Potluck, Readings Part of Poetry Month Celebration

April is National Poetry Month and Write On, Door County offers two special events to celebrate poetry from around the world and to meet others who appreciate poetry. Both events are free and open to the public.

In partnership with Door County Poet Laureate Sharon Auberle, a Poetry Potluck is planned for April 20, 6 pm, at the Gibraltar Fire Hall on County F in Fish Creek. This is the second in a series of four internationally themed potlucks and will focus on the poetry and food of Japan. Families are encouraged to participate. While the program is free, people are asked to call 920.868.1457 if they plan to attend. Participants should bring a Japanese-inspired dish to share and a poem either about Japan or by a Japanese poet to read.

Part of the role of Poet Laureate is to inspire an appreciation for poetry throughout the community. Auberle and Write On designed the poetry potlucks to encourage everyone to discover new poets and poems and an appreciation of other cultures. Poetry Potlucks will move around the county, providing everyone with an opportunity to take part. The other scheduled potlucks are July 20, a French-themed poetry potluck picnic at Write On’s property in Juddville; and Oct. 19 with a focus on India. All potlucks begin at 6 pm.

Write On’s annual International Mother Language Day reading scheduled in February was cancelled due to an ice storm. Write On has rescheduled the reading to conclude National Poetry Month with an international flare. The reading will take place April 30, 7 pm, at the Miller Art Museum, 107 S. Fourth Avenue, Sturgeon Bay. Speakers of languages other than English are sought to take part. Native speakers are preferred, but English speakers who are fluent in other languages are also welcome to take part. Participants are asked to read a poem by a favorite writer of their native language, a poem from childhood, or a poem of their own creation. All ages are welcome to take part. Readers do not have to read an English translation nor provide one for the audience. For more information visit writeondoorcounty.org.