Poetrypalooza in Tacoma and beyond this April for National Poetry Month

You can’t get enough poetry in Tacoma, at least not during National Poetry Month. During April, events around the city and beyond go from travel poems in a box at Freighthouse Square to state poet laureate Tod Marshall to a duo performance by Aimee Mann and former U.S. laureate Billy Collins at the Broadway Center.

Here’s the lineup.

Ticket to Ride reading

What: Poetry-out-of-the-Box offers anyone the chance to submit a travel poem to read and be displayed in the poem box during April. Must be 30 lines or less.

When: 6-7 p.m. Wednesday.

Where: Freighthouse Square (near art gallery on west end), 2501 E. D St., Tacoma.

Cost: Free.

Information: pugetsoundpoetryconnection.org.

Visual poetry workshop

What: Chicago poet and visual artist Krista Franklin will give a workshop exploring “the intersection of poetics, popular culture and the dynamic histories of people of color” using collage, hand papermaking, installation, poetry, letterpress, altered bookmaking and performance.

When: 7 p.m. April 14.

Where: Wyatt Hall 109, University of Puget Sound, 1500 N. Warner St., Tacoma.

Cost: Free.

Information: pugetsound.edu.

Reading and workshop at King’s

What: A WordPlay youth poetry workshop with Chicago poet Krista Franklin (1 p.m.), conversation with Seattle/Tacoma poets Kevin Miller, Michael Schmeltzer and Natasha Moni (2:30 p.m.), poetry reading with Franklin, Moni, Miller, Schmeltzer, Tacoma poet laureate Cathy Nguyen, Portland poet Mark Owens and hosted by Tacoma poet Michael Haeflinger (4 p.m.).

When: 1-6 p.m. April 16.

Where: King’s Books, 218 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma.

Cost: Free.

Information: 253-272-8801, kingsbookstore.com.

Aimee Mann and Billy Collins

What: Oscar-nominated singer-songwriter Aimee Mann will team up with former U.S. poet laureate Billy Collins for an evening of music and poetry.

When: 7:30 p.m. April 22.

Where: Pantages Theater, 901 Broadway, Tacoma.

Cost: $29, $45, $65, $79.

Information: 253-591-5894, broadwaycenter.org.

Washington poet laureate Tod Marshall

What: Washington state poet laureate Tod Marshall will travel the state during the month, giving readings, workshops and addresses. See the website for a complete schedule.

When/Where: 6 p.m. April 14, reading at Olympia People’s Mic, Ben Moore’s, 112 Fourth Ave. W., Olympia; 7 p.m. April 21, reading at Gig Harbor Poetry Series, Gig Harbor Library, 4424 Point Fosdick Drive NW, Gig Harbor; 10 a.m. April 29, workshop at Seattle Public Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Seattle; 7 p.m. April 29, reading at Folio, 300 Marion St., Seattle; 2 p.m. April 30, workshop at Pacific Bonsai Museum, 2515 S. 336th St., Federal Way; 3:30 p.m. reading at Louder Than A Bomb youth poetry slam, Tacoma Community College auditorium, 1605 S. 19th St., Tacoma.

Cost: Free.

Information: wapoetlaureate.org.

In addition, Marshall is organizing an anthology of Washington poems and calling now for submissions. Called “Washington 129,” the book will feature poems by Washingtonians, one for every year of statehood up until 2018. Both experienced poets and newcomers are invited to submit, and the book will publish both in print and e-format in March 2017. Poems do not need to specifically address Washington geography, imagery or culture, but those that do will be given priority. Submissions can be made until Jan. 31, by sending a maximum of three poems (not previously published) as a single Word attachment or in the body of an email to submissions@humanities.org, or via mail to Washington 129 c/o Tod Marshall, English department, Gonzaga University, 502 E. Boone Ave., Spokane, WA 99258. Include name, email address and phone number.

This story was originally published March 28, 2016 at 5:24 AM with the headline "Poetrypalooza in Tacoma and beyond this April for National Poetry Month."