Open Mic Poetry Slam 2021

The final event of the season, Poetry Slam 2021, was conducted virtually this year. Attendees read poems by Maya Angelou, Langston Hughes, A.A. Milne and Emily Dickinson as well as poems they had written themselves.

At the end of the event, the group collaborated to create their own version of "I Rise" inspired by the famous Maya Angelou poem. 

 I RISE (written by the Open Mic Participants 6-9-21) 

 I RISE with the sun waiting for the blessings of the day. My spirit is awakening, opening my heart to the coming hours, minutes, day. 

 I RISE with hopes of beauty for the day that is sunny and makes us all feel special. 

 I RISE because I must. I RISE because I can. 

 I RISE with arms outstretched, ready to embrace all that the day has to offer. 

 I RISE I follow my nose to the kitchen where pancakes release their aroma. 

 I RISE longing for my first cup of coffee and eager to write in my gratitude journal. 

 I RISE to create with others a bright new day with justice for all. 

 I RISE wishing for love and peace at home and in the world. 

 I RISE to be now, to sing to swing, to rap, to speak, to be part of what’s now, to embrace the new. Wow! 

 I RISE with joy and hope, for the morn, for the day, for the future, for the family, for the world, 

 for my dreams.

 I RISE to feed the cat and start a new day. 

 I RISE with good, warm, loving feelings that will sustain me through the day. 

 I RISE with readiness to say prayers of “Please”, “Thank you” , and “Wow!” 

 

 AND STILL I RISE.

RECOMMENDED EVENT - Poetry Launch

Rain Mountain Press is announcing the launch of Eileen Brilliant's stunning collection In the Middle of Things, Begin. We’d like to invite all poetry lovers to celebrate with us on July 25^th / 5:30 p.m. at the Tompkins Square Library on 331 East 10^th Street in Manhattan. 

There will be readings, books, and biscotti.

http://www.rainmountainpress.com/books-in-the-middle-of-things-begin.html

UP NEXT - Open Mike Poetry

Congratulations to UFT Player Lee Schwartz

Our own Lee Schwartz has been invited to participate in this summer's Southampton Writers Conference, organized by Stony Brook University. This annual conference hosts world-class novelists, essayists, editors, poets and children's book authors. 


The Selection Committee offered Ms. Schwartz admission based on her submission of ten poems in a blind reading judging. This summer, the poetry faculty will include Sharon Olds, Billy Collins and Cornelius Eady.

Congratulations Lee!

COMING SOON! An Afternoon of Poetry

COMING SOON - Open Mike Poetry Event

An Afternoon of Open Mike Poetry

conducted by Leida Toro

Recite your own work or your favorites written by others. 

Wednesday, May 18, 2016 

4-6 pm 

UFT (Manhattan Building), 50 Broadway, 2nd fl

It's Spring - Time for Open-Mike Poetry!

Open-Mike Poetry 5/2/14

Recommended Event - Questions for Mothers from Daughters - in celebration of Mother's Day

UFT Player, Lee Schwartz will be reading her poem, Western Lullaby, in this Mother's Day poetry event curated by Jennifer Browdy of Bard College. The contest question was, "What question would you like to ask your mother?"

Click here for directions to the Sandisfield Art Center in Sandisfield, MA.

Open Mike Poetry Event - May 2nd!



THE UFT PLAYERS
presents

a Spring effusion
of

Open-Mike Poetry

Readings of our own poems or favorite poems by others
facilitated by Ilene Bauer and Tasha Paley

Springtime fills the Broadway air,
So, dear friends, come one, come all
When our poems we all will share!

Friday, May 2, 2014 
4-6 pm @UFT, 50 Broadway (Manhattan)

Contact Milt Polsky @212.475.9546 for information

Recommended Event - The Intrigue & Magic of Poe

Milton Polsky's play, "Audition on Amity Street" (about Edgar Allan Poe's only play), will be presented as part of a special NYU event called "The Intrigue and Magic of Poe." 

 Friday, April 25th 2014 

6:00 PM to 8:00 PM 

@ New York University School of Law 

 245 Sullivan Street Furman Hall - Room 216 

New York, NY 

Join NYU's Office of Government and Community Affairs and Lois Rakoff, Community Director of the Poe Room for "The Intrigue and Magic of Poe" where local artists and members of the NYU community will celebrate the life and work of Edgar Allan Poe through music, painting, performance, and more. 

This event is free and open to the public, but space is limited. 

Reservations required @http://bit.ly/1jqyFUb or 212-998-2400.

Open Mike Poetry - A Good Time Was Had by All!

The UFT Players Annual Poetry Open-Mike Event took place on Friday, April 26th, to celebrate National Poetry Month. Although we had a small group in attendance (there were 13 of us), we got to listen to some wonderful original poetry and hear some amazing works by famous poets read by members of our group. A good time was had by all! 

Open - Mike Poetry Event

Open Mike Poetry

 Friday, April 26th 

4-6PM 

UFT Building 

50 Broadway, Manhattan 

2nd fl. 

Read your own work or someone else's.

facilitators: Ilene Bauer & Tasha Paley

Video of Lee Schwartz Reading Her Poetry @ The Women of a Certain Age Event 3/2/13

Recommended Event - A Reading of Work by Women of a Certain Age

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Women of a Certain Age
Reading hosted by Sonia Pilcer, with Allyson Dinneen, Barbara Janoff, Susie Kaufman, Ellen Meeropol, and Lee Schwartz (UFT Players Executive Board member)

Mason Library, Great Barrington, MA 1–3 p.m.

Perhaps age and experience give us the courage to express things we kept under wraps when we were younger. Certainly our writing skills improve with time, as does the desire to say the unsaid. Come and hear a group of older women writers share their passions and what they know. There will be a discussion and Q&A afterward. Come and join the dialogue.

More "Poetic" Success for UFT Player Lee Schwartz

UFT Players Executive Board member, Lee Schwartz's poem, 65 is a Speed Trap, will appear in the July 2012 issue of Passage. She has also been chosen to participate in a juried poetry class at the 92nd St. Y. Congratulations, Lee.

65 is a SPEED TRAP

Today my Medicare card came,

red, white and blue

like the flag

unfurling at Kennedy’s funeral, 

carefully refolded and presented

like a box of candy.

I know all the cherry centers

have been eaten,

the plutocrats taking over my final stages

I’m a dog climbing out of the surf, 

hair matted down,

the body skeletal and puppyish.

Someone in St. Paul now navigates

my out-patient mental health status,

my pleasure / pain centers,

my scribbles of shame. 

A pilgrim in a lost caravan;

the Empire is my final dance partner.

Unit #072-34-4639

I’ve never had an abortion,

I did have a cesarean, the newborn

had to be removed by force.

The ice melting, the salmon confused,

she swam laps in my mycelium moon. 

And there was afterwards

while the playground moms chatted,

that sharp tang of freedom, mixed with loss,

my daughter, rising like wild maize.

I fold my hands and notice the brown spots

on fingers that remember just where to find the banister, 

and then the steps.

April is National Poetry Month!

Come celebrate with us! 


This years' Open-Mike Poetry Event, facilitated by Ilene Bauer and Tasha Paley, will take place on Friday, April 27, 2012 from 4-6PM at the Manhattan UFT Building (50 Broadway), 2nd floor. Read something of your own or work by someone else. 


Contact Milt Polsky @212.475.9546 for more information.

Poetry Reading

Lee Schwartz, member of the UFT Players Executive Board, will be reading her prize winning (Allen Ginsberg Contest 2011) poem, "When Did You Decide to be Straight?" at the Hamilton Club of Passaic Community College in Patersen, NJ

on Saturday, Nov 7th at 1:00PM. Admission and parking are free & refreshments will be served.

Get travel directions here.

Swing into Fall at the First Open-Mike Poetry Event of the 2011-2012 Season

The first open-mike poetry event of the new 2011-2012 season will take place on Friday, September 23rd from 4-6 PM at the UFT building (50 Broadway, Manhattan).

Read your own poems or those of others. Original songs are welcome too!

For more information, contact Milton Polsky @ 212.475.9546 or @ polskyspen@aol.com.

This event will be facilitated by UFT Player executive board members Ilene Bauer and Tasha Paley.

April is National Poetry Month

Celebrate with the UFT Players at our open-mike poetry event!

Spring forth O Ye Poets!
Share springtime mirth, merriment, romance and renewal

facilitated by Ilene Bauer & Tasha Paley

Friday, April 29, 2011 from 4-6PM
UFT @ 50 Broadway (Manhattan) 2nd fl

Read your own work or someone else's!