Poetry Fool

Happy April Fool's Day! Or is it Happy Poetry Month? Hmm, maybe they are one in the same?

Here is a list of a few of the things going on in the Seattle area (from the Seattle Times):

10 ways to celebrate National Poetry Month
"Poetry & Hot Toddies": Some of the city's finest thespians — Clayton and Susan Corzatte, Richard Ziman, and the mother-daughter team of Mary Ewald and Elena Kazanjian — will read works by their favorite poets. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday. New City Theater, 1404 18th Ave., Seattle; $8 (800-838-3006 or www.newcitytheater.org).

Poetry in Fremont: Join the Washington Poets Association for poetry from local poets Peter Pereira, Dennis Caswell and Joan Swift. 2 p.m. Saturday, Fremont Library, 731 N. 35th St., Seattle; free (206-684-4084).

"Theatrepoems": A festival of poems that were created in one day by 11 directors and 43 collaborators. 7 and 9 p.m. Saturday, Theatre4, fourth floor, Center House, Seattle Center; $9-$12 (800-838-3006 or www.brownpapertickets.com)

Copper Canyon Press Poetry Reading: A benefit for Copper Canyon Press, this is a group reading by Chris Abani, Chase Twichell, Lucia Perillo and Jean Valentine, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., Seattle, $10-$25 (800-838-3006 or www.townhallseattle.org).

Billy Collins: Former U.S. Poet Laureate reads from his new book of poems, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Elliott Bay Bookstore, 1521 10th Ave., Seattle (206-624-6600 or www.elliottbaybook.com).

William O'Daly: The author reads from his translations of Pablo Neruda's poetry, as well as his own work, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Open Books, 2414 N. 45th St., Seattle (206-633-0811 or www.openpoetrybooks.com).

Poetry potluck: Celebrate National Poetry Month by sharing favorite poems with other library users, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Ballard Library, 5614 22nd Ave. N.W., Seattle (206-684-4089 or www.spl.org).

Workshops with Rebecca Meredith: Redmond Poet Laureate Rebecca Meredith will lead two poetry-writing workshops: Teen session is 10 a.m.-noon April 9, adult session is 10 a.m.-noon April 16, Redmond Library, 15990 N.E. 85th, Redmond (425-885-1861 or www.kcls.org).

Caroline Kennedy: The editor reads from "She Walks in Beauty," her new collection of works by other poets. 7 p.m. April 11, Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way N.E., Lake Forest Park (206-366-3333 or www.thirdplacebooks.com).

"A Good Line: Artists on Poems": A gallery exhibition of art based on poems in celebration of National Poetry Month. Opens 6-9 p.m. April 12 (runs through April 30), Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave., Seattle (206-322-7030 or www.hugohouse.org).

Brian Turner, Major Jackson, Susan Rich: Part of Seattle Arts & Lectures' "Poetry Series," 7:30 p.m. April 14, Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., Seattle, $20-$50 (206-621-2230 or www.lectures.org).

Joan Swift and Julene Tripp Weaver: The authors read from their work, 3 p.m. April 17, Open Books, 2414 N. 45th St., Seattle (206-633-0811 or www.openpoetrybooks.com).

Anne Pitkin and Ed Harkness: Two local poets read from their books. 7 p.m. April 20, University Bookstore, 4326 University Way N.E., Seattle (206-634-3400 or www.ubookstore.com).


*

In other news, looks like the Tea Party has peaked: I am so relieved!

The Tea Party roared Thursday. Or, it tried to, but it wasn't clear how well its demands were heard on Capitol Hill.

A couple hundred anti-tax activists braved a chilly drizzle outside the Senate in an unimpressive scene that was a far cry from the throngs that overflowed the Capitol grounds in past rallies.