Hosting a Poetry Reading Party
Warrior Poet's Poetry Party
Hosting a Poetry Reading can be fun, exciting, something rare yet nerve wracking and I'm not just talking about for you, the host(ess). Having a poetry reading is a little different from the typical party theme, but afterall, isn't that one of the reasons you're hosting such an event? Just remember, it can be a little nerve wracking for everyone. Afterall, you are asking your guests to open themselves up to their peers despite fear of all criticism.
Make this is a positive chance to learn about friends and family in a way you aren't normally given the opportunity to do so. Poetry is an open door into someone's heart, mind, and their experiences in life, good or bad. So, by reading my tips on how to throw a Poetry Reading Party this is also a chance to learn about the owners of Party Bonanza, a father and son team as well. Its an opportunity for us to share ourselves with you, our customers, friends and family. Its a chance for you to get to know me, because if you're brave enough to open yourself up to your friends and family during a Poetry Reading Party, I better be able to do the same. So I've shared my own poetry in this section while giving Poetry Party Tips.
Party Bonanza is a top-notch retail party supply store that is designed to meet all your party needs. We also like to give out tips on how to throw parties, because we are much more than your party headquarters. We like to have fun too! Throwing parties is considered, work, fun and art. Hopefully not in that order. Having a poetry reading isn't like your typical luau, barbecue, bachelorette party, etc., but I do recommend making it a party. Reading in a poetry cafe can be a scary environment to many people, especially if they're surrounded by a variety of "Beatnik" walks of life and feel melancholy sneers from people they don't consider their peers. A party thrown by you with the "Poetry Cafe" theme though is a chance to still have a fun, trendy, type party with friends in a much more welcome environment that has creativity and inspiration thrown into the mix. I have read poetry in cafes though and actually enjoy it. So I do recommend both hosting a Poetry Reading Party and going to actual poetry reading events if you are interested in poetry.
As you may have read in the About Us section, I'm a former captain in the United States Air Force, I'm a published author and continue to write about my life's journey. This is my chance to open up myself to our customers and give you a glimpse into my heart. Above are some of my poems and below are some tips for hosting your own Poetry Reading Party. Feel free to read, share this website with friends, email or comment anytime you're visiting our website or stop by our store. Best wishes, Jonathan
Party Bonanza’s Party Guide
The Event: Warrior Poet's Poetry Cafe. Generally we'll come across poetry readings at a cafe, poetry cafe, jazz cafe, poetry & jazz cafe, poet's society, poet garden, or poet corner and a growing trend of bookstores which now more and more have of all things...cafes. Pretty much it's an open style of speaking in front of an audience of aspiring poets, veteran poets, poets of all ages, guys trying to impress a woman, and all works of life coming together with something in common, a love of the spoken word.
Ideal time of the year to have the event: Indoor poetry parties can be year-round, while you're outdoor garden events might require a little help from Mother Earth with some warm sunshine. Overall, its generally best in an intimate environment.
Reason for the party: A chance to host something different than the typical barbecue or pizza and a movie party. We know good and well that there's plenty of other theme parties you can throw. Party Bonanza has great party supplies for rock & roll, disco, luau, Disney, holiday, graduation, birthday, casino (my favorite), fiesta, western party themes. You get the idea. I could keep going on and on with our 6,000+ inventory of party favors and supplies.
Additional reason to throw the party: Party Bonanza never needs an additional reason to throw a party and neither should you. Don't be afraid to try something different. You can incorporate a lot of classic party products into any just about any theme. Have fun with it.
Party Points: Make sure the party appeals to your guest. How many guests will you have? What’s your party budget? Remember…. You’re the host! It's on you to make it fun, memorable, wild, elegant, festive, or just an easy, relaxed environment and Party Bonanza has the party supplies to help you make your party exactly how you want it to be.
Party Bonanza’s Party Supplies: Pick a color sequence that you enjoy and go with that.
Now that we have that out of the way, let’s look at the party supply checklist:
Party Tableware
Table Skirt
Table Cover
Plates, Cups, Napkins
Assorted Bowls
Party Favorites
Party Confetti
Cutouts
Electric Light Candles
Garland
Scene Setters
Cookie and Bagel Platters
Stirrers/Swizzle Sticks for the coffee and hot chocolate
Party Stationery
Custom Invitations
Decorative Notepads for people to write poems while they're at the event
Key Money Saving Tip: When in doubt, make it a potluck. Everyone bring their favorite desserts or coffees and hot chocolates to try out. And don't forget the whipped cream.
So remember…it’s a party! Enjoy yourself and your guests. Relax, pour yourself a drink (whether its coffee, hot chocolate or alcohol), eat and above all have a good time. Drink responsibly and ensure your guests do as well because the next party is just around the corner.
Fun Addition If you have a video recorder, you can actually record your poets (who are comfortable being recorded). You can keep the video for you, your friends, or even go a step further and upload the poets to YouTube.com. I've been to several poetry cafes that now do this regularly.
Writing Poetry links: Whether or not you choose to throw a Poetry Party, these links may help improve your writing. I’ve attached a couple of my favorite authors, authors I know, writing tools, and websites to enter your poetry in contests.
A couple looks at different writing styles and themes
Dylan Thomas is author of my favorite poem Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night.
http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15377
Monty Cartwright is an emeritus professor at Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon. All money raised from his work is donated to cancer research.
I Held the Flag Today: Words of Patriotism. Jerry Plantz is an award-winning columnist for Missouri’s newspaper, The Examiner, he has also been a television and magazine producer. He is cofounder of the Kansas City Chapter of the Leukemia Society of American Incorporated
Poetry Tools:
http://rhyme.poetry.com is a great tool for writers looking for words to help tie in rhymes
http://thesaurus.reference.com is a great link for writers looking to broaden their word usage
Poetry Websites:
Contests: Always take caution when entering any contest on the Internet, although plenty of the contest are legitimate, there are always the few bad apples. Jonathan uses poetry.com for writing tools, but doesn't recommend their contests. The contest on poetry.com have very few winners, but plenty of spam mail and emails that come your way. They also like to try and sell you books they publish with your poem(s) in them (along with 1,000 other poets).
http://www.poets.org/page.php/prmID/61
http://www.poeticpower.com/Contest.htm (kids’ poetry contests)
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