GLaaS Fall Planning Meeting Monday September 12th

.

September 12 

6:30 

Ginkos Coffeehouse (just across Snelling and one block south of the Hamline campus)

Want to get involved in talking about ideas for and creating events for fall semester?  

See you there . . . :)

.

Poetry Book Club meets August 25th

The Hamline GLS Alumni Poetry Book Club’s July book is The House of Belonging by David Whyte. We'll be meeting at Jean's and possibly taking advantage of the porch, if the weather cooperates.

Reviewers seem to universally agree that this is powerful stuff.  "We owe a debt of gratitude to David Whyte for work which lacks the obscure, murky, digressive qualities often associated with poetry and which are responsible for turning large segments of the reading public away from quality literature.  He writes with exquisite simplicity about life's monumental concerns: love, creativity, aloneness, beauty. These are the very things which, by virtue of their universality, should be easily perceptible, but which we have made endlessly complicated," B.A. Brittingham says.

Here's what Beth Gedatus, who suggested this book for the club, has to say about it:

"Perhaps I read some of his work during National Poetry Month. I am not sure. One thing is certain whatever it was I read/heard struck a cord in me. When this happens I become compelled to research the poet/writer.  Anyway, shortly after that I found his book, The House of Belonging in a women's clothing store- they probably had 3 different books in the entire store but as Whyte had just come to my attention I viewed the discovery as clandestine and happily paid the clerk.

"I am drawn to the poetry of the common day, the common life and the commonality of human emotion. For example in the poem THE WINTER OF LISTENING, Whyte speaks of solitude 'No one but me by the fire,/ my hands burning/ red in the palms while/ the night wind carries/ everything away outside.' He goes on to call our attention to, 'All this petty worry.' And that is exactly what it is, 'petty worry' and I imagine each and every one of us can lay claim to spending countless minutes and hours within our days on just that, petty worries. I like to be reminded of this so perhaps in the future I will recognize when I am uselessly burdening myself with petty worries.

"Further on in the poem the exquisite stanza; 'Inside everyone/ is a great shout of joy/ waiting to be born.' Whyte's poetry is accessible which is important to me. At times I find myself adrift in some contemporary poetry, questioning whether I am 'getting it'. As an apprentice to poetry I enjoy work that allows a gentle immersion into the art form; work that rewards with insight and perspectives worth pondering.

"I learn so much from the group discussions and I look forward to hearing how others feel about the book. I rely on others to help me deepen my appreciation for, and understanding of, this magical genre we call poetry."

Sound like something that makes you want to read and come discuss with us? Pick up your copy from Micawber's in St. Paul (sale price for members of our club - yet another great reason to support your local bookstores).

Hamline GLS Alumni Poetry Book Club meets on the last Thursday of each month from 7:30-9 at Jean Larson's house (Barnes and Noble at Har Mar in case of emergency). Read part, read all. Sit back or engage. Come monthly, come sometimes. Flexible and low key. (Unless someone decides to raise a ruckus.)

Email Jean at jeanielars@comcast.net for more information and/or to get on the Book Club's mailing list.

Gatsby Party August 31st

Join us on Wednesday, August 31st when GLS and West Egg Literati host the annual Gatsby Party to kick-off another academic year.  It’s a great way for students, faculty, and alumnae/i to re-connect and welcome new students to our community.  The party starts at 6:15 pm in the backyard of the GLS house at 1500 Englewood Ave.  We’ll be serving some refreshing beverages and delicious finger food.  Activities include the ever-popular haiku contest and croquet on the lawn.

If you think you’ll be coming, we’d love an RSVP to help with our planning.  Just respond back to this email if you can join us.  In the case of inclement weather, the festivities will be moved to East Hall 5.

We hope to see you all there.  It really is an a great way to welcome new students and say hello to those you've missed over the summer.


- Jenny McDougal (President of West Egg)

Cracked Walnuts on a Rampage

Readings from Hamline alumni and others all over the Twin Cities are still  happening.  Hope you got a chance to see us On Ice or elsewhere.  Check the Cracked Walnuts Facebook page for the most updated information and additional details.  Here are a couple upcoming readings. 

Writers Honoring the Dead

Friday, August 12 · 6:30pm - 9:00pm

Join us to hear a range of literature from poetry to prose from writers who are addressing concepts of death in this very unique location.

Karen Youso hosts.  Featured readers will include Jim Rogers, Donna Isaac,  Karen Youso, Victoria Peterson-Hilleque and Didi Koka.

Doors open at 6:30; reading starts at 7 and ends at 8:30. (The chapel closes at 9 sharp.)

For more information on the Cracked Walnut Reading series click on the link at satishjayaraj.tumblr.com.

Chapel Information:
(612) 781-1999
hillside-cemetery.com

Midtown Global Market
   
Monday, August 22 · 6:00pm - 7:30pm

Midtown Global Market
920 East Lake Street

   
Join us for an international bazaar of literary readings from local Twin City writers.

The reading starts at 6:00 and ends at 7:30, but feel free to come early to mingle and explore the wonders of the Global Market.

Satish Jayaraj will be hosting.  Featured writers will be Alison Morse, Kevin Z Yang, Saymoukda Vongsay, Shannon Gibney, Satish Jayaraj, and Christian Villarroel.

For more information on the Global Market visit http://www.midtownglobalma​rket.org/ or call (612) 872-4041

For some more details on this reading series, check out the comments from this post.

July Poetry Book Club Rescheduled to August 10th: Don't Miss It!

Wednesday, August 10th

7:30-9 PM

The Hamline GLS Alumni Poetry Book Club’s July book is Waterlight by Kathleen Jamie. We'll be meeting at Jean's and possibly taking advantage of the porch, if the weather cooperates.

Indiebound says, "Her poetry--rendered sometimes in the Scots dialect, sometimes in the descriptive bursts of a naturalist's field guide --confronts gender, sex, landscape, and nationhood with the vivacity of an essential poetic voice."

Here's what Paulette Warren, who suggested this book for the club, has to say about it:

'The London Sunday Times called Kathleen Jamie "the leading Scottish poet of her generation." This collection of her poems, from Graywolf Press, begs to be read aloud as her words resonate from the reader's ear to the soul. Jamie's landscape is both simple and exotic through her command of language and brogue -- ultimately celebrating the mysteries and musicality of life.'

Sound like something that makes you want to read? Pick up your copy from Micawber's in St. Paul (sale price for members of our club - yet another great reason to support your local bookstores).

Hamline GLS Alumni Poetry Book Club meets on the last Thursday of each month from 7:30-9 at Jean Larson's house (Barnes and Noble at Har Mar in case of emergency). Read part, read all. Sit back or engage. Come monthly, come sometimes. Flexible and low key. (Unless someone decides to raise a ruckus.)

Email Jean at jeanielars@comcast.net for more information and/or to get on the Book Club's mailing list.