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Plymouth’s poet laureate Miriam O’Neal wants to get people excited about poetry. In a monthly event at the Plymouth Center for the Arts called ‘Poetry the Art of Words,” O’Neal invites two poets to do readings followed by an open mic session open. The audience for these events keeps growing.
On October 13, a special event is planned that marries some of the work in the North Street center’s 57th Annual Juried Art Show with poets.
“Ekphrasis is an ancient tradition that goes way back to Homer and The Iliad,” O’Neal says. “It’s where writers respond, or any artist responds, to another form of art. And in this case, we’ll have 22 poets responding to 22 pieces of artwork from the annual juried arts show. At the reception, the poets will stand in front of the artwork and read their poems.”
The blending of these two groups of artists is a creative way to build community and one of the ways O’Neal pursues her mission to use her position as an ambassador of the arts to promote poetry and the arts in general. O’Neal became poet laureate after being inaugurated by an organization called America’s Hometown Laureates. Its mission is to support the arts in Plymouth.
There are other poetry related events planned, too.
On October 27, the Spire will host “Emily Dickinson and the Wilde Irish Women: The Story of Margaret Maher and the Celtification of Emily Dickinson.” It’s a night of music and songs that tell the story of Dickinson’s Irish maid, Margaret Mayer, who is responsible for us having Dickinson’s poems because she saved them in her trunk.
In the spring, three-time U.S. Poet Laureate, Robert Pinsky will do a reading at the Spire with his jazz quintet behind him. It’s a testament to Plymouth’s robust cultural well-being that these events are hosted by town stalwarts like the Spire and the Plymouth Center for the Arts.
O’Neal imagines more such happenings.
“I have the kernel of an idea of having local poets write about local open spaces and creating some kind of a poetry trail, if you will, where people can go visit the different open spaces and read a poem in each space,” she says.
Her goal is to create opportunities for people to be exposed to poetry, to write poetry and to build it into the cultural ecosystem.
“It’s kind of like the field of dreams. If you build it, they will come,” she says.
Wednesday, Sept. 25
Wednesday Walks at Mass Audubon Tidmarsh Wildlife Sanctuary. At this weekly hour-and-a-half event, you can find out about the sanctuary’s successful wetlands restoration during a two-mile hike. You will get to see the sanctuary’s native plant and animal species. No registration required. Meet at 60 Beaver Dam Road at 10 a.m.
Thursday, Sept. 26
The Spire presents Life & Lyrics Concert and Podcast Series with Cara Brindisi, in an unusual format of interviews and performances with some of her favorite musicians. This month’s installment features blues-rock and soul/funk guitarist Sonya Rae Taylor. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 and you can get them here.
Friday, Sept. 27
The Spire presents October Road – A tribute to James Taylor. The show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $32, and you can get them here.
Saturday, Sept. 28
Take me Fishin! – it’s a fishing derby – will take place at Fearing Pond. Presented by the Friends of Myles Standish State Forest, Mass Wildlife, and the state Department of Conservation and Recreation, the derby, now in its17th year, features prizes for the biggest fish, raffles, crafts, and fun for the family. Fishing poles and bait will be provided at no charge. The event takes place from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
The Plymouth Public Library, 132 South St., presents Fall Fun Fest. This family friendly event includes a DJ, face painting, a farmers market, cooking demonstrations, finger printing for kids and lots of free stuff. The event, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., is free.
The Family Farm Festival – which will include a petting zoo, hayrides, arts and crafts, flowers for sale, a K9 demonstration and a Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe performance and exhibit – will be held on the county farm grounds at 74 Obery St. It’s collaboration between the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Dept., Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Plymouth, and the Plymouth Public Library. The free event is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Art on the Green is a showcase for local artisans and includes paintings, ceramics, and sculpture. It’s a chance for you to see and enjoy the diverse artistic community of Plymouth. The event will take place on the Town Hall green, 26 Court St., from 12 to 4 p.m., and it’s free.
Opening night for Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra at Memorial Hall kicks off the orchestra’s season with music from Cuba, France, and Argentina. Violinist Melissa White, founding member of the Grammy-winning Harlem Quartet, will be a highlight as she performs a concerto by Florence Price. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Ticket are $30 to $65 and you can get them here.
The Spire presents blues and soul singer Shemekia Copeland. With four Grammy nominations, she’s performed all over the world – including with B.B. King, Mick Jagger, Buddy Guy and at the White House. The show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $45 and you can get them here.
Sunday, Sept. 29
The Rebels and Rods car show takes place every Sunday morning in the parking lot of East Bay Grille at 173 Water St., from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., weather permitting. This is a family and pet-friendly event.
Monday, Sept. 30
The Plymouth Zen Group celebrates its 15th anniversary with a visit from Zen Master Bon Haeng (Mark Houghton). Ann Miller will give an introductory dharma talk followed by a question-and-answer session with Haeng. It will happen at the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 384 Court St., from 7 to 8:30 p.m. A $5-$20 donation is suggested.
Tuesday, Oct. 1
The remade Stephens Field had its soft opening on Aug. 2, but now it’s time to celebrate the official opening of waterfront park, which underwent a $5 million renovation after years of neglect. The event, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., will feature guest speakers, family friendly activities, and light refreshments, according to the town. And, of course, there will be a traditional ribbon cutting.
The Plymouth Garden Club has finished its beautification of Plymouth Public Library’s garden beds with a colorful selection of mums to celebrate the fall season. Always on a mission to add to Plymouth’s natural beauty, the Club encourages you to look and enjoy its latest effort the next time you visit or drive by the library at 132 South St.
Wednesday, Oct. 3
Book Love in the Pinehills presents Marianne Leone reading from and discussing her new memoir, “Five Dog Epiphany: How A Quintet of Badass Bichons Retrieved Our Joy.” She will also show her short film, “With/In.” The event is at 6 p.m. at 7 Village Green South and is free.
Thursday, Oct. 4
First Fridays returns with close to 25 artists, galleries, shops, and showrooms opening its doors for an evening of art, culture, and inspiration downtown. Included in this month’s events is a Spooner House fundraiser and the new members show at the Plymouth Center for the Arts. First Friday events happen between 5 and 8 p.m. For more information, go here.
Memorial Hall presents Foreigners Journey, a double-sided tribute band for bands you can figure out by its name. You can listen any way you want it, as long as you don’t stop believing. The show is at 83 Court St. and starts at 8 p.m. Ticket are $39 to $59 and you can get them here.