Drake University has many wonderful speakers come to our campus, and this year the Younger American Poets Reading Series is no exception. Jennifer Perrine, assistant professor of English, and the Metro Arts Alliance of Greater Des Moines is bringing in a collection of astonishing authors. The poets will not only share their work but also speak about their creative process and converse with audience members after each presentation.
Each of these events takes place on the first Thursday of the month, including this Thursday. The readings take place at Beaverdale Books, located at 2629 Beaver Ave., in Suite 1. All poetry nights will start at 7 p.m., and like many of the great events Drake hosts, every reading is free.
This Thursday, renowned poet Stacey Waite, assistant professor of rhetoric and composition at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, will speak. She has published two popular books: “The Lake Has No Saint” and “Love Poem to Androgyny.”
Susanna Childress, who received her doctorate degree in English at Florida State University, will also speak. As the author of “Entering the House of Awe” and “Jagged with Love,” Childress won the 2005 Brittingham Prize in Poetry. On Nov. 3, Rebecca Hazelton from Beloit College and Hadara Bar-Nadav, a publisher of three poetry books, will present their works. Alexander Long, who has worked on four books, will be here on Dec. 1 along with Robyn Schiff from the University of Iowa.
There will also be a benefit for the series at 7 p.m. this Friday, which is being held at Mars Café. Waite, who will have presented the night before, will attend the benefit, and she will be giving one student an incredible opportunity.
Young poets from Drake are invited to share their works by selecting up to two poems to present at the café. One will be chosen by Waite to be her opening reader in a future series event. If you wish to take part in this amazing offer, email Perrine at [email protected]. However, you need to act quickly. All applications must be turned in by today.
These reading are a wonderful opportunity for Drake students. Korrie Hoskis, a worker at Mars Café, said that she’s excited about her first poetry event and “getting people together to share ideas.”
Her coworker, Curtis Poortinga, agreed, mentioning a similar event the coffee house hosted last spring. He admitted that he “wasn’t expecting a huge crowd,” but that the café was still filled.
If you’re curious, come to the reading this Thursday. The authors who are coming know how to write and have been published, and you won’t be disappointed. If you want to share your poetry, sign up and come to Mars Café on Friday. It’s an incredible opportunity and a chance to have your art appreciated.
Younger American Poets Reading Series
Thursday, Oct. 6, 7 p.m.
– Beaverdale Books
Stacey Waite
Author of “The Lake Has No Saint” and “Love Poem to Androgyny”
Assistant professor of rhetoric and composition at University of Nebraska
Susanna Childress
Author of “Jagged with Love”
Winner of Brittingham Prize in Poetry
Friday, Oct. 7, 7 p.m.
– Mars Café
– Series benefit featuring local poets
