BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Worcester County Poetry Association - ECPv6.16.3//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Worcester County Poetry Association X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://worcestercountypoetry.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Worcester County Poetry Association REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/New_York BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20240310T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20241103T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20250309T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20251102T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20260308T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20261101T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20270314T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20271107T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260221T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260221T210000 DTSTAMP:20260610T174228 CREATED:20260217T173144Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260217T173943Z UID:12774-1771700400-1771707600@worcestercountypoetry.org SUMMARY:Poets At Large in February DESCRIPTION:Poets at Large Readies for First Event of 2026! \n\n\n\nPoets at Large will begin its seventh year on February 21 st at 7 p.m. at The Vanilla Bean Café\, 450 Deerfield Road\, in Pomfret\, CT. That Saturday night poets Denise Abercrombie and Sean Frederick Forbes take the stage. \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nAbercrombie’s work has appeared in numerous publications including Minnesota Review\, Fireweed\, Connecticut Review\, Phoebe: Journal of Feminist Scholarship\, Theory\, and Aesthetics\, Yale Global Health Review\, among others. She helps coordinate Curbstone Foundation’s Poetry in the Julia de Burgos Park series in Willimantic. Abercrombie teaches theater and creative writing at E.O. Smith High School\, and lives in Storrs\, Connecticut. \n\n\n\nForbes is widely published and is the author of Providencia. Forbes is an Associate Professor at UCONN and a summer instructor for the Yale Young Writers Workshop at Yale University. \n\n\n\nThere will be no admission charge for this winter/spring series\, though donations are welcome. PAL Coordinator Karen Warinsky said\, “Due to the generosity of our sponsors this season\, we will be able to present these readings free of charge. We pay featured readers a small stipend for their time and travel. Our featured poets bring their books to sell\, so we are hoping patrons will be generous in supporting the poets by buying their books.” \n\n\n\nPoets at Large has brought over 120 published and awarded poets to the area since 2020 and dozens of people have participated in the open mic portions during that time. Poets at Large is a project of Windham Arts. All events are ADA compliant and are recommended for ages 16 and up. This reading is made possible by a donation from Linemaster Switch. Contact karen.warinsky@gmail.com to sign up for the open mic; 5-minute max as time allows. URL:https://worcestercountypoetry.org/event/poets-at-large-in-february/ LOCATION:Vanilla Bean Cafe\, 450 Deerfield Road\, Pomfret\, CT\, 06259\, United States ORGANIZER;CN="Karen Warinsky%2C Poets At Large":MAILTO:karen.warinsky@gmail.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260221T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260221T210000 DTSTAMP:20260610T174228 CREATED:20260206T174536Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260206T174652Z UID:12681-1771700400-1771707600@worcestercountypoetry.org SUMMARY:Poets @ Large DESCRIPTION:Poets at Large will begin its seventh year on February 21 st at 7 p.m. at The Vanilla Bean Café\, 450 Deerfield Road\, in Pomfret\, CT. That Saturday night poets Denise Abercrombie and Sean Frederick Forbes take the stage. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAbercrombie’s work has appeared in numerous publications including Minnesota Review\, Fireweed\, Connecticut Review\, Phoebe: Journal of Feminist Scholarship\, Theory\, and Aesthetics\, Yale Global Health Review\, among others. She helps coordinate Curbstone Foundation’s Poetry in the Julia de Burgos Park series in Willimantic. Abercrombie teaches theater and creative writing at E.O. Smith High School\, and lives in Storrs\, Connecticut. \n\n\n\nForbes is widely published and is the author of Providencia. Forbes is an Associate Professor at UCONN and a summer instructor for the Yale Young Writers Workshop at Yale University. \n\n\n\nThere will be no admission charge for this winter/spring series\, though donations are welcome. PAL Coordinator Karen Warinsky said\, “Due to the generosity of our sponsors this season\, we will be able to present these readings free of charge. We pay featured readers a small stipend for their time and travel. Our featured poets bring their books to sell\, so we are hoping patrons will be generous in supporting the poets by buying their books.” \n\n\n\nPoets at Large has brought over 120 published and awarded poets to the area since 2020 and dozens of people have participated in the open mic portions during that time. Poets at Large is a project of Windham Arts. All events are ADA compliant and are recommended for ages 16 and up. This reading is made possible by a donation from Linemaster Switch. Contact karen.warinsky@gmail.com to sign up for the open mic; 5-minute max as time URL:https://worcestercountypoetry.org/event/poets-large-7/ LOCATION:Vanilla Bean Cafe\, 450 Deerfield Road\, Pomfret\, CT\, 06259\, United States ORGANIZER;CN="Karen Warinsky%2C Poets At Large":MAILTO:karen.warinsky@gmail.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260221T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260221T160000 DTSTAMP:20260610T174228 CREATED:20260206T173911Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260206T173915Z UID:12678-1771682400-1771689600@worcestercountypoetry.org SUMMARY:Booklover's Gourmet DESCRIPTION:Join us for a monthly round robin style\, open poetry reading hosted by Robert Eugene Perry. \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBring original pieces to share. \n\n\n\nSpace for the open mic is limited to 14 participants and usually fills up quickly. \n\n\n\nSign up to reserve your spot by calling 508-949-6232 or emailing deb@bookloversgourmet.com URL:https://worcestercountypoetry.org/event/booklovers-gourmet-12/ LOCATION:Booklovers’ Gourmet\, 72 E. Main St.\, Webster\, MA\, 01570 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260218T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260218T203000 DTSTAMP:20260610T174228 CREATED:20260123T183703Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260123T183830Z UID:12633-1771439400-1771446600@worcestercountypoetry.org SUMMARY:Poetry Extravaganza with Emma Couillard DESCRIPTION:Join us at The Mill in West Boylston on February 18th.The Mill is right off Rt 190\, has a spacious parking lot\, serves delectable apps\, entrees\, and desserts with a full bar. We have a separate room for our monthly shenanigans. Admission is still free. All of the Tip Jar proceeds go to the Feature. \n\n\n\nThe Poetry Extravaganza (PE) is the 3rd Wednesday of the month\, except for July \,from 6:30-8;30 pm. Sign up for the open mic at jfjr6969@gmail.com. Five minute maximum\, Please! There are no language restrictions. We are not kid-friendly! \n\n\n\nOur Feature Poet on February 18th is the astounding Emma Couillard of Worcester Writer’s Collective and the Worcester County Poetry Association. Mark Lewandowski of Lewandowski Painters sponsors our event. That’s how we pay the poets! \n\n\n\nJoin the Fun on February 18th! \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEmma Couillard is a writer who works by day for a cancer research nonprofit. She has lived in Worcester since arriving at Clark University in 2017. Her poetry has appeared in The Three Decker and in the Worcester County Poetry Association’s Rain Poetry and Mapping Worcester in Poetry contests. She is a co-founder of the Worcester Writers’ Collective\, and her writing has been featured in the Blackstone Valley Story Walks and The Fairy Tale That Was Not Told projects. She was named one of Pulse Magazine’s 2024 People to Watch. Outside of writing\, Emma consumes reality television like it’s her job and constantly sings her own lyrics to every song imaginable. URL:https://worcestercountypoetry.org/event/poetry-extravaganza-with-emma-couillard/ LOCATION:The Mill\, 185 W. Boylston Street\, West Boylston\, Massachusetts\, 01583\, United States END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260217T193000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260217T203000 DTSTAMP:20260610T174228 CREATED:20260202T191209Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260202T191213Z UID:12670-1771356600-1771360200@worcestercountypoetry.org SUMMARY:Kathryn Nuernberger @ Assumption University DESCRIPTION:Kathryn Nuernberger’s latest book is Held: Essays in Belonging\, which is about symbiotic mutualisms\, climate change\, and finding family at the end of the world. She is also the author of The Witch of Eye and the poetry collections\, RUE\, The End of Pink and Rag & Bone. Her first lyric essay collection\, Brief Interviews with the Romantic Past\, won the The Journal Non/Fiction Award. Other awards include the James Laughlin Prize from the Academy of American Poets\, an NEA fellowship\, and notable essays in the Best American series. She is a Professor of Creative Writing in the MFA program at University of Minnesota. URL:https://worcestercountypoetry.org/event/kathryn-nuernberger-assumption-university/ LOCATION:TFAC Curtis Hall\, 500 Salisbury Street\, Worcester\, Massachusetts\, 01609\, United States ORGANIZER;CN="John Hodgen":MAILTO:hodgen@hotmail.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260213T123000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260213T140000 DTSTAMP:20260610T174228 CREATED:20260201T151203Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260201T151207Z UID:12660-1770985800-1770991200@worcestercountypoetry.org SUMMARY:Parent-Writer Social Hour DESCRIPTION: URL:https://worcestercountypoetry.org/event/parent-writer-social-hour/ LOCATION:Zoom Online Meeting END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260209T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260209T210000 DTSTAMP:20260610T174228 CREATED:20251124T175438Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251124T175540Z UID:12451-1770663600-1770670800@worcestercountypoetry.org SUMMARY:Writing Creative Prose with Catherine Martin DESCRIPTION:Come spend five weeks diving into the nooks\, fields\, and sticking points of writing creative prose! Whether you’re hard at work at your novel or essay collection or not sure where to start in your writing journey\, this class is a supportive environment for writers of all levels and backgrounds. Each week you’ll receive a prompt\, discuss the craft of the wonderful examples we’ll read\, and bring in a piece of your own (300 to 1500 words) to workshop. You’ll have the opportunity to be workshopped by your peers at least twice\, and you’ll receive written feedback from the class every week. \n\n\n\nThrough our workshop sessions\, readings\, and discussions of narrative voice\, language\, character\, setting\, and plot\, we’ll sharpen our tools of the craft to inform and inspire our work. By the end of this session you will have five pieces\, either new or more polished; writing prompts to carry you forward; and a deeper understanding of the building blocks of creative prose. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nInstructor: Catherine Martin  is a Pushcart Prize-nominated poet with work published in Pleiades\, Nimrod International Journal of Prose and Poetry\, Superstition Review\, and others. She loves writing\, reading\, and workshopping with fellow writers and artists. Catherine is currently writing her first manuscript of poetry. She lives in Hopkinton with her family.Age: AdultDates: 5 Mondays\, January 12 to February 23\, 2026Time: 7 to 9 p.m.No Class Dates: January 19 and February 16 \n\n\n\nHCA Policies: Please review our website’s HCA Student Policies and Procedures here. \n\n\n\n\nInjury Waiver: You must agree to the HCA injury waiver to register for classes. \n\n\n\nPhoto Release Agreement: You can agree to the HCA’s Photo Release Agreement during registration.\n\n\n\nWaiting List: If this class is sold out\, it will say so below and will not allow you to register. If so\, please add your name to our waitlist here. \n\n\n\n\nScholarships: The HCA believes the arts are for everyone. Thanks to the generosity of the Dora Kishibay Garabedian Scholarship Fund and individual donations to our scholarship fund\, we can assist children\, teens\, and adults who might not otherwise be able to afford classes. Assistance is awarded based on demonstrated need\, motivation\, and potential benefit to the student. Apply for a scholarship here. URL:https://worcestercountypoetry.org/event/writing-creative-prose-with-catherine-martin-4/ LOCATION:Hopkinton Arts Center\, 98 Hayden Rowe St.\, Hopkinton\, Massachusetts\, 01748\, United States END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260202T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260202T210000 DTSTAMP:20260610T174228 CREATED:20251124T175319Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251124T175620Z UID:12449-1770058800-1770066000@worcestercountypoetry.org SUMMARY:Writing Creative Prose with Catherine Martin DESCRIPTION:Come spend five weeks diving into the nooks\, fields\, and sticking points of writing creative prose! Whether you’re hard at work at your novel or essay collection or not sure where to start in your writing journey\, this class is a supportive environment for writers of all levels and backgrounds. Each week you’ll receive a prompt\, discuss the craft of the wonderful examples we’ll read\, and bring in a piece of your own (300 to 1500 words) to workshop. You’ll have the opportunity to be workshopped by your peers at least twice\, and you’ll receive written feedback from the class every week. \n\n\n\nThrough our workshop sessions\, readings\, and discussions of narrative voice\, language\, character\, setting\, and plot\, we’ll sharpen our tools of the craft to inform and inspire our work. By the end of this session you will have five pieces\, either new or more polished; writing prompts to carry you forward; and a deeper understanding of the building blocks of creative prose. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nInstructor: Catherine Martin  is a Pushcart Prize-nominated poet with work published in Pleiades\, Nimrod International Journal of Prose and Poetry\, Superstition Review\, and others. She loves writing\, reading\, and workshopping with fellow writers and artists. Catherine is currently writing her first manuscript of poetry. She lives in Hopkinton with her family.Age: AdultDates: 5 Mondays\, January 12 to February 23\, 2026Time: 7 to 9 p.m.No Class Dates: January 19 and February 16 \n\n\n\nHCA Policies: Please review our website’s HCA Student Policies and Procedures here. \n\n\n\n\nInjury Waiver: You must agree to the HCA injury waiver to register for classes. \n\n\n\nPhoto Release Agreement: You can agree to the HCA’s Photo Release Agreement during registration.\n\n\n\nWaiting List: If this class is sold out\, it will say so below and will not allow you to register. If so\, please add your name to our waitlist here. \n\n\n\n\nScholarships: The HCA believes the arts are for everyone. Thanks to the generosity of the Dora Kishibay Garabedian Scholarship Fund and individual donations to our scholarship fund\, we can assist children\, teens\, and adults who might not otherwise be able to afford classes. Assistance is awarded based on demonstrated need\, motivation\, and potential benefit to the student. Apply for a scholarship here. URL:https://worcestercountypoetry.org/event/writing-creative-prose-with-catherine-martin-3/ LOCATION:Hopkinton Arts Center\, 98 Hayden Rowe St.\, Hopkinton\, Massachusetts\, 01748\, United States END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260129T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260129T200000 DTSTAMP:20260610T174228 CREATED:20260105T170342Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260105T170346Z UID:12574-1769709600-1769716800@worcestercountypoetry.org SUMMARY:Open Reading Night-Seeking Poets! DESCRIPTION: URL:https://worcestercountypoetry.org/event/open-reading-night-seeking-poets/ LOCATION:MA ORGANIZER;CN="Ali Mac Marketing":MAILTO:alimacmarketingconsultant@gmail.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260128T173000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260128T190000 DTSTAMP:20260610T174228 CREATED:20260113T181345Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260113T181542Z UID:12593-1769621400-1769626800@worcestercountypoetry.org SUMMARY:Poetorium Too with Kate & Rebecca DESCRIPTION:Please join us for the very first double feature edition of 2026 of our monthly open mic and featured poetry reading series The Poetorium Too at TidePool Bookshop at 372 Chandler Street in Worcester on January 28th from 5 pm to 7 pm hosted by Paul Szlosek & (hopefully) Ron Whittle. It will be a full two hours of poetry and spoken word starting with a brief interview on stage with our two featured poets Kate Gregoire (organizer of the Worcester Rain Poetry Project ) and Rebecca Cross (winner of the 2023 Frank O’Hara Poetry Prize) followed by poetry readings by our two features\, a short intermission\, and then an open mic (with 5-minute slots for each reader if time permits). For more information\, please get in touch with us at poetorium@mail.com or visit our website. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nKate Gregoire lives and writes in Grafton\, Massachusetts. Her poetry covers themes of motherhood\, ecospirituality\, and incantation. She serves on the board of the Worcester County Poetry Association and organized the Rain Poetry project. She is an editor of Worcester County’s literary journal\, The Three Decker. You can find her work on Instagram @katherinegregoirepoet and at local open mics. \n\n\n\nRebecca Cross is a disabled writer and actress who lives in Vermont and worked for four years in Worcester. She has an MA in creative and critical writing from the University of Sussex. Her work has appeared in Poetry Daily\, The Southern Review\, Southern Humanities Review\, Hotel Amerika\, Quarterly West\, Poet Lore\, Beloit Poetry Journal\, and Image\, among other journals\, and has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize\, Best of the Net\, and Best New Poets. She was the 2023 recipient of the Frank O’Hara Prize. URL:https://worcestercountypoetry.org/event/poetorium-too-with-kate-rebecca/ LOCATION:TidePool Bookshop\, 372 Chandler St. Unit 101\, Worcester\, MA\, 01602 ORGANIZER;CN="Paul Szlosek":MAILTO:poetsparlor@hotmail.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260127T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260127T200000 DTSTAMP:20260610T174228 CREATED:20260120T170614Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260120T170618Z UID:12620-1769540400-1769544000@worcestercountypoetry.org SUMMARY:Author’s Voices: A Speaker Series DESCRIPTION:New Dawn Art Center’s Writers Group proudly hosts a new local author on the fourth Tuesday of each month \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nElaine De Lisle Membrino is the author of On Being an Artist and Other Writings (Old Naughty Dog Books\, 2025).In a touching memoir of questions\, Elaine De Lisle Membrino traces her motivations and growth as an artist. Her stream of consciousness narrative portrays life in a small New England mill city from World War II through society’s changes in the 1960s and 1970s. Of French-Canadian descent\, Elaine ties her love of the arts and her family together. She is a visual artist\, poet and writer. URL:https://worcestercountypoetry.org/event/authors-voices-a-speaker-series/ LOCATION:New Dawn Center\, 84 Main St.\, Ashburnham\, MA\, 01607\, United States END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260127T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260127T200000 DTSTAMP:20260610T174228 CREATED:20260107T164841Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260107T164848Z UID:12586-1769540400-1769544000@worcestercountypoetry.org SUMMARY:A Virtual Thirsty Lab with Terry Farish DESCRIPTION:The Thirsty Lab poetry reading\, normally based out of Princeton\, MA\, continues to meet virtually. Join us on Tuesday January 27th virtually on Zoom with none other than Terry Farish\, our featured reader! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTerry Farish is the author of books for children\, young adults\, and adults. A reviewer called her stories full of synergy and it’s true that she loves to create unlikely friendships from which something brand new and unplanned might arise.  Her books include The Good Braider\, a novel in verse\, an American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults\,  Go Home written with Lochan Sharma\, winner of the NH Literary Award for Young Adult Lit\, and the picture book\, The Cat Who Liked Potato Soup with Barry Root.  She’s just finished a novel called “Somebody to Love” named for the Jefferson Airplane song sung by Grace Slick. It’s set in Viet Nam.  You can meet her at terryfarish.com.   URL:https://worcestercountypoetry.org/event/a-virtual-thirsty-lab-with-terry-farish-2/ LOCATION:Zoom Online Meeting\, United States END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260126T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260126T210000 DTSTAMP:20260610T174228 CREATED:20251124T175124Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251124T175131Z UID:12447-1769454000-1769461200@worcestercountypoetry.org SUMMARY:Writing Creative Prose with Catherine Martin DESCRIPTION:Come spend five weeks diving into the nooks\, fields\, and sticking points of writing creative prose! Whether you’re hard at work at your novel or essay collection or not sure where to start in your writing journey\, this class is a supportive environment for writers of all levels and backgrounds. Each week you’ll receive a prompt\, discuss the craft of the wonderful examples we’ll read\, and bring in a piece of your own (300 to 1500 words) to workshop. You’ll have the opportunity to be workshopped by your peers at least twice\, and you’ll receive written feedback from the class every week. \n\n\n\nThrough our workshop sessions\, readings\, and discussions of narrative voice\, language\, character\, setting\, and plot\, we’ll sharpen our tools of the craft to inform and inspire our work. By the end of this session you will have five pieces\, either new or more polished; writing prompts to carry you forward; and a deeper understanding of the building blocks of creative prose. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nInstructor: Catherine Martin  is a Pushcart Prize-nominated poet with work published in Pleiades\, Nimrod International Journal of Prose and Poetry\, Superstition Review\, and others. She loves writing\, reading\, and workshopping with fellow writers and artists. Catherine is currently writing her first manuscript of poetry. She lives in Hopkinton with her family.Age: AdultDates: 5 Mondays\, January 12 to February 23\, 2026Time: 7 to 9 p.m.No Class Dates: January 19 and February 16 \n\n\n\nHCA Policies: Please review our website’s HCA Student Policies and Procedures here. \n\n\n\n\nInjury Waiver: You must agree to the HCA injury waiver to register for classes. \n\n\n\nPhoto Release Agreement: You can agree to the HCA’s Photo Release Agreement during registration.\n\n\n\nWaiting List: If this class is sold out\, it will say so below and will not allow you to register. If so\, please add your name to our waitlist here. \n\n\n\n\nScholarships: The HCA believes the arts are for everyone. Thanks to the generosity of the Dora Kishibay Garabedian Scholarship Fund and individual donations to our scholarship fund\, we can assist children\, teens\, and adults who might not otherwise be able to afford classes. Assistance is awarded based on demonstrated need\, motivation\, and potential benefit to the student. Apply for a scholarship here. \n\n\n\n$200 \n\n\n\nHopkinton Writing Center URL:https://worcestercountypoetry.org/event/writing-creative-prose-with-catherine-martin-2/ LOCATION:Hopkinton Arts Center\, 98 Hayden Rowe St.\, Hopkinton\, Massachusetts\, 01748\, United States END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260121T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260121T203000 DTSTAMP:20260610T174228 CREATED:20251223T180339Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251223T180342Z UID:12528-1769020200-1769027400@worcestercountypoetry.org SUMMARY:Poetry Extravaganza with Jeff Raymond DESCRIPTION:Join us at The Mill in West Boylston on Wednesday January 21st. \n\n\n\nThe Mill is right off Rt 190\, has a spacious parking lot\, serves delectable apps\, entrees\, and desserts with a full bar. We have a separate room for our monthly shenanigans. Admission is still free. All of the Tip Jar proceeds go to the Feature. \n\n\n\nThe Poetry Extravaganza (PE) is the 3rd Wednesday of the month\, except for July from 6:30-8;30 pm. Sign up for the open mic at jfjr6969@gmail.com. Five minute maximum\, please! There are no language restrictions. We are not kid-friendly! \n\n\n\nOur Feature Poet on January 21st is the mercurial Jeff Raymond of Worcester Writer’s Collective. Mark Lewandowski of Lewandowski Painters sponsors our event. That’s how we pay the poets! Join the Fun on January 21st! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJeff Raymond is a lifelong resident of Millbury\, MA\, where he lives with his wife\, his son\, and his cat\, but not necessarily in that order. He is sometimes a writer\, sometimes a journalist\, sometimes an activist\, and sometimes an annoying gadfly. Under a pen name\, Jeff has also published more than a dozen short stories in various collections and literary magazines since 2021. A member of the Worcester Writers’ Collective\, he serves the group’s participants as a facilitator and editor-in-residence. URL:https://worcestercountypoetry.org/event/poetry-extravaganza-with-jeff-raymond/ LOCATION:The Mill\, 185 W. Boylston Street\, West Boylston\, Massachusetts\, 01583\, United States END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260121T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260121T200000 DTSTAMP:20260610T174228 CREATED:20260113T183516Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260113T183522Z UID:12600-1769020200-1769025600@worcestercountypoetry.org SUMMARY: DESCRIPTION:Black Byrd is a Poet/Actress. Byrd has performed in plays with 2 community theatre companies such as Oscar Mischeaux Family Theatre Boston and A Common Thread Theatre Framingham where she still holds a membership and is currently in rehearsal with OMFTC for an upcoming series called The Harlem Renaissance Revisited with a Gospel Flavor. Her first poetry album out now called Welcome 2 My Journey is available on ALL PLATFORMS including social media platforms such as Facebook\, Instagram\, Tik Tok and even threads and X (twitter).  \n\n\n\n“I love performing on stage and sharing my story and sharing historical figures stories like Ida B Wells who was a real life Journalist and a writer herself. My goal is to share my story and to help others get through their own trials and tribulations through my own experiences. Oh I am also a mother of 3 and everything I do is for them. I want them to know that their mother is not a failure and that she will always get back up after hitting her rock bottom more than once. Life is what you make it. Keep going! Show up for yourself\, love yourself and be great.”  URL:https://worcestercountypoetry.org/event/12600/ LOCATION:Spicy Water Distiller\, 108 Elm Street\, Millbury\, Massachusetts\, 01527\, United States END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260117T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260117T160000 DTSTAMP:20260610T174228 CREATED:20251230T203359Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251230T203402Z UID:12559-1768658400-1768665600@worcestercountypoetry.org SUMMARY:Booklover's Gourmet Open Mic DESCRIPTION:BLG Open Mic Poetry  \n\n\n\nFeaturing Book Launch with Deb Mitsakos \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nIn addition to our regular open mic (1.5 hours)\, this month Deb Mitsakos will be the featured reader (20 minutes) to celebrate her new book Mystical Heart of Nature published by Metaphysical Fox Press. \n\n\n\nJoin us for our monthly round robin open poetry share\, moderated by Robert Eugene Perry. Bring original pieces to share in a friendly\, supportive environment. \n\n\n\nSpace is limited to 14 participants and usually fills up quickly. Please email deb@bookloversgourmet.com or call 508-949-6232 to sign up. URL:https://worcestercountypoetry.org/event/booklovers-gourmet-open-mic-15/ LOCATION:Booklovers’ Gourmet\, 72 E. Main St.\, Webster\, MA\, 01570 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260114T173000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260114T190000 DTSTAMP:20260610T174228 CREATED:20251230T171752Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251230T171756Z UID:12549-1768411800-1768417200@worcestercountypoetry.org SUMMARY:3Decker's 2nd Issue Launch with David Leach DESCRIPTION: URL:https://worcestercountypoetry.org/event/3deckers-2nd-issue-launch-with-david-leach/ LOCATION:Preservation Worcester Board Room\, 61 Harvard St.\, Worcester\, MA\, 01609\, United States END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260113T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260113T203000 DTSTAMP:20260610T174228 CREATED:20251231T003759Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260102T190120Z UID:12563-1768327200-1768336200@worcestercountypoetry.org SUMMARY:Poems of Myths and Muses DESCRIPTION:January 13\, TapaVino: “Myths and Muses” with poet Linda Warren–in the Worcester Public Market at 160 Green Street\, Worcester\, MA – Entrance on Harding Street\, Worcester\, Mass.\, 6-8:30 p\,m. (w/open mic) \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRodger Martin’s The Sleeping Dogs of Lubec\, was shortlisted for the 2024 Granite State Poetry Award and published by NatureCulture in 2025. For All The Tea in Zhōngguó\, 2019\, follows The Battlefield Guide\, and the selection of The Blue Moon Series by SPR as a bi-monthly picks of the year. He received the 2024 Stanley Kunitz Medal and an Appalachia award for poetry. His work’s been translated and published in China where he participates in a poetry exchange between China and the United States. A recipient of numerous fellowships\, his first collection\, a new edition of A Martian Perspective: The Nemo Poems\, was released in 2025. \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLinda Warren has worked as a teacher\, writing instructor\, Romance novelist and software analyst. She has published a dozen novels and had poems published in in The Worcester Review\, Diner\, Whiskey Island Magazine\, Naugatuck River Review\, Writing the Land\, and other books and journals. She has been nominated for a Pushcart\, and is a past winner of the Frank O’Hara prize for the poem\, “Black Ghost.” She fishes the trout and salmon rivers of New England and New Brunswick as often as she can\, and this collection is inspired by those rivers and the hours she has spent standing in them\, casting for fish and for words. URL:https://worcestercountypoetry.org/event/poems-of-myths-and-muses/ LOCATION:Tapa Vino!\, 160 Green St.\, Worcester\, Massachusetts\, 01604 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260112T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260112T210000 DTSTAMP:20260610T174228 CREATED:20251124T175002Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251124T175006Z UID:12440-1768244400-1768251600@worcestercountypoetry.org SUMMARY:Writing Creative Prose with Catherine Martin DESCRIPTION:Come spend five weeks diving into the nooks\, fields\, and sticking points of writing creative prose! Whether you’re hard at work at your novel or essay collection or not sure where to start in your writing journey\, this class is a supportive environment for writers of all levels and backgrounds. Each week you’ll receive a prompt\, discuss the craft of the wonderful examples we’ll read\, and bring in a piece of your own (300 to 1500 words) to workshop. You’ll have the opportunity to be workshopped by your peers at least twice\, and you’ll receive written feedback from the class every week. \n\n\n\nThrough our workshop sessions\, readings\, and discussions of narrative voice\, language\, character\, setting\, and plot\, we’ll sharpen our tools of the craft to inform and inspire our work. By the end of this session you will have five pieces\, either new or more polished; writing prompts to carry you forward; and a deeper understanding of the building blocks of creative prose. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nInstructor: Catherine Martin  is a Pushcart Prize-nominated poet with work published in Pleiades\, Nimrod International Journal of Prose and Poetry\, Superstition Review\, and others. She loves writing\, reading\, and workshopping with fellow writers and artists. Catherine is currently writing her first manuscript of poetry. She lives in Hopkinton with her family.Age: AdultDates: 5 Mondays\, January 12 to February 23\, 2026Time: 7 to 9 p.m.No Class Dates: January 19 and February 16 \n\n\n\nHCA Policies: Please review our website’s HCA Student Policies and Procedures here. \n\n\n\n\nInjury Waiver: You must agree to the HCA injury waiver to register for classes. \n\n\n\nPhoto Release Agreement: You can agree to the HCA’s Photo Release Agreement during registration.\n\n\n\nWaiting List: If this class is sold out\, it will say so below and will not allow you to register. If so\, please add your name to our waitlist here. \n\n\n\n\nScholarships: The HCA believes the arts are for everyone. Thanks to the generosity of the Dora Kishibay Garabedian Scholarship Fund and individual donations to our scholarship fund\, we can assist children\, teens\, and adults who might not otherwise be able to afford classes. Assistance is awarded based on demonstrated need\, motivation\, and potential benefit to the student. Apply for a scholarship here. URL:https://worcestercountypoetry.org/event/writing-creative-prose-with-catherine-martin/ LOCATION:Hopkinton Arts Center\, 98 Hayden Rowe St.\, Hopkinton\, Massachusetts\, 01748\, United States END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251230T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251230T200000 DTSTAMP:20260610T174228 CREATED:20251223T174327Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251223T174331Z UID:12525-1767121200-1767124800@worcestercountypoetry.org SUMMARY:A Virtual Thirsty Lab with Rhett Watts DESCRIPTION:The Thirsty Lab poetry reading\, normally based out of Princeton\, MA\, continues to meet virtually. Join us on Tuesday December 30th virtually on Zoom with none other than Rhett Watts\, our featured reader! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRhett Watts is widely published in print and online. Her work is included in The Best Spiritual Writing 2000\, The Mud Chronicles: A New England Anthology\, and in Knitting into the Mystery. Her poetry books are Willing Suspension\, The Braiding\, and The Double Nest. She facilitates writing workshops in Connecticut and Massachusetts and lives with her husband and Siberian cat in Auburn\, twenty-five feet from Dark Brook. URL:https://worcestercountypoetry.org/event/a-virtual-thirsty-lab-with-rhett-watts/ LOCATION:Virtual Event END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251230T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251230T210000 DTSTAMP:20260610T174228 CREATED:20251129T174959Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251129T175003Z UID:12500-1767117600-1767128400@worcestercountypoetry.org SUMMARY:Worcester Writers' Collective DESCRIPTION:Come one\, come all to the weekly meetings of the WWC: \n\n\n\n6-7 Free Writing Time \n\n\n\n7-9 Reading and Workshop \n\n\n\nBuilding a small community of local writers of all genres is our priority and we are so thrilled to invite anyone interested to drop in and participate. \n\n\n\nIt’s FREE and open to all. 🙂 URL:https://worcestercountypoetry.org/event/worcester-writers-collective-11/ LOCATION:JMac/Brickbox Theater\, 20 Franklin Street\, Worcester\, MA\, 01608\, United States END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251223T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251223T200000 DTSTAMP:20260610T174228 CREATED:20251129T170240Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251129T170243Z UID:12480-1766516400-1766520000@worcestercountypoetry.org SUMMARY:A Virtual Thirsty Lab with Kyle Potvin DESCRIPTION:The Thirsty Lab poetry reading\, normally based out of Princeton\, MA\, continues to meet virtually. Join us virtually on Zoom with none other than Kyle Potvin\, our featured reader! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nKyle Potvin’s debut full-length poetry collection is Loosen (Hobblebush Books\, 2021). Her chapbook\, Sound Travels on Water\, won the Jean Pedrick Chapbook Award\, and her poem “After the Biopsy” won The Patricia Eschen Prize for Poetry 2024—Sonnet Award. Kyle’s poems have appeared in Bellevue Literary Review\, Tar River Poetry\, Ecotone\, Verse Daily\, The New York Times and others. She is a peer reviewer for Whale Road Review.  URL:https://worcestercountypoetry.org/event/a-virtual-thirsty-lab-with-kyle-potvin-2/ LOCATION:Virtual Event END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251223T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251223T210000 DTSTAMP:20260610T174228 CREATED:20251129T174555Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251129T174558Z UID:12498-1766512800-1766523600@worcestercountypoetry.org SUMMARY:Worcester Writers' Collective DESCRIPTION:Come one\, come all to the weekly meetings of the WWC: \n\n\n\n6-7 Free Writing Time \n\n\n\n7-9 Reading and Workshop \n\n\n\nBuilding a small community of local writers of all genres is our priority and we are so thrilled to invite anyone interested to drop in and participate. \n\n\n\nIt’s FREE and open to all. 🙂 URL:https://worcestercountypoetry.org/event/worcester-writers-collective-10/ LOCATION:JMac/Brickbox Theater\, 20 Franklin Street\, Worcester\, MA\, 01608\, United States END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251217T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251217T203000 DTSTAMP:20260610T174228 CREATED:20251125T193930Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251125T193933Z UID:12473-1765996200-1766003400@worcestercountypoetry.org SUMMARY:The Poetry Extravaganza DESCRIPTION:Join us at The Mill in West Boylston on December 17th. \n\n\n\nThe Mill is right off Rt 190\, has a spacious parking lot\, serves delectable apps\, entrees\, and desserts with a full bar. We have a separate room for our monthly shenanigans. Admission is still free. All of the Tip Jar proceeds go to the Feature. \n\n\n\nThe Poetry Extravaganza (PE) is the 3rd Wednesday of the month\, except for July \,from 6:30-8:30 pm. Sign up for the open mic at jfjr6969@gmail.com. Five minute maximum\, Please! There are no language restrictions. We are not kid-friendly! \n\n\n\nOur Feature Poet on December 17th is the exciting Brett Iarrobino\, one of the featured poets in the 1st edition of the Worcester County Poetry Association’s Three Decker. \n\n\n\nMark Lewandowski of Lewandowski Painters sponsors our event. That’s how we pay the poets!Join the Fun on December 17th! \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBrett Iarrobino is a teacher and writer who works\, learns\, and creates in Worcester\, Massachusetts. Brett was formally trained as a playwright but connected with and continues to practice poetry and spoken word after realizing it holds all the same crucial DNA as theatre and live storytelling. Brett’s poetry has been featured in literary magazines such as Worcester’s own Triple Decker\, Laurel Moon\, and on hiking trails and sidewalks throughout the city\, thanks to projects like the Blackstone Valley Story Walks and the WCPA’s Rain Poetry. Brett’s playwriting has been produced locally in Worcester and workshopped in New York and at the Kennedy Center Theater Festival. A co-founder of the Worcester Writers’ Collective and a full-time doctoral candidate\, Brett can occasionally be found taking a nap\, halfheartedly trying out a leisurely hobby that isn’t writing\, or eating family-sized bags of tortilla chips URL:https://worcestercountypoetry.org/event/the-poetry-extravaganza-3/ LOCATION:The Mill\, 185 W. Boylston Street\, West Boylston\, Massachusetts\, 01583\, United States END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251216T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251216T210000 DTSTAMP:20260610T174228 CREATED:20251129T174455Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251129T174459Z UID:12496-1765908000-1765918800@worcestercountypoetry.org SUMMARY:Worcester Writers' Collective DESCRIPTION:Come one\, come all to the weekly meetings of the WWC: \n\n\n\n6-7 Free Writing Time \n\n\n\n7-9 Reading and Workshop \n\n\n\nBuilding a small community of local writers of all genres is our priority and we are so thrilled to invite anyone interested to drop in and participate. \n\n\n\nIt’s FREE and open to all. 🙂 URL:https://worcestercountypoetry.org/event/worcester-writers-collective-9/ LOCATION:JMac/Brickbox Theater\, 20 Franklin Street\, Worcester\, MA\, 01608\, United States END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251211T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251211T210000 DTSTAMP:20260610T174228 CREATED:20251201T173055Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251201T173422Z UID:12502-1765479600-1765486800@worcestercountypoetry.org SUMMARY:Bards @ The Barrel DESCRIPTION:Join us with our feature Irena Kaci\, as headlining storyteller and dive into a tale of Worcester in the early 2000s brimming with the ponderings of how identity is forged in youth\, and some fun Worcester of Yesteryear Easter Eggs! URL:https://worcestercountypoetry.org/event/bards-the-barrel-2/ LOCATION:Spicy Water Distiller\, 108 Elm Street\, Millbury\, Massachusetts\, 01527\, United States ORGANIZER;CN="Worcester Writers Collective":MAILTO:worcesterwriterscollective@gmail.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251211T173000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251211T193000 DTSTAMP:20260610T174228 CREATED:20251124T174112Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251124T174116Z UID:12432-1765474200-1765481400@worcestercountypoetry.org SUMMARY:Open Mic & Book Launch Experience DESCRIPTION:Woodstock author and poet Karen Warinsky will continue the launch of her new book\, Beauty & Ashes\, on December 11th at A Great Notion Bookstore from 5:30-7:30 p.m. A Great Notion is at 65 Southbridge St. in Auburn\, MA\, and was voted the best bookstore in Central MA in 2024 and 2025. \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBeauty & Ashes covers the political and the personal\, the destructive and the wonderful moments of life. Warinsky is an award-winning poet who has published widely since 2011\, is a Best of the Net nominee and a former finalist of the Montreal International Poetry Contest\, among other honors. The evening will include a raffle\, refreshments and an open mic and the public is invited. Email karen.warinsky@gmail.com to reserve an open mic spot. URL:https://worcestercountypoetry.org/event/open-mic-book-launch-experience/ LOCATION:A Great Notion Bookshop\, 65 Southbridge St.\, Auburn\, MA\, 01501\, United States ORGANIZER;CN="Karen Warinsky%2C Poets At Large":MAILTO:karen.warinsky@gmail.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251209T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251209T203000 DTSTAMP:20260610T174228 CREATED:20251120T191232Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251120T191236Z UID:12421-1765305000-1765312200@worcestercountypoetry.org SUMMARY:Poems of Myths & Muses: Holiday Edition DESCRIPTION: URL:https://worcestercountypoetry.org/event/poems-of-myths-muses-holiday-edition/ LOCATION:Tapa Vino!\, 160 Green St.\, Worcester\, Massachusetts\, 01604 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251209T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251209T210000 DTSTAMP:20260610T174228 CREATED:20251129T174350Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251129T174353Z UID:12494-1765303200-1765314000@worcestercountypoetry.org SUMMARY:Worcester Writers' Collective DESCRIPTION:Come one\, come all to the weekly meetings of the WWC: \n\n\n\n6-7 Free Writing Time \n\n\n\n7-9 Reading and Workshop \n\n\n\nBuilding a small community of local writers of all genres is our priority and we are so thrilled to invite anyone interested to drop in and participate. \n\n\n\nIt’s FREE and open to all. 🙂 URL:https://worcestercountypoetry.org/event/worcester-writers-collective-8/ LOCATION:JMac/Brickbox Theater\, 20 Franklin Street\, Worcester\, MA\, 01608\, United States END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251208T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251208T200000 DTSTAMP:20260610T174228 CREATED:20251129T173603Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251129T173607Z UID:12488-1765220400-1765224000@worcestercountypoetry.org SUMMARY:Free Writing Workshop with Catherine Martin DESCRIPTION:Do you love to write? Are you interested in trying your hand at it\, but not sure where to start? Join us for a free\, one hour small group generative writing workshop that’s no pressure\, all creative freedom! Led by Catherine Martin. Join us for a free\, one-hour small group generative writing workshop that’s no pressure\, all creative freedom! \n\n\n\nIn this free workshop\, you’ll: \n\n\n\n\nDiscuss your writing experience and interests with your fellow classmates\n\n\n\nReceive fun\, intriguing writing prompts to respond to (or not)\n\n\n\nSpend some quality time writing a brand-new draft of…whatever you want!\n\n\n\nShare your work with the class in an encouraging round of constructive feedback\n\n\n\n\nWhether you’re hoping to connect with fellow writers\, or just looking for a relaxed space to get started on your latest idea\, this workshop is a great way to explore your writing interests. And if you love it\, our weekly classes in poetry and prose start in January! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nInstructor: Catherine Martin  is a Pushcart Prize-nominated poet with work published in Pleiades\, Nimrod International Journal of Prose and Poetry\, Superstition Review\, and others. She loves writing\, reading\, and workshopping with fellow writers and artists. Catherine is currently writing her first manuscript of poetry. She lives in Hopkinton with her family.Age: Adult \n\n\n\nHCA Policies: Please review our website’s HCA Student Policies and Procedures here. \n\n\n\n\nInjury Waiver: You must agree to the HCA injury waiver to register for classes. \n\n\n\nPhoto Release Agreement: You can agree to the HCA’s Photo Release Agreement during registration.\n\n\n\nWaiting List: If this class is sold out\, it will say so below and will not allow you to register. If so\, please add your name to our waitlist here.  URL:https://worcestercountypoetry.org/event/free-writing-workshop-with-catherine-martin/ LOCATION:Hopkinton Arts Center\, 98 Hayden Rowe St.\, Hopkinton\, Massachusetts\, 01748\, United States END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR