“When the Ojai Poetry Festival in Ojai, Calif., was called off late last year, in part because of budget concerns, local poet Tree Bernstein helped form a separate group to revive the event. The original festival drew about 700 people to an amphitheater in May, and featured nationally known poets. Ms. Bernstein plans to reduce costs by choosing less expensive venues and focusing on regional talent.”
Hats off to the Ojai Valley Poetry Association for picking up the banner and carrying on the tradition of bringing poetry to Ojai. They have just announced the schedule for the Ojai Valley Poetry Fest on June 6th at the Ojai Art Center .
The free Poetry Fest Day Program begins at noon and includes performances by teens and seniors, Santa Barbara poet laureates, the Razor Babes, and Hispanic poets. Open mic signup also begins at noon for the afternoon session. A workshop in ecstatic Persian poetry, and “Word as Song,” combining poetry and music, complete the afternoon.
The Evening Program features L.A. poets Wanda Coleman and Frank T. Rios , and Ventura Country favorites Marsha de la O. and Jackson Wheeler . Tickets for the evening program are on sale now at Bart’s Books , Ojai Creates , Ojai House, and will be available at the door. Ticket price is $10 (cash only.)
For more information call John Kertisz at 805-640-1508 or email Tree Bernstein at Ojai Poets at gmail dot com.
I had a great time 
