Free Poetry Reading At Alan Chadwick Garden On June 6

Enjoy an afternoon of poetry and music in the Alan Chadwick Garden at the University of California, Santa Cruz, on Saturday, June 6, from noon until 2 p.m. The event, "Poetry and Music in the Garden," features readings by six accomplished poets. Internationally acclaimed acoustic guitarist Martin Simpson will also perform as part of the program. The event is free and open to the public.

The poets who will read their work are:

• Michael Hannon–Discovered by Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Kenneth Rexroth, Hannon has authored more than 15 poetry books, including Poems & Days and _Ordinary Messengers. _A master of the short lyric, Hannon is also the author of "My Mother Walked Out," a four-page chant considered by some to be one of the best long poems written in contemporary American poetry.
• Jessica Simpson–Author of Delicate Strange and Ruby Slippers, Simpson has also toured extensively with the "Band of Angels," singing with English guitar master Martin Simpson.
• Amy Stewart–A Pushcart Prize­nominated poet, Stewart has published work in many literary journals. Her garden writing has appeared in such magazines as GreenPrints and The American Gardener.
• Joe Stroud–One of the region’s most widely acclaimed poets, Stroud has taught at Cabrillo College for many years and cohosted KUSP’s Poetry Show. His most recent book is Below Cold Mountain, published in 1998.
• Patrice Vecchione–For more than 20 years, Vecchione has taught poetry to both children and adults through her "Heart of the Word" program. She recently published her first book of poetry, Territory of Wind.
• Gary Young–Dubbed "the poet laureate of Bonny Doon" by Good Times columnist Bruce Bratton, Young has a new book out called _Days. _He is also editor of Greenhouse Review Press.

Snacks and beverages will be provided, and for those inspired to garden, organic plants raised at the UCSC Farm & Garden will be available for purchase.

The main entrance to the Alan Chadwick Garden is located on McLaughlin Drive across from Stevenson College, where free parking will be available. The reading is sponsored by the Friends of the UCSC Farm & Garden and the UCSC Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems. For more information, call (408) 459-3248.