Local arts review committee to celebrate Poetry Month.
By: Josh Appelbaum
The Cranbury Arts Review Committee will celebrate National Poetry Month by turning the microphone over to, well, you.
For its second annual event, the committee is looking for poetry enthusiasts to share their works or read their favorite, and it’s encouraging younger people, 17 and older, to participate.
It will be held at the Gourgaud Gallery on April 15 at 7:30 p.m.
Howard Zogott, director of the Cranbury Public Library and a poet himself, is helping to organize the event, which drew more than 20 guests last year.
He said this year’s open mic event will welcome any form of poetry.
"What’s different this year is that we are encouraging high school students to read their own poetry," Mr. Zogott said. "And if they don’t write their own poetry and simply like to read it, we’re inviting them to read their favorite poems."
Last year, Mr. Zogott and three others read their own poems to an audience, with mood music in the background.
Mr. Zogott said the reading is a good way to unwind after meeting a very important deadline, taxes.
"Indulge your senses after putting your taxes in the mail and soothe your mind with the rhythms and music of poetry," Mr. Zogott said.
Mr. Zogott said the reading also is a good opportunity to view the latest exhibit at the gallery, entitled "April Foolery," a collection of watercolor paintings.
The Arts Review Committee will offer refreshments to the audience.
The committee will host another night of poetry, on April 29, featuring a selection of poems Mr. Zogott has written over the past 40 years.
For more information, call the Cranbury Public Library at (609) 655-0555.

