Redmond Poet Laureate Laura Da' Events, October 6th / 14th

Redmond Poet Laureate Laura Da'

Join Poet Laureate Laura Da’ at Idylwood Park on the shores of Lake Sammamish to celebrate the debut of her "Poetry Walk" inspired by the ecosystem within Redmond that supports the kokanee salmon. 

• Friday, October 6th, 6:00 - 7:30PM
• Idylwood Park

This unique and important environment has carried life in the region since time immemorial and is at the heart of this year’s projects by Da’. The Redmond STEM Center and the Seattle Design Nerds will also be creating a one-night-only projection in the park inspired by the Poetry Walk prompts, poems by Da’, and the workshops hosted by the Poet Laureate at Old Firehouse Teen Center.

The projection is made possible by a grant from the Academy of American Poets for Laura’s recognition as one of the 2023 Poet Laureate Fellows.

-- Redmond Parks and Recreation

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Redmond Historical Society - Saturday Speaker Series

On October 14th, the Redmond Historical Society invites the community to an exciting conversation with Redmond Poet Laureate, Laura Da’, on the topic of “Currents of Time and Place: Poetry that Engages with History and Image in Cascadia.” 

Date/Time: Saturday, 10:30 AM, October 14, 2023. Doors open 10:00 AM.

Topic:  "Currents of Time and Place: Poetry that Engages with History and Image in Cascadia”

Speaker:  Laura Da', Redmond Poet Laureate

Location: Old Redmond Schoolhouse, 16600 NE 80th St., Redmond, WA 98052. 

More info: https://www.redmondhistoricalsociety.org/rhs-events

This program is the second of the Society’s Saturday Speaker Series for the Fall 2023 season. This will be an in-person program at the Old Redmond Schoolhouse. Admission is free to RHS members, and a suggested donation of $5 for non-members.

Rebecca Meredith is the City of Redmond's first Poet Laureate

The City Council approved Rebecca Meredith for Redmond's first Poet Laureate. 

Rebecca's Poetry Collection Journal

I am a poet and psychotherapist in Bellevue, Washington who conducts poetry therapy groups as a part of my practice. My work has appeared in The Forum, a psychoanalytic quarterly, as a part of Seattle's Jack Straw Writer's Program, and others. I am a Hedgebrook Fellow as a result of my work in short fiction as well.  -Rebecca Meredith*

According to a city ordinance adopted this year, The Redmond Arts Commission has considered the position of Poet Laureate of the City of Redmond since 2006. The position is based on the concept of the Poet Laureate first established in America by the Library of Congress in 1985. Since then, States including Washington have established such positions.

The objectives of the program will be to broaden the awareness of poetry, express the spirit of Redmond culture through poetry, and raise the level of discourse during discussions and debates in the City.

Funding for the Poet Laureate will not exceed $5,000 a year and is part of the Arts Activity Fund budget. These funds would be used to contract for services from the Poet Laureate such as providing public writing workshops, poetry readings, or publishing poetry.  - city ordinance.

Samples

posted by Bob Yoder

UPDATED! Rebecca Meredith is Redmond's Poet Laureate; read her poetry!

This just in! Rebecca will be speaking to The Redmond Historical Society on Saturday, September 11, 2010, 10:30 to 12:00 noon at The Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center, 16600 NE 80 Street,
Redmond, WA.  

Redmond’s Poet Laureate, Rebecca Meredith, lived in Redmond for more than 20 years.  She will be speaking September 11 about the power of place, and how poets’ works, as well as audiences’ responses, are shaped by their relationships to places in their lives, both past and present. Don’t miss this meeting. To receive the monthly RHS newsletter, contact the Society office at 425-885-2919, or email your request to info@redmondhistoricalsociety.org. 

Rebecca Meredith is the first Redmond Poet Laureate, a position established to promote the literary arts through workshops, public readings and special events throughout the city.  She is paid a stipend by the City to work part-time as our Laureate. 

Rebecca is a poet, writer, and psychotherapist, as well as a Redmond Association SPokenword (RASP) cofounder. She has performed at the Burning Word Poetry Festival, the Seattle Moon Viewing Festival, and on KUOW's The Beat. Her chapbook Intergenerational Delta Blues was published by Pudding House Press. She was a fellow of the Jack Straw Writers' Program and an alumna of Hedgebrook Women Writers' Colony.

Organizations interested in working with the Poet Laureate should contact rac@redmond.gov .

Click here to read The Seattle Times article and my news about Redmond's new Poet Laureate.

Three of Rebecca's poems are listed  "here"     Arts Commissioner, Tom Flynn's poetry site is well worth a visit, too!

Posted By Bob Yoder

Photo on city website

Last night's performance by Redmond's poet laureate draws attention.

  

Comment: The short soundbites of poetry recorded by FOX 13 do no service to our poet laureate's literary art. I hope the city will produce a VIDEO that shows the true value and meaning of Rebecca's artistry. 

I really wanted to see our new poet laureate, Rebecca Merideth.  My wife and I rushed from our workout at the R.A.C. last night to get Soulfood Bookstore by 7:30.  We arrived just in time to hear Rebecca read a poem and talk about her new part time job as Redmond's poet laureate.  I was moved by her reading, enough that I'd like to have it in writing to share with my daughter.  Every seat was taken in Soulfood with a mixture of older adults and some children.  Other known poets read at open mic.

We noticed the Channel 13 Fox news van was just outside, but we missed their interviews.  Back at home, Pam shouted:  "the Fox news show is on!"  After some talk about the scarcity and cost of poet laureates in Washington Councilmember Hank Margeson was interviewed.  Rebecca gave answers to the program's purpose and meaning.  read the complete Channel 13 Fox story.

It was announced Rebecca is planning to read at Redmond High School.   She works M-TH so Friday may be the day for many of her public performances.   The Mayor had to attend a PTSA meeting at Einstein El. so couldn't make it.  Councilmember John Stilin (former Arts Commission Chair) was gone, preparing for "ONE NIGHT COUNT THE HOMELESS".  John is on the 1AM - 5:30PM shift.

By Bob Yoder

SoulFood, Part 1 - City Seeks Poet Laureate

Soulfood Cafe and Book Store hosts live Music Wednesday (7pm), Friday and Saturday (8pm) and poetry readings once a month. The cozy stage is to the right. Click photo to see the art.

I took my wife to see SoulFood Cafe & Book Store this week; she didn't want to leave. She was drawn to the "pendulum stones". I found a City Arts Commission bulletin asking for applicants for Poet Laureate; then discovered a collection of poetry once read by authors on stage. The store owner, Clint, is a Redmond Arts Commissioner and is a big supporter of the Poet Laureate position. He holds poetry readings on stage regularly in his Cafe. The store is on 15748 Redmond Way (near Ben Franklin).

According to the city, the Poet Laureate position is intended to broaden the awareness of poetry in our community, elevate the discourse during City debate and discussion and express the essence of Redmond through poetry.

To be qualified, applicants must be established or published poets, must live in Redmond or must have a Redmond mailing address or have a significant record of active participation in Redmond’s literary arts organizations. Applicants must also be active in the poetry community and be willing to promote poetry in Redmond throughout a three year term. The position comes with a stipend.

To apply or for more information, contact Mary Yelanjian, Arts Administrator at 425-556-2316 or myelanjian@redmond.gov. Applications due by July 1, 2009.

"Bird's Eye View" -A Poem by Redmond's Poet Laureate

The City of Redmond is proud to announce the 2022 Poet Laureate, Laura Da'. 

Our new Poet Laureate, a poet and a public-school teacher, Da’ studied creative writing at the University of Washington and the Institute of American Indian Arts. A lifetime resident of the Pacific Northwest, Da’ is the recipient of fellowships from the Native Arts and Culture Foundation, Richard Hugo House, and the Jack Straw Writers Program. She is the author of Tributaries, winner of the American Book Award, and Instruments of the True Measure, winner of the Washington State Book Award. Da’ is Eastern Shawnee. She lives near Renton with her husband and son.

If you're a bird watcher you'll truly love Da's work of art. If you're not a watcher, close your eyes, listen, and feel their special presence. Your journey is just beginning!  -- B. Yoder, 2/8/2022 

Shin Yu Pai - The City of Redmond's 2016 Poet Laureate

Shin Yu Pai

Earlier this year, the City Council approved $10,000 to hire Shin Yu Pai as our Poet Laureate for the 2015-2016 year. Shin Yu Pai is a Poet, Curator, Oral Historian, Photographer, and Educator.

According to the city, the purpose of our Poet Laureate is to:

1. Broaden the awareness of poetry.

2. Express the spirit of Redmond culture through poetry.

3. Raise the level of discourse during discussions and debates in the City.

Have you ever heard her recite poetry? Please comment below this post.  I've heard her once at a city hall council meeting. I sat towards the back of the chambers and had a difficult time hearing and understanding her.  Frankly, I found her a bit over my head. Hopefully, we'll see more of Shin Yu Pai in a better setting as we get closer to the summer. 

You can find a full description of Shin's background here.  She has impressive credentials.

Bob Yoder

City Council approves $10,000 for city Poet Laureate

In Tuesday's Consent Agenda, City Council approved $10,000* to hire Shin Yu Pai as the city's Poet Laureate for the 2015-2016 year. 

The purpose of the Poet Laureate according to the city is to:

1. Broaden the awareness of poetry.

2. Express the spirit of Redmond culture through poetry.
3. Raise the level of discourse during discussions and debates in the City.

"Redmond tax dollars at work."

Opinion by Bob Yoder

Seattle Times Newspaper announces Redmond's poet laureate

Photo by ERIKA SCHULTZ/ THE SEATTLE TIMES

Local poets asked to give voice to cities

The list of poets in the state who can claim the title of poet laureate is short. The state and the city of Tacoma have anointed poets laureate, while the city of Seattle does its own egalitarian thing with an elected poet populist.

But last year, the city of Redmond popped up on the list. read more

By Nicole Tsong

Steattle Times Eastside reporter

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* FLASH:  Rebecca Meredith will be reading her poetry tonight (1/28), 7-9PM, Soulfood Bookstore on 15748 Redmond Way (next to Ben Franklin).

* INCLUDED in the Seattle Times story (arts/local) are related entries from my blog.  read them here

Updated: "Poets in the Park"

Last Saturday my wife and I went to Anderson Park for the annual "Poets in the Park" event. My wife painted at the VALA Arts Center booth and spent time talking to Michael Dylan Welch about his passion for haiku.  Michael is Redmond's third Poet Laureate.  My favorite haiku was by Christopher Herold.

foghorns

we lower our kayak

into the sound

I discovered the poem in Michael's installation "Haiku on Sticks."  I spent a lot of time talking to Dawn Laurant at the VALA Arts Center booth.  Dawn is the VALA Arts Director and Chair of the Kirkland Arts Commission.  She could be a tremendous resource for the "Redmond Arts and Culture Committee."  (The City of Redmond really needs to up their game, specifically in outdoor art.)

Dawn is especially excited about "Ekphrastic Assimilations: Finding Poetry in Art."   It's an exhibition of visual art and poetry including 6 artists from China, 6 artists from Washington and several featured poets. Sept 15th - Oct 31st.  The art will be displayed at VALA with poetry readings in Kirkland.  www.Ekphrasic.org (starting July 1) A lot of work and fundraising is going into it. Need I say this will be an incredible event.  It will draw regional attention and put Redmond on the map.

VALA is developing into an exciting arts center for Redmond.  Stop by the gallery in RTC, 8201 164th Ave NE. and pick up their June-September line-up. 100% of the proceeds from art sales go to the artist!  They just hired a new Executive Director, Vicki Todd.  Lots going on!

Poets in the Park activities:  poetry readings, open mics, workshops, a poetry book fair, and free ice cream. Also featured, mini-golf, Poetry on Sticks, art activities sponsored by VALA Art Center, and a Redmond Historical Society display. "Redmond Association of Spoken Word" (RASP) organized the event.  The City of Redmond co-sponsored it with RASP.  The current Poet Laureate, Shin Yu Pai, recited. and her performance drew me to the event.  Michael Dylan Welch (http://www.graceguts.com/) was the Event Director and made it all happen.   

Bob Yoder

Artist-Commissioned Light Installations at Redmond Lights

Everything you would want or need to know about "Redmond Lights."

Redmond Lights returns on December 3, 2016 to celebrate the City's diverse winter traditions, cultures and faiths. In addition to traditional luminaries, light displays, and performers, this year’s event will feature a stronger arts presence than in years past. Four temporary artist-commissioned light installations and a balloon installation by Redmond Poet Laureate Shin Yu Pai will punctuate the event along the Luminary Walk. Near City Hall, Redmond Poet Laureate Shin Yu will share some of her poetry at Redmond Lights via a custom balloon installation. Poetry balloons will be available for the first 250 attendees. A floating light installation in the shape of holiday lights by Suzanne Tidwell will illuminate the Sammamish River. The installation can be viewed along the Luminary Walk or from above on the 85th Street bridge.

Bird's Eye View -A Poem by Redmond's Poet Laureate

The Redmond Historical Society invites the community to an exciting conversation with Redmond Poet Laureate, Laura Da’, on the topic of “Currents of Time and Place: Poetry that Engages with History and Image in Cascadia.” 

Saturday, 10:30 AM, October 14, 2023. Doors open 10:00 AM.

Location: Old Redmond Schoolhouse, 16600 NE 80th St., Redmond, WA 98052. 

More info: https://www.redmondhistoricalsociety.org/rhs-events

This program is the second of the Society’s Saturday Speaker Series for the Fall 2023 season. This will be an in-person program at the Old Redmond Schoolhouse. Admission is free to RHS members, and a suggested donation of $5 for non-members.

SoulFood, Part 2, Poet Laureate

Carlos Warter, MD, PhD was on stage at SoulFood last week giving "lessons in soul awareness" and promoting his two books. Numerous poets and musicians have performed on this stage, including Eva Moon, a city arts commissioner.

I stumbled upon the Soul Food poetry album. An intriguing poem was on the first page, "The Woman Waits", by Jeannine Hall Gaily of Seattle. I don't read alot of poems but liked this one - it starts with a biblical reference.
"The Woman Waits"
Genesis 39:14 - And she put her widow's garments off from her*,

But for how long? Already she is bending
like a wilted acacia stem beneath the Canaan sun.
Ahead of her glance the road stretches,
covered with the footprints of others gone before.
How long will she wait? and is she waiting for
the stranger in painted robes, her father-in-law,
her husband, perhaps, you? But she is thirty.
Already calculating what she should do with the rest
of her day, with the basket of fruit at her feet, figs
and apples, a skin of wine, with her empty womb.
* Can you find the meaning of this poem in the Scripture?

I ran into Abbott Smith in the store today. He's neighbor-friend, past arts commissioner, former associate at Digipen , and guest speaker at the Digital Arts Festival. He mentioned that he had been prodded by his friends and past students to apply for the Poet Laureate position. Some of Abbott's works are here. Abbott, will you apply?

Redmond Historical Society Current Events

Redmond's Poet Laureate reads Saturday, September 11

Did you know Redmond has it's very own Poet Laureate? She's Rebecca Meredith, and she will be our speaker this Saturday, September 11, at the auditorium in the Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center, at 16600 NE 80th St, Redmond, from 10:30 to noon. She will be talking about the "Power of Place," and how the work of poets, and the audiences response to their work, are shaped by their relationship to places in their lives.

Please Click Here to Read Redmond Historical Society's Full Newsletter

Past Redmond Mayors Chris Himes and Doreen Marchione interviewed 

We are proud to announce our own Chris Himes, President of the Board of Directors (& Redmond's first woman mayor)  along with former Mayor Doreen Marchione, were interviewed by the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) as part of their celebration of 100 years of women voting in the state of Washington.. MOHAI interviewed five former mayors in King County and the transcripts of their interviews are on our website, or you can listen to part of the interviews at MOHAI's site, http://www.seattlehistory.org/ , under "Women's Votes."

Eagles Scout Cemetery Project

Eagle Scout Matthew Beecroft worked with his troop and other volunteers to map out and photograph the head stones at the Old Redmond Cemetery. He found there were almost 1000 grave stones, all carefully photographed, with the information on each stone recorded, he then gave RHS a disk with the photos and a file with info from each stone. Please come by our office to learn more about this project.

Founder of Northwest rail company proposes tourist train - guest speaker on October 9  Read More

We need more emphasis on Art in Redmond

Last night, my wife and I decided on a date night to enjoy some live music. We had to drive all the way to Snoqualmie to find it.  As a 36-year resident, and seeing Redmond's rocketing downtown growth, I find this appalling.  (Education Hill Facebook Groups lit up when I posted for discussion: "Is there any other place than Soulfood for us?")

The good news!  We got to listen to an old friend Clint McCune play his awesome vibe! His music inspired me to write this piece.  Clint was once Chairman of the Arts Commission, serving three terms, and now lives in Woodinville.  In 2008 he worked diligently to attract performing arts and recognize our culture through the arts. 

Redmond is a city of over 49,000 residents and all that we have for permanent, full time performing arts is Clint's old coffee shop that occasionally hosts musicians. This, after extensive downtown cultural corridor studies. Just last week on RCTV, Council Member John Stilin (he's played some base guitar with Clint) spoke of his frustration saying something to the effect that the city's not even on the performing arts and cultural center map.  

It seems little has changed since the days of Clint. Read this old Redmond Reporter article.  We have two outdoor "railroad art" installations, the Marymoor county park summer series and had two colorful "tree wraps" in Anderson Park. What else am I missing? Is there art on Cleveland Street? There's a lot of hum in the Downtown but where's our heart and soul now?  The Downtown Park?  The Historic Core?  Both?  

The city hosts a summer series, a poet laureate, an arts store and theater in RTC, and the valuable Historical Society office with memorabilia and speaker's programs (now threatened by redevelopment).  In the summer the city relies heavily on the County for outdoor music. In the winter, fall, and spring we hibernate.   

For the last seven years or so, the city's spent gobs of money and time with consultants developing art and culture "master plans" but what's there to show for it?  I've heard the Downtown Park will be a key place for outdoor art and culture.  What kind of art?  Will they hire the artist (Ed Carpenter) from Portland again? 
      
I'm sorry to sound so cynical.  And I know the city has a lot on their plate.  But how can we spark art?  Most of us aren't Arts Commission "committee types."   The Planning Commission's "Historic Core"  study is underway. This may be good opportunity to give input.  Will our soul reside in the historic core?  

I guess someone could start a "conversation" during the next Town Hall about why Arts isn't a priority. The Ed HIll Neighborhood Assoc. may even have some input. I think it's time the city stops analyzing their expensive, grandiose, bureaucratic art master plan and does something with it.  What do you think?  Please comment!

Bob Yoder, opinion

Listen to Clint's music 
Meet Shin Yu Pai, Redmond's current poet laureate
Graffiti art in "Edge Skate Park"

Arts Commission is looking for residents to review applications for the Poet Laureate position and help select public art.

Redmond, WA – The Redmond Arts Commission is seeking applications from citizens to participate in two programs. The first is involvement in the selection of public art, while the second is the review of applications for the Poet Laureate position.

Applicants must be Redmond residents though no special experience is necessary. Those selected will participate once or twice a month in public meetings with members of the Redmond Arts Commission.

Interested citizens should first email Mary Yelanjian at RAC@redmond.gov for an application. Mail applications to Mary Yelanjian, Arts Administrator, PO Box 97010, MS: 4NPK, Redmond WA 98073-9710. Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled.

--- Marta Grunland, C.O.R. press release, 7/20

Writers Symposium at Ovelake School features acclaimed and popular poet Billy Collins

 

Poet Billy Collins, former United States Poet Laureate (2001-2003), brings his perspective on writing to The Overlake School's annual Writers' Symposium on March 17. The evening program, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 7:30 p.m., in Discovery Hall, 20301 NE 108^th St., Redmond.

Collins is an American phenomenon. No poet since Robert Frost has garnered both high critical acclaim and broad popular appeal. His work has appeared in a variety of periodicals including The New Yorker, The Paris Review and The American Scholar. He is a Guggenheim fellow and a New York Public Library “Literary Lion.” His last three collections of poems have earned record sales for poetry, and his readings are often standing room only, attracting a widely diverse audience.  Read More >>

It's meaning hits home, The Inaugural Poem.

Tom Flynn, Chair of the Arts Commission, and other citizens, encouraged the Council tonight to approve The City of Redmond's new Ordinance for the Establishment of a Poet Laureate . Mr. Flynn stated the city has supported visual and performing arts well and some deserved attention is needed for the literary arts. In support of literary arts in Redmond and in honor of President Barack Obama and his poet Elizabeth Alexander, please enjoy Praise Song for the Day.

'Praise Song for the Day' - composed for Barack Obama's Inauguration
and read by author Elizabeth Alexander on January 20, 2009

"Each day we go about our business, walking past each other, catching each others’ eyes or not, about to speak or speaking. All about us is noise.

All about us is noise and bramble, thorn and din, each one of our ancestors on our tongues. Someone is stitching up a hem, darning a hole in a uniform, patching a tire, repairing the things in need of repair.

Someone is trying to make music somewhere with a pair of wooden spoons on an oil drum with cello, boom box, harmonica, voice.

A woman and her son wait for the bus.

ALEXANDER: A farmer consider the changing sky; A teacher says, “Take out your pencils. Begin.”

We encounter each other in words, Words spiny or smooth, whispered or declaimed; Words to consider, reconsider.

We cross dirt roads and highways that mark the will of someone and then others who said, “I need to see what’s on the other side; I know there’s something better down the road.”

We need to find a place where we are safe; We walk into that which we cannot yet see.

Say it plain, that many have died for this day. Sing the names of the dead who brought us here, who laid the train tracks, raised the bridges, picked the cotton and the lettuce, built brick by brick the glittering edifices they would then keep clean and work inside of.

Praise song for struggle; praise song for the day. Praise song for every hand-lettered sign; The figuring it out at kitchen tables.

Some live by “Love thy neighbor as thy self.”

Others by first do no harm, or take no more than you need.

What if the mightiest word is love, love beyond marital, filial, national. Love that casts a widening pool of light. Love with no need to preempt grievance.

In today’s sharp sparkle, this winter air, anything can be made, any sentence begun.

On the brink, on the brim, on the cusp -- praise song for walking forward in that light."

"Lyrical Currents," A Poetic Map of Redmond and the Sammamish River

Redmond's Poet Laureate, Laura Da' created this lyrical nature walk through the downtown natural, cultural and historical places of Redmond.  QR Code will open the map guiding you through five special places.  

Laura Da' is a poet and teacher.  A lifetime resident of the Pacific Northwest, Da' studied creative writing at the University of Washington and this Institute of American Indian Arts.  She is Eastern Shawnee.  Da' lives near Seattle with her husband and son.  

To take the tour, on your phone, click on the small Google square next to the microphone symbol, hover over the QR code and click on it as if taking a picture. 

For more on indigenous indians, culture and nature, find links to a fabulous library booklist care of the Snoqualmie tribe and Redmond Historical Society 

-- brought to you by Redmond Parks and Recreation, 9/11/2022.  Library flyer courtesy of John Reinke

Inaugural Poet Amanda Gorman Is Spectacular

  2017 National Youth poet laureate Amanda Gorman delivering her spectacular poem at President Biden's inauguration 1/20/2021