March 29, 2024

Welcoming 2020 with poetry events, a One Book, and more in Murfreesboro

Happy new year! How about we celebrate new beginnings with a few links to local lit-related news? First, read about the January 19th Poetry in the Boro, volunteering for the SE-YA 2020 book fest, and an open mic night at Bradley Academy Museum and Cultural Center in my January Murfreesboro Pulse column. There's a new poet laureate in town! I'm so pleased that Amie Whittemore, one of the Poetry in the Boro team, will be bringing her creative ideas and brilliant poetry to … [Read more...]

Reading and community: Will you join me in reading these novels-in-verse?

As I began my second term as Murfreesboro Poet Laureate this past summer, I reconnected with Read to Succeed, a local organization that promotes literacy for people of all ages throughout Rutherford County. In the past I've been a volunteer with RTS to select and promote its annual One Book selection, and as a classroom reader for Reading in the Schools Day. The organization also offers free youth and family programs, adult tutoring, ESL classes and much more. When I sat down with Family … [Read more...]

Write a Tanka for the We Are Tennessee Project

The Discovery Center and I want your words. In late April 2018, The Discovery Center will be unveiling a new exhibit called We Are Tennessee that explores the cultural diversity of our state and what it means to be a Tennessean. Murfreesboro's Painter Laureate Ginny Togrye is working on a fantastic mural that will include art, photos, and writing by Tennesseeans of all ages. That's where YOU come … [Read more...]

Talking Social Media at Collective Impact

I'm excited to be leading four sessions at Collective Impact, the conference of the Tennessee Arts Commission, coming up in Murfreesboro June 7-10th. Three of those sessions will be related to making the most of your social media presence as an artist, educator, arts organization, or other constituent in the arts community. … [Read more...]

The Built-Wells Upright 4-String Washtub Bass: A Labor of Love and a Lot of Fun

The Built-Wells Upright 4-String Washtub Bass: As discussed on Thunder Radio's Bluegrass Crossroads Show (listen here), appearing on our CD, and maybe at a music festival near you. I've been a wannabe musician for a long time, and the "wanna" has grown stronger in recent years as I've seen how much fun goes on at bluegrass and old-time music festivals. I've squeezed into a circle of musicians with a video cam at plenty of jams, often filming my daughter Kelsey, an old-time fiddler, and … [Read more...]