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Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts (THELMA) announces new author reading series among expanded literary arts offerings

Acclaimed poet and major Dolly Parton fan Stephen Roger Powers will read his work at Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts (THELMA), 51 Sheboygan St., Fond du Lac, Wis., on Thursday, March 21 at 7 p.m. as the first presenting author in the new THELMA Reading Series. Prior to the reading, the newly opened Sumercé Artisans gallery, 52 E. Division St., Fond du Lac, will host an author “Meet and Greet” with Powers from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on March 21, to allow for an intimate gathering and reception before the onstage reading at THELMA.

Inspired and guided by the former Foot of the Lake Reading Series and Foot of the Lake Poetry Collective, the THELMA Reading Series invites published authors of multiple genres—poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction—to read their work onstage at THELMA, enriching the community with literary art.

“We wanted to expand the genres of author readings in the Fond du Lac area beyond poetry and revive the excellent reading series at THELMA,” said Erica Floyd, THELMA Reading Series coordinator and THELMA director of marketing. “This season’s lineup includes poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction authors, to showcase the wide range of literary talent we have in Wisconsin.”

The THELMA Reading Series will work to establish a renewed connection between the organization and schools, including Marian University, UW-Oshkosh campuses, Moraine Park Technical College, Ripon College, Lakeland University, and area high schools. Currently, Floyd and THELMA’s literary programming committee are bolstering the reading program to bring more writers to Fond du Lac. THELMA’s expanded literary art programming seeks not only to offer a wide range of readings to the community, but also to engage with students in THELMA writing and spoken word workshops.

“The Lake Reading Series was an excellent way to get students and local writers involved in the poetry community, which is a storied part of THELMA’s cultural offerings,” said Shannon Kupfer, executive director and curator at THELMA. “Now, we hope the THELMA Reading Series and our expanded literary arts programming will foster even more creativity, inspiring students and non-students alike to create writing to share at THELMA.”

Author readings will be offered monthly and are open to the public, beginning with Powers on March 21. A cash bar is available.  

THELMA Reading Series events:

Thursday, March 21, 7 p.m. – poet Stephen Roger Powers

Thursday, April 18, 7 p.m. – poets Jeffrey and Joan Johannes and THELMA’s annual Student Voices open mic reading by area college students, in celebration of National Poetry Month

Thursday, May 30, 7 p.m. – creative nonfiction naturalist for a special Bird City reading

Tuesday, June 25, 7 p.m. – novelist Michelle Wildgen at 7 PM

THELMA Writing Workshops, select Saturdays at THELMA from 1 to 2:30 p.m., with more workshops to come:

Saturday, April 13

Saturday, June 1

Saturday, July 20

Saturday, September 7

Saturday, October 26

Saturday, December 14

THELMA Art of Spoken Word open mic events take place every third Wednesday at THELMA from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

About Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts: THELMA is a non-profit dedicated to enriching the community through the arts. Participate in THELMA’s many unique visual, performing, and literary arts experiences including art exhibitions and workshops, concerts, theatre productions, films, reading series, and more. For more information on these offerings, please go to www.thelmaarts.org or call THELMA at 920.921.5410.

 

About Stephen Roger Powers: Born and raised in Wisconsin, Stephen Roger Powers has coped with profound hearing loss most of his life. He was a delivery driver and a stand-up comedian while working on his PhD in English, and he has lost count of how many times he has seen Dolly Parton at Dollywood and in concert. Powers has published four poetry collections with Salmon Poetry, and his collection of short stories, Highway Speed, was published by Closet Skeleton Press. His writing has appeared in over 100 journals and anthologies, including 32 PoemsThe Comstock ReviewCopper NickelNatural BridgeShenandoah, and Let Me Say This: A Dolly Parton Poetry Anthology.

 

HAIL MY ATTENTION KINDLY, the fourth collection of lyric and narrative poetry by Stephen Roger Powers, is a sweeping and bewitching tour through India, Ireland, Jekyll Island, New York City, London, Berlin, Hawaii, the Northwoods of Wisconsin, and, of course, the musical and sparkly world of Dolly Parton. Powers’ voice is both droll and pensive as it explores wanderlust and the majesty and power of the natural world. In their twists and turns of language and imagery, these poems also delve into disability, loss, and resistance to nationalism and dogma. Like one of Dollywood’s award-winning roller coasters, the poetry in Hail My Attention Kindly leaves the reader jolted, breathless, windswept, and wanting to go around again.