For more than a dozen years, Kauai poets, artists and literature lovers have been participating and supporting special celebrations and writing competitions on Kauai related to the fact that April is National Poetry Month.
It is also the month when spring is generally “sprung,” bringing new life and energy along with warmer sunshine and new growth and flowering.
Some will remember the popular annual “Poetry Fests” sponsored through the Garden Island Arts Council (GIAC), www.gardenislandarts.org, which encouraged writing and submission for judging on a theme, combining poetry with art to make it a visual experience, and the related readings and awards that took place at Borders Books in Lihue, libraries and other locations.
These poetry celebrations evolved, becoming the annual celebration put on by independent poets who had met and bonded, with newcomer energy also infused.
“I am amazed when people ask me why we celebrate poetry month at the Storybook Theatre in Hanapepe,” wrote Steve Backinoff, an organizer.
For the last several years, the independently organized April Poetry weekends have been held at the Storybook Theatre in Hanapepe, thanks to the interest and support of Director Mark Jeffers.
Once again, Kauai’s celebration of April as National Poetry Month hosted by independent poets of Kauai will be held Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, April 6, 7, 8, in Hanapepe at the Storybook Theatre, 3814 Hanapepe Road. www.storybook.org.
The theme is, “Creating a peaceful world by freeing our voices.”
The event is dedicated to the memory and words of Martin Luther King Jr., and is the week marking 50 years since he was assassinated April 4, 1968.
“What we do is encourage a diverse group of people to share their gifts on a small stage,” wrote Backinoff.
Watch for further media announcements of times, and posters describing the three-day multi-arts invitational plan, which will kick off at 8 p.m. April 6, with performance poetry and open mic as part of the regular Hanapepe Art Night celebration.
Award-winning poet, author and TGI “Green Flash” and “FarAway Places” columnist Dawn Kawahara, who originated and curated the GIAC “Poetry Fests” and has continued her involvement with this April venue, will lead a free April 7, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. writing “PlayShop” for interested writers of all ages.
The focus will be a purely fun word/concept exploration of “Riddles’” following Hawaiian word play and chant form (using English language). Kawahara will introduce “He Mele No Kane” (Where are the Waters of Kane?), published as a DVD educational study guide by Ka ‘Imi Institute, www.kaimi.org, as an example.
Bring writing supplies and a brown bag lunch to this PlayShop; also (optional) a dictionary and thesaurus.
At noon, a lunchtime sharing session of work in progress will take place. Student writers may attend without parents.
It is free. However, donations to aid the ongoing creative work of Storybook Theatre, a nonprofit educational organization, will be appreciated. There will be a maximum of 20 participants in the “Riddles” PlayShop by advance registration. Call 822-3271 to sign up.
Kawahara is debuting a twin selection Friday, April 6 combining her original poems with the voice of Bianca, her violin.
Also April 6, Janaki Maya will present her “contemplations about love and live and in the form of poetry.”
A Council of All Beings meets at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 7. “You can become a part of nature and create from that perspective and share your perspective in conversation with the council,” a press release said.
Sunday, April 8, 1 to 4 p.m. is a Dances of Univeral Peace/Sacred Poetry Ritual.
