Poet and you know it? Philalalia is for you
For three days this week, Philalalia, the first small press poetry and art fair, holds fairs, workshops and live readings to demonstrate the local arts culture beginning Thursday, Sept. 25.
Living in a do-it-yourself world has opened a lot of doors for smaller, independent artists in many disciplines to produce their work on their own terms. For three days this week, Philalalia, the first small press poetry and art fair, holds fairs, workshops and live readings to demonstrate the local arts culture beginning Thursday, Sept. 25.
Staying in tune with the small press atmosphere, a one-hour workshop, starting at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 25, on how to make paper will be held at the event's primary location: Tyler School of Art (2001 N. 13th St.) at Temple University. (The workshop will also take place on Friday, Sept. 26 at 11 a.m. and Saturday, Sept. 27 at 1:30 p.m.)
Also on Thursday, Sept. 25, the weekend's opening reception will take place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. with readings featuring Philadelphia Youth Poet Laureate Soledad Alfaro-Allah, Poet Laureate Frank Sherlock, and poet and essayist Rachel Blau DuPlessis held in Temple Contemporary — in the school of art.
Day two's programming includes a 2 p.m. presentation of the publication studio at Temple Contemporary on Friday, Sept. 26. Be sure to bring a PDF of your latest work: You'll be able to print, bind and publish your work, free of charge.
At 4 p.m. on Friday, a poem-essay accompanied by photos, presented by Jena Osman, and a multimedia documentary series focusing on Philadelphia's block captains — neighborhood volunteers who help keep the community in tip-top shape — by Lori Waselchuk will be viewed and discussed.
Prep your poems, everyone. Saturday, Sept. 27 offers a few opportunities for public reading. Enjoy brunch and community verses from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with poet Eileen Myles or take it to the Philadelphia Art Alliance for a closing celebration and reading featuring poets from Furniture Press Books, Futurepoem, Least Weasel, & ixnay press at 8 p.m.
Throughout the duration of the festival, a book fair with vendors like Bloof Books, Fact-Smile Editions, Huldra Press, and more offers collections of poetry, handmade books and chapbooks. The fair is held in the Atrium at Tyler School of Art (2001 N. 13th St.) at Temple University and runs from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 25, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 26 and Saturday, Sept. 27.