I made a map
So here’s this map I spent a short amount of time throwing together the other night. It’s my attempt to acknowledge that there is indeed a “scene of scenes” of poets and poetry events here in Philadelphia. Philadelphia poetry is consistently present in a wide variety of venues and it’s important that people are able to learn about these venues. I feel like die-hard Philly poet types will stumble upon this stuff through word-of-mouth of Nathalie Anderson’s list-serv, but at the same time, people should be able to have a hub if they want it. I’ve done everything from putting in staple, routine locations and places that have been known to host poetry. Obviously the list will always be incomplete, but I want it to be as complete as it can be, so if you see something that is not on the list, please email me at gregbem@gmail.com.
The venues listed on this Philadelphia poetry map as of right now are:
Community Education Center (home of Mad Poets)
Green Line Cafe
Dowling’s Place
Bohemian Absinthe Lounge (home of the erotic literary salon)
October Gallery (home of Panoramic)
Wooden Shoe Books
Blue Bananas Cafe
Chapterhouse Cafe and Gallery
Moonstone Arts Center
Crane Arts
Brick Bat Books
Kelly Writers House
Temple University Center City
InFusion
Free Library of Philadelphia (Central branch)
Big Blue Marble Bookstore
Red Rooster
University City Arts League
Blue Ox Bistro
RainbowEye
Philadelphia Magic Gardens
Tritone
Airways Gallery
Fergie’s Pub
GERM Books
Molly’s Books
Germantown Church (home of Poet-ify)
Giovanni’s Room
Institute of Contemporary Art
Highwire Gallery
Oh yeah, the list includes venues that no longer function or exist. Let’s keep historicism alive and well.
Greg Bem
Thank you for including the Erotic Literary Salon in your impressive list of poetry offerings past and present. I noticed you mentioned Debrah Morkun as peer. She was a featured presenter at the Salon several months ago. Not certain if you have ever attended, but if this is a comfortable genre for you do come and visit. If you wish to read your work, follow the guidelines on the website.
My best,
Susana
Susana Mayer, Ph.D.
February 25, 2010 at 11:10 am
Great job, Brownie!… ah… I mean, Greg. And you did all this and nobody drowned an attic! Nice if you have the time to add links to venues that have them.
Anyone been to all of them… the one’s that ain’t historicized I mean?
Jacob Russell
March 2, 2010 at 11:58 am
The sound is clear once the poets begin to read and the audiance (is there a distinction?) settles down–except when the heater fan comes on.. WHHOOOOSHHHHH
Hold up your recorder at readings and use it to demand front row seating!
Jacob Russell
March 2, 2010 at 12:16 pm