Origins

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Certainly, the tradition of studying, creating, and performing poetry in Erie County began with the founding mothers and fathers of our region.  Poetry reading and writing had long been encouraged in our high schools and colleges during the 1900’s.  Public awareness of poets in our midst likely emerged nationally in the coffee houses of the 60’s where writers, journalists and musicians gathered. 

In recent years (2002-2010), Chuck Joy co-created the Poetry Scene with Kathleen Cantrell, Erie Book Store owner.  Chuck and other local poets shared their poems in this welcoming and comfortable environment every Friday evening.  At that time, at least three places were staging poetry, mostly monthly: Poe's Raven Cafe, Cup-a-ccino's, and Papa Joe's Pizza. Poetry Scene ended when Kathleen sold the store, around 2010.

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Fortunately, in October 2010, Cee Williams founded and directed Poets’ Hall at 1136 East Lake Road where he stepped up the creativity begun at the Poetry Scene with weekly open-mic gatherings called Friday Night Writes.  Budding and experienced Erie poets shared and read their works.  Supported by member donations, Poets’ Hall became a keystone of its neighborhood serving both word artists and audiences.  The last two years of this weekly event were held in the Avalon Hotel. To this day, Poets’ Hall Press continues the work of the International Fellowship of Poets and Spoken Word Artists (IFPSWA) through the print medium.  

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In step with Poet’s Hall, Mabel Howard, poet, producer, and entrepreneur created Soul Food and Poetry providing another opportunity for live weekly poetry with open mic.  For eight years she held a Tuesday-night poetry slam at Thelma’s Place (???) until securing her own venue, Cafe 7-10 (2019) which she is currently renovating to make extra space for larger participation.  In the meantime, Soul Food and Poetry shines at various venues like 1020 Collective and Werner Books.

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In 2012, Thasia Anne Lunger, poetess, director, producer and social justice advocate, founded Women of Word (WOW), a troop of spoken word artists reading individual poetry woven into powerful conversations.  In 2021, the production moved from Edinboro University campus to Blasco Library and PACA.  This annual production of artists performing original poetry, spoken word, song, and dance cover topics that impact us all: homelessness, mental health, domestic violence, to name a few.  2024 will mark the 11th production of WOW.  

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October 2017, Chuck Joy launched Poetry Night, a weekly poetry event at Calamari's 1317 State Street. Poetry Night at Cali's ended with the pandemic, March 2020.

2009 – 2020 Poet Laureate Initiative.

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Erie's Poet Laureate Initiative was sparked by Chuck Joy’s sister.  Jeni, when visiting from Virginia, suggested that Erie was poised to host such a position.  Chuck approached County Councilman Joe Giles outside the Erie Book Store.  Soon thereafter Joe came back with his plan, including Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Gannon University, Mercyhurst University and Penn State Behrend along with the Erie City School District and Erie County Government partners.  The Erie County Poet Laureate Initiative launched in 2009.  It’s impact on the arts in our region was recognized at state and national levels with the Pennsylvania County Commissioners Association County Arts Award in 2011 and the National Association of Counties National Arts Award in 2012. 

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Erie County Poet Laureates included: 

Berwyn Moore, 2009-2010

Dr. Thomas Forsthoefel, 2010-2012

Ron Hayes, 2013-2014

Cee Williams, 2015-2016

Marisa Moks-Unger, 2017 -2018 

Dr. Chuck Joy 2018-2020

 

In August 2009, Berwyn Moore was named the first Poet Laureate of Erie County. An associate professor of English at Gannon University.  As poet laureate, she facilitated community poetry classes, coordinated a poetry contest for Erie County high school students, sponsored a spoken word poetry celebration, and presented numerous poetry readings.  Her main project was the publication of Dwelling in Possibility, an anthology of poetry and art representing 63 Erie County residents.  Net proceeds from sales of the book benefitted Hooked on Books.

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As part of his Poet Laureate initiative, Cee Williams co-edited and published Wordstock, the anthology commemorating the 2016 Summer Poetry Festival in Erie. 

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In 2018, poet Laureate Marissa Moks-Unger edited and published the county-wide Picture This Anthology of poems inspired by pop art, fine art and poetry.

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When Chuck Joy began his second term as Erie County’s sixth Poet Laureate in September 2019, he responded to invitations to appear as Poet Laureate, early on at Fort LeBoeuf High School and at Thasia Anne Lunger’s stage presentation Women of Word. As Poet Laureate Chuck Joy partnered with the Erie County Public Library to co-produce an Open Reading and Annual Photo for poets residing in Erie County. The Library displayed and retains the Photos, and throughout the year developed and displayed its poetry holdings.

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Later in 2019, Chuck co-produced a symposium titled Spoon River Anthology and the Poetry of 100 Years Ago featuring participating professors from several of Erie’s many universities, specifically Mercyhurst, Gannon, and Edinboro; followed on 1/19/20 (the snowiest morning of that winter!) with a staged reading of selected poems from Edgar Lee Masters’s Spoon River Anthology, featuring a diverse cast of readers including the Erie County Clerk, the County Executive, the Mayor of Erie, an Erie School Director, the Public Library Director, an elementary school student, two child psychiatrists, the professors from the Symposium, poets resident in Erie, theatrical talent, and poet John Burroughs from Cleveland. The staged reading also resulted in a documentary video record of the event provided by CAM Erie.

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By the time of the 2020 Poet Laureate Annual Reading, COVID-19 was among us and that Annual Reading was produced live for simulcast including Facebook and tape at the CAM Erie studio. Similarly, the Poetry Therapy Workshop for Healthcare Professionals on 5/5/20 provided by accomplished poetry therapist John Fox from the Institute for Poetic Medicine was presented virtually.  

As the pandemic prevented the production of live poetry events, the partnership with the Library led to the development of Poetry Live!, another in Erie’s long series of weekly poetry open mic events, hosted by Patric Nuttall from the Library, both live and virtually, as conditions permitted. In the summer of 2020, Todd Paropacic hosted virtual poetry readings for the Erie Art Museum, and merged that effort with Poetry Live! at the Library.  Another lively partnership developed with WQLN through the person of Halle Sullivan who co-produced that radio station’s on-going program of Poetry Minutes as well as a calendar of Poetry Events on wqln.org.

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Ongoing Initiatives

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By 2023, live poetry readings were popping up in a variety of venues. A group of long-time poets and lovers of the spoken word began gathering formally to begin the process of reviving live poetry by identifying regional poets, creating a database of artists, and securing suitable sites and events for poetry readings.  Organizations assisting this endeavor are Erie Arts and Culture (EAC), Community Access Media (CAM), WQLN Public Broadcasting, Werner Books, and Cafe7-10.

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Our Collective Value

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By creating opportunities for poets and spoken word artists, we are a community resource that enhances quality of life for everyone in our region.  With grace and good spirit, we encourage, design, host, and publicize open mic gatherings, events, collaborations, and performances.  We seek to balance planning with spontaneity – allowing ourselves the freedom to innovate leading to limitless possibilities.    “The unknown is where possibility glitters.”  Michella Obama