Cantab Recap for Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Last night, once again, poets and listeners warmed the corners of our hearts as well as the darkest, dingiest corners of the underground bar we call home every Wednesday. Thank you so much to the folks who continue to support and engage with our reading, both by speaking out and by providing an open-hearted audience for poets on every topic. We hope these past Wednesday nights have rejuvenated and strengthened you for the other six days of your week.

Our feature this week was Nicole Terez Dutton, Somerville Poet Laureate and winner of the 2011 Cave Canem Poetry Prize. Nicole read a smattering of old work and an exciting selection of hot-off-the-press, taking us on her signature slow-build journeys from poem to poem. Joining Nicole for two poems was our original Venerable Doorman, Ron Goba, who made a triumphant return to the stage after a few years away. If you missed it, you can still get a taste: Nicole’s book If One of Us Should Fall is available from the excellent University of Pittsburgh Press. Our very first speed slam of the season closed the night: after a solid battle amongst the eight sign-ups, Brandon Melendez rose to defeat Evan Cutts in the final, one-minute round.

Next week: Wednesday marks the first day of Black History Month, which we know you need more than ever. Our celebrated feature will be Sasha Banks, founder of Poets for Ferguson and MFA candidate at the Pratt Institute. As usual, we’ll start the night with our marathon open mic (Get here before 7:30 if you want a spot! It’s been packed!) and a speed slam with 3-, 2-, and 1-minute rounds will follow.