‘Poetry in the Garden’ to be hosted by Live Poets’ Society this year

BY ALICE GORMAN - Remember the old days when Poetry Night was spontaneous and fun? Remember when wine and words flowed, music played, and there was a sense that poetry could be entertaining as well as enlightening?

Many of us remember evenings in the Caribbean Room when our friends and neighbors from the docks to the beachfronts of Boca Grande read one or two of their own original works or their favorite famous—or not so famous—poems. They made us laugh or wonder or dream or sigh, and the audience left feeling that they had been a part of something special.

A similar experience awaits us all this year on Wednesday, April 4 from 5 to 7 p.m. with “Poetry in the Garden” at the Johann Fust Community Library.

This year the Live Poets’ Society of Boca Grande is coordinating a poetry celebration that will resemble the format of the old poetry nights we all remember. Fred Berger, one of the founders of the Live Poets’ Society will be the master of ceremonies. Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be provided throughout the evening.

A three-minute time limit will be imposed on all readers and “boos” for those who exceed it will be expected. The event—besides being fun for all who attend—will serve as a benefit for the Fust Library through the proceeds of $20 per ticket (a tax-deductible donation) and the generosity of the sponsors, Tim Dumas and Merrill Lynch. Anyone who signs up to read by April 1 will be invited free of charge.

To sign up to read, please call Fred Berger at 964-1412 or email him at fredberger@embarqmail.com.

A partial list of readers to date includes Lindsay Major, Jack Blum, Dennis Domres, Fred Berger, Dick Robb, Alison Bradford, Patrick Carey, Simonetta Balzer, and Alice Gorman.

To reserve tickets, please go by the Johann Fust Community Library from 10-5, Monday to Friday, or call 964-2488.