In celebration of her new book of poetry, The Wild Twist of Their Stems, Carol Graser will be performing at Caffe Lena Sunday, November 25 at 7pm. She’ll be joined by jazz musician Elisabeth Woodbury and percussionist Chrys Ballerano. Opening for her will be comedian Marly Halpern-Graser. For reservations call 583-0022.
Praise for The Wild Twist of Their Stems:
These poems are smartly lyrical & welcome to my consciousness. It’s a great pleasure to have Carol Graser’s poems.
-Bernadette MayerGenerations are woven together in these poems of Carol Grazer’s with an ease as natural as the wind twining grasses. Her reflections on motherhood and relationships, and the small anxious dramas of everyday life are as memorable and true as any I’ve read, tempered by hope and humor, self-aware, yet never self-centered. It’s a journey worth taking.
-Joseph BruchacAt once shocking and then calming, Graser’s words take you on the ever-winding journey of being a mother. Deep and profound, her words and images will remain long after you have closed the book.
-Debra Wetzel, MotherVerse MagazineAn exploration of the awe, strife, and joys of motherhood, Saratoga Springs poet Carol Graser’s first book focuses on the movement of small moments in the context of larger meaning. Her verse emphasizes repetition and enjambment to create memorable images.
-Carolyn Niehaus, Chronogram
Carol Graser hosts the first Wednesday of the month poetry series at Caffe Lena. She has read her poetry at many community events including fund-raisers, anti-war rallies and as a featured reader at poetry events around New York. Her poetry has appeared in regional journals such as Screed, Salvage and Metroland as well as in numerous national publications like Lullwater Review, Berkeley Poetry Review, The Worcester Review, The MacGuffin and Eureka Literary Magazine.
Marly Halpern-Graser is a recent graduate of Emerson College’s film program. He has performed stand up comedy in Boston and Cambridge, as well as Woodstock and Saratoga Springs, NY. His comedic short films and animations have been screened in numerous film festivals internationally, and he has won many awards, including Best Short Documentary at the Lake Placid Film Festival. He’s currently working in LA as a comedy writer.
Elizabeth Woodbury Kasius is the composer-arranger-pianist for HEARD, a modern chamber ensemble, where she brings a wide array of styles –jazz, classical and world music– into her captivating soundscape. Her inspirations come from her diverse experiences and interests and are often drawn from the raw and powerful sources that nature provides.
