Batter Up! Poetry Series Returns to MV Library

Calling all fans of baseball, poetry, and anyone who enjoys some good old wordplay and repartee: the Mill Valley Public Library is hosting the Third Annual Poetry World Series, a poetry event unlike any other, after hours on on Friday, May 16.

The Poetry World Series turns the format and feel of standard poetry readings on its head, combining the lively, spontaneous energy of a poetry slam with written poetry that’s had the benefit of invested time and revision. So how does it work?

With the Library’s Main Reading Room serving as the stadium, two teams of Bay Area poets will take turns “batting up” to a poem topic “pitched” to them. Emcee Will Durst, the satirist and nationally acclaimed syndicated columnist, will do the pitching, while a panel of judges, including Mill Valley resident Brian Murphy of KNBR’s “Murph & Mac” show and poets Dean Rader and Melissa Stein, will score each “batter’s” reading. The two competing teams have some heavy contenders: poets Heather Altfeld, Rebecca Foust, Amy Glynn, Judy Halebsky, Troy Jollimore, and Robert Thomas, with Roy Mash of the Marin Poetry Center serving as timekeeper and first player alternate. These talented poets have racked up plenty of accolades and experience (see bios below), but which of them will hit home runs?

The brainchild of Marin poet Rebecca Foust, the Poetry World Series is an event that serious fans of literature, serious fans of baseball, and serious fans of whimsy and excitement in any form will all enjoy.

The 411: The Third Annual Poetry World Series is Friday, May 16 from 7 to 9 pm in the Mill Valley Public Library’s Main Reading Room. Pre-game refreshments, including popcorn, beer, and wine, will be available for pre-registered guests starting at 6:30 pm. The event is free and is open to adults and high school students only. Space is limited, so registration is recommended. Click here for more info on the participants or to register, or call 415-389-4292, x3.

This Enjoy Mill Valley Blog post is sponsored by Patrick James Men’s Clothier in the Strawberry Village shopping center:

This Get ready for your Memorial weekend at Patrick James Men’s Clothier! From Thursday May 15th to Sunday May 18th, buy any 2 items from Tommy Bahama, Nat Nast, Natural Blue or Toscano at regular price and receive an additional 3rd item for FREE!
Whether it’s shirts, denims, shorts or T’s, we’ve got you Summer favorites covered. Additional item must be equal or lesser value from mentioned brands. Patrick James is located at the Strawberry Village next to Starbucks.