Lowry's Lodge Presents Jay Franzel, 6/8

Acorn Productions poetry reading series "Lowry's Lodge" continues in June with featured guest Jay Franzel from Wayne joining co-curator Jim Donnelly, who will not only read from his work but also from the work of the now-deceased Herb Coursen. The "Lowry's Lodge" series takes place on the second Friday of the month at the Acorn Studio Theater and features 2 poets each month reading approximately a half-hour of their work, followed by a question and answer period with the audience.

The June installation of "Lowry's Lodge" takes place on Friday, June 8th at 7pm. Admission to the reading is free with a suggested donation of $5. Call Acorn Produdctions at 854-0065 or visit www.acorn-productions.org for more information.

Herb Coursen was one of America's great poets; Bowdoin College Professor of poetry and Shakespearean expert for over 30 years; Korean War fighter-pilot turned anti-war activist; consultant to writers' alliance in the early years; generous advisor to poets and students; beloved and missed by too many to express here. Herb was to co-feature with Jim this June but died in January, so Jim will bring Herb to Acorn with a few of his pieces.

Jim Donnelly was born in Brooklyn, raised in North Carolina, Georgia, the boroughs of NYC. Musician, poet, essayist, former truck driver, factory worker, asphalt layer. Published in arts and political science journals nationally and in New York and New Jersey. Three self-published poetry chapbooks and soon-to-be published collection by Moon Pie Press. Has hosted poetry readings from lower Manhattan's CBGB's to New Jersey to Portland and Westbrook, being a fan of fine poets and of great literature in general.

Jay Franzel has published poems in various journals and anthologies including Animus, Beloit Poetry Journal, Café Review, Off the Coast and Puckerbrush. He has published two chapbooks, Walking Track with Moonpie Press, and Animal Wisdom, a finalist in a Sheltering Pines Press chapbook contest. He received a grant from the Maine Arts Commission for a work in progress. Jay lives in Wayne, ME, and has worked with at-risk high school students for over 25 years, currently teaching in Winthrop.

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