Musicians, poets and lovers of peace please join us for the 3rd annual Read-In! This is a FREE and public international event. Sign up today via email at worldpeacepoets@gmail.com for a five minute slot to share what peace means to you. The read in ends when the last poet speaks. A light supper and refreshments will be served.
Learn more about World Peace Poets Bellingham chapter here:
This is a one-night-only engagement. Doors will open Saturday March 21st at 7:00 pm at the Western Gallery on campus at Western Washington University. Tickets available at the PAC Box Office for $15. Call 360-650-6146 or http://www.tickets.wwu.edu/. Free parking available on campus in 17G and C-Lots. Click this to get more information at the EVENT page.”
-Shannon, Brad, Vin, Robert, and Byung-hun
Click HERE to view our holiday card in Super-High-Speed Definition™
So, how was your 2014? What a mixed bad of nuts, right.
Robots went to Mars, the Rosetta spacecraft‘s Philae probe successfully lands on Comet 67P, the Ferguson, Mo. ruling (WTH?), the die-ins, Russia hosts the Olympics, Pussy Riot spoke out, Brazil puts on a dynamic show for the FIFA World Cup, the TV news world goes nuts over the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, the US government continues to play games instead of governing, stunning display of the aurora borealis viewed by people as far south as Seattle, and some dy-no-mite sun activity causing cell/satellite outages. Fun. Fun. Fun. You were there, I don’t need to go into detail, but what a strange, wild, wonderful, and horrific year.
Here at the S.P. Laws office we had a… lets call it “productive” year. Many improvements are in place to help launch us off into an even more productive schedule for 2015. Here is the years recap:
2014 started off on the good foot with a breathtaking announcement in April. A letter came in the mail to officially notify me I was selected for 2013 Mayor’s Arts Award recipient “Poet”, along with many powerful folks in the Bellingham arts community, including my “Writer Idol” Laurel Leigh. Here we are celebrating at The Temple Bar afterwards with productive and energizing writers Susan Chase-Foster and Janet Oakley.
Also in April I was invited to speak with two lovely poets Jennifer Bullis (Bellingham) and Heather Curtis (Anacortes) for Heather’s book launch “Upon Waking” and for National Poetry Month. I could not be in better company. A fine set of poets.
In June my second poetry book, “Odd Little Things”, was released. Special thanks to my dear friend and editor Denise DuMaurier for her help. I edited my first book “Madrona Grove” by myself, in addition to formatting it. (I’ll never do that again) I learned my lesson. Editors are good people to know & hire. Don’t be afraid to use an editor. My two cents.
“Odd Little Things” is a familiar ride full of piercing moments and wishes. In this, her second book of poetry, Shannon bares all making you feel like best friends at a café sharing secrets. The cycles of life seem to spin like an unforgiving stellar system for this poet. However large or small, everything matters, especially the moments you only share with yourself. Shannon says about her new book, “If ‘Madrona Grove’ is my lover, then ‘Odd Little Things’ is my child.”
Available at Village Books, in store and online at this link: Odd Little Things VB
BTW: This fall a second edition of Madrona Grove was graciously edited by poet master, retired professor, James Bertolino. Available now at Village Books, click here: Madrona Grove VB
June marked the end of The New Americana Hour’s second season. It was a double punch to the intellect and heart. Such an honor to be apart of this program. I am a volunteer producer for a non-profit radio station in Bellingham, KMRE 102.3 LP, that broadcasts out of the SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention.
This season just touched my heart greatly. It was as if the seed co-host, Jon Winter and I planted last year decided to reward us with a bodacious bloom. Musician’s approached us hearing about the show from their colleagues, asking to be a guest on it. TNAH also connected with the Seattle based television program“Band in Seattle”. The success of last years line up and increase of listeners has contributed to two new sponsors for 2015.
To learn more about this pioneering Bellingham program please visit the shows re-broadcasting site on wordpress: http://newamericanahour.wordpress.com/
September presented two magnificent opportunities to spread some SPL poetry: 2014 Tagore Festival in B.C. and the official book launch of “Odd Little Things”.
The Tagore Festival is always a treat. The music, films, history, traditional Bengal clothing and dance ignites the senses! Carla Shaffer and I were invited to read on the Friday performance.
For my book launch I invited two poet friends of mine to join me. Now, you know I can fill up an hour’s worth of podium time, however, I saw this as an opportunity to share the space with two of Bellingham’s finest: Carla Shafer and Erica Reed. Carla is the long time host of Chuckanut Sandstone Writers Theater, and Erica the host of Kitchen Sessions (2012-14), two inspiring open mics in town. This was the first time, that I am aware of it anyways, where three poetry group hosts gathered to read their poetry for an audience. Thank you Village Books for providing the space and promotion. I believe there was a cross-pollination, an intermingling if you will, of poet circles. Good times.
In September we also hosted the second annual “Poets for Peace, Read-in! Write-on!” event. This year held on a Friday night. The program is simple: opening ceremonies, soup/salad dinner, poets and musicians read and sing about what peace means to them. It ends when the last poet speaks. This is the only peace read-in in Bellingham. I hosted the event along with my Peace Sisters Carla Shafer and author and poet C.J. Prince. Watching members from Seattle to B.C. share their peace poems is like a healing, and good massage, calming down the anxiety of questions regarding humanities future. “World peace starts with me” – peace is to be shared freely.
The last event I was fortunate to be apart of was in November, a fundraiser for the Whatcom Juvenile Justice Creative Writing Project. Held at the glamorous Encore Room at the Mt. Baker Theater. The audience was generous and responsive to touching poetry by all artists. Kevin Murphy was the exclamation point at the end of the evening with his bongo poems that everyone can relate to. Man, I love that guy!
What a year. My writing is a great release, and a reward thanks to a responsive writing and book worm community here in Bellingham. Connecting with people, my neighbors, sharing intimate work like poetry, music, a smile and a handshake, is like a great reward, an enrichment to my little life. People are amazing.
This summer I am hoping to expand my readings outside of Bellingham. I’m hoping for an Anacortes reading, perhaps LaConner, South King County and Seattle. Just crossing my fingers that time and money will be available for those events. This December I moved into a tiny apartment. Like Virginia Wolf, I have a room of one’s own (and kitchen and a bath). Here is my launching pad for 2015. I wonder where it will take me?
“Lock up your libraries if you like; but there is no gate, no lock, no bolt that you can set upon the freedom of my mind.” Virginia Wolf
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My new poetry book, Odd Little Things, will officially launch September 6, 2014 at Village Books, 4-5:00. Please join me and my two poet-sisters, Carla Shafer and Erica Reed as we share our poetry. Books will be available for purchase and sign at the event.
I asked Carla and Erica to join me in my celebratory hour, mainly because I am a fan of their work, both on paper and within the community. Carla’s graceful, intelligent writing makes me marvel at life’s organized beauty. Erica is more like a surgeon with her pen, digging into areas of the heart and mind, exposing those delicate memories that need to be explored.
These woman are outstanding pillars in the writer community. They care, they listen, they show up. Dedicated to keeping the writing arts alive in Bellingham, Carla and Erica create platforms for area artist to express themselves; with projects like Fairhaven Art Block, writing poetry by request at the Farmer’s Market, and Read-ins for Peace.
I am filled with joy and encouragement over this award. It is a humbling experience to be listed with the other artist from the past years and those receiving it today. Many of whom are on my list of people I want to be someday.
I believe I share this award with organizations that were here long before I arrived to Bellingham, in winter of 2010. Places such as:
Village Books
Chuckanut Sandstone Writers Theater
Whatcom Poetry Series: Poetry Night Open Mic
and KMRE 102.3 SPARK Radio
that broadcasts out of the SPARK Museum on Bay Street
It was through these community centered groups that I was able to find a good reason to be busy on Tuesdays and Wednesdays 12-3, or Sundays 1-4. 2013 was a busy and productive year for poetry, and I am glad to of been apart of it.
Roosevelt said: “Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.” As militant as this sounds, action is required to better our surroundings. Actions. Not wishful thinking. Lets all work together to build a better tomorrow.
Thank you Mayor Linville, the Bellingham Arts Commission, and my friends and family for your support.
Thank you.
-Event coordinators,
Carla Shafer, Betty Scott, Shannon Laws
shannon p. laws 