Poetry and Music Highlight Library’s Evening Event
Published 8:00 am Tuesday, November 26, 2013
If you think of poetry as endless lines of rhyming verse recited in the boardroom formality of yesterday’s classroom, you might want to give it a second look. It actually can be far more than that. Today’s poetry is enjoying a growing resurgence in popularity at the grassroots level with live poetry readings and slams becoming increasingly popular, and poetry competitions booming all over the country. Poetry enthusiasts have come together to bring a celebration of poetry to Pell City, and they invite you to “take that second look” on Friday, November 22nd at 6:30 p.m. at the Pell City Library. Spearheaded by poet Rita Moritz and joined by local poet and genealogist Joseph Whitten, and guest poets Barry Marks and Urainah Glidewell—as well as the musical talents of saxophonist Dale Foster and violinist and pianist, Brenda Bartolomeo, the evening brings together a wonderful mix of poetic creativity and music, food and fellowship.
Readings by the featured poets— Joe Whitten, Rita Moritz, Barry Marks, and Urainah Glidewell, are planned. In addition, guests will be invited and encouraged to share original poetry during the “open mic” segment of the event. Those wishing to participate in the “open mic” segment will need to bring along an original creation (one favorite, please) and must register to participate as they come in. Accomplished musicians– saxophonist, Dale Foster and violinist and pianist, Brenda Bartolomeo will perform a mini musical concert at the outset, featuring a pleasing mix of familiar selections planned to entertain and set the mood for the occasion. A “coffeehouse–type” atmosphere will prevail as featured artists and guests share the “open mic” in mutual appreciation and celebration of the poetic and musical arts.
Joseph Whitten was born in the mountains of Alabama, in the Jackson County farm community of Bryant. It has been said that the music of that mountain pulses in his blood and finds voice in his poems. He taught school in Odenville between 1961 and 2000. Mr. Whitten’s poems have appeared in various publications, including, but not limited to the “Harp-Strings Poetry Journal,” “Lyric,” “Birmingham Arts Journal,”, and “Whatever Remembers Us: An Anthology of Alabama Poetry” edited by Sue Walker, Poet Laureate of Alabama. He has published two collections of poems, Mulled Memories and Learning to Tell Time, and two chapbooks entitled, “Evensong” and “Rejoice and Bah Humbug!” Mr. Whitten has also published several books on Alabama counties and genealogy highlighting St. Clair County. He is the founding editor of “Cherish,” the quarterly journal of the St. Clair County Historical Society. Whitten is a member of the Alabama Writers’ Conclave, the Georgia Poetry Society, and the Pennsylvania Poetry Society. Since 1995, he has been a member of the Alabama State Poetry Society, and was the ASPS Poet of the Year for 2002. Whitten has served as President, Treasurer and Contest chair of this organization.
Rita Moritz began writing poetry as a child. Her writing credits include “The Grapevine,” a Christian quarterly and the “Educational Leadership Journal.” Prior to her retirement, Rita taught English and Business at a Christian school and worked for an educational association. Ms. Moritz has participated in Poets and Painters in Virginia, and has appeared as a feature poet on the Fairfax Cable Channel 10 television production “Poetic Expressions.” She is a member of the Alabama State Poetry Society, and the Council of the Arts of Pell City. She brought a “Day of Poetry” to several Alabama schools. She has recently published a book of her poetry, Precious Poems: A Journey of Hope, and is currently working on a non-fiction book entitled Precious Prodigal and has a blog by that same name.
Barry Marks is an attorney in Birmingham. He is currently serving as President (2012-2014) of the Alabama State Poetry Society. He was recognized as Alabama’s Poet of the Year in 1999, and is a frequent reader, lecturer and workshop leader. He wrote Sounding, an emotional, but unsentimental book of poetry dealing with grief, loss, and recovery. It was a finalist for the Grand Prize in the 2013 Eric Hoffer Award for Independent Publishers, and was awarded first runner up in the poetry competition. His first book of poetry, Possible Crocodiles, was named 2010 Book of the Year by the Alabama State Poetry Society. His poems have been published in Folio, The Lyric, Black River Review, Legal Studies Forum, WordWrights!, Aura, Amaryllis, Calliope and more. He is a former member of the Big Table Poets and has participated in that group’s anthologies.
Urainah Green Glidewell was born in Alabama, but moved around the United States extensively during her childhood, living in a total of ten states by the time she was fourteen. She graduated with honors from Huffman High School in Birmingham in 1996, and worked her way through college, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Marketing. She currently lives in Pell City, Alabama with her husband of almost 13 years and is a stay-at-home mom to three young daughters. She has been writing poetry since adolescence, and her first book, Cluttered Thoughts: A Poetry Collection was self-published in May of 2013. She is a member of Writer’s Anonymous, the Alabama State Poetry Society, and attends New Life Assembly of God in Pell City.
Dale Foster has a Bachelor of Music Degree, Saxophone Performance, from the University of Montevallo, and a Master of Divinity Degree from Southwestern Theological Seminary in New Orleans. Dale Foster is an Associate Broker and Realtor with RE/MAX Realty Pros. He has served as Pastor of Worship and Youth at Arbor Baptist Church of Pell City, Minister of Music at First Baptist Church of Pell City, and Minister of Youth at First Baptist Church of Childersburg. He is a realtor with the St. Clair County Board of Realtors, and a membership with the Birmingham MLS.
Brenda Bartolomeo is a violin and piano instructor, teaching in the Leeds and Pell City area. She has served as church pianist and performed as violin soloist for various concerts at Christmas in area churches. She currently has a hymn and Christmas cd available.
The evening of poetry and music will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, November 22nd at the Pell City Library. Samuel Johnson states that “Poetry is the art of uniting pleasure with truth.” Join us as we celebrate the art of poetry at the Pell City Library. The program is free and open to the public, and is sponsored by, the Pell City Council of the Arts, Writers Anonymous, and the Pell City Library. Light refreshments will be served afterwards.
