Poetry Reading in Memory of Adrienne Rich (1929-2012)

Poetry Reading in Memory of Adrienne Rich (1929-2012)
Editor: David Mills


BLUE HILL, ME - On Friday May 11th at 7:00 P.M. at the Blue Hill Public Library five distinguished readers will kick off the night at an event titled Necessities, dedicated to the work of poet Adrienne Rich (1929-2012).  The readings will be followed by open time for anyone who would like to share Ms. Rich's “wide, searing and urgent range of poetry and prose.” The readers will be poet Beatrix Gates, arts proponents Linda Nelson and Judith Jerome, poet Lee Starkey, and film archivist, writer, and editor Sharon Thompson.

Adrienne Rich's books number over twenty-six.  Her awards include a MacArthur "Genius" Award; Jews for Racial and Economic Justice Risk-Takers Award; and National Book Award which she accepted with sister nominees Alice Walker and Audre Lorde for all women. Rich turned down the National Medal of Arts in 1997, citing "the increasingly brutal impact of racial and economic injustice" and adding that "Art means nothing, if it simply decorates the dinner table of power which holds it hostage."

Beatrix Gates' books include In the Open and Ten Minutes. She is the founder of Granite Press (1977-89), a poetry publisher, whose mission was to widen exposure to writing by feminists and lesbians.  Linda Nelson and Judith Jerome are founding directors of Opera House Arts at the Stonington Opera House, and their works have appeared in a wide variety of formats. Lee Sharkey's poetry volumes include Farmwife, To a Vanished World, and A Darker, Sweeter String.  Sharon Thompson directs the Lesbian Home Movie Project, and has read in many venues including New York City's The Kitchen and the Manhattan Theatre Club.

This event is organized by Beatrix Gates and co-sponsored by the Blue Hill Public Library. There is no charge, and everyone is welcome. For more information, call the Library at 374-5515.