Poet Populist

The Washington Poets Association is proud to nominate John Burgess as its 2006 Seattle Poet Populist candidate.

John Burgess was born in upstate New York, taught English in Japan, became a ranked calligrapher and lives, writes and raises his family in Seattle. His poems have appeared in many literary journals and magazines including Cranky, Pontoon, Snow Monkey, 4th Street, PoetsWest Literary Journal, and in the anthologies Mute Note Earthward and Tattoos on Cedar.

His critically acclaimed first collection of poetry, PUNK POEMS, was published last year by Ravenna Press. John is one of the founders of The Burning Word festival held the last Saturday of April at Whidbey Island’s Greenbank Farm and he has been a board member of the Washington Poets Association for the last 6 years. Few people have worked with such dedication and tireless sacrifice toward the goal of spreading the diverse voices of poetry throughout Washington State and the Northwest as has John Burgess. He's a superb poet who would make a wonderful Poet Populist.

Please vote for one of the gifted nominees at www.seattlepoetpopulist.org/vote.htm

Poet Populist Candidates Read-Off

Join The Seattle Public Library, City Council President Nick Licata and Bumbershoot for a 2006 - 2007 Seattle Poet Populist Candidates Read-Off.

Sunday, July 16, 2:00 to 3:30 pm.
Seattle Central Library
1000 Fourth Ave. (Microsoft Auditorium, Level 1)

This program is free and open to the public. Tickets and reservations are not required. Parking in the Central Library garage will be available for the regular Sunday rate of $5 for up to 4 hours. Doors will open at 1:30 p.m.

This event will feature readings by seven Seattle poets who were nominated by Seattle literary organizations for the post of 2006-2007 Seattle Poet Populist.

The 2006 - 2007 nominees and their nominators are:

• Anna Maria Hong, Eleventh Hour Productions
• Lyn Coffin, PEN Washington
• John Burgess, Washington Poets Association
• Joannie Kervran Strangeland, Rose Alley Press
• Jourdan Keith, Ground Up Reading Series at Richard Hugo House
• Barbara Petite, Cancer Lifeline Reading Series at Third Place Ravenna Books
• Crysta Casey, It's About Time Writers Reading Series at Third Place Ravenna Books

Additional Information

Monday, August 21st, 5:00pm

Voting concludes. The city will then begin tabulating and verifying votes.

Monday, August 28th

Bumbershoot and the City will announce finalists and the Bumbershoot Poet Populist event.

Saturday, September 2nd, 12:30 pm

The finalists will read at Bumbershoot literary stage at the Seattle Center. Announcement and award presented to the winning poet.

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