Call for Submissions: Voices at the Table anthology
Valdez Hill who runs the 4th Sunday open mic Voices at the Table in Vacaville is compiling an anthology. Submission Guidelines
Author: Kathleen Herrmann
20 more quotes about poetry for World Poetry Day
“I am trying to voice a plea for the patterning of a more beautiful and secure human world.” – Irma Meyers, Vallejo poet “Don’t bow down to critics who have not themselves written great masterpieces.” ― Lawrence Ferlinghetti “The poet or the revolutionary is there to …
Happy National Poetry Month! Upcoming events!
These are special events are in addition to the regular ongoing monthly open mics in Solano County. Join our mailing list for more up to the minute updates.
March 24, 2026 – 7 PM – Stream the Vallejo City Council Meeting to watch Erik Manuel Soto be officially proclaimed Vallejo’s sixth poet laureate.
March 28, 2026 – 10:00 AM – 11:00 – No Kings 3 at Vallejo’s MLK Plaza – Vallejo Poet Laureate Erik Manuel Soto will be presenting a poem at the demonstration. To register with local organizers, click here. Registration is not required to attend.
March 28, 2026 – 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM – FIESTAS PRIMAVERA at Benicia Gazebo Park on First Street – Vallejo Poet Laureate Erik Manuel Soto will be presenting a poem at the celebration.
April 1, 2026 – 2:30 p.m. – Dr. Genea Brice will be featuring at Contra Costa College library (in the back by the fireplace) 2600 Mission Bell Ave. San Pablo, CA 94806
April 9, 2026 – 6 to 8:30 PM – CA State Poet Laureate Lee Herrick and poets laureate from across Solano County will be participating in Poet Laureate Open Mic Night at the Vacaville Museum on. Admission is $12 for the public, $10 for members. http://www.vacavillemuseum.com/events
April 11, 2026 – National Poetry Month! Join us for the Monologues & Poetry International Film Fest & Open Mic, where poetry steps onto the screen. Beginning at 1:00 pm, we present a powerful fusion of short poetic films from around the globe that will ignite your imagination and leave you wanting to create in a new way. Free to the public, the film screening is followed by a community open mic. Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum – 734 Marin Street in Vallejo
April 19th, 2026 – Doors open at 1PM, readings start at 2PM. – Holograph – In celebration of Poetry Month, seven authors will gather on to give public readings of their work. Features Gillian Conoley, Eli Coyle, Courtney Cliften, Oswaldo Vargas, Jacalyn Eyvonne, David Hakim. Hosted by current Poet Laureate Erik Manuel Soto. CASH BAR non-alcoholic, beer, wine, spirits. Admission is FREE. Red Men Samoset Tribe #22 431 Georgia St, Vallejo, CA 94590
April 19 – 12-2 PM – I Need A Mic open mic at 420 Virginia Street, Vallejo
April 26 – 2-4 – Benicia’s annual event “Our Best to You” has been cancelled.
April 26 – 2-4:30 PM Vallejo Poets Laureate Erik Manuel Soto and Jacalyn Eyvonne feature for Voices at the Table (RSVP to stng21@yahoo.com)
April 29th – 6 – 8 PM – Black Poetry Celebration at the Benicia Public Library in the Dona Benicia Room by Benicia Black Lives Matter. 150 East L Street Benicia
Ongoing monthly open mics include:
- Voices at the Table 4th Sundays in Vacaville at 2:00 – 4:30 PM (RSVP to stng21@yahoo.com for location)
- Benicia First Tuesday poets at 6:15 PM at the Benicia Library at 150 East L Street, Benicia
- Poetry by the Bay on the 4th Thursdays in Vallejo at MIRA Theater at 7 PM
- 21+ 2nd Monday Poetry Speakeasy at Chris Club at 656 Benicia Road at 7 PM
- Art Beat Poetry Hour Live broadcast open mic at 10:30 AM on the 4th Thursdays on OZCAT 89.5 FM at 1026 Georgia Street.
- 21+ Wednesday Night Open Mic every Wednesday at 8 PM at the Townhouse Cocktail Lounge on 401a Georgia Street in Vallejo
County Fair Season is right around the corner
Four Bay Area county fairs have annual contests open to poets residing in Solano County. Have your poetry displayed proudly for fairgoers to enjoy. Win ribbons, rosettes, and cash prizes. Some fairs even give free admission with entry. Our annual Solano County Fair takes place …
A New Season: A World in Flux Anthology Book Launch
Join Co-Poets Laureate Jacalyn Eyvonne and Kathleen Herrmann for a book launch celebration of this new anthology of Bay Area poets and beyond. Through a variety of poetic voices and verse, these poets share how the times we live in have affected them in many ways and on many levels. Poets who attend are invited to read their poem(s) at the open mic. Copies of the anthology will be available for purchase and refreshments will be served.
Saturday, January 31st, 5-7 p.m.
Alibi Bookshop, 624 Marin Street, Vallejo 94590
Solano County Poetry Out Loud Competition
Solano County Poetry Out Loud invites high school aged students to compete in the annual poetry recitation competition. Simply submit student(s) name(s), school, organization and contact information via Email, Text, or Phone Call to Your Local Coordinators by January 7th, 2026. Contact local coordinators Vallejo …
YEAH, WRITE
Julie Voice and Anna Santos Quismorio are thrilled to announce YEAH, WRITE: Winter Sanctuary Series 2025 starts Friday December 19, 2025 at THE EXCHANGE VALLEJO! Located at 617 Marin Street Vallejo, CA 94590 Register to attend at Event Brite This month’s intention is RESTORE. Rest. …
Deadline Extended! Apply to be 2026-2027 Vallejo Poet Laureate!
VALLEJO POET LAUREATE – CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
Deadline has passed.
The Poet Laureate is dedicated to building community through poetry and encouraging a love
of poetry among people of all ages. The Poet Laureate is appointed by the Vallejo Center for the Arts and is recognized by the City of Vallejo.
MISSION
The mission of the Poet Laureate is to promote the influence of poetry and enrich the lives of
citizens by sharing and encouraging the gift of poetry.
EXPECTATIONS
- Contribute to the growth of poetry in Vallejo by organizing and leading poetry activities,
events, and readings of the Poet Laureate’s choosing. At least one such event must be in
partnership with Alibi Bookshop, Karen Finlay proprietor. - Partner with Vallejo’s JFK Library for at least one poetry reading event, to be organized and
coordinated jointly by the Poet Laureate and library staff. - Attend area literary events.
- Perform at government, civic and school events as requested.
REQUIREMENTS
- Admirable and proven level of skill in writing poetry.
- Promising aptitude to engage Vallojoans of all ages and in all our diversity in the awareness
and enjoyment of poetry. - Must be 21 or older.
- Must be a resident of Vallejo
TERM
The term of service is two years, from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2027. The Poet
Laureate will also join the committee in the search for a successor to the position at the end of
the term. No remuneration is offered for the Poet Laureate position.
APPLICATION PROCESS
A general call for applications is made. The application will be available at www.vallejoarts.org
and paper copies will be available at JFK Library and Alibi Bookshop.
APPLICATIONS MUST INCLUDE:
- Completed application form, including the binding statement assuring that the poems are
original and materials submitted are true. - Work sample not to exceed 5 pages, one poem per page.
- Resume or curriculum vitae, not to exceed two pages, including applicant’s experience with
poetry and poetry events. - Audio or video recording of the applicant presenting their original poetry, not to exceed five
minutes. - Explanation of what applicant would do in the role of Poet Laureate, not to exceed 1 page.
- All materials should be emailed to: renayconlin@vallejoarts.org
- Deadline: Extended to December 31st, 2025.
- For questions, contact: Jeff Kingman jkingman@mindspring.com
Download the official application below
Note: Vallejo Poetry Society is just reposting the application here to help spread the word. The application process is sponsored by Vallejo Center for the Arts. Please refer to the contact information above for any questions or comments.
Mare Island Art of a Community Ekphrastic Poetry Event
YOU ARE INVITED… Poets of all ages are invited to view the Art of Community Exhibit at Mare Island Art Studios (launching August 9), select up to three pieces of art, and write poetry for our upcoming ekphrastic poetry event. We’re excited to have Vallejo …