Vicinanza Studios & Gallery Poetry / Acoustic First Thursdays Open Mic

Southbury, CT – February 24th, 2024 — Vicinanza Studios & Gallery (VSG) introduces a new Poetry/Acoustic Open Mic night to Southbury, taking place every first Thursday from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. starting March 7th. Renowned poets and local talents alike will find a platform for their prose, spoken word, and acoustic performances, creating a vibrant atmosphere of creativity and expression. (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1037800230819714)

The inaugural event on March 7th brings a special appearance from esteemed poet Dr. Brian Clements, Director of the Kathwari Honors Program and Professor of Writing at Western Connecticut State University. With over 15 collections of poetry to his name, including the anthologies “Bullets into Bells: Poets & Citizens Respond to Gun Violence” and “An Introduction to the Prose Poem,” Dr. Clements is a leading voice in contemporary poetry. His recent work, “A Book of Common Rituals,” showcases his talent for prose poetry, while his 2019 project, “Every Atom: Reflections on Whitman at 200,” gathered commentary from 200 creatives in a diverse range of fields for North American Review.

An Open Mic forms part of the grand opening weekend for Vicinanza Studios & Gallery, with a special Sunday session on March 3rd from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. This Open Mic event promises to be a highlight of the gallery’s inauguration, setting the stage for the monthly gatherings to follow.

The following month, on April 4th, the First Thursdays program continues with a feature from poet Brad Davis. Born in California and currently residing in northeastern Connecticut, Davis was a Writer-in-Residence at Trail Wood, the historic Edwin Way Teale homestead and Audubon property in Hampton, CT, in 2022. Davis’ prolific career includes nine poetry collections, with another under contract, and his work has been published in numerous literary journals, including the Paris Review and Poetry. Davis’ contributions to the field have earned him an AWP Intro Journal Award, the Sunken Garden Poetry Prize, and multiple Pushcart nominations.

Vicinanza Studios & Gallery’s Poetry/Acoustic Open Mic nights provide an exciting opportunity for both established and emerging poets to share their work in a supportive environment. By hosting these events, VSG fosters a sense of community and promotes the art of poetry in Southbury and beyond. Whether you’re a seasoned poet, an aspiring writer, or simply a lover of the spoken word, mark your calendar for these Open Mic nights – a new home for poetry in Southbury.