Happy Tuesday!

I’m still reeling from my first official feature reading last week — huge appreciation to everyone who shared space with us — whether you enjoyed the performances on TikTok, YouTube, or were in the room! I’m so looking forward to more nights like that this summer, just overflowing with passionate people & powerful words.

As always, this newsletter offers you some ways to stay engaged in the wonderful world of poetry — whether you can make it out to an event IRL or want to stay connected from the comfort of your home.

So pour yourself a glass of the good stuff & read on…

⭐️ Top Shelf Pour: Museum-Worthy Words

Hosted by Fly Ry, with music by Pyro, this event will feature poets immersed in fully curated set designs where they will spit their work & tell their story. If you're looking for an evening filled with inspiration, connection, and a deep appreciation for the power of words, this is it! Plus, there's music, food, and drinks—what's not to love?

It's a chance to immerse yourself in the incredible artistry that's thriving right here in our community. I encourage you to attend and support our local poets!

🏠️ Brew-It at Home: Cringe No Mo’

This week, I'm recommending a must-read article from Robin M's Substack newsletter: "Overcome the Cringe of Self-Promotion."

Robin tackles a challenge that many creatives face: the discomfort and anxiety that can come with promoting our own work. Drawing from their experience as a writer and artist, they offer practical strategies for shifting our mindset and embracing self-promotion as a necessary part of sharing our art with the world.

What I appreciate most about Robin's approach is their emphasis on authenticity and connection. They remind us that self-promotion doesn't have to feel like a sales pitch; it can be an opportunity to connect with our audience, share our passion, and build meaningful relationships.

If you're a poet, writer, or creative struggling to overcome the "cringe" of self-promotion, this article is a game-changer!

🗳️ Spill the Tea: Event Discovery

I'm in the process of configuring a comprehensive calendar, which involves spending time gathering all the local poetry event websites. Once it’s up & running (I’m hoping it will be ready sometime in June!), we’ll have a centralized resource for our community that will allow for a more streamlined event finding experience in the future. But it does require some initial setup on my end, which is why this week I’m extra curious…

📤️ Pour Your Heart Out: Submit to the Summer Anthology

If you've got some pieces that fit the bill for Anomaly Poetry’s summer anthology, now's the time to send them in! This is a great opportunity to get your work out there and be part of a collection that celebrates our shared human experiences.

Submission Guidelines:

• Submit poems, short prose, or artwork

• Theme: Nostalgia, memory, history, tradition

• Deadline: June 1, 2025

I love how this call is all about exploring the things that connect us — the rituals we share, the memories we hold dear. If you've been writing about these themes, definitely check it out!

🏘️ Pour-trait of a Neighbor: Ilyus Evander

This week, I'm excited to spotlight Ilyus Evander. Ilyus has been accepted to their first writing retreat, "The Heart of It" in northern California, and is seeking community support to make this transformative experience a reality.

Attending "The Heart of It" will provide Ilyus with dedicated time and space to develop a new collection examining the difference between truth and honesty. This retreat will allow them to immerse themselves in their craft, connect with fellow writers, and return to Providence with fresh inspiration to share.

Ilyus is raising funds to cover travel expenses and retreat tuition (which includes food and lodging). They're already almost halfway to their goal, so let's help them cross the finish line! Every contribution, no matter the size, will help Ilyus unlock this incredible opportunity.

📆 On Tap This Week

Disclaimer: *All events are subject to change without notice. Please check event pages and social media for the most up to date information.

Tuesday, 5/20

• Art of Hustle Creative Opportunities Fair

Wednesday, 5/21

• S.W.A.P. Meet Open Mic w/ $100 Cash Slam

Thursday, 5/22

• Afroverse: Hide-N-Speak Vol. XX

Friday, 5/23

• Bonfire: Journey of Expression Event

Saturday, 5/24

• No local in-person events (that I'm aware of!)

Sunday, 5/25

• Public x Symposium Books: Silent Book Club

• Museum of Poets Rhode Island

Monday, 5/26

• No local in-person events (that I'm aware of!)

If you're hosting something soon, connect with me on IG or via email to let me know so I can help you spread the word!

I’m still working to get the calendar of events setup & ready to share, so thanks for your patience — it’s a process but it will be so worth it once it’s live!

Thank you once again for subscribing — supporting each other is the ultimate goal so please let me know if there’s a way we can be uplifting each other on the regular. 🙂 

Have a great week,

Salena J.D ~ your resident pourtender & fellow poet

Know another poet who’d find The Poetry Pour valuable? Share this with them so they too can stay tapped in to all things poetry in & around PVD!