On June 2, Shape and Nature Press will celebrate the local writing and music scene.
As I often say in this column, I love it when clubs offer something beyond the usual fare of music, sports and cocktails.
There is nothing wrong with any of those above types of entertainment, of course, but they aren't for everyone all the time. This week, I found yet another off-the-beaten-track event being held at a club in a few weeks.
On June 2, Shape and Nature Press will celebrate the local writing and music scene at an anniversary gathering at Bishop's Lounge in Northampton. Shape and Nature Press is a small, independent publisher of poetry, fiction, and creative literary projects founded in 2011. The mission of the publisher is to print the best contemporary literature they can find, with an emphasis on work that challenges readers, either through content, craft, shape, or ideas.
The June 2 event will feature readings by Mary Koncel, Jedediah Berry, Dennis Finnell, Susan Stinson, Amy Dryansky, Betsy Wheeler, Connolly Ryan, and Corwin Ericson. Poet Laureate of Northampton and award-winning children's author Richard Michelson will also be on hand to speak about reading locally.
In addition, there will music by Glad Machine, Lesa and Henning from The Fawns, Liz Tonne, Vi Walker and MaryClare Powell, and the lowercase g's.
The cover is $10 at the door, which includes 20 raffle tickets for a table full of the prizes and which supports the publication of more books. Prizes include products from South and Brewster Salon, Dalla Terra Wines, Sapling Liqueur, Art of Change Tarot, Small Beer Press and others. You can also win a manuscript consultation by Shape and Nature editor Julia Bouwsma.
Doors open at 4:30 p.m. If you can't make the whole event, here is the order of the lineup so you can catch your favorites:
5 p.m. – Dennis Finnel
5:15 p.m. – Mary Koncel
5:40 p.m. – Glad Machine
6 p.m. – Susan Stinson
6:15 p.m. – Amy Dryansky
6:40 p.m. – Lesa Beso & Henning Ohlenbusch
7 p.m. – Richard Michelson
7:05 p.m. – Betsy Wheeler
7:20 p.m. – Connolly Ryan
7:45 p.m. – Vi Walker and Mary Clare Powell
7:50 p.m. – Liz Tonne
8 p.m. – Corwin Ericson
8:15 p.m. – Jedediah Berry
8:40 p.m. – lowercase g's
Bishop's Lounge is located on the third floor at 41 Strong Ave.
Scouting report
There will be a $5,000 cash pong tournament at Maximum Capacity in Chicopee on May 25. Call the club at (413) 592-0719 for details. Maximum Capacity is at 116 School St.
The posthumous lovefest for local DJ Ronnie Kwon, who died in April, continues with a memorial benefit show at The Elevens on May 24. The night will feature music by a coalition of the area's most renowned DJ's including:
Amazing Love, Benny Black, DJ Construc, DiWrecked, George Meyers, Greg 2000, I-Ganic Sound, Lance Kirley, Redshift, and more.
There will also be a silent auction of custom art by friends of Ronnie and refreshments provided by Martin Carrera of LaVeracruzana. Any one that would like to submit a piece of art to be auctioned/donated, please email Boo at clubmanager10@yahoo.com. There will be $5 cover at the door, with all proceeds to benefit the Kwon family.