In an effort expose more people to poetry and remove the stigma some attach to it, Captain David Berson of Greenport has organized the first People’s Poetry Jam, to be held at First and South restaurant in Greenport on June 2.
“People can be very self-conscious about reading their poetry,” said Berson, who hopes that a lively environment with music, food and drink will help poets feel more comfortable.
“My vision is City Lights Bookstore, 1957 San Francisco, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg — the whole Beat Generation thing going on — that’s what flashed through my brain,” he said.
Berson, who has been writing poetry for many years, has invited six poets to read at the jam: three men and three women ranging in age from 15 to 70. The jam will begin at 5 p.m. with music from “The Daves,” David Nyce and David Berson.
“We’ll warm up the crowd first and then have a few poets read, then play some more music,” he said. “There won’t be a regimented schedule; I want the participants to take responsibility for the creation of this and have fun.”
One of the participating poets is Billy Hands of Orient, a man Berson says “is a poet who earns his living as a mechanic, not the other way around.”
“It’s exciting,” said Hands, who has been writing poetry for nearly four decades. “David’s vision is unique; it makes more time for people to enjoy food and music along with the poetry. It becomes less of a competition and more of a poetry jam festival.”
Hands, who is no stranger to traditional poetry jams, will come prepared with many poems and a plan in his head. From there, anything can happen, he says.
“You get the feeling from the crowd you get the feel from the type of music the Daves are playing. You have to think on your feet and contour your show to the crowd and to the music.”
Berson hopes that this is just the first in a series of People’s Poetry Jams.
“I’d love to do this monthly or bi-monthly,” he says. “But it’s important for people who come to the jam to support the business that is giving them an opportunity to do it.”
The jam will be held on Friday, June 2 beginning with music from The Daves at 5 p.m. and poetry readings starting around 6:15. The entire event will run until about 9 p.m.
First and South is located at 100 South Street in Greenport.
