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Fall & Winter Poetry Events in Solano County

Fall & Winter Poetry Events in Solano County

Sun., Aug. 4​ – Poetry Open Mic Picnic, Benicia City Park, 150 Military West, 12:30-2:30p.m. Sat., Aug. 10​- Makers Mart, Barbara Kondylis Waterfront Park, 12-5 PM, hosted by Co-Poets Laureate Jacalyn Eyvonne and Kathleen Herrmann Sun., Aug. 11​ – Tea House Open Mic Poetry, Integrity Space, 717 Marin Street 

Summer 2024 Poetry Events

Summer 2024 Poetry Events

Benicia First Tuesday Poets will not be meeting on July 2nd or August 6th. They will be holding their annual Poet’s Picnic on Sunday, August 4th from 12:30 to 2:30 PM at the Benicia City Park, at the corner of Military and First St. There 

County Fairs and upcoming May poetry events

County Fairs and upcoming May poetry events

County Fairs

Special Events

  • Tonight, April 25, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
    Alibi Bookshop – 624 Marin St. in Vallejo – The Wonder of Small Things: Poems of Peace and Renewal – James Crews, editor of two best-selling poetry anthologies, “How to Love the World” and “The Path to Kindness,” presents an all-new collection of highly accessible poems on the theme of celebrating moments of wonder and peace in everyday life.
  • Our Vallejo Poets Laureate Kathleen Herrmann and Jacalyn Eyvonne will be reading at the Earth Daze Festival in Vallejo on Saturday, April 27th from 12:15 to 1:00 PM. 
  • They will also be participating in the Climate Change Ekphrastic Exhibit, Temple Arts Loft, May 25, June 1, 8, 15, 22 from 1:00-2:00 PM.
  • They are featuring at the McCune on Sunday May 26 from 2 to 4 PM. Lower level of the JFK Library.

http://vallejopoetrysociety.org/happy-earth-day/

Open mics

  • Poetry Speakeasy at Chris Club meets twice a month every other Monday at 656 Benicia Road, Vallejo at 7 PM. Due to the nature of the venue, participants must be 21 or older.
  • Monday, May 6th, 2024
  • Monday, May 20th, 2024

Benicia First Tuesday Poets meet on the first Tuesday of the month at 150 East L Street, Benicia. Come for snacks and schmoozing at 6:15. Show starts at 6:30 PM. 

  • Tuesday, May 7th, 2024

Poetry in Notion has been cancelled.

Poetry by the Bay meets on the 4th Wednesday of the month at 51 Daniels Avenue, Vallejo at 7 PM. Visit poetrybythebay.com for details.

  • Wednesday, May 22nd, 2024

Art Beat Poetry Hour on KZCT 89.5 FM meets on the 4th Thursdays at 1026 Georgia Street, Vallejo at 10:15 AM. Poets take turns reading their work live on the air. Airtime is 10:30 AM.

  • Thursday, April 25th, 2024
  • Thursday, May 23rd, 2024

http://vallejopoetrysociety.org/open-mics-in-solano-county-in-2024/

Fairfield

Fairfield Poet Laureate Suzanne Bruce, in collaboration with the Fairfield-Suisun City Visual Arts Association, invites you to write a poem to an art piece from the exhibit “Into the Light.” Art Reception and Poetry Reading is on May 25, 4-6 p.m. at the Solano Town Center Gallery at 1350 Travis Blvd., #D-8, Fairfield, (inside the Solano Town Center Mall). Art can be seen at the Gallery : Gallery opened Wednesday- Sunday 11 am – 6 pm or at  Solano Town Center Gallery | fsvaa (fvaa-arts.org).Send Suzanne your poem in a word doc or pdf with picture of art on the poem by 10 AM on May 25. For more information, email fairfieldpoetlaurate@gmail.com. Please keep your poem to 42 lines or less.

Fairfield Poet Laureate Suzanne Bruce invites you to an afternoon of poetry. Upon Words, with two inspiring Bay Area poets, Rosa Lane and Erin Rodini. Open mic to follow. Event takes place on Saturday, May 11, 2024, 3-5 pm, at the Fairfield Civic Center Library, 1150 Kentucky Street.

https://www.fairfield.ca.gov/government/poet-laureate

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Visit Vallejo Poetry Society online at http://www.vallejopoetrysociety.org

Join our mailing list at: https://groups.google.com/g/vallejopoetrysociety

Follow us on 

Twitter @VallejoPoetry

Instagram @Vallejopoetrysociety

Like our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/Vallejopoetrysociety

Happy Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day!

Our Vallejo Poets Laureate Kathleen Herrmann and Jacalyn Eyvonne will be reading at the Earth Daze Festival in Vallejo on Saturday, April 27th from 12:15 to 1:00 PM. They will also be participating in the Climate Change Ekphrastic Exhibit, Temple Arts Loft, May 25, June 

Happy National Poetry Month 2024!

Happy National Poetry Month 2024!

Happy National Poetry Month! Also known as National Poetry Writing Month, you can challenge yourself to write a poem every day. Academy of American Poets established the tradition in April 1996. Poetry themed holidays Special National Poetry Month Events In addition to regular open mics here are some upcoming 

Black History Month

Black History Month

February is Black History Month. There are many upcoming events in Solano County to educate yourself and celebrate the many incredible contributions of the Black community to our nation and our world.

Our Poet Laureate Jacalyn Eyvonne will be among the featured speakers at two events:

JFK Black History Month Poetry Night on February 22nd at the JFK Library in Vallejo at 505 Santa Clara

Other features include: Dr. Genea Brice, Inaugural Poet Laureate of Vallejo, Stephen Sharpe, Current Poet Laureate of Richmond, Elaine Brown aka Poet E. Spoken, 2nd Granddaughter of Josh Halsey (1898) and Swirv Azubuike. Hosted by Dr. Genea Brice.

Black History Month celebration February 24 at the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum at 734 Marin Street.

Other speakers include: Keith Thompson, Leila Steinberg, Louis King, Stu Summerville, Courtney Mims, Keki Dexter, Erica Rose, Lori Herrera, Myla J, and Sharday Botts. Hosted by Lerecia Davis.

Additional upcoming events at the Solano Library system for Black History Month:

https://solanolibrary.com/services/black-history-month/

More event listings from the Vallejo Sun:

https://www.vallejosun.com/upcoming-vallejo-events-black-history-month-begins/

We encourage you to support Black poets who have been active in our Vallejo scene. Support them during Black History Month and all year round!

Here’s just a few with books and/or albums: Lee Lee, Poetic Old Soul, G.O. 284, Dr. Genea Brice, Poet E Spoken, QR Hand, Lady-D., Kyrah Ayers, Linda Bryant, Lyrical Comp, Courtship’s Lovesong, Juanita J. Martin, Jeffrey Williams, Aqueila M. Lewis Ross, and Jacalyn Eyvonne.

Ekphrastic Events in Solano County

Ekphrastic Events in Solano County

Ekphrasis is when one form of art inspires another. There are three upcoming ekphrastic events in Solano County. Two in Fairfield and one in Benicia. Details are below. Questions should go to the poet laureate organizing each event. Request to join their mailing lists to 

The seeds of poetry are abloom in Solano County.

The seeds of poetry are abloom in Solano County.

The seeds of poetry are abloom in Solano County. If your New Year’s resolution is to share your poetic creations with a welcoming, diverse community of writers or just enjoy live spoken word, there are plenty of local opportunities just waiting for you. On a 

Open mics in Solano County in 2024

Open mics in Solano County in 2024


Below are the expected dates of regular shows, barring unforeseen circumstances and federal holidays, there are many opportunities to read your poetry and hear spoken word performers in Solano County, ranging from all ages to 21+ events. Always check official Facebook pages and websites closer to the date to confirm just in case of conflicts.

Table of Contents

Vallejo

Current Vallejo Poets Laureate Jacalyn Eyvonne and Kathleen Herrmann are starting a new open mic series called Tea House Poetry, meeting on the second Sundays from 2 to 4 PM at 717 Marin in Vallejo beginning June 9th, 2024.

  • Sun 6/9/24 2:00pm to 4:00pm
  • Sun 7/14/24 2:00pm to 4:00pm
  • Sun 8/11/24 2:00pm to 4:00pm
  • Sun 9/8/24 2:00pm to 4:00pm
  • Sun 10/13/24 2:00pm to 4:00pm
  • Sun 11/10/24 2:00pm to 4:00pm
  • Sun 12/8/24 2:00pm to 4:00pm

Poetry Speakeasy at Chris Club meets twice a month every other Monday at 656 Benicia Road, Vallejo at 7 PM. Due to the nature of the venue, participants must be 21 or older. Follow Chris Club on Facebook for announcements. The show is hosted by Remo Valentino.

  • Monday, March 11th, 2024
  • Monday, March 25th, 2024
  • Monday, April 8th, 2024
  • Monday, April 22nd, 2024
  • Monday, May 6th, 2024
  • Monday, May 20th, 2024
  • Monday, June 3rd, 2024
  • Monday, June 17th, 2024
  • Monday, July 1st, 2024
  • Monday, July 15th, 2024
  • Monday, July 29th, 2024
  • Monday, August 12th, 2024
  • Monday, August 26th, 2024
  • Monday, September 9th, 2024
  • Monday, September 23rd, 2024
  • Monday, October 7th, 2024
  • Monday, October 21st, 2024
  • Monday, November 4th, 2024
  • Monday, November 18th, 2024
  • Monday, December 2nd, 2024
  • Monday, December 16th, 2024
  • Monday, December 30th, 2024

Poetry by the Bay meets on the 4th Wednesday of the month at 51 Daniels Avenue, Vallejo at 7 PM. Visit poetrybythebay.com for details. Hosted by Keith Thompson. Vallejo’s longest running open mic, the show was founded by Kyrah Ayers who hosted from 2008 to 2018, and Jeremy Snyder hosted from 2018 to 2023, temporarily moving the show online during the pandemic. Verify dates and times on the Mira Theater Guild website.

  • Wednesday, January 24th, 2024
  • Wednesday, February 28th, 2024
  • Wednesday, March 27th, 2024
  • Wednesday, April 24th, 2024
  • Wednesday, May 22nd, 2024
  • Wednesday, June 26th, 2024
  • Wednesday, July 24th, 2024
  • Wednesday, August 28th, 2024
  • Wednesday, September 25th, 2024
  • Wednesday, October 23rd, 2024
  • Wednesday, November 27th, 2024

Art Beat Poetry Hour on KZCT 89.5 FM meets on the 4th Thursdays at 1026 Georgia Street, Vallejo at 10:15 AM. Poets take turns reading their work live on the air. Airtime is 10:30 AM. Due to national holidays in November and December, shows in those months are scheduled on a different date, TBA closer to the time. Hosted by DJ LaLa and Tom Stanton.

  • Thursday, January 25th, 2024
  • Thursday, February 22nd, 2024
  • Thursday, March 28th, 2024
  • Thursday, April 25th, 2024
  • Thursday, May 23rd, 2024
  • Thursday, June 27th, 2024
  • Thursday, July 25th, 2024
  • Thursday, August 22nd, 2024
  • Thursday, September 26th, 2024
  • Thursday, October 24th, 2024

Every Wednesday at the Townhouse, Rich Adams hosts an open mic from 8 to 11 PM. Primarily musicians, but poets are welcome. 401a Georgia Street. 21+

Poetry in Notion will return January 13th, 2024 from noon to 2 PM at the JFK Library in downtown Vallejo at 505 Santa Clara Street. Genea Brice formed this group at the library, hosting from 2015 to 2017, D.L. Lang hosted from 2017 through 2019, and Jeremy Snyder hosted a few meetings before the pandemic disrupted the schedule. Kathleen Herrmann and Jacalyn Eyvonne, the new Vallejo Poets Laureate, will host the poetry circle. It meets in the Program Room on the 2nd Saturday of the month. Verify dates and locations on the Solano Library website.

  • Saturday, January 13, 2024
  • Saturday, February 10, 2024
  • Saturday, March 9, 2024
  • Saturday, April 13, 2024

Poetry in Notion was cancelled due to low attendance.

Benicia

Hosted by Benicia’s Poet Laureate, the Benicia First Tuesday Poets meet on the first Tuesday of the month at 150 East L Street, Benicia. Come for snacks and schmoozing at 6:15. Show starts at 6:30 PM. Benicia’s current poet laureate is Kathy Monroe. Visit Library website for more information.

  • Tuesday, January 2nd, 2024
  • Tuesday, February 6th, 2024
  • Tuesday, March 5th, 2024
  • Tuesday, April 2nd, 2024
  • Tuesday, May 7th, 2024
  • Tuesday, June 4th, 2024
  • Benicia First Tuesday Poets will not meet in July or August.
  • Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024
  • Tuesday, October 1st, 2024
  • Tuesday, November 5th, 2024
  • Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024

Fairfield

Visit the website of Poet Laureate, Suzanne Bruce for regular ekphrastic events and occasional poetry open mics in Fairfield.

Announcing the 2024 Vallejo Co-Poets Laureate

Announcing the 2024 Vallejo Co-Poets Laureate

In an historic first Vallejo, California will appoint two poets to serve the community side by side as co-poets laureate, Jacalyn Eyvonne and Kathleen Herrmann. Their term will begin January 1st, 2024, and they will be proclaimed at city hall at a later date.