by Portia Choi | May 20, 2021 | Events, Interviews, Poems
First Friday Open Mic, May 7, 2021 The Open Mic was unique in that three of the poets sang their poetry. You may read the interviews of the poet-musicians by Carla Joy Martin, in this story. The evening was graced with performances by Carla Joy Martin, Christopher...
by Portia Choi | May 18, 2021 | Events, Interviews, Kern County Poet, Poems
April National Poetry Month Zoom Open Mic, April 18, 2021 To commemorate National Poetry Month in April, there was a second virtual open mic. The poets who participated were Anke Hodenpijl, Annis Cassells, Carla Martin, Christopher Craddock, Christopher Nielsen,...
by Portia Choi | Apr 15, 2021 | Events, Interviews, Poems
First Friday Open Mic on April 2, 2021 The First Friday Open Mic was the first event during National Poetry Month. It began with a virtual reading as poets got together to share their words. The poet interviewed for this story was Samuel Rain Benjamin who gave...
by Portia Choi | Mar 30, 2021 | Events, Interviews, Poems
The March 5, 2021 Open Mic (via ZOOM) was especially meaningful. The poet, Betty Lee Cortez recited her heart-felt poem about her brother who had died, and her family and friends joined the Open Mic, listening to her words. Also performing during the evening...
by Portia Choi | Mar 25, 2021 | Events, Interviews, Poems
We had another performance of original poetry and music on February 5th by ZOOM. Creativity continues, as always, and a way to share our creations happens even during the social precautions of the pandemic. The performers and those listening were Carla Joy...
by Portia Choi | Jan 31, 2021 | Events, Interviews, Poems
We started the New Year with sparkles of spoken words at Open Mic poetry. The poets who performed were Portia Choi, Lola Jimenez, Carla Martin, Chris Nielsen, Eric Osborne, Kevin Shah and Suzanne Weller. Barbara Mattick and Viridiana Pena listened in. The...
by Portia Choi | Jan 4, 2021 | Events, Interviews, Poems
To end year 2020, poets shared their words at First Friday Open Mic by ZOOM on December 4. The poets who performed were Anke Hodenpijl, Carla Martin, Chris Nielsen, Eric Osborne, Mandy Wallace, Portia Choi, Suzanne Weller and Thomas Brill. Listening to these...
by Portia Choi | Mar 17, 2020 | Events, Interviews, Poems
Bakersfield Poets Respond to COVID 19 I, Portia Choi, of Kern Poetry thank you, our poetry community. These are times of change – a time of mandatory precaution due to COVID-19. It has also been a time of connection with poetry and with creativity. This story is...
by Portia Choi | Dec 1, 2019 | Events, Featured Poet, Interviews, Poems
First Friday: Open Mic, November 1, 2019 Featuring Annis Cassells. Annis Cassells was the featured poet at the First Friday Open Mic at Dagny’s Coffee on Nov 1, 2019, she read from her book of poetry, You Can’t Have It All. Even though the event was over a year...
by Portia Choi | Jun 30, 2019 | Events, Interviews, Poems
Kern Poetry Interview with Jerry D. Mathes II Interview by Carla Martin Photographs by Kern Poetry Jerry D. Mathes II was the featured poet for Dagny’s First Friday Open Mic Night, last year on May 3, 2019. The event was hosted by local poet and poetry...
