The Trenton Arts Council says thanks. We appreciate the support the community gave us at the Beatnik Poetry Reading April 25, 2008. It was good to see people from several counties and states enjoying the artists. The performers brought their talents from different areas, yet they blended like they had always worked together.
Saxophone player Dr. Bob Vogt and trumpet player John Williams traveled from Atlanta. Poet Naman Crowe, Jim Woodford on keyboard, Jack Gaillard on conga drums and Scott Sullivan on African drum, all came from Chattanooga. Poets Ray Zimmerman and Michael Crumb represented the Chattanooga Writers Guild. Guitarist and singer Jim Everette; poets Bob Dombrowski and Ginnie Sams are all members of the Trenton Arts Council. Guest poet Tamra Hunt also read her poems.
Chuck Peters, another Trenton Arts Council member, made video copies of both Beatnik Poetry Readings. A book of selected readings and copies of these videos can be purchased at Art Box Gallery on Lookout Mountain. (706 398-0011)
Phil Rodman made the Wildwood Community Center available to us. Although this was not our first choice, it turned out to be a great location for the laid-back atmosphere of a Beatnik Poetry Reading. I think we even made the mayflies smile.
(Emily Franklin is a member of the Trenton Arts Council because she has always been a creative soul. Contact info: mtnfrankle@gmail.com www.trentonartscouncil.org)