Poetry Promise Posts

Michael McClure has been a major poet since his first reading at the famed Six Gallery in 1955, where Allen Ginsberg first read Howl and McClure, Gary Snyder, Jack Kerouac, Kenneth Rexroth, and Phillip Whalen founded the movement that became known as the San Francisco Poetry Renaissance and the Beat Generation. In the 1960s, his play The Beard became a huge cause when it was repeatedly censored in San Francisco and Los Angeles. The play was eventually moved to New York where McClure won an Obie Award as its author. The play was also cited by notable playwright Sam Shepard as an important precursor to his work which radically transformed the theater in the 1970s and 1980s.
In the early 1970s, McClure was one of the first writers to popularize the movement to Save the Whales, and his poems and activism have been important to ecology movements ever since. A noted American Buddhist, McClure has written some of the most beautiful and profound poems in that genre. His relation with elders who inspired the San Francisco poetry renaissance, such as Robert Duncan and Charles Olson, has made him a key progenitor of modern writing. McClure’s research into evolutionary biology, biophysics, neurology and other sciences has done as much as any living writer to draw the link between art and science in profound ways of interest to both artists and scientists. McClure’s work has been cited by a variety of leading scientific thinkers, i.e., Francis Crick who received a Nobel for discovery of DNA.

Michael McClure Reading in Las Vegas, KNPR

McClure has also been prominent in the world of rock music. He authored the lyrics to the song “Mercedes Benz” popularized in the classic performance by Janis Joplin. He worked closely with members of The Doors, including encouraging Jim Morrison to publish his poems and performing extensively with Ray Manzarek, the ground –breaking keyboardist. McClure has also maintained other notable music and performance connections, including with Christian McBride and Terry Riley.

His books are from the most important publishers of the era including: Huge Dreams: San Francisco and Beat Poems (Penguin), Scratching the Beat Surface (Penguin), The Beard (Grove Press & Evergreen), Mysteriosos (New Directions), Rain Mirror (New Directions), and Rebel Lions (New Directions).

Gayle Brandeis is the author of a prized book of poems, a novel, and a memoir. She read via Zoom to Las Vegas audiences on May 16. She also led a writer’s workshop on May 18. Clark County Poet Laureate Heather Lang Cassera hosted a workshop on Gayle’s writing at Winchester Dondero Cultural Center in early March. These events attracted over 100 attendees, and Gayle was warmly received.

In Gayle Brandeis’ writing… “all of us can notice what it takes to inscribe and see our hardened rushing lives as truly meaningful.”
–U.S. Poet Laureate Emeritus Juan Felipe Herrera

On January 4, the first Saturday of 2020, at 2:00 p.m. at Winchester Dondero Cultural Center (3130 McLeod Dr.), noted author Joanne Gilbert and former Clark County Poet Laureate Bruce Isaacson lead a workshop titled Resistance and Poetry on the poetry of Abraham Sutzkever, perhaps the most important Yiddish poet of the 20^th Century.  

Sutzkever was a major modernist focusing on the meaning of writing, nature, and eternity when WWII broke out.  He was a survivor of the Vilna Ghetto massacres, preserved Jewish culture there, fought with the Soviet Partisans, and a poem literally saved his life!  He then testified at the Nuremburg Trials and emigrated to Israel, where he became the leading modern proponent of Yiddish poetry. His books were illustrated by Marc Chagall and Samuel Bak.  Joanne Gilbert had relatives in the Vilna Ghetto and is a noted author.  Poetry Promise was a host and the event was in conjunction with the Jewish Film Festival. 

On Thursday January 9, at 7:00 p.m. at Brenden Theatres at the Palms, the film Black Honey was screened on the life and times of Sutzkever.  This is the first film of the wonderful 19^th Annual Jewish Film Festival.   Poetry Promise is a partner with Bruce & Joanne as moderators.

On Saturday, January 18, from 1:00-3:00 p.m., Poet Laureate Heather Lang Cassera will host a workshop on Nature Poetry at the Clark County Wetlands Park (7050 Wetlands Dr., Las Vegas).  This casual afternoon will include generative prompts and writing time. You’ll go home with a new poem or two!

On Friday January 24, at 7:00 p.m. at the Historic 5^th Street School (401 S. 4^th St.) there was a reading by Terry Tempest Williams from her new book Erosion.  Terry is a leading writer on Southwest Environmental Issues, and this is sure to be a major event. Her work is both personally moving and socially profound.  Her books include Refuge, The Open Space of Democracy, Finding Beauty in a Broken World, and many others. She is also a poet whose poems can often be found woven deeply into her prose.  This event is organized by our friend Josh Abbey and The Jewish Film Festival. 

On Saturday January 25, at 7:00 p.m. on the Adelson Campus in Summerlin (9700 Hillpointe Rd.), Terry Tempest Williams will moderate a screening of the film Wrenched.  It details the genesis and ultimate downfall of the Earth First radical environmental movement inspired in part from the written works of Edward Abbey, based on his “wilderness is freedom” philosophy. 

All events were FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. 

Beat poet Andy Clausen read and lead workshops in Las Vegas.  Andy Clausen, the poet whom Allen Ginsberg called “a vox populi of the democratic unconscious” visited Las Vegas on November 8 & 9.

Poetry Promise partnered with our Clark County Poet Laureate, Heather Lang-Cassera, to coordinate the following events:                 

Reading—Friday, November 8, 7:00 p.m. at the Jewel Box Theater in the Clark County Library, 1401 E Flamingo Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89119.

Discussion—Friday, November 8, 1:00-2:30 p.m. at Nevada State College Liberal Arts & Sciences Room 124 (near the writing center), 1300 Nevada State Dr., Henderson, NV 89002.                                  

Writer’s Workshop—Saturday, November 9, 2:00-4:00 p.m. at Winchester-Dondero Cultural Center, 3130 McLeod Dr., Las Vegas, NV 89121.

Cost: All events were free and open to the public.

Andy Clausen left the Marines and began working in poetry in 1965. He has traveled and read his poetry all over the world, including New York, Alaska, Texas, Prague, Kathmandu, Amsterdam and taught at the Kerouac School in Boulder and elsewhere.  For twelve years he led poetry workshops in the New York state prisons. Most of his life was in blue collar labor including as a construction worker and taxi driver. His latest book is Beat The Latter Days of the Beat Generation A First-Hand Account (Autonomedia, 2019).  Many young writers of an earlier generation wished to grow into a writing life that included friendships and big readings with core Beat Poets. This memoir recounts the life and perspective of the one poet who got to do those things.  It has been called “an essential Beat text.”  His poetry books include Home of the Blues, 40^th Century Man, and Without Doubt (Zeitgeist). 

Contact:  Bruce Isaacson, [email protected]

Sponsors: This program was made possible by support from the following:
NV Energy, Las Vegas – Clark County Library District, Nevada Humanities, Nevada State College – Office of Arts & Culture, and National Endowment for the Humanities.

Clark County is seeking candidates to serve as the Clark County Poet Laureate, an honorary position with a stipend of $2500 and up to $7500 for programming per year. The Clark County Poet Laureate’s mission is to promote poetry as an art form and a medium for inspirational public commentary. The two-year position was established by the Clark County Commission. The two-year term will begin June 1, 2019.

A poet nominated for this position must reside in Clark County, be at least 18 years of age and be available for public activities throughout the term of service. A poet may be self-nominated or nominated by others.

Clark County Parks and Recreation (CCP&R) will facilitate the selection process. A diverse selection committee of five county residents with expertise in poetry and literature will select the Laureate. The Laureate will be chosen by the criteria of: quality of work, distinguished achievement, perceived ability to advance poetry among the public, and an understanding of the public responsibility of the position.

During the two-year term, the Poet Laureate will meet with a designated representative of CCP&R to plan activities. The Laureate shall represent and celebrate the diversity and history of Clark County throughout the term of service and will be asked to create poems highlighting the diversity of the people, places and traditions of Clark County. The Laureate shall be responsible for curating appropriate poets for a 5-minute segment on Clark County TV. This segment runs monthly.

A Nomination Packet must be submitted and completed. The packet must include the following items: professional resume, a biography (a page or less), work samples (multiple poems, may not exceed more than 10 pages), and publications credits, such as, anthologies: include title, publisher, editor, date of publication and poem titles, chapbooks/books: include title, publisher and date of publication, journals/magazines: include title, volume and number, date of publication and poem titles. The publication credits must not include prose writing, vanity press publication or any self-published work, or works appearing in publications for which nominee served as editor. Please note finalists may be asked for samples or copies of their published work. The packet must also include a list of public appearances (readings, slams, etc.), a list of accomplishments and contributions to poetry at large (2 page maximum and could include related professional or volunteer work, awards and honors), and a one-page statement of the role of Clark County Poet Laureate and how the nominee would fulfill this role. The packets must not be stapled or bound and items in the packet will not be returned. Optional: Up to three letters of recommendation.

The deadline is 5:00 pm, Friday, April 5, 2019, to either the mailing address or e-mail address below. Please note that neither is a postmark deadline. Applications not in County hands by 5:00 p.m. April 5, 2019 will not be accepted. No additions or corrections will be accepted after the deadline.

Mail Nomination Packets to: 

Poet Laureate Nominations
Attn: Irma Varela
Winchester Dondero Cultural Center
3130 S. McLeod Drive
Las Vegas, NV 89120

Or email to: [email protected]

Those interested in the position can contact Winchester Dondero Cultural Center at (702) 455-7340, Irma Varela at the email address above.

You may also contact the current poet laureate, Vogue Robinson, at [email protected] or 702-706-2383 with questions about the position.

Join us at Stinko’s Las Vegas for the First Friday Reading featuring Jan Steckel, Syd Stewart, James Norman, and Ms. AyeVee. Hosted by Nevada Humanities, Poetry Promise Inc., and Heather Lang-Cassera. Admission is FREE!

Event begins at 7 PM at Stinko’s Las Vegas:
1029 S Main St, Las Vegas, NV 89101
Free parking is available nearby, but it fills up fast!

Jan Steckel was a Harvard-Yale trained pediatrician, who worked in the Peace Corps and serviced poor communities. She is an activist for bisexual and disability rights. Her poetry is direct, moving, and reflects her unique experience. Her book The Horizontal Poet won a Lambda Literary Award, perhaps the leading award for LGBT communities.  Her new book, Like Flesh Covers Bone, was just released from Zeitgeist Press.

Syd Stewart is a poet, actor, screenwriter, and activist. She was active performing in the famed Nuyorican Poets Café, Def Poetry, and has been featured in the NY Times, Variety, and People magazines. Her work was selected by NEA 50 Anniversary and a NY Stage and Film Filmmaker Fellowship. She is the founder of Better Youth, Inc., a non-profit which uses poetry and media arts to equip young people with creative confidence. Her new book, Babylon Graffiti, was just released from Zeitgeist Press.

James Norman’s first book, All the Fire Escapes to Heaven in One Room,  recently published by Zeitgeist Press, was featured in an article in Las Vegas Weekly.  James Norman also doubles as the drummer for Ted Rader and the Magic Family, a popular rock band.  “These poems,” he says in the book, “first appeared under desperate conditions.”

“Ms. AyeVee was born & raised in Las Vegas but comes from a long line of Nuyoricans. A natural artist, Ashley Vargas excelled in film, theater, music, and writing. After studying with the Nevada Conservatory Theater, Ms. AyeVee refocused her energy towards poetry. In 2016, her dedication to writing landed her on the official Las Vegas Battle Born SlamTeam. Ms. AyeVee continues to compete & tour nationally. She competed at the Individual World Poetry Slam in Flagstaff, AZ.