LITERARY PROJECT ADDS BLOG TO BUILD/PROMOTE POLK ARTS SCENE

It should be no surprise, really, that in Lakeland/Winter Haven/Polk County there is a small but thriving arts/literary scene. With the population that we have (slightly under a half million), there are undoubtably a number of extremely talented people among us.

A new non-profit literary project called Wordcore! has popped up in Lakeland, and it has started a blog to make folks aware of upcoming events and people involved in the local arts/literary community.

This project's first event has been scheduled for March 24 at the Mad Hatter Cafe, located at 108 East Main Street in downtown Lakeland. According to the announcement, the cafe will be transformed that day into a gallery to show the work of local artists. Then, the first Wordcore! live spoken word open mic event will take place, which will also feature underground writer Wayne Mason and others to be announced.

Anyone interested should e-mail wordcore@guerrillapoetics.com

If you can't wait that long, the Polk Museum of Art will hold it's third annual Poetry Slam with featured performers, an open mic event, and panel discussions. It is part of the museum's Black History Month observance, and will be held from 1-4 PM Saturday, February 18. Tickets are $10 for the public; $5 for members. The Museum is located at 800 East Palmetto Street (next to the Lakeland Public Library), just off Lake Morton. Do note that according to it's announcement, there is a mention that "some poetry may contain offensive language".

I4J welcomes Wordcore! as a new addition to the local blogging community, and hopes that you will visit them for more news about the arts/literary scene here.