Upcoming events of interest to students and writers in the Tampa area:
Friday, September 23, 1-2:30pm, CPR 125 (on the University of South Florida campus): MFA Information Session
All undergraduate students considering pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing are invited to a session led by Professor Ira Sukrungruang on Friday, September 23, 2011, from 1:00-2:30 in CPR 125. Come learn about how to find the best MFA program for you, how to maximize your chances of acceptance, and how to strengthen your chances of receiving financial aid for graduate work. The number of students applying to MFA programs rises every year, so it is well worth your time to attend the session and learn how to make your application a successful one!
Friday, September 23, 6:30-9pm, Hillsborough Community College Ybor Campus, Performing Arts Center, 1304 E. 11th Avenue, Tampa: The 4th Annual Florida Poets Happy Hour and Prime Time Show
YellowJacket Press, Florida’s only publisher of chapbook manuscripts,
presents the 4th Annual Florida Poets Happy Hour and Prime Time Show,
featuring the Poets Laureate of Tampa and St. Petersburg.
This year’s Happy Hour and Prime Time Show celebrates an historic publishing achievement—the simultaneous publication of new chapbooks of poetry by the Bay area’s poetry dynamos–James Tokley, Poet Laureate of Tampa, and Peter Meinke, Poet Laureate of St. Petersburg. The event will feature James Tokley, whose book The Epic of the Sandwiche Cubano will be debuted, along with Peter Meinke, whose book Lassing Park was published by YJP in April. Both poets will read from their books and other work. They will be joined by acclaimed local poets Erica Dawson, Enid Shomer, Pamela Hill Epps, Gregory Byrd, Cole Bellamy, and Kirsten Holt. YJP is honored to partner with the Hillsborough Community College Ybor campus. The readings will take place in the Performing Arts building on the Main Stage.
YellowJacket Press is an independent poetry press and currently the only publisher of poetry chapbook manuscripts in Florida. Established in 2005 by Gianna Russo, YJP sponsors an annual Chapbook Contest for Florida Poets and the newly established annual contest for the Peter Meinke Prize in Poetry. Renowned across the state, YJP identifies the state’s most vital and vibrant poets and brings their exhilarating, well-crafted poems to the public eye.
The publication of Tokley’s and Meinke’s books is the result of a community fundraising effort called The Poets Laureate Project. Almost 60 donors from across the Bay Area and Florida contributed to YellowJacket Press, a 501c3 non-profit, in order to make the book publications and the reading a reality.
The Happy Hour and Prime Time Show has become a favorite fall literary happening. The public is invited to come and go throughout the evening, not necessarily staying the whole night. The event will include the readings, photo opportunities with the Poets Laureate, refreshments, YJP’s famous raffles, book signings, and all-around frivolity. Come for a reading, an hour, or the whole evening–but do come! A $5.00 donation will support YellowJacket Press.
Saturday, September 24, 8-11pm, Mojo Books & Music (http://mojotampa.com/Location.html): thread fundraiser
We threadies are poor, so we’re bringing you readers, music, and delicious baked goods to raise money for our organization this year! Please come out and help support thread while listening to fabulous readers and musicians!~
Readers:
Ryan Bollenbach
Melissa Carroll
Ryan Cheng
Whitney Egstad
Jenni Nance
Alan Shaw
“Claire” Stephens
Bands:
Mono Lakes
Month Mind
Dan Sutter