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National Poetry Month is upon us, and here are my upcoming events! Also, as many have requested, here is the video of the speech I gave at my reception. Special thanks to Poetry Center San Jose for co-sponsoring these events. Learn more about all PCSJ does to promote poetry in the South Bay at pcsj.org. If you have questions, email me at info@thedavidperez.com. If you want reminders as events get closer, follow my Twitter @dperezer. Enjoy your poetry month!

• April 5
  Milpitas Library Poetry Reading
  3pm
  The Milpitas poetry community is truly extraordinary. I’m proud to be in their space once again to read alongside Erica Goss (Poet Laureate of Los Gatos) and Kim Johnson (spoken word sensation). The event also features two former Milpitas Poetry Slam winners, Liala Zaray and Ahsan Zahid. The event comes complete with free food and musical guest, cellist Freya Seeburger. I will also give a poetry workshop at the library at 1pm. Both the workshop and the reading will take place in the auditorium. Email Lauren Teixeira at lteixeira@sccl.org or visit the Facebook event for more info.
• April 10 and 19
  Campbell Library Youth Poetry Workshops
  4:30pm (on both days)
  This is a series of two poetry composition courses for youth ages 13 to 17. You don’t need to have written before. If you have a piece you’d like to polish up, bring it, and I’ll give you some revision techniques. I’m flexible on the ages. Any young person interested in poetry is welcome to join. Just ask the staff at the front desk where to find the poetry workshop and they’ll let you know where we’re meeting. Email Klara Kim at KKim@sccl.org for more info.
• April 17
  5^th Annual San Jose Museum of Art Poetry Invitational
  7pm
  Entrance fee: $5 (free for Museum members)
  This event brings the worlds of visual art and poetry together through the practice of ekphrasis. Poets perform original works inspired by art on display at the museum. Each poet reads while standing beside his or her chosen art piece. This year, all poems relate to work in the exhibit “Initial Public Offering.” Featured poets include Kimberly Escamilla, Jennifer Swanton Brown, Jason Bayani, Claudia McIsaac, Jasper Haze, Evan Karp, Nils Peterson, Sally Ashton, and myself. You can’t miss the location. Just come in through the front door and “Initial Public Offering” is immediately to your right. Visit the Facebook Event for more info.
• April 24
  San Jose State University’s Legacy of Poetry Day
  12pm
  Every year, SJSU hosts this event, and this they’re holding it in honor of poets Wanda Coleman and Edwin Markham. I am proud to share the stage with Joy Harjo, Al Young and Sally Ashton and Nils Peterson. We will be reading poems from Coleman and Markham in addition to our own works. The event is held out doors at SJSU right in front of the campus entrance to the MLK library. Visit the SJSU Legacy of Poetry page for more info.
• April 24 and 26
  Gilroy Library Poetry Workshops
  5pm (on 4-24) / 2pm (on 4-26)
  This is a series of two poetry composition courses for writers of all ages. You can come to one workshop or both. We will do a lot of in-class writing. Coming on both days will give you the chance to revise your work from the first day and bring it in for another round of feedback and edits. Email Kelly Bennan Young at KYoung@sccl.org for more info.

I sat down with Brian Romaine of Poetry Center San Jose, and we had ourselves quite a chat about the written word, the favorable effects of art in our daily lives and, of course, the Russian flavor of Judo. Read the interview at: http://tinyurl.com/n3wc33g

Also, don’t forget that you’re invited to my reception and launch event. We will hear from Santa Clara County Poet Laureate Emeritus, Sally Ashton among others. I will share some remarks on the value of poetry and the role the Laureate plays in making it more available and accessible. I’ll also give a reading consisting of poems from my book and from my more recent musings.

Reception Details:

Saturday, March 15

3pm

Campbell Library Community Room

77 Harrison Ave. / Campbell, CA

You are invited to the Poet Laureate Launch Event and Reception for newly appointed Laureate, David Perez, on Saturday, March 15.

Free to the public, the reception opens with music from a live jazz trio and hors d’oeuvres courtesy of Cafe Stritch. Mike McGee hosts. Former Poet Laureate, Sally Ashton, and Director of the School of Arts and Culture, Tamara Alvarado, offer remarks on the role of Poet Laureate and David’s contributions to South Bay arts communities.  David comments on his vision for the next two years and gives a reading consisting of poems from his book and some newer works. Guests are welcome to stay for a meet and greet after David’s reading.

Date / Time: Saturday, March 15  / 3 to 4:30pm

Location: Campbell Library, Community Room: 77 Harrison Ave| Campbell, CA 95008

Facebook users, please RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/486894711430629/

Twitter users,  you can receive updates for all of David’s projects by following him  @dperezer

Hello blog followers, poetry fans and Internet at large!

I am honored to be taking the reins as Santa Clara County Poet Laureate. This includes releasing content and updates regarding upcoming poetry events, sharing news from poets and artists throughout the county, and facilitating my own projects. I will make every effort to keep the blog nice and current.

That said, you are invited to the Poet Laureate Launch Event and Reception! Saturday, March 15 (details below).

Free to the public, the event features a few guest speakers, a poetry reading, food, treats, and jazz! Someone asked me if Kenny G. was playing. I said if he does, I’m having him arrested.

Date / Time: Saturday, March 15  / 3 to 4:30pm

Location: Campbell Library, Community Room: 77 Harrison Ave| Campbell, CA 95008

If you’re logged into facebook and are dying to RSVP on the event page, go here: https://www.facebook.com/events/486894711430629/

If you twitter, I’m @dperezer

Hope to see you soon,

David

As you know, Santa Clara County is in the process of selecting its third Poet Laureate. All is under wraps, even from me, your outgoing laureate.

But don’t go away . . .in the meantime I’ll try to keep your attention on all things poetry with occasional posts that I find of interest in the hopes that you might, too.

Case in point, this recent PBS/Jeffrey Brown interview with former U.S. Poet Laureate, Billy Collins. He shares some great thoughts on the composition of poetry.

Thanks for “staying tuned!”

Sally Ashton
Santa Clara County Poet Laureate
2011-2013

Don’t miss this annual Santa Clara County Poet Laureate event sponsored by the San Jose Museum of Art and Poetry Center San Jose. Santa Clara County’s first Laureate, Nils Peterson, began the tradition. I will be this year’s host once more.

Come early and enjoy the museum’s current exhibits, then listen to a selection of poems read that were written by area poets in response to these pieces.

There may still be space in the morning workshop at the museum so that you can try your hand at writing an ekphrastic poem, too.

I hope to see you there~

Sally Ashton
Santa Clara County Poet Laureate Emeritus
2011-2013

Oh! The Places You’ll Go!
by Theodor Seuss Geisel
aka Dr. Seuss

This particular poem that I have selected is often read at graduations, almost to the point that is is cliché. My particular experience with it is quite different however, because my father read it to me as a child.  He has always been a promoter of knowledge, and he felt that this poem by Dr. Seuss was a motivational tool. I agree. Throughout my history of reading I have been unable to find a poem more “real” (and remember, it is written by a man who constantly makes up words).  The reader gets a feeling that they are able to accomplish anything, and luckily for me I was able to hear it at a tender age.

Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.

You’ll look up and down streets. Look’em over with care. About some you will say, “I don’t choose to go there.” With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet, you’re too smart to go down a not-so-good street.

And you may not find any you’ll want to go down. In that case, of course, you’ll head straight out of town. It’s opener there in the wide open air.

Out there things can happen and frequently do to people as brainy and footsy as you.

And when things start to happen, don’t worry. Don’t stew. Just go right along. You’ll start happening too.

Oh! The Places You’ll Go!

You’ll be on your way up!
You’ll be seeing great sights!
You’ll join the high fliers who soar to high heights.

You won’t lag behind, because you’ll have the speed. You’ll pass the whole gang and you’ll soon take the lead. Wherever you fly, you’ll be best of the best. Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.

Except when you don’t.
Because, sometimes, you won’t.

I’m sorry to say so but, sadly, it’s true that Bang-ups and Hang-ups can happen to you. Continue reading →