Poets have a few choice words to share at the Poetry Festival at Montserrat Vineyards
Jun 18, 2008, 18:05
WARRENSBURG, Mo. -- The performance line up for this summer’s Poetry Festival has been determined, according to Mark Pearce, festival organizer.
The event will take place Sunday afternoon, July 20, at Montserrat Vineyards, Montserrat, Mo.
Pearce said, “I’m excited that we have a number of great poets lined up – some with publishing history, some not – but all with talent that deserves more exposure.” Pearce noted that the variety of presenters will help to ensure that even members of the “I Hate Poetry Fan Club” will be tempted to smile.
From Northwest Missouri State college student James Waltz to authentic, cowboy poet Dave Ewing, the festival is designed to transcend the usual poetry boundaries.
One presenter, Hubert Neth, will present essay-styled works that he wrote over his many years while serving as a pastor in the west-central Missouri region.
Pearce got the idea to produce the festival about a year ago. “I was writing poetry for two or three years and I began posting some of it on-line. I ran into another poet from Independence (Missouri). We got to conversing and we decided that we needed to put something together where we could take the works public. The Poetry Festival concept was born.”
That other on-line poet, James Kneece, is slated as the third presenter during the July 20 event.
Pearce was also pleased to discover other local talent – Green Ridge resident Betty Sue Viterna and Sedalian Deborah Mann – who have each spent years compiling their works and honing their craft.
But this poetry festival is NOT all words. The festival will also feature the musical virtuosity of keyboardist Joe Piontek; and to complement the event, Montserrat Vineyards will have sandwich baskets available in addition to their regular picnic snacks, soft drinks, water and wines.
Since the festival started out being promoted on-line, Pearce decided to issue an open invitation and call the festival “And the Whole World Is Invited.” He is a bit worried that if all of China shows up, that there may not be enough chairs.
“I knew when I started this project that there would be some pleasant surprises ahead,” said Pearce. “And those surprises are popping up even faster, now that we’re getting closer to the event.”
