2017 Philly Loves Poetry Interview and Readings Series on PhillyCAM

Regarding Poetry in Philly someone wrote: “If Philadelphia and environs were a garden of poetry, it would be quite a garden. It’d be huge. This is a poetry town which is lush and fertile.” There are there are over 50 organizations that promote poetry in the Philadelphia area-poetry readings, workshops; special events, as well as publish poetry journals and books of poems. They represent every poetry form, every ethnic background, every age, gender and community. This series consists of a panel of guest poets and artists that discuss the opportunities which their group or organization provides for poetry and poets in Philly. The program also focuses on the wide variety of themes and issues which influence the creation of poetry in Philly. The program is broadcasted live on the first Tuesday of each month. The program is free and open to everyone. Please join us in the studio for this live broadcast.

Tuesday July 11, 2017 -6:30pm – Sanctuary Poets Part 2

This workshop explored questions of belonging, safety and identity for (im)migrants in the aftermath of election 2016 and the resurgence of racist, misogynist, and xenophobic forces in the United States. Participants studied poetry arising from migrant traditions, with an emphasis on poets of color and poets from the Global South. Participants wrote their own original poems, were supported through feedback and revision, and shared their work with the public at a culminating event.

Catalina Rios holds a B.A in Latin American Studies from Wesleyan University and a M.A in Spanish from Middlebury College. She is a recipient of a Leeway Foundation Harmony Grant and has attended the Bread Loaf Writer’s Conference. Catalina is a trained S.E.E.D facilitator (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity) who is deeply committed to social justice, cultural awareness and respect for diversity in community. She currently teaches Spanish to Preschool through 6th graders at The School in Rose Valley.

Raha Rafii is a Ph.D. student in Islamic history at the University of Pennsylvania. Her home is the Farsi-accented “para decir algo” and “schmeckt gut” her parents still randomly say in conversation.

Maria Sotomayor moved to the US at age 10 from Loja Ecuador. Maria grew up undocumented, learning to navigate invisible systems from an early age. She is now an immigrant rights community organizer. Maria loves to paint, design, write and create as a way to feed her soul.

Caroline Park Kim is a queer writer and reluctant Leo somewhere (and nowhere) between Korean and American. She’s particularly interested in QTIPOC mental health and care modalities. She crash-landed in Los Angeles, and is currently based in Philly

Rosie Glade is a barista and poet currently living and working in Philly.  Her interests are dancing and herbalism, and her current writing project is an exploration of paganism, feminism, and sex work.

Sheila Quintana is an immigrant from Acapulco, Mexico who spends her time in Philly as a political organizer with various migrant justice groups. She aspires to grow into an excellent cook, a Mexican traditional healer, and a filmmaker.

Host: Charles S. Carr – Author of paradise, Pennsylvania and Haitian Mud Pies And Other Poems and his work has been published the Painted Bride Review, Apiary, Fox Chase Review, The Schuylkill Valley Journal, Mad Poets, Philadelphia Stories, Moonstone Poetry Anthology, The Blue Collar Review and Generations of Poetry.  Charles is former host of the Moonstone Poetry series at Fergie’s Pub.