Thursday, August 27, 2009

Coming up August 31, 2009

Last week. Seems like the season just started, but here it is.

Last Monday was an absolute treat. Tom Phelan started us off, his brogue rolling across Schoolhouse Green, with readings from two of his Ireland-set novels--with the added bonus of new words learned; Barbara Hoffman followed with lush poetry that had all of us--especially me--on the edge of our seats; Herb Siegel made us laugh and ponder with intelligent, moving poetry; Joan Dupre's poetry on loss was poignant, without being maudlin; and Christine Timm's short story/essay was both funny and insightful. Another wonderful evening.

We also collected even more books for our troops--please bring down your gently used paperbacks (try to steer clear of romance, childrens, how-to manuals, etc.)--Kiwanis of Oceanside will box and ship them out, in coordination with Operation Paperback. So far we have sent boxes of books sent, or ready to send, to over 30 of our troops--with more shipments ready to go!

This week end our 3rd season with five readers and two drawings--the first will be the regular weekly 50/25/25. And then we will draw the Grand Prize--the accumulation from throughout the year!

The Readings start at 7pm at Schoolhouse Green, located on Foxhurst Road, just east of Long Beach Road, Oceanside NY. For more information, directions, etc. go to http://summergazeboreadings.blogspot.com/

This Monday, August 31, 2009, we feature:

Christine Kehl O'Hagan

Christine O'Hagan is the author of "Benediction at the Savoia," a novel, and "The Book of Kehls," a memoir, selected by Kirkus Reviews as a "Best Book of 2005." O'Hagan's essays have appeared in several anthologies and numerous publications, including "Newsday," and "The New York Times." O'Hagan lives in Suffolk County with her husband, Patrick.

Paula Curci

Many may know PAULA CURCI as the host and producer of "CALLIOPES CORNER: THE PLACE WHERE POETS AND SONGWRITERS MEET" on WRHU.88.7fm and www.WRHU.ORG. Her show airs weekly each Thursday at 6:30pm est. Paula started in radio as an informational broadcaster as host of " WHAT'S THE BUZZ, A SHOW THAT AIRED ISSUES FOR YOUNG ADULTS" on WBAU.
As a writer Paula has authored a chapbook collection of poems entitled " LETTERS NEVER SENT." Paula has produced two spoken word CD's with the ACOUSTIC POETS NETWORK (R), the poetry band and open mic promotion group Paula co-founded. Both EMISSARY and BITTERSWEET are distributed by CD Baby.com and can be found online for IPOD download. Her spoken word art can be heard on many compilation CD projects, including the Saltaire Foundation's Edgar Allen "Po Project." She has been awarded several times for her professional work and in 1998, 1999, and in 2000 for her spoken word art and work with the APN. In 2005, Paula was honored by the Vault, an artist community in Queens, NY, with the " Guardian Angel" award for her service to the poetic community.

Sonia Russell

Sonia Russell is an author, publisher, poet, and orator from Long Island, NY. Her first novel, "The Cost of Love," debuted in September 2007 under the pseudonym of LeRoia. This novel, which is the first of a series, as well as the first publishing effort of her company SoniSpeaksVolumes Publishing, LLC, has sparked book clubs, book signings, and table talk book signings in several cities. Sonia (LeRoia) was the featured author at Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.'s Women's Month "Meet the Author" in Jamaica, New York in March of this year. She was also featured at Hue-man Bookstore in Harlem, on a panel of five authors called "First Voices," where she discussed "The Cost of Love," in April. Sonia recently obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in English, and endeavors to teach creative writing.

Theresa Rosario- Berzner

An Artist and Writer since childhood, Theresa has written articles for Long Beach Style Magazine and her Poetry has been in Soul Fountain, Anthology (Women's Voices).She has belonged to Artist's Groups and Hosted Variety Shows,Exhibited her Art Works and was the Events Coordinator for Artists in Partnership. Theresa has appeared on Paula Curci's Radio Show, Calliope's Corner on WRHU Hofstra Radio 88.7 FM. as Co-Host and Reading Original poems and the poems of others.
She has read her Poetry at various venues,including " The Vault " (Hope for the Children Foundation), in Queens Village,Cafe' Verboten in Staten Island,The Long Beach Public Library and Performance Poetry Association. Theresa's Poems will appear in the next Performance Poets Association Literary Review.

Yolanda Coulaz

Yolanda Coulaz is a poet, photographer, founder and editor of Purple Sage Press. Her poetry has been widely published, and she has appeared at numerous venues including the United Nations and the Ellis Island Medals of Honor Gala. She teaches poetry writing workshops in schools and libraries throughout Long Island. Her first book Spirits and Oxygen was selected to be used in an advanced course in poetry at SUNY Stony Brook. She edited and published the anthology For Loving Precious Beast to benefit Loving Touch Animal Rescue. Her second book Reckoning is forthcoming.


The Summer Gazebo Readings are sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Oceanside and are held each Monday evening in June, July and August, featuring 4-5 readers each evening. Scheduled readers include some of Long Island's most prestigious poets, and fiction and non-fiction writers. The Summer Gazebo Readings are held outdoors; seating is limited, so bring a lawn chair, a blanket, a picnic table. The grounds are open, and the public is encouraged to come early and have a quiet summer's picnic on the grounds. Admission is free.

Sponsors include:
Home & Hearth Real Estate
Herb & Marian Brown
Bonbino's Pizza
North Sea Poetry Scene
Max Wheat NC Poet Laureate Comm.
Maryanne Lehrer
Mary Jane McGrath, Attorney
Gary & Sandie Schoell
Philip Reinstein, CLU
Diversion Press
Oceanville Mason Supply
Kiwanettes of Oceanside
21st Century Appraisers
Village BookShoppe
Long Island Pulse
Westron Lite Bulb
Tower’s Funeral Home
Michael Schamroth and Family
Councilman Anthony Santino
Jay R. Myers & Co., Inc.
Childs Murphy Kuehn & Cesiro,
Municipal Credit Union
Bondi & Iovino, Attorneys-at-Law

Upcoming Schedule

8/31/2009 Sonia Russell Yolanda Coulaz Paula Curci Theresa Rosario- Berzner Christine Kehl O'Hagan

For more information:

Tony Iovino
68 Yorktown Street
Rockville Centre, NY 11570
H 516 763-1667
C 516 459-3262
W 516 741-8585
http://summergazeboreadings.blogspot.com/
Facebook Group Page

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