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On Line - January Open Mic - 01/30/22

1/11/2022

Zoom Room Super Poets

Let's gather in the Zoom Room during January, February, and March and come out of our cocoons in April for National Poetry Month.

If you would like to share a poem or two about the new year that is now here, please go to the "Contact Us" tab of this website and send an email to get on the reading list. You will receive a reply with the zoom link and the password. The room will open at 2:30 pm EST on Sunday, January 30th.

At 3:00 pm, the zoom feed will be sent to the Ancient City Poets FB Page via FB Live, so the world can watch and cheer us on.

Here is the link to our FB page to view the reading on Sunday:
https://www.facebook.com/ancientcitypoets

We will then call up the first 15 names to present at the virtual podium. The reading will be recorded and an edited version will be uploaded to our YouTube channel a few weeks later.

YOUTUBE CHANNEL
If you can't make a reading, or if you want to relive it, please check out past readings on YouTube. Please like and share if you see something you love. If you would like to support our professional audio video technician, please go to the "buy me a coffee" link. Each "coffee" equals five bucks. Ten coffees is ideal, but any amount is always appreciated.

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/poetplantpress

Check out the October "Costume Reading" featuring a collection of Dead Poets. Truly scary literary. Hosted by the Pandemic Doctor. Documented by ACP TV.

ST. AUGUSTINE POETFEST 2022
Ancient City Poets have partnered with the English Department of Flagler College and the St. Johns Cultural Council to present a day-long celebration of creative writing and reciting on Saturday April 9th, the day after the Henry Rollins spoken word show at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall. The day of events, the haiku contest, and the last Sunday of the month open mic reading will be St. Johns County's local recognition of National Poetry Month (April) .

Michael Rothenberg, founder of 100 Thousand Poets for Change, is going to travel from Tallahassee to the campus of Flagler College to be our keynote and perform with his avant-garde jazz group: the EcoSound Ensemble.

The new year is now here and we are moving ahead in full gear. Let's use the brains in our head, and protect our rear.

Respectfully,

Chris Bodor
Ancient City Poets / Poet Plant Press

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ON LINE - December Open Mic -12/26/21

12/22/2021

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Let's gather in the Zoom Room this Sunday.

If you would like to share a poem or two, holiday themed or whatever, please go to the "Contact Us" tab of the Ancient City Poets website and send an email to get on the reading list. You will receive a reply with the zoom link and the password. The room will open at 2:30 pm EST on Sunday, December 26th.

At 3:00 pm, the zoom feed will be sent to the Ancient City Poets FB Page via FB Live, so the world can watch and cheer us on.

Here is the link to our FB page to view the reading on Sunday:
https://www.facebook.com/ancientcitypoets

Michael Grover, who was the poetry editor of Red Fez for a while, will talk about his global poetry scene and share a poem or two. We will then call up the first 15 names to present at the virtual podium. The reading will be recorded and an edited version will be uploaded to our YouTube channel a few weeks later.

YOUTUBE CHANNEL
If you can't make a reading, or if you want to relive it, please check out past readings on YouTube. Please like and share if you see something you love. If you would like to support our professional audio video technician, please go to the "buy me a coffee" link. Each "coffee" equals five bucks. Ten coffees is ideal, but any amount is always appreciated.

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/poetplantpress

Check out the October "Costume Reading" featuring a collection of Dead Poets. Truly scary literary. Hosted by the Pandemic Doctor. Documented by ACP TV.

POETFEST 2022
By now, you may have heard about our local recognition of National Poetry Month (April). It will be called the St. Augustine PoetFest. Ancient City Poets have partnered with the English Department of Flagler College and the St. Johns Cultural Council to present a day-long celebration of creative writing and reciting on Saturday April 9th, the day after the Henry Rollins spoken word show at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall. Michael Rothenberg, founder of 100 Thousand Poets for Change, is going to travel from Tallahassee to the campus of Flagler College to be our keynote and perform with his avant-garde jazz group: the EcoSound Ensemble.

Needless to say, the new year will be full of poet possibilities. Keep creating.

Respectfully,

Chris Bodor
Ancient City Poets / Poet Plant Press

0 Comments

November Open Mic -11/28/21

11/19/2021

Poetry is Alive @ Kookaburra-Dondi

End the Thanksgiving day weekend with a poetry family and celebrate locale young voices.

The gathering will be held at Kookaburra Coffee at the Dondanville Road location. The sign up sheet will available at 2:30 pm on event day. At 3:00 pm, Kailey Tucker, a sophomore in the English program at Flagler College, will call up the first 15 names on the sheet. Each presentation should be limited to five minutes maximum, to allow everyone time to share. The mic will be turned of a 4:30 pm to allow everyone time to network and socialize.

By the time Sunday afternoon rolls around on Thanksgiving weekend, teens are busting a gut to get away from the house. For the college kids, many are looking for a reason to head back to campus. That is why the November open mic is dedicated to young voices each year. The turn out is always so strong. You will be blown away by the rawness, the honesty, and the blossoming talent.

The reading will be documented for an upcoming issue of EAT, an audio chapbook series produced by Prof. Mark Ari from the University of North Florida.

The theme for the December reading will be “The Gifts of the Season”.

HELP SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT THE ANCIENT CITY POETS
As a community of poets and poetry lovers, we have been gathering on the last Sunday of the month in Saint Augustine, Florida since August of 2009. If you have ever gone to one of our monthly readings over the last nine years, you should Invite your friends to come and check it out. Just go to the event link and click that you are interested or attending. Also invite a few friends while you are at it.

SUPPORT OUR READING VENUE
In order to keep these gatherings free of charge, we do ask that you patronize the Kookaburra and thank them for opening their doors to poetry and spoken word and performance art. Their full menu will be available during the event so please come prepared to buy an Aussie treat, or a coffee beverage

YOUTUBE CHANNEL
If you can't make a reading, or if you want to relive it, please check out past readings on YouTube. Please like and share if you see something you love. If you would like to support our professional audio video technician, please go to the "buy me a coffee" link. Each "coffee" equals five bucks. Ten coffees is ideal, but any amount is always appreciated.

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/poetplantpress

Check footage of this month's facilitator, Kailey Tucker, recorded at her first time at the Ancient City Poets open mic. A historic moment documented by ACP TV.

October Open Mic - 10/31/21

10/9/2021

A Clockwork Poet - Chris Bodor

The Ancient City Poets will host a community open mic reading on Sunday October 31st from 3:00 to 4:30 pm at Kookaburra Coffee (Dondanville Road, 4265 A1A South, St. Augustine, FL).

This month's reading is our Scary Literary Come in Costume reading. Books by local authors will be given in three categories: best literary costume, most creative, and best teen costume.

A sign-up sheet will be available at 2:30 and the open mic will start at 3:00 pm. Readers will be called to the podium in the order their names appear on the list. The mic will be turned off at 4:30 to allow the last 30 minutes for a meet and greet and networking.

HELP SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT THE ANCIENT CITY POETS
As a community of poets and poetry lovers, we have been gathering on the last Sunday of the month in Saint Augustine, Florida since August of 2009. If you have ever gone to one of our monthly readings over the last nine years, you should Invite your friends to come and check it out. Just go to the event link and click that you are interested or attending. Also invite a few friends while you are at it.

SUPPORT OUR READING VENUE
In order to keep these gatherings free of charge, we do ask that you patronize the Kookaburra and thank them for opening their doors to poetry and spoken word and performance art. Their full menu will be available during the event so please come prepared to buy an Aussie treat, or a coffee beverage

TWO EVENTS - September 2021

9/11/2021

original image by Jeremy Jusay

EVENT Number One - SING OUT LOUD FESTIVAL

ANCIENT CITY POETS SHOWCASE
FOLLOWED BY A POETRY OPEN MIC
at the Sing Out Loud Festival

Saturday, September 11
7:00pm (6:00pm Doors)

Location:
Art Studio of St. Augustine Beach

Featuring emcee Ben Atkinson and poets Cassandra DeGraff, Colleen Jones, Tonn Pastore, Princess Simpson Rashid, Jamie Lynn Stanish, Robert Waldner, and Lee Weaver.

Open Mic begins at 8:00pm. Sign up sheet for open mic will be out at 6:00 pm on the day of the performance.

Times and lineup are subject to change.

More info on festival's official website:
https://www.singoutloudfestival.com/event/ancient-city-poets-showcase-poetry-open-mic/

EVENT Number Two - LAST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH OPEN MIC

The Ancient City Poets will host a community open mic reading on Sunday September 26th from 3:00 to 4:30 pm at Kookaburra Coffee (Dondanville Road, 4265 A1A South, St. Augustine, FL).

All are encouraged to share poems that relate to positive change in our community and the world that we live in as we observe 100 Thousand Poets for Change Day.

A sign-up sheet will be available at 2:30 and the open mic will start at 3:00 pm. Readers will be called to the podium in the order their names appear on the list. The mic will be turned off at 4:30 to allow the last 30 minutes for a meet and greet and networking. This month's reading will be facilitated by Johnny Masiulewicz from Happy Tapir Press.

HELP SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT THE ANCIENT CITY POETS
As a community of poets and poetry lovers, we have been gathering on the last Sunday of the month in Saint Augustine, Florida since August of 2009. If you have ever gone to one of our monthly readings over the last nine years, you should Invite your friends to come and check it out. Just go to the event link and click that you are interested or attending. Also invite a few friends while you are at it.

SUPPORT OUR READING VENUE
In order to keep these gatherings free of charge, we do ask that you patronize the Kookaburra and thank them for opening their doors to poetry and spoken word and performance art. Their full menu will be available during the event so please come prepared to buy an Aussie treat, or a coffee beverage.

MORE ABOUT 100 THOUSAND POETS FOR CHANGE
You can be an agent of change with your written words. This is the idea behind 100 Thousand Poets for Change, a grassroots organization now in its ninth year that brings communities together to call for environmental, social, and political change within the framework of peace and sustainability.

Join us on Sunday September 26th for St. Augustine, Florida’s official observation of the global event that will feature more than 500 gatherings this September.

Supporting words from Michael Rothenberg
co-founder of 100 Thousand Poets for Change:
“Peace and sustainability are major concerns worldwide, and the guiding principles for this global event. We are in a world where it isn't just one issue that needs to be addressed. A common ground is built through this global compilation of local stories, which is how we create a true narrative for discourse to inform the future.

For the past 11 years thousands of poets around the world, poets in over 100 countries and hundreds of cities have gathered on the last Saturday of September each year to celebrate poetry, and to declare a shared belief that poetry can move us towards a world of peace, justice and sustainability. It has been a honor to be a part of this vast and dedicated community of 100 Thousand Poets for Change. Together we have been through many sad and disappointing days but we persist together, because we have each other, and poetry."

For more 100 Thousand Poets for Change info, go to www.100tpc.org

READING LOCATION

MAP IT
Kookaburra — Dondanville (Across from Ocean Village) 4265 A1A South, St Augustine, 32080
(904) 209-9391

Their full menu will be available during the event, so please get familiar with their menu and come prepared to support them by buying a sweet treat, an Aussie snack, coffee, or a refreshing drink.
https://thekookaburracoffee.com/menu

ANCIENT CITY POETS ON YOUTUBE
Three years ago in April, we launched a YouTube Channel to preserve our past. Subscribe to our channel so you can get notified whenever new footage is added. Thanks to Zoom we have some amazing recordings from the last year. Here is the direct link to the August reading at Kookaburra - our 12 year celebration.

August In Person Open Mic - 08/29/21

8/8/2021

Ancient City Poets Cassandra DeGraff

THEME: "An Even Dozen"

The hot weather is here and Ancient City Poets are taking a break from downtown and heading to the island for a residency at Kookaburra Coffee at their largest location on Dondanville Road, St. Augustine Beach.

Share two or three of your polished poems or bust out some fresh ink from your notebook during Saint Augustine, Florida’s longest-running open mic poetry event. Invite a friend or two or three to cheer you on.

If you would like to share a poem, please show up at 2:30 PM on the day of the reading and get your name on the list. There is space on the list for 15 poets at 5 minutes each. At 3:00 PM, the readers will be called to the podium in the order their names appear on the sign-up sheet. This month’s reading will be facilitated by poet Robert Waldner.

Readers are invited to share on the theme of our dirty dozen years, or your perspective on the local spoken word scene. Poems that speak of your love for the Ancient City Poets, or how your life has changed since you found us. The writing prompts are always just a suggestion, and you are free to follow it or not. What is important is that the audience gets to know you and your creative words. Share two or three of your polished poems or bust out some fresh ink from your notebook during Saint Augustine, Florida’s longest-running open mic poetry event. Invite a friend or two or three to bring a folding chair, and cheer you on.

READING LOCATION

MAP IT
Kookaburra — Dondanville (Across from Ocean Village) 4265 A1A South, St Augustine, 32080
(904) 209-9391

Their full menu will be available during the event, so please get familiar with their menu and come prepared to support them by buying a sweet treat, an Aussie snack, coffee, or a refreshing drink.
https://thekookaburracoffee.com/menu

PAY CLAY
For a fifty dollar donation, you can help pay our audio visual tech. He comes with a sound system, a camera, and microphones to record footage that we upload to YouTube. Our supporter for Augustine will be Kimmy Van Kooten. If you would like to help out in this way, please pay fifty bucks through the following link. Poet Plant Press has been doing amazing things with coffee money and spare change since 1996

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/poetplantpress

ANCIENT CITY POETS ON YOUTUBE
Three years ago in April, we launched a YouTube Channel to preserve our past. Subscribe to our channel so you can get notified whenever new footage is added. Thanks to Zoom we have some amazing recordings from the last year. If you missed the April, May, or June reading, we have them all on the channel. Check them out there. Here is the direct link to the July wing ding.

Please like, share, and comment on the reading. Writers always gain a deeper understanding of their audience when feedback is given.

July In Person Inside Open Mic - 07/25/21

7/4/2021

Ancient City Poets

THEME: "Summer Daze"

It is getting hot outside and Ancient City Poets are going to an air conditioned indoor space, after three months of social distanced outdoor gatherings.

Share two or three of your polished poems or bust out some fresh ink from your notebook during Saint Augustine, Florida’s longest-running open mic poetry event. Invite a friend or two or three to bring a folding chair, and cheer you on.

If you would like to share a poem, please show up at 2:30 PM on the day of the reading and get your name on the list. There is space on the list for 15 poets at 5 minutes each.

At 3:00 PM, the readers will be called to the podium in the order their names appear on the sign-up sheet. This month’s reading will be facilitated by poet Amy Goldin.

Please share your words and embrace the local poetry scene. The theme will be "Summer Daze." Think of days on the beach, and opportunities just out of reach. Think of hazy days outside, and living outside of the box. The writing prompts are always just a suggestion, and you are free to follow it or not. What is important is that the audience gets to know you and your creative words.

READING LOCATION
Indoors at Art Box located at 137 King Street in the San Sabastian Art District, St. Augustine, Florida 32084. Pop-up coffee and sweet treats for sale by Ancient City Brunch Bar. Get to know their menu and their hours at their downtown location.

https://ancientcitybrunchbar.com/

PAY CLAY
For a fifty dollar donation, you can help pay our audio visual tech. He comes with a sound system, a camera, and microphones to record footage that we upload to YouTube. Our supporter for July will be Rick Harrienger. If you would like to help out in this way, please pay fifty bucks through the following link. Poet Plant Press has been doing amazing things with coffee money since 1996

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/poetplantpress

ANCIENT CITY POETS ON YOUTUBE
Three years ago in April, we launched a YouTube Channel to preserve our past. We always encourage video students and volunteers with cameras to help us document the Saint Augustine poetry scene.

Subscribe to our channel so you can get notified whenever new footage is added. Thanks to Zoom we have some amazing recordings from the last year. If you missed the April, May, or June reading, we have them all on the channel. Check them out there. Here is the direct link to the June reading.

Please like, share, and comment on the reading. Writers always gain a deeper understanding of their audience when feedback is given.

June In Person Open Mic - 06/27/21

6/1/2021

June 2021 Issue - Narrow Magazine

THEME: "Pride"

Ancient City Poets are partnering with Narrow Magazine to share on the subject of Pride.

Share two or three of your polished poems or bust out some fresh ink from your notebook during Saint Augustine, Florida’s longest-running open mic poetry event. Invite a friend or two or three to bring a folding chair, and cheer you on.
Ancient City Poets together with Narrow Magazine of St. Augustine to create a safe place for sharing on the subject of pride in support of the magazine’s June issue. If you would like to share a poem, please show up at 2:30 PM on the day of the reading and get your name on the list. There is space on the list for 15 poets at 5 minutes each.

At 3:00 PM, the readers will be called to the podium in the order their names appear on the sign-up sheet. This month’s reading will be facilitated by poet Jamie Galley.

LOCATION:
Outdoor art patio at 137 King Street in the San Sabastian Art District, St. Augustine, Florida 32084. Pop-up coffee and sweet treats for sale by Ancient City Brunch Bar. Get to know their menu and their hours at their downtown location.
https://ancientcitybrunchbar.com/

ANCIENT CITY POETS ON YOUTUBE
Three years ago in April, we launched a YouTube Channel to preserve our past. We always encourage video students and volunteers with cameras to help us document the Saint Augustine poetry scene.

Subscribe to our channel so you can get notified whenever new footage is added. Thanks to Zoom we have some amazing recordings from the last year. If you missed the May reading, we have it up on the channel, so you can check it out there. Here is the direct link. Please like, share, and comment on the reading. Writers always gain a deeper understanding of their audience when feedback is given.

MAY IN PERSON OPEN MIC - 05/30/21

5/4/2021

THEME: "Mothers and Others"

Share two or three of your polished poems or bust out some fresh ink from your notebook during Saint Augustine, Florida's longest running open mic poetry event. Invite a friend or two or three to view the livestream on FB Live to cheer you on.

Since Mother's Day happens this month, May is known as a month to celebrate mothers. There are other events such as Memorial Day and that is fair game as well.
May (be) you are one of the folks who associates this month with grilling and chilling. Write on! The writing prompt is just a suggestion, and you are free to follow it or not. What is important, is that we get to know you and your creative words.

If you would like to share a poem, please show up at 2:30 pm on the day of the reading and get your name on the list. We have space on the list for 15 poets at 5 minutes each. At 3:00 pm the readers will be called to the podium in the order their names appear on the sign-up sheet.

LOCATION:
Outdoor art patio at 137 King Street in the San Sabastian Art District, St. Augustine, Florida 32084. Pop-up coffee and sweet treats for sale by Ancient City Brunch Bar. Get to know their menu and their hours at their downtown location.
https://ancientcitybrunchbar.com/

At 3:00 pm EST on Sunday, May 30th, the FB Live feed for this reading will appear on the following site:

https://www.facebook.com/ancientcitypoets

ANCIENT CITY POETS ON YOUTUBE
Three years ago in April, we launched a YouTube Channel to preserve our past. We always encourage video students and volunteers with cameras to help us document the Saint Augustine poetry scene.

Subscribe to our channel so you can get notified whenever new footage is added. Thanks to Zoom we have some amazing recordings from the last year. We are looking forward to documenting our in person, face to face readings. Here is our social distanced reading from 2020, facilitated by Jamie Galley. Check out this pandemic salute to isolation and the early months of the global coronavirus pandemic.

National Poetry Month (April) 2021

4/1/2021

St. Johns Cultural Council and Ancient City Poets Celebrate National Poetry Month

Free Events throughout April, 2021

Enjoy free events and activities as the St. Johns Cultural Council and Ancient City Poets collaborate with local arts organizations to celebrate Poetry Month in St. Johns County.

This programming is sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.

Friday, April 2:
National Poetry Month at First Friday Art Walk
Art Studio of Saint Augustine Beach, Cultural Arts Center, St. Johns County Pier
5 pm to 8 pm
Meet local poets, enjoy poetry writing activities and browse an old-fashioned book fair featuring local authors during April's First Friday Art Walk.

Tuesday, April 6:
Poetry Month Proclamation
County Administration Building, 500 San Sebastian View, St. Augustine Florida
9 am.
The Board of County Commissioners proclaim Poetry Month in St. Johns County

Thursday, April 8:
Poetry in Motion Film Screenings at Light Box
Art Box, 137 King Street, St. Augustine Florida
6:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Enjoy an evening of spoken word documentaries and poetry videos, curated by filmmaker James Scott, followed by discussion.
Meet local authors with books available for purchase.

Saturday, April 17:
Poetry Activities at Airstream Row Artisan Market
190 Vilano Road, St. Augustine, Florida
10 am to 3 pm
Enjoy poetry activities and meet local poets during April's Vilano Beach Artisans Market.

Sunday, April 25:
Ancient City Poets Open Mic
Outdoor Art Patio at 137 King Street in the San Sebastian Art District
2:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Experience the spoken word scene at St. Johns County's longest running monthly poetry reading series.
Sign up starts at 2:30 pm and emcee Chris Bodor calls up 15 readers beginning at 3:00 pm.

ALL MONTH
"Writers Do Their P.Art" Exhibition
Art Studio of Saint Augustine Beach, Cultural Arts Center, St. Johns County Pier
Throughout the month of April. Experimental art show featuring ten Ancient City Poets on display during the entire month of April.
Gallery hours are posted at www.beachartstudio.org

ALL MONTH
St. Johns Cultural Council Haiku Contest
Prizes awarded for poems in three categories: Middle School, High School, and Adult.
Learn more at www.stjohnsculture.com

The St. Johns County Cultural Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and the designated local arts agency for St. Johns County, Florida.
For more information about the Cultural Council, visit www.stjohnsculture.com

DONATIONS TO SUPPORT LOCAL POETRY
Please support Poet Plant Press and Ancient City Poets. Buy them a coffee, or two, or ten. Any ammount of coffee money donated here goes towards poetry projects such as open mic events and published print books. Thank you Antonette Libro, our March 2021 sponsor, for the ten coffees.

DONATE HERE:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/poetplantpress/c/1107032

ANCIENT CITY POETS ON YOUTUBE
Three years ago, for National Poetry Month, Ancient City Poets launched a YouTube Channel to preserve our past. We always encourage video students and volunteers with cameras to help us document the Saint Augustine poetry scene.

Subscribe to our channel so you can get notified whenever new footage is added. Zoom is amazing. You can record the meetings, so we have been getting great recordings on our online event. It is a game changer. Here is the recording of Joel Lipman zooming in for the February 2021 open mic.

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