The amazing WordXWord Festival is much more than its annual week long literary event. They are bringing poetry and spoken word to the Berkshires each and every month at the Writers Room.
Kicking things off for the new year is a great line-up of events and featured guests including Jon Sands.
WXW Writers Room is upping the ante for 2013 with a new schedule rotation and the addition of a once-a-month feature night bringing well established authors/spoken word artists to the Upstreet Cultural District for unique events.
January 8 – The Hot Envelope hosted by James Burden
8P, At yBar, 391 North Street, Pittsfield. Free.Competitive storytelling challenge. Contestants draw topics at random and must respond with a relevant true story. 10 slots, 11 envelopes – one with $50 inside! Preregistration is highly recommended. In-person signups for remaining spots – if any – will begin one hour prior to event – first come, first served.January 15 – Open Mic hosted by Gabriel Squailia
8P, At yBar, 391 North Street, Pittsfield. Free.Open Mic for those who wish to share poetry or short prose, either of their own or of others. In-person signups begin 1 hour prior to the event – first come, first served.January 22 – Feature Night with Jon Sands
8P, At yBar, 391 North Street, Pittsfield. $5 suggested donation.Jon Sands is a teacher and performer who has performed and led workshops at universities and arts organizations both nationally and internationally. He is Director of Poetry Education Programming at the Positive Health Project in Manhattan and a Youth Mentor with Urban Word-NYC. His work has been published in numerous journals and his book “The New Clean” was published by Write Bloody Press in 2011. (www.jonsands.com)
January 29 – WXW WinterInvitational Slam
8P, At yBar, 391 North Street, Pittsfield. $5 suggested donation.WXW winter invitational poetry slam – slam with a twist – the spoken word equivalent of an obstacle course. With prizes at stake, competing wordsmiths will face a different challenge revealed just prior to each round.
