the idea that the key to dissolving these traumas to is to allow the stories that want to be told to rise up and be heard, and that by hearing them we create the space for the traumas to be dissolved, opening us up to our unlimited potential to create a world based on love. Workshops will include free writing and elements of craft that will provide opportunities for shaping the raw materials we generate into powerful and deeply felt poems. Jen Lighty and guests will be offering this workshop by donation. Please contribute what you can to support these inspiring teachers.
Session 3: April 17:
Unearthing the Sustainable Poem: A Workshop on Poetry and Permaculture with Jen Lighty, 2-4:30pm, location to be announced.
Permaculture is a way of creating human systems based on the way nature works. In this workshop we will learn about the principles of permaculture and apply them to our own poems in order to make them sustainable, balanced “systems” in harmony with the self-sustaining natural world. Please bring a poem or two of your own, with a few copies for the group to share if possible.
To register contact jenlighty@hotmail.com or call Jen Lighty at (401) 374-7986. In the spirit of sustainability, this workshop is offered by donation. Location to be announced.
Session 4: April 23:
Workshop with Keith Flynn: Inspiration Station, 9AM-12PM
The photographer, Cartier-Bresson, believed that his lens had to be aimed at the decisive moment, when the photograph was willing to surrender, or when the confluence of events was at its apex. Most professional writers can’t wait for inspiration to strike, or for the abiding image or core theme of the work to emerge. This workshop will focus on identifying ideas and rhythms to jumpstart the creative process, with exercises designed to spark the imagination. This will be a very active workshop, with lots of writing and prompts to use when inspiration wanes, and the white bull of the empty page lowers its head.
The Rhythm Method Master Class with Keith Flynn, 2-5PM
What separates poetry from other writing disciplines is its music, but all great sentences should be built to swing. This class exploration will focus on line structure and the aspects of language that help create inventive rhythm and flow. With an emphasis on editing, the discussion will include examples of the power of the action verb, why imagination is more important than knowledge, and all group discussion will focus on how to make the work more dynamic and muscular on the page. All participants will mail two pieces to: Keith Flynn, Block Island Master Class, PO Box 7086, Asheville, NC 28802. At least one will be chosen for the group to discuss, and I will provide an in-depth critique of that piece that is prepared for the author and for the group to discuss together. Participants should bring at least 20 copies of each manuscript to the class, and any work deemed exemplary will be considered for publication in The Asheville Poetry Review.
Keith Flynn and the Holy Men CD Release Party, 8PM at Weatherbee's
Join us at Weatherbee's lounge for music and cocktails as we celebrate the release of Keith Flynn and the Holy Men's new CD. Weatherbee's is located just inside the front door of the Highview on Connecticut Avenue (upstairs from Club Soda.)