Sage’s Poetry Series
April 19, 2012 -
A free Sages-sponsored event, Poetry Panel, the first in a series of literary evenings, will be held May 2, 7:30 p.m. in the Topanga Library meeting room.
The poets are a diverse and interesting lot that include Topangans Jean Colonomos and Gary Johnson joining Ann Buxie of Malibu and Jaha Zainabu of Long Beach.
The Panel is the brainchild of Colonomos and Buxie, who have taken part in many similar events. They will read selections from their favorite poetry in an attempt to answer the question, “Why poetry?” and open discussion for audience response.
After the poets read one or two of their own poems, the audience will be encouraged to write a line or two and read it to the group.
“That part of the evening is always fantastic,” says Colonomos. “It’s the big surprise.”
Jean Colonomos was a Martha Graham dancer in the 1960s. “That’s how I started down the arts path,” she remembers. She turned to playwrighting after injuries ended her career, writing several award-winning works produced in New York, L.A. and regional theater. She is now an Associate Artist with Playwrights’ Arena, a downtown theater complex. So why poetry? “It just started coming out.” Inspired by the possibilities of the form, she wrote Carrie, a one-act play in verse, which won the Westwood First Prize from the University of Southern Oregon.
Ann Buxie, like Colonomos, is a Renaissance woman. She earned her Ph.D. in her fifties in depth psychology at Pacific Graduate Institute. Out of her thesis, she began writing poetry. Buxie has focused for many years on the art of storytelling. Fifteen years ago, she founded Tales by the Sea in Malibu, where people come to share stories. Once held at Malibu United Methodist, she now holds the free sessions at her home on occasional Saturday nights, including dinner. The next one will be held May 19. Space is limited, so RSVP to (310) 457-3585. Recently, she added Poetry by the Sea on Sunday afternoons. Her efforts won her the Dolphin Award, Malibu’s version of Citizen of the Year.
Jaha Zainabu is at the other end of the spectrum – a charismatic poet, storyteller, performance artist and singer, who plays venues all over the country. The young mother also hosts a blog called “Jaha’s World: Black Woman Blogger,” and her mantra is “I live for a living.” Her themes are universal, but “very strong, rooted in the African voice.”
Gary Johnson is the token male, another complicated artist. He recently retired as Supervising Producer and Head Writer of Jeopardy!, but has always been a writer in every medium. He published short stories before completing his 2006 book of poetry, Head Trauma: Sonnets and Other Poems, which won the Independent Publishers Silver Medal and was featured in the anthology, Best New Writing 2008. He’s completed another book of poetry and is currently finishing a novel, Zipper.
Why poetry? “Poetry is a perfect distillation of language,” he says.
Join the poets for a stimulating evening, serving up fine language with tea, cookies and Poetry in Motion.
The poets are a diverse and interesting lot that include Topangans Jean Colonomos and Gary Johnson joining Ann Buxie of Malibu and Jaha Zainabu of Long Beach.
The Panel is the brainchild of Colonomos and Buxie, who have taken part in many similar events. They will read selections from their favorite poetry in an attempt to answer the question, “Why poetry?” and open discussion for audience response.
After the poets read one or two of their own poems, the audience will be encouraged to write a line or two and read it to the group.
“That part of the evening is always fantastic,” says Colonomos. “It’s the big surprise.”
Jean Colonomos was a Martha Graham dancer in the 1960s. “That’s how I started down the arts path,” she remembers. She turned to playwrighting after injuries ended her career, writing several award-winning works produced in New York, L.A. and regional theater. She is now an Associate Artist with Playwrights’ Arena, a downtown theater complex. So why poetry? “It just started coming out.” Inspired by the possibilities of the form, she wrote Carrie, a one-act play in verse, which won the Westwood First Prize from the University of Southern Oregon.
Ann Buxie, like Colonomos, is a Renaissance woman. She earned her Ph.D. in her fifties in depth psychology at Pacific Graduate Institute. Out of her thesis, she began writing poetry. Buxie has focused for many years on the art of storytelling. Fifteen years ago, she founded Tales by the Sea in Malibu, where people come to share stories. Once held at Malibu United Methodist, she now holds the free sessions at her home on occasional Saturday nights, including dinner. The next one will be held May 19. Space is limited, so RSVP to (310) 457-3585. Recently, she added Poetry by the Sea on Sunday afternoons. Her efforts won her the Dolphin Award, Malibu’s version of Citizen of the Year.
Jaha Zainabu is at the other end of the spectrum – a charismatic poet, storyteller, performance artist and singer, who plays venues all over the country. The young mother also hosts a blog called “Jaha’s World: Black Woman Blogger,” and her mantra is “I live for a living.” Her themes are universal, but “very strong, rooted in the African voice.”
Gary Johnson is the token male, another complicated artist. He recently retired as Supervising Producer and Head Writer of Jeopardy!, but has always been a writer in every medium. He published short stories before completing his 2006 book of poetry, Head Trauma: Sonnets and Other Poems, which won the Independent Publishers Silver Medal and was featured in the anthology, Best New Writing 2008. He’s completed another book of poetry and is currently finishing a novel, Zipper.
Why poetry? “Poetry is a perfect distillation of language,” he says.
Join the poets for a stimulating evening, serving up fine language with tea, cookies and Poetry in Motion.
Xxxxxxx
Um...yeah. I loved that they called me a singer but...no. Also loved that they called me a "young" mother. I'll take that.
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