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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

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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.

March Open Mic - 03/28/21

3/4/2021

Ancient City Poets Salute Women Who Inspire

THEME: "National Women's History Month"

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.

A poetry reading to celebrate Women’s History Month (March) will be held on Sunday March 28th. Ruth Van Alstine will host this time around. A poetry reading to celebrate Women’s History Month (March) will be held on Sunday, March 28th. Every March since 1987, Congress and U.S. Presidents have designated the month as Women's History Month. This year, we are celebrating the accomplishments and vital contributions of women in history with original poems that center on women's experiences in history.

All are invited to share poems or short pieces about “Women Who Inspire”, or just soak in the Saint Augustine poetry scene.

At 3:00 pm EST on Sunday, March 28th, the FB Live feed of this reading will appear on the following link:

https://www.facebook.com/ancientcitypoets

Ancient City Poets have been gathering for free open mic poetry readings on the last Sunday of each month, since August of 2009. A sign-up sheet will be available at 2:30 and the open mic will start at 3:00 pm.

If you would like to share a poem, you can contact the group in advance, through the "Contact Us" section of the official website. The day before this event, you will receive an email from Ancient City Poets with the Zoom Meeting ID and any Passcode that might be needed. We have space on the list for 15 poets at 5 minutes each. Readers will be called to the virtual podium in the order their names appear on the list.

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 Kimmy Van Kooten, our February 2021 sponsor, for the ten coffees.

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

ANCIENT CITY POETS ON YOUTUBE
Two 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 the of Jarad Morningstar zooming in from Mount Pleasant, Michigan for the January 2021 open mic.

February Online Open Mic - 02/28/21

2/23/2021

Ancient City Poet Christy Sheffield Sanford

THEME: "The Good, The Bed, and The Ugly"

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 Valentine's Day falls in the middle of the calendar, February is known as a month to celebrate love. The truth is, relationships are a rollercoaster, filled with good times, and bad times. Pop music lyrics tell us many different messages: Love is a battlefield, love is the drug, love is like oxygen, and love stinks. In your opinion, what is love, anyway? 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.

At 3:00 pm EST on Sunday, January 31st, the FB Live feed for this reading will appear on the following site:

https://www.facebook.com/ancientcitypoets

We have been gathering for free open mic poetry readings on the last Sunday of each month, since August of 2009. A sign-up sheet will be available at 2:30 and the open mic will start at 3:00 pm.

If you would like to share a poem, please let us know through the "Contact US" section of our website. We will email you the Zoom Meeting ID and any Passcode that might be needed. We have space on the list for 15 poets at 5 minutes each. Readers will be called to the virtual podium in the order their names appear on the list.

ANCIENT CITY POETS ON YOUTUBE
Two years ago, for National Poetry Month, 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. 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 footage of PAM Jam Coordinator Loretta Leto at the Corazon Cinema and Cafe (RIP), reading her tribute poem to the Ancient City Poets at their ten year anniversary reading. Loretta will co host the February reading with Christy Sheffield Sanford.

January Online Open Mic - 01/31/2021

12/30/2020

Ancient City Poet - Kimmy Van Kooten

THEME: "Brand New World"

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.

The new year is now here and you are invited to write words to that theme. Maybe you would like to compose a break-up letter to 2020 or an eviction letter to that bastard of a year. 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.

At 3:00 pm EST on Sunday, January 31st, the FB Live feed for this reading will appear on the following site:

https://www.facebook.com/ancientcitypoets

We have been gathering for free open mic poetry readings on the last Sunday of each month, since August of 2009. A sign-up sheet will be available at 2:30 and the open mic will start at 3:00 pm.

If you would like to share a poem, please let us know through the "Contact US" section of our website. We will email you the Zoom Meeting ID and any Passcode that might be needed. We have space on the list for 15 poets at 5 minutes each. Readers will be called to the virtual podium in the order their names appear on the list.

SUPPORT OUR READING VENUE
As soon as social distancing is a memory, we will return to the Corazon, located at 36 Granada Street in Saint Augustine, Florida. The Corazon is open most evenings. All staff members wear masks. We do ask that you patronize them and thank them for opening their doors to poetry and spoken word and performance art.

Here is the menu:
PLEASE CALL THEM BEFORE YOU GO TO CONFIRM THEIR HOURS
http://www.corazoncinemaandcafe.com/menu.html

ANCIENT CITY POETS ON YOUTUBE
Two years ago, for National Poetry Month, 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. Zoom is amazing in that you can record, so we have been getting great recordings on our online event. It is a game changer. Here is the September featuring St. Augustine's official contribution to "100 Thousand Poets for Change."

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