WAILUA — In tune with April as National Poetry Month and Earth Day, Steve Backinoff has organized a poetry celebration and workshops for youth and adults this weekend. He wants to encourage the participation of children, and asks that parents
WAILUA — In tune with April as National Poetry Month and Earth Day, Steve Backinoff has organized a poetry celebration and workshops for youth and adults this weekend.
He wants to encourage the participation of children, and asks that parents of keiki who take to creative writing call to register for the Saturday morning workshop fun, 346-2587.
The overall event, geared to stimulating writing on the theme of “If I was the earth…” also honors the late poet/teacher Michaella “Misha” Mintcheff, whose gifts still resonate with the people she touched.
For many years, Mintcheff, who died in December, volunteered with the Garden Island Arts Council Poetry Fests and led poetry interest and writing groups within the community.
The space for the Earth Day events is donated by Mark Jeffers of the nonprofit Storybook Theatre of Hawaii in Hanapepe.
Backinoff said his hope is to stimulate group creative processes.
“I love (the late) Michaella Mintcheff, I love Mark Jeffers and what he’s created, and I love poetry,” he said.
Some of the Kauai poets involved during the weekend will be retired English professor Brian Cronwall; performance poets Candle, Victoria Golden and Loya Whitmer; and writer/poet and publisher Dawn Kawahara, former Poet-in-the-Schools.
On Friday, 8 to 11 p.m., and Saturday, 6 to 10 p.m., performances and open mic will be presented in the “Rumi Cafe” space of the Hawaii Storybook Theatre.
On Saturday, from 9 a.m. to noon, keiki poets will read and write together. Young poets who are interested are welcome to stay on to attend the scheduled poetry play, and workshops, “the Council of All Beings,” 1 to 4 p.m. also at Storybook Theatre. These will be led by Carol Lloyd, of Kalaheo, an experienced teacher of meditation.
The events are free; however, donations are welcome.
Registration: 346-2587
