Before
the Coronavirus pandemic changed
everything, McHenry County in Chicago’s far northwest boonies was the
home of a perhaps surprising serious
outbreak of poetry. Several venues held regular readings or programs that included verse. A long running series at the Raue Center had just concluded but
monthly programs at McHenry’s hip coffee
house the Hidden Pearl more than
took up that slack. The Atrocious
Poets group hosted programs at the Old
McHenry County Court House in Woodstock
as well as offering developmental
programs for local poets. Stage Left by the Woodstock Opera House featured poetry and spoken word at monthly events curated
by story teller Jim May and musician
Cassandra Vohs-Demann. Poets turned up at the estimable local independent bookseller Between the Lynes. Poetry was always included at Coffee House Open Mics at Tree of Life Unitarian Universalist Congregations and a student coffee houses at McHenry
County College,
Tree of Life was just about
to host a major event, Poets in
Resistance II which had to be cancelled
just three days before it was scheduled
when the state went into lockdown
last March.
Since
then crickets and home bound poets
with plenty of time to work and themes and angst to explore with no outlet for
their words. Until now!
Kenneth Balmes and Patrick Murfin are cracking the door
with a program at Warp Corps, 114 North Benton Street in Woodstock
this evening, April 14 from 7 to 9 pm. Poets are encouraged to bring those pent-up verses
to share for the Open Mic. Hopefully
this will be the first in a new regular series.
Kenneth Balmes will co-host the Open Mic with Patrick Murfin.
Covid-19 precautions will be observed. Masks are
required and seating will be spaced
for social distance. In keeping with current guidelines for indoor
events, attendance will be limited
to 20.
The
reading is free and open to the public. Coffee and water will be available. Guests can bring
other non-alcoholic beverages of
their own.
