100 Thousand Poets Day For Change

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Event Details

100 Thousand Poets for Change, a worldwide poetry movement, is joining forces with the local reading series, Writers on the Storm, to present its ninth annual open mic at Mead Public Library on Saturday, September 28 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Library Terrace. In case of rain, the event will be moved to The Rocca Meeting Room. The theme this year is “Confluence and Connection,” to be shared through poems and songs that celebrate how we connect with others. The intention is to present a vision for building bridges, finding commonalities, and healing our troubled planet on all levels: personal, local, national, and around the globe.

According to organizer Lisa Vihos, one inspiration for this theme are the words of local singer-songwriter, Jon Doll, who will launch the open mic. Vihos invites the public to bring poems that respond to the chorus of his song, Here and Now: “Everything is connected/ Everything changes/Right here, right now/Pay close attention.” Members of the public can share an original poem or a poem by someone else. All are welcome to participate with a maximum of three minutes at the mic. There will also be a special, featured reading by Heather Sheets and Mike Q. Hanlon who will share Confluence, a poem for two voices by Eau Claire playwright, Debbie Brown.

"Now more than ever, we need to focus on the commonalities we share with others rather than what we see as differences.” Vihos said. “I believe poetry helps us slow down, look deeper at ourselves and our neighbors, and celebrate our common humanity. I hope people of all ages and backgrounds will bring a poem to share that touches somehow on this theme. And if someone just wants to listen, I highly encourage that, too!”

Sheboygan is one of 350 cities in nearly 100 countries that will share visions of positive change on September 28 as part of 100 Thousand Poets for Change.  To view information about activities in other cities visit: www.100TPC.org. The Sheboygan event supported by the Friends of Mead Public Library.