Cantab Feature for Wednesday, June 15, 2016: Brendan Constantine

West coaster and Red Hen author Brendan Constantine.

West coaster and Red Hen author Brendan Constantine.

Brendan Constantine’s work has appeared in FIELD, Ploughshares, Virginia Quarterly Review, Muzzle, Hotel Amerika, and many other journals. His first book, Letters To Guns (2009 Red Hen Press), is now taught extensively in schools across the country. His most recent collections are Birthday Girl With Possum (2011 Write Bloody Publishing) and Calamity Joe (2012 Red Hen Press). His work has inspired artists in a variety of other mediums, from the canvas to the concert hall. Most recently, composer Andrew McIntosh released his first album, Hyenas in the Temples of Pleasure (Populist Records) which draws its themes (and title) from Constantine’s work. A new collection, Dementia, My Darling, is due out in 2016.

Mr. Constantine has received grants and commissions from the Getty Museum, James Irvine Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts. A popular performer, Brendan has presented his work to audiences throughout the U.S. and Europe, also appearing on NPR’s “All Things Considered,” KPFK’s “Inspiration House,” numerous podcasts, and YouTube. In 2014 he headlined at the Dodge Poetry Festival with many of the nation’s most celebrated authors. He currently teaches poetry at the Windward School in Los Angeles, California. In addition, he regularly conducts workshops for hospitals, foster homes, and with the Alzheimer’s Poetry Project. Please visit him at brendanconstantine.com.

This show in our weekly Wednesday series takes place at the Cantab Lounge, 738 Massachusetts Ave. in Cambridge. Doors for the show open at 7:15. The open mic begins at 8:00 and the feature performs at approximately 10:00. An open poetry slam in the 8×8 series will follow. The show is 18+ (ID required) and the cover charge is $3.