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Oxford's 5th Annual Poetry Festival - April 23 at Theatre

April is Poetry Month and the Oxford Poetry Festival Committee is excited to remind you of the FREE in-person events being held in Oxford at the Capitol Theatre on Saturday, April 23.

The goal of Poetry at Large is to make poetry accessible. We want to provide venues for writers of poetry to share their work, for poetry lovers to be able to indulge their passion, and for people who don’t know yet if they enjoy poetry, to take a chance and experience it at one of our events.

The day starts in the morning with the committee’s first Poetry Writing Workshop (10 a.m.-12:30). (If you forgot to register by the deadline, check to see if there are any spots left. Email: oxfordpoetryfestival@gmail.com.) This small group event is led by published poet and local favourite, Richard Dittami, a retired construction professional and a lifelong writer who now lives in the Oxford area. He has a volume of poetry, “Shredding Plywood”, in print. He also recorded a spoken word CD “On to Montreal” which is currently out of print. Richard’s poetry is down-to-earth as he often refers to himself as a blue-collar poet. It touches on relatable subjects: hard work, relationships, the joy of being near the water, losing loved ones, and much more.

In the afternoon (1:30-3:30), Words & Music, features local musicians and poets providing entertainment for all to enjoy. Music and poetry go hand in hand and both are prevalent in our everyday lives. From children’s nursery rhymes to TV commercials to musical lyrics, poetry is everywhere.

As well as leading the Workshop, Richard Dittami will participate in the Words & Music lineup. Enjoyable on the page, his work is mesmerizing when he reads aloud so you won’t want to miss it. We understand he’s pretty good on the harmonica too.

He is joined by musician, poet and fiction writer, Rosaria Campbell. Like Richard, Rosaria has been a supporter of this festival from its beginning. Originally from Newfoundland, she now lives on a small farm in Wallace Station. She writes about the people and events that helped shape her life and has a particular interest in form and oral traditions. Richard has asked Rosaria to assist with the Workshop, as well. As for her musical skills, you may be surprised at the number of different instruments she brings on stage.

For as long as she can remember, Megan McNutt, one of the MCs for the afternoon, has loved books and the written word. It’s not surprising then that she currently works as a librarian and ghostwriter. Megan has dabbled in theatre and fiction, and it has only been in the last several years she has taken an interest in poetry. One of the Festival’s original committee members, for the 2022 event, she will be reading from her newest poetry collection in progress.
Originally from Montreal, Judith S. Bauer now lives in Parrsboro where she and her partner operate Main & Station Nonesuch, which, among other things, hosts poetry events. In addition to jotting down the odd verse, Judith is editor of Black Dog & One-Eyed Press whose most recent publication is “2020: An Anthology of Poetry with Drawings by Bill Liebeskind”. judith’s poems have been published on garage doors, on floors, in an ekphrastic anthology, and in chapbooks.

A Grade 12 student at OREC, Carly Oickle will read poetry from her second book, “I Am Only Mildly Crazy, I Promise. (I May Have Lied)” a 113-page collection of her poems and quotes as well as her photography.

Other musical entertainers scheduled to date include Lawry and Mary MacLeod and Mary Ellen Stevenson. Lawry will also recite one of his poems. If any are willing, individuals attending the morning workshop may read what they have created. Some of the published poets will have their books for sale.

For More Information

Visit Poetry At Large Oxford’s Annual Poetry Celebration on Facebook.