Events

When Mike Hickey was elected, we challenged him to come up with a project to distinguish his year in office.  He immediately suggested getting the local citizenry to write more poetry.  Inspired by the Seattle Public library program Seattle Reads–a brainchild of Nancy Pearl and Chris Higashi–Mike’s program Seattle Writes helps everyone in King County write, pubish, and share poetry this April and beyond.

Over the past month, Mike, along with our web designer extraordinaire Shaun Swick, and the erstwhile Poet Populist home office, have developed the program and interface.  Check it out and submit your own poem!

On January 25, at the downtown branch of the Public Library, we held the Inauguration for newly-elected Poet Populist Mike Hickey.  Mike read, as did outgoing Poet Populist Cody Walker, and special guests Jack Hirschman (San Francisco Poet Laureate), Ruth Yarrow, A.K. Mimi Allin (and a troupe of 7), Judith Roche, and (pictured) Chelsey Richardson.

On Sunday, January 25, Mike Hickey will be installed as the city’s 8th Poet Populist at a reading at the Central Library.  The reading will feature, besides Hickey, special guest Jack Hirschman, Poet Laureate of San Francisco.  Former Seattle Poet Populist Cody Walker will also read, and several of this year’s candidates, including Judith Roche, Ruth Yarrow, Mimi Allin and Chelsey Richardson will make cameos.  Program founder and Seattle City Councilmember Nick Licata will give an introduction.

The reading starts at 2:00 pm, at the Central Library, 1000 - 4th Avenue between Madison and Spring streets.  ADMISSION IS FREE.

First off, congratulations to Mike Hickey, poet populist-elect for 2009!  (See the results page for the rundown.)

Mike and the other finalists, plus some cameos from other contestants, libations from the bar, and some questions and door prizes from our “Pop Quiz” will all be part of the fun evening.  Here are the details:

FINALISTS’ READING AND PARTY

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2008

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

RICHARD HUGO HOUSE

1634 - 11th AVE

SEATTLE

see you there!

Mark your calendar for Monday October 27 at 7 pm, come to Candidate Forum #2 at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center to hear 7 of our 13 poets:

Mimi Allin organized this project today at Green Lake. What a gorgeous day!

This Thursday at 7 pm, come to Candidate Forum #1 at the Richard Hugo House to hear 6 of our 13 poets:

• Elizabeth Austen, Karen Finneyfrock, Tatyana Mishel, Arne Pihl, Chelsey Richardson, and Judith Roche
• PLUS a special appearance by 2006-2007 Poet Populist Jourdan Imani Keith.
• And a Q & A with the poets: why are they running?  Will they fix the economy, save the viaduct, or have an effect on arts education?  (The answers may surprise you!)

The program is free.  Doors are at 6:30 pm, program at 7:00 pm.  The Hugo House is at 1634 - 11th Ave. on Capitol Hill.

Who: Cody Walker
Date & Time: July 17th, 2008 at 7 p.m.
Place: SoulFood Books in Redmond

Who: Cody Walker w/student readers
Date & Time: May 22nd, 2008 at 7 p.m.
Place: Benaroya Hall - “Writers in the Schools” program