Friday July 16 at the Rochester Municipal Park
Rochester Poetry Society presents this year’s event on Friday, July 16, at 7:00 p.m. at the Kiwanis Pavilion in the Rochester Municipal Park. A tribute to the late James Ahearn, local writer and former Rochester Poet Laureate, will begin the evening followed by five poets reading for about 10-minutes each. The last scheduled reader will be Robert Lytle, the current Rochester Poet Laureate. Open mic will be available—time permitting—after the scheduled poets read. Stop by for a few minutes or come for the evening—event runs until dusk.
Rochester Poetry Society
The group meets to improve their writing and to create a greater awareness in the community of the Art of Poetry. They do this with public readings in the Rochester Community, the Hermitage Gallery on Main Street, the Library, and the Rochester Municipal Park. To continue to bring events to the community, donations are accepted and appreciated. Contact founder, Nancy Stevens, by email at writings80@yahoo.com for details about joining the group. The Rochester Poetry Society is part of the Poetry Society of Michigan.
James Frederick Ahearn
James Ahearn always had a passion for poetry. He read it often and eventually began writing it, joining the Troy Poetry Writing Group as well as the Michigan Poetry Society. He had his poems published in the Vintage Views (newspaper for the OPC), often with an accompanying article regarding the poem’s inspiration. He was the first named Poet Laureate of Rochester, earning the esteemed honor in October of 2018. Once his grandchildren began to get married, he was often requested to write and read a poem at the ceremony. The poetry society held an annual contest for young poets and he encouraged his grandchildren to enter, hoping to pass along his passion to a younger generation.
Scheduled Poets
- Alyson Denyer, Rochester Hills
- Kathy Fabian
- Nancy Stevens, Rochester, Author of On Seven Mile Road and Founder of Rochester Poetry Society
- Polly Opsahl, Oscada, Chancellor of the National Federation of State Poetry Societies
- Robert Lytle, Lake Orion, Author of several children’s books
Robert Lytle
Bob Lytle has worn many hats during his more than four decades in the Rochester area: community pharmacist, author of adventure novels for youth, city council member, folk singer/songwriter, poet, storyteller, and was awarded the honor of Rochester Poet Laureate, which began in March.
Open Mic
Anyone interested in joining for the open mic portion of the evening should arrive by 6:45 p.m. to sign up — first come basis, time permitting — Open mic participants are asked to keep readings to no more than five minutes.
Emcee for Poetry in the Park
Michael Dwyer of Rochester Media, The Community Edge, and Rochester Writers will be announcing the poets on Friday evening. The reading is free – open to the public – with free parking.
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