Within Words We Are One
VALLEJO POET LAUREATE – CALL FOR APPLICATIONS The Poet Laureate is dedicated to building community through poetry and encouraging a loveof poetry among people of all ages. The Poet Laureate is appointed by the Vallejo Center for the Arts and is recognized by the City …
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 …
Dear esteemed poets and community members:
You are cordially invited to attend
A Decade of Poetic Unity: Celebrating Vallejo’s Poets Laureate
July 26th, 2025
2-5 PM
Vallejo Museum
734 Marin Street
Free event. Donations accepted here:
https://gofund.me/19b3ee6a
This year marks ten years since the appointment of Vallejo, California’s first Poet Laureate, Dr. Genea Brice, in 2015. This celebration will honor the legacy and ongoing contributions of our city’s poets laureate, including Jeremy Snyder, D.L. Lang, and our current co-poets laureate, Jacalyn Eyvonne and Kathleen Herrmann.From its inception, Vallejo’s Poet Laureate Program has been a beacon of cultural enrichment, offering a vibrant array of poetry presentations, events, and activities. These initiatives have fostered emotional expression and communal unity and significantly deepened our cultural understanding, allowing us to appreciate the diverse perspectives and voices that make up our community.
This event will feature:
This is a rare opportunity to see all five Vallejo, California Poets Laureate perform on one stage:
Dr. Genea S. Brice – July 28, 2015-Aug. 31, 2017 – Dr. Genea Brice was named the Inaugural Poet Laureate of The City of Vallejo, CA. She has had the high honor of sharing poetry locally, nationally, and internationally. It is her sincere delight and honest pleasure to use poetry as a vehicle for literacy. Find her online at http://www.geneabrice.com
D.L. Lang – Sept. 1, 2017 – Dec. 31, 2019 – D.L. Lang is an internationally published poet whose work appears in 90 anthologies, including the Vagabond Lunar Collection, which is archived on the moon. She has authored 18 poetry books, including Fighting the Solar System (2024). She is a member of the Revolutionary Poets Brigade and co-founded Vallejo Poetry Society. Find her online at http://www.dianalangpoetry.com
Jeremy Snyder – Jan. 1, 2020 – Dec. 31, 2023 – Jeremy Snyder served as the host of Vallejo’s longest running Poetry open mic, Poetry by the Bay, from 2018 through 2022. He hosted over 100 shows over Zoom to keep the community together during the pandemic.
Jacalyn Eyvonne, Jan 1, 2024 – Current.– Author of I Am Not An Inconsequential Word, Venting To Verse: How To Turn Anger Into Poetry,and The Unyielding Weight of Words. Published work includes Oakland Tribune, Wheelsong Poetry, United Kingdom; Hues of Spring, Nyra Publishers; World Healing Peace, Inner Child Press, and more. Editor, Youth Poetry Letters. Find her online at http://www.jacalyneyvonne.com
Kathleen Herrmann, January 1, 2024 – Current.– Kathleen Herrmann, Vallejo Co-Poet Laureate, teaches poetry writing to young people and reads original poetry at community events. Her poems have been published in various anthologies, and her first poetry collection, Cane In The Sand, is in progress. Kathleen writes about unexpected happenings and the ongoing struggle for social justice.
Kyrah Ayers is the founder of Poetry by the Bay which he hosted from 2008 to 2018. He is author of the poetry collection My Light. Kyrah is co-owner and driving force behind the first black owned Crystal Botanica in the city of Oakland, CA called Queen Hippie Gypsy which he and his wife opened in 2018.
Prior to this he founded the largest and longest running open mic poetry show in Solano County, CA called Poetry By The Bay which has allowed thousands of poets to come and share their work and to gain understanding and appreciation for themselves. You can find him online at https://www.activelypursuinggoals.com/
Free event. Donations accepted here.
Please RSVP online at Eventbrite.
Please RSVP at the Facebook event located at this URL: https://www.facebook.com/events/1794033647843305
Note: If you do not have Facebook, that’s ok. We would still love to have you in attendance. We are just trying to get a general headcount.
Visit our Poets Laureate online and support them by purchasing their books at:
http://www.dianalangpoetry.com
https://www.jacalyneyvonne.com
We look forward to seeing you there!
An upcoming anthology from Vallejo Co-Poets Laureate Jacalyn Eyvonne and Kathleen Herrmann San Francisco Bay Area poets are invited to share their perspectives on what they see, feel, and think during these critical times. We welcome poems that explore shadows and light, doubt and certainty, …
July 2025 Poetry on display at Alameda County Fair from June 13th-July 6th and Marin County Fair from July 2-6 Tue., July 1 – Benicia First Tuesday Poets will not meet in July or August. It will return on September 2nd. July 4 – 12-3 PM – …
Sunday, May 4, 2-4pm: Tea House Open Mic Poetry at IntegriTEA Space, 717 Marin St., Vallejo, hosted by Vallejo Co Poets Laureates Jacalyn Eyvonne and Kathleen Herrmann (moved from 2nd Sunday due to Mothers’ Day)
Tuesday, May 6, 6:15-8:30: First Tuesday Poets at Benicia Library, East L St. An Open Mic event in the comfy chairs in the Fireside Lounge, hosted by Benicia Poet Laureate Katrina Monroe. All Welcome to read (3 minute max for each of 2 poems) or to just listen.
Thursday, May 8, 10:30 for brunch, 11 for meeting: Table Talk at the Inn by the Bay, East D St., Benicia. An opportunity for writers of all genres to exchange ideas, resources and favorite things. For more details or to RSVP to host Beth Grimm, email grimmbeth93@gmail.com.
Saturday, May 10, 2-4pm: Meet Genny Lim, a reading by San Francisco Poet Laureate Genny Lim, poet, musician, playwright, winner of the American Book Award, IntegriTEA Space, 717 Marin Street, 2-4 p.m., hosted by Co-Poets Laureate Kathleen Herrmann & Jacalyn Eyvonne.
Wednesday, May 14, 6-8pm: Meet Your Poetic Cousins and Ancestors at JFK Library, 505 Santa Clara St, Vallejo, hosted by David Hakim. A reading and exploration of the craft of famous poets.
Monday, May 19: DEADLINE for Solano County Fair Poetry Entries.
Thursday, May 22, 10:30-11:30am: Ozcat Poetry Hour, on Ozcat Radio 89.5FM. Available worldwide via tunein: https://tunein.com/radio/Ozcat-Radio-895-s130679/ Poets are invited to come at 10:15 to read 2 rounds of poetry on live radio, hosted by Tom Stanton and DJ LALA.
Tue., May 27 – “May Flowers” art exhibit opens at the FSVAA Gallery. Pieces available to view online at
fvaa-arts.org, click on “Gallery”. Send poems of 42 lines or less inspired by this exhibit to Suzanne Bruce at fairfieldpoetlaureate.emerita@gmail.com by Wed., June 18 at 5:00 p.m. The art reception and poetry reading will be on Saturday, June 21.
Wed., May 28– Poetry By The Bay, New Time! 7:30-9:30 p.m., Mira Theater, 51 Daniels Street, hosted by Keith Thompson and Cynaka GO284.
SATURDAY, MAY 31, 12-3:30pm: OPENING DAY of The Art of a Community at Arts Benicia, 1 Commandant Lane. Poets are invited to choose one piece to which to write an ekphrastic poem, one page long in 12 point font, including a title and name of the poet. Because of the large number of art works, approximately 190 with each artist limited to one piece in the show, each piece in our ekphrastic event can have only one poem written to it. There will be a signup sheet for each poet to choose an unduplicated art work that they commit to writing about. The Gallery is open Thursdays through Sundays, 1-5 pm. Plenty of time through June for you to select ONE of 190 art pieces to use as inspiration for your one page of poetry. Up to 30 poets can sign up on the sheet in the front hall. Specific instructions are posted next to it. The deadline for sending in your poem is July 1. The ekphrastic event will be Saturday, July 12, 2-4pm. Hosted by Benicia Poet Laureate Kathy Monroe.
Sun., June 1 – Bay Area Butterfly Festival, 10-5, 860 Nimitz Avenue, Vallejo (Mare Island). Kathleen Herrmann will perform poetry and song in the Kids’ Zone from 3:00-3:15. Suggested donation: children $5, adults $15
Sunday, June 1, 2-4pm PDT: BENICIA LOVE POETRY CELEBRATION ON ZOOM! Come join the excitement of hearing the winning poetry, the honorable mentions, as well as the other fabulous entries! Hosted by Kathy Monroe and Mary Susan Gast. Zoom
Tue., June 3 – First Tuesday Poets, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Fireside Lounge, Benicia Library, hosted by Benicia Poet Laureate Kathy Monroe.
Sun., June 8 – Tea House Open Mic Poetry, IntegriTEA Space, 717 Marin Street, 2-4 p.m., hosted by Co-Poet Laureate Jacalyn Eyvonne.
Wed., June 11 Meet Your Poetic Cousins & Ancestors, 6-8 p.m., JFK Library, 505 Santa Clara St., Vallejo
June 19th – Juneteenth Flag Raising at Vallejo Museum 734 Marin Street. Dr. Genea Brice will be sharing poetry.
Sat., June 21 – 3 – 6 PM “May Flowers” Art Reception and Poetry Reading at FSVAA Gallery, 1350 Travis Blvd., Fairfield, hosted by Poet Laureate Emerita Suzanne Bruce.
Saturday, June 21 – 7-9 PM – Speaking in the Key of Meaning Jazz & Poetry at the Mira Theater, 51 Daniels Avenue, Vallejo, CA, 94590 $25 tickets available here
Wed., June 25– Poetry By The Bay, New Time! 7:30-9:30 p.m., Mira Theater, 51 Daniels Street, hosted by Keith Thompson and Cynaka GO284.
Thursday, June 26, 10:30-11:30am: Ozcat Poetry Hour, on Ozcat Radio 89.5FM. Available worldwide via tunein: https://tunein.com/radio/Ozcat-Radio-895-s130679/ Poets are invited to come at 10:15 to read 2 rounds of poetry on live radio, hosted by Tom Stanton and DJ LALA.
June 28th – 2-4 PM open mic at Panama Bay Coffee on the waterfront – https://www.instagram.com/p/DJKXdG5SvSx/?img_index=1
June 28th – 4 PM Poetry is Dead II Grateful Dead anthology reading at Alibi Bookshop 624 Marin Street in Vallejo. Features California contributors to anthology edited by D.L. Lang. More information.
Registration and fee payment of $5 per entry is due May 19th through this link: https://www.blueribbonfair.com/BRFairProd/BlueRibbonStart.aspx?ID=1844
Dept. 205 , Division 230. Two classes: 1 – Published. 2 – Unpublished.
Instructions for display: https://scfair.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2-Entry-Guide-Book-Fine-Arts.pdf
Delivery of framed poetry to McCormack Hall at the Fairgrounds on Friday, May 30th between 3 PM – 7 PM or Saturday, May 31st between 10 AM – 2 PM.
Fair takes place June 12 – 15th
Pick up is June 16th 12 noon to 7 PM.
If you would like to perform at the fair here is the link to the online applications: https://scfair.org/perform-at-the-fair/
Poetry Speakeasy at Chris Club meets on the 2nd Monday of the month at 7 PM. 21+ venue that serves alcohol. 656 Benicia Road, Vallejo. Hosted by Remo Valentino.
Open Mic at the Townhouse meets every Wednesday at 8 PM. Poets are welcome. 21+ venue that serves alcohol. Hosted by Rich Adams. 401A Georgia Street, Vallejo.
Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum – 734 Marin Street, Vallejo, CA – 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
You are invited to A Decade of Poetic Unity
RSVP at Eventbrite to let us know you’re coming!
Compiled by Kathy Monroe, Kathleen Herrmann, and D.L. Lang
TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 6:15 – 8:30, FIRST TUESDAY POETS, gathering in the Benicia Library by the main fireplace in the comfy chairs. 150 East L Street in Benicia Sun. Mar. 9 Tea House Open Mic Poetry, Integrity Space, 717 Marin Street, 2-4 p.m., hosted by Co-Poets Laureate …
Happy New Year! If you are looking for opportunities in the new year to perform your poetry and spoken word at open mics in Vallejo, Fairfield, or Benicia we’ve got you covered. Perform your poetry at open mics in Solano County and connect with a …
Due to winter holidays in the month of December many open mics may not be holding performances. Please confirm details with individual event hosts closer to the date.
Tue., Dec. 3 – First Tuesday Poets, Benicia Library, Dona Benicia Room, 6:15 cookies and social time, Open Mic, 6:30-8:30, hosted by Benicia Poet Laureate Katrina Monroe, 150 East L Street, Benicia, CA
Saturday, December 7th – 4:00-6:00pm – Save the Date for an ekphrastic with Fairfield-Suisun City Visual Arts Association Gallery- Solano Town Center Mall, 350 Travis Blvd, Suite D-8, Fairfield, CA 94533
Sun, December 08, 2024 – 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM PST – Poetic Medicine Circle with John Fox at Rush Ranch. 3521 Grizzly Island Rd, Suisun City, CA 94585 Partial fee scholarships available. Register here.
Tea House Poetry will meet on December 8th 2:00-4:00 PM, hosted by Amana and Indi.
Sunday, December 8th – 6 PM Three Rooms Press presents 2024 SF ¡DADA! DO SALON A Highly Eclectic DADA Performance Event plus the official San Francisco launch of MAINTENANT 18: Journal of Contemporary DADA Writing and Art at SPEC’S Twelve Adler Museum Cafe located at 12 William Saroyan Place, North Beach, San Francisco. The line-up features renowned contempoarary DADA artists from the Bay Area and beyond including Youssef Alaoui, Mahnaz Badihian, Allison Davis, Carol Dorf, D. L. Lang, Jon Longhi, Richard Loranger, Robyn Mallory, Marina Solé, Rich Stone, Barbara Vos, and Lorene Zarou-Zouzounis. Three Rooms Press co-founders and MAINTENANT editors Peter Carlaftes and Kat Georges host.
Come to Alibi Bookshop on December 15th from 3:30 PM – 5 PM for the Youth Poetry Letters Book Party at Alibi Bookshop in Vallejo. 624 Marin Street. Celebrate the release of the Youth Poetry Letters: Pencils and Dreams: Young Vallejo Poets Share Their World, an anthology edited by Vallejo Poets Laureate Jacalyn Eyvonne and Kathleen Herrmann.
Art Beat Poetry Hour will be meeting on the third Thursday, December 19th, due to national and religious holidays. It shall return to 4th Thursdays after the new year. Show up at 1026 Georgia Street in Vallejo by 10:15 AM to read live on air. You can listen to the broadcast at worldwide via https://tunein.com/radio/Ozcat-Radio-895-s130679/
Sunday, December 29th – 2 PM – Integrity Poetry Party at 717 Marin Street. Poetry open mic and live music.
December 6 – Fairfield’s annual tree lighting in front of the Solano County government building at 675 Texas St. Poet Laureate Suzanne Bruce will be sharing a poem.
December 7 – Vallejo’s annual Mad Hatter Holiday parade. Vallejo Poet Laureate Jacalyn Eyvonne will be sharing poetry. For more details visit hattervallejo.com
Saturday, December 14 – Benicia Literary Arts Annual Holiday Party at the Estey Real Estate office located at 216 First Street in downtown Benicia. Look out for details to come via the Benicia Literary Arts website.
Saturday, December 21st – 1:00-3:00pm – Fairfield Poet Laureate Suzanne Bruce will be holding a December Cultural Celebrations poetry open mic on December 21, 2024 from 1-3 PM at 5050 Business Center Drive, Fairfield, CA. Check her site for more details.
December 26 – Fairfield’s annual Hanukkah lighting with Chabad of Solano in front of the Solano County government building at 675 Texas St. Poet Laureate Suzanne Bruce will be sharing a poem, and Hadas Daniel will be translating it into Hebrew. Visit jewishsolano.com for more Hanukkah events around the county.
We recommend you join our mailing list and follow us on social media to stay in the loop about other poetry events where you can perform your poetry that may pop up throughout the year.
Seeking answers on the role and purpose of poets and poetry in our lives? Delve into the following quotes about poets and poetry for insights.