Poetry marathon features local writers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Source:
Woodland Pattern Book Center
720 E. Locust St., Milw. WI 53212
414-263-5001 - woodlandpattern@sbcglobal.net

Milwaukee’s Most Impressive Literary Event of the Year!

Woodland Pattern Book Center’s 15th Annual Poetry Marathon & Benefit

(Milwaukee, WI)-On Saturday, January 31st, nearly one-hundred fifty writers from Milwaukee, the Midwest, and beyond will gather in the heart of Riverwest for Woodland Pattern Book Center’s 15th Annual Poetry Marathon & Benefit. Everyone from poet laureates, truck drivers, yoga instructors, teachers, musicians, lawyers, doctors, students and accountants will turn out to read their work in this absolutely unique hodgepodge of literary excitement.  Hundreds more will turn out as spectators, coming and going throughout the day or sticking to the edge of their seats for hours on end.  Each performer will present five minutes of creative work building a diverse line-up, reading everything from the traditional to the avant-garde.

 The Poetry Marathon & Benefit will last an astonishing 15 hours, starting at 10am and ending around 1am.  The event serves as Woodland Pattern’s largest fundraiser, as each marathon reader raises a minimum of $35 in pledges and community businesses sponsor an hour in support of programming for 2009.  Ticket prices are $8 for general admission, $7 for students, seniors, & advanced, $6 for WP Members.  Community members who sponsor a reader for $35 or more will receive free admission to the event. A hand stamp is available at the door so individuals can come and go throughout the entire event.  Snacks and beverages will also be offered.

 During the Poetry Marathon, the new gallery exhibition, The Graphic Poem, with original comics art by Gary Sullivan, will be viewable. This exhibition includes original art from the first three issues of Sullivan’s comic book series, Elsewhere, as well as collaborations with contemporary poets including Brandon Downing, Juliana Spahr, and Brian Kim Stefans.  It will also include original art from comic biographies of Cleveland poet d.a. levy and New York performance artist Jack Smith, never-before seen ASCII poems, and original drawings and cover art from a variety of books and magazines. 

Other Featured Hours:

Young Poets Hour from 10am-11am
This hour features students from Woodland Pattern’s Urban Youth Literary Arts Program. 

Women of Milwaukee Hour from 9pm-10pm
This hour will feature prominent women writers from the Milwaukee area. Last year’s Women of Milwaukee Hour packed the house.

Collaborations Hour from 10pm-11pm
This hour will feature writers, artists, musicians, singers, and song-writers, etc… Come see how these talented artists weave words with other forms of artistic expression.