Listen & Be Heard Weekly Archives

The sixth annual Poetry, Prose & Arts Festival last Saturday was hosted by the City of Pleasanton and its Cultural Arts Council. Located at CarrAmerica Conference Center, about a mile from Pleasanton BART, the all-day event attracted hundreds of writers, readers and their families, and featured something for everyone who appreciates the arts.

For a fee of $95 (only $80 if you registered by March 4th), you were treated to a continental breakfast, cold buffet lunch, and a hot buffet dinner (including wine), along with an opportunity to meet and chat with California poet laureate Al Young and novelist Michael Chabon, a Pulitzer Prize winner from Berkeley.

Al Young mingled and posed for photos, and then delivered the keynote speech after everyone had breakfasted. He is a popular and effective speaker, as well as a brilliant poet, and the event was well attended.

The Festival featured a photo exhibit on California poets laureate, and several displays of framed paintings by local artists throughout the lobby and main foyer. “Literary Row,” set up in the main foyer, provided local authors with space to sell their books of fiction, nonfiction and poetry, and to interact with an enthusiastic public.

Of special interest were the hands-on workshops offered in the morning and afternoon for writers of all ages, a combination of lecture, writing in class and discussion. Armand Brint, former poet laureate of Ukiah, taught “Monster Poems–Addressing the Shadow.” Gail Rudd Entrekin, who teaches in Grass Valley, offered “The Lyrical Poem.” Susan Browne, who teaches in Pleasant Hill, taught “Making It Beautiful, No Matter What.” Grace Marie Grafton, of CA Poets in the Schools, worked her magic with children and teens in “The Mask Speaks.” Lewis Buzbee, who has taught at UC Extension and USF, offered “The Memory Thief” for teens and adults.

After lunch, viewing the visual art and walking through “Literary Row,” Festival participants again had a choice of workshops. Armand Brint taught “An Animal Working in My Clothes.” Gail Entrekin offered “The Sensory Experience” in writing poetry. Lewis Buzbee’s workshop was entitled “Whose House is This?” for teens and adults writing fiction and nonfiction. Elisa Kleven, author and illustrator of children’s books, offered “Creating Miniature Worlds in Picture Books.” Susan Brown again offered “Making It Beautiful, No Matter What” on writing poetry.

After a 30 minute break for tea, coffee and cookies in the main foyer, people filed into the nearby auditorium for a lively question and answer exchange with novelist Michael Chabon. Festival hosts had to end the event, which ran overtime, so attendees could cross the courtyard to attend the banquet and awards ceremony.

During the evening meal, cash prizes were awarded to adults and children who had submitted winning entries in the annual poetry and prose competition. Judges this year were Lynne Knight, Tamara Grippi and B. Lynn Goodwin. While everyone enjoyed wine and dessert, Festival Committee members conducted a raffle. Unfortunately, my table did not win any of the potted plants and flower bouquets being given away.

Throughout the day, live music was provided in the main foyer by Jim Steinke and friends, who played guitar, mandolin and an instrument called a mandocello.

After the banquet, Michael Chabon returned to the auditorium to read from his novels. Those who had not registered for the entire day’s events could still come in and pay separately to hear the novelist, and many did so.

There was plenty of sunshine, free parking for those who drove, maps of the conference area, and helpful volunteers who kept everything running smoothly. A tremendous effort went into making this 12 hour festival a success. Appreciation is extended to all those volunteers, some of whom traveled a long way to be of service. The hard-working Festival Committee included former poet laureate and co-chair Kirk Ridgeway, current poet laureate Cynthia Bryant, and former poet laureate Jim Ott.

To learn more about this annual event, go to the Web site at www.PleasantonArts.org