In what is expected to be an entertaining and an unusual format, three prominent local poets will be featured at the Hoboken Library on Sept. 23 starting at 6:30 p.m.
The free performance will feature Sharon Lynn Griffiths, Christine Goodman, and Bill Rood, all of whom have appeared in local venues in Hudson County over the last few years. But this performance will feature a unique new format.
“The program will be a little different from the traditional reading,” Griffiths said. “I call it a ’round-robin.’ I saw a program like this at the Nuyorican Poet’s Cafe and really liked it. Each poet reads one piece, then they read two each, then they end with one each. It gives the audience a real feeling for each person’s work in contrast and in concert with the others, and the variety keeps it interesting.”
Griffiths was born and raised in New York City, but has lived in urban New Jersey since 1990. Her first collection of poetry, Paper Salvation, was published by Wasteland Press in February of 2004. Her work has appeared in Long Shot, The Paterson Literary Review, Exit 13, the Cafe Review, and the California Quarterly. In July, she won editor’s choice in the prestigious Allen Ginsberg Award, issued out of Passaic Community College in Paterson.
She has been a featured reader at New York and New Jersey venues including the Cornelia Street Cafe, Barnes & Noble Booksellers in Hoboken, and Victory Hall in Jersey City. She participated in the In from the Cold alternative New Year’s Day 2004 poetry marathon at the Bowery Poetry Club, and last year taught a workshop on reading and writing poetry to fourth graders at the Huber Street School in Secaucus, N.J.
Goodman recently completed a successful run in the world premiere of her one-woman, multi media show, “Sleeping with Management” (writer/performer), part of the 2004 New York International Fringe Festival. Previous spoken word features include the Bowery Poetry Club, Cornelia Street Café/Pink Pony West, The Back Fence, The Orange Bear, and on the steps of City Hall in Jersey City, N.J.
Her poetry has appeared in numerous literary collections. Since September 2001, Christine has served as director of Art House Productions, creating performance, broadcast, and publishing opportunities for artists. Christine hosts The Art House, an open mic performance series held the first Thursday of every month at Victory Hall Cultural Center in Jersey City, and is the Executive Producer for The Art House television series, airing on Comcast Channel 51 and Manhattan Neighborhood Network. For more information, please visit www.christine-goodman.com and www.arthouseproductions.org.
The Bill Rood who will be reading at the Hoboken Library is not the swift boat commander who recently emerged from silence to defended John Kerry’s military record. This Bill Rood emerged from poetic silence into the Hudson County poetry scene a couple of years ago. He has featured at and hosted readings in Hoboken and Jersey City. One of the monthly hosts at Rodeo Ristra’s Welcomed Words, he can usually be found there on Monday nights.
All three poets have made frequent appearances on Goodman’s Channel 51 broadcasts over the last two years. Hoboken Public Library is located 500 Park Ave. (at Fifth Street) and the event is free of charge, although all three poets will likely have published materials for sale.