For those in the Hattiesburg area, or anywhere within spittin’ distance, this weekend (May 2-3) USM is hosting the Moorman Symposium on Poetry, with a special focus on the relationship between the poetry of the New York School and the South — a fascinating topic, and with a list of speakers including David Lehman, Angela Ball, David Kirby, Billy Collins, Denise Duhamel, and Barbara Hamby, there’s nowhere else in the Gulf South for poets or poetry lovers to be. The symposium is, remarkably, free and open to the public; more information is available at the USM website.

Now that the news is out, I’m incredibly honored to say that I’ll be joining the crew of Signal Fire for their summer expedition to the Wallowa Mountains in northeastern Oregon. Signal Fire, based out of Portland, is a remarkable organization that specializes in taking artists of all disciplines into areas of remote wilderness and allowing them to pursue their practice both in and about these special settings. I’m honored to join such talented individuals, cast and crew alike. For those who are interested in other expeditions they offer, more information about Signal Fire is available on their website.

 

It’s that month again– and Mark Folse of Odd Words has a great roundup of events here in the New Orleans area. There’s sure to be more than this, so keep your eyes peeled.

For any in the London area, Tipping Point are hosting two events later this summer for writers and artists interested in climate and environmental change; anyone who has ever been to a TP event in the past knows how dynamic, inspiring, and altogether un-conference-like they are. Participants at the first event, “Weatherfronts: Climate Change and the Stories We Tell,” include the inimitable Jay Griffiths, Gregory Norminton, among others. Some funding is available: details are here.

Today is World Poetry Day. So read a damn poem! Better yet, write one!