Half and Half Saturday! The DCPP Writers Workshop and Open Mic Poetry Reading

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Poets, writers and other spoken word artists are invited to join us on the Fourth Saturday of Every Month for Half and Half Saturday, a monthly writers workshop, followed by an open mic poetry reading.

The Writers Workshop

“No rights, no wrongs, just lessons…” – Ise Lyfe

The semi-structured writers workshop will meet from 10:30am - 11:45am and be facilitated by DCPP organizers, members and other special guests.

This month's workshop will be facilitated by DCPP member John MacDonald!

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Bio:

John MacDonald has been writing poems, short stories and essays his whole life, but a long detour as a musician prevented him from pursuing his writing seriously for about 20 years. Now tone-deaf and jaded, he performs his often irreverent, absurd and satirical poetry around the Washington, DC area, sometimes dramatizing his poems with a small troupe of actors.

He is an active participant in Writers On the Green Line and the DC Poetry Project, and has been a featured performer at Performetry at BloomBars, and Montgomery College. His poem "Jesus Sleeps In" will be published in Gargoyle #61 in the summer of 2014.

Workshop title: Speechless

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A message from John:

Here is my first suggested pre-workshop exercise, which is an adaptation of an exercise I learned from creative writing instructor Maureen Levy:

Think of something you feel strongly about, a strong personal belief, a loved one, a pet, a place, a really good vacation, a really great meal, etc. Write about that subject, but do not use the following words: "I", "my", "believe", "belief", or "love". Bring this work in to share with the group.

Here's another exercise if you don't like the first one, or if you want to bring two pieces to share!

Go to this random word generator (http://www.wordgenerator.net/random-word-generator.php) Find a word you've never seen before, or one you didn't know the meaning of. Write something based on that word, and bring it in to share with the group. You don't have to use the word in the written piece, or use the word in its proper meaning. The word can just be a springboard or inspiration for a poem.

Lastly, if you wish to have a deeper examination of your work for either the workshop or the open mic, please bring several written copies for the group to read.

The Open Mic Poetry Reading

"Metaphorically Screaming!"

The open mic for all begins at 12:00 p.m. The doors and sign-up lists open promptly at 11:45 am. So please come to share or just to listen and have fun! Poems may be on any subject, and you may read more than one, but we ask that you keep your time on the mic to three minutes. The open mic will go for as long as we have participants or until 1:30pm. The program will regularly feature local, regional and national poets.

"Half and Half" Reviews

"First time reading, very warm and inviting group. I was in a great mood all day. I look forward to next month"

"It was a great meet up, I can't wait for the next one. =) In the mean time, peace, love, and poetry lol"

"The Half and Half meetup was crazy sick! Omg! These poets are truly on fire! From rhythmic sounds of poetic syncopation to the calming and grounding words of prose.....I can't get enough! Oh and hats off to our facilitators.... fabulous job!"

"Awesome!!!"

"The wisdom, the eloquence, the magic, the creativity, the revelations, the strength, the vulnerability, the emotions, the courage, the gifts given from above, the existential moments, the power, and the bonding of kindred spirits that met today was beyond belief!"

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You may come to both or choose the poetic portion that best suits your needs. The entire program is free of charge and will be held in the large meeting room located on the lower level of the Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Neighborhood Public Library.

For additional information, please call Michael @ 202-540-0327

Library Phone: 202-727-1288
http://www.dclibrary.org/watha