Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Wrapping-up National Poetry Month in Style

National Poetry Month 2016 is coming to a close, and the last big event in the Philadelphia region is Saturday at Rosemont College -- an event I was happy to have a roll in organizing.

Poet Laureate of Philadelphia, and former Montgomery County Poet Laureate, Yolanda Wisher will be our keynote speaker. She is also teaching a masterclass. Donald Hall poetry prize winner Kirsten Kaschock is also teaching. The day includes lunch and access to a book fair of literary magazines and presses. There are also other poetry panels to attend for great poetry and great talk about poetry. We considered secondary and college-aged students in the design of this conference, so we also have panels on poetry in other languages and spoken word/slam poetry. But don't worry adults, most of the work is aimed at us, including "What Happens When the Candle and the Magic and the Vodka Don't Work." The full schedule of events and speakers is here.

The event is open to the poetry-inclined of all ages and interest-levels, and this is the world of poetry as it is happening now.

Students and others can get special discounted rates. Please visit the registration portion of our website to learn more and purchase a registration.

The 2016 LitLife Poetry Conference at Rosemont College is Saturday, April 30 -- a great way to be a part of National Poetry Month. 

One last thing: we can't afford to officially offer all of the discounted rates we would like to, but because the website can't verify exactly who is entitled to a discount, if some folks need to take advantage of discounts, we understand.

Monday, April 25, 2016

Center for Post Natural History

Source: Center for PostNatural History (via instagram)
I was pleased to see Rich Pell consulted for this recent New York Times article on the legal battles around the Sea-Monkey estate because Pell runs the brilliant Center for PostNatural History.

CPNH, located in Pittsburgh, has a cool collection of specimens and information that explores the ways human beings are tinkering with (and have tinkered with) what used to be natural genetic processes. More than a museum, CNPH positions itself to bring together researchers across disciplines who are interested in growing our understanding of this new wild west that actually permeates our everyday lives.

If you're not sure what I mean by that last idea, you should definitely visit the center.

You can begin your exploration here www.postnatural.org/explore -- it's a great site.

Of course there is still a neato collection. When in Pittsburgh, you can visit the center (details here).