National Poetry Month Reading Series Returns to Reno this week

National Poetry Month has been touted as the largest literary event in America, held every April in towns and cities nationwide, since 1996. The celebration brings together poets, students, educators, bookstore owners, arts venues and especially everyday lovers of poetry, with the simple goals: highlight the work of everyday American poets and encourage us all to read, teach and support this priceless art form.

“In celebration of National Poetry Month, Shaun Griffin, our current Nevada Poet Laureate, had established a reading series at Sundance Bookstore starting in 1999,” says Gailmarie Pahmeier, Nevada Poet Laureate, 2021-2024, Professor Emerita, University of Nevada, Reno. 

“It continued in Reno for 25 years until it ended last year.  “The closing of Sundance last year broke lots of hearts, and one thing I thought I’d profoundly miss was the April reading series,” says Gailmaire Pahmeier.

This year the series comes back, beginning this Thursday, April 3 at the Mountain Music Parlor. Reno’s National Poetry Month Reading Series will showcase the work of 12 poets over four evenings every Thursday.

The series now has a new leader, Lindsay Wilson. Wilson was Reno’s Poet Laureate n 2017-2018, and the co-publisher of the literary and arts publication The Meadow. Currently, he is a Truckee Meadows Community College English Professor. “Poetry is not just a skill, it’s a gateway to imagination, knowledge and personal growth,” says Wilson. 

“Poets want to get their work out into the community. They want to read their work and get together as poets, spread the word, and, of course, once again, celebrate National Poetry Month. 

“Each poet brings a distinctive voice to the readings to capture themes of love, identity, and social justice, community,” says Wilson. “Contemporary poetry has moved beyond traditional forms, into an inclusive and accessible art form. 

“Poets want us to get off our devices, get out the world and remind ourselves of our humanity. Never a bad thing these days.” 

While building the new series, Wilson says he was committed to the original spirit. “This was Shaun Griffin’s baby. Last April, he approached me about taking over the series at Sundance. At the time, we didn’t know that Sundance was going to close. Shaun wanted to keep the series going, and I wanted to keep it going.”

To do that Wilson reached out to Renee Lauderback of the Mountain Music Parlor.  She is a musician in her own right and is thrilled to host the event. 

“It’s a perfect fit, a heartfelt thing, like music itself, says Lauderback, “ a natural healing instrument. It’s all wonderful. I’m very excited. At the Mountain Music Parlor, we’re all about community, growing community and nurturing community.”

Wilson believes this poetry reading series fits in perfectly with other literature focused events in the area, such as the annual Nevada Humanities Literary Crawl, Poetry Out Loud, and other local reading series.  

The Series

“On April 3, I knew that Steve Gehrke had a book coming out. Paired him with Gailmariie Pahmeier, a no-brainer. Added Mike Jones, who is currently enrolled  in UNR’s MFA program.

“On April 10, I grouped Joanne Mallari, Melanie Perrish and Courtney Clifton, three poets I admire deeply, and whose work I’ve published a lot at the Meadow. These three meet often together to work on or talk about writing. 

“On April 17, I grouped Karen Terrey, Kathy Nelson and Amy Smith. Karen was just appointed Nevada County’s Poet Laureate. “Two Carson City poets and one from Truckee. An outlying trifecta.”

“Kathy Nelson’s poems went through me like a hot knife,” Dr. Lori Howe, Ph.D, poet, editor, educator, Professor, Honors College, University of Wyoming.

“On April 24. I asked Max Stone to read because of what he’s been doing with his Landline Poetry Reading Series. You’ll also hear my ex student, Marina Leigh, who is back in town from working on her MFA at Ole Miss. Dani Putney, a sensational poet, will read from their latest book, Mix Mix. A great way to wrap up the series.”

Poetry never stood a chance/of standing outside history. 
Andrienne Rich: North American Time

“I’m looking forward to participating and hearing the voices of so many of northern Nevada’s poets,” says Gailmarie Pahmeier. “ I’m convinced we are the Biggest Little Literary City in the World.”