Former U.S. poet laureate Robert Pinsky joined poet Monica Youn to share recent work and exchange ideas, along with moderator Elizabeth Bradfield, local poet and naturalist on June 9, 2018 in the Hawthorne Barn. In the videos below they discuss the poets' use of etymology, myths and retelling stories in their own works.
Robert Pinsky and Monica Youn: Poetry Readings
Former U.S. poet laureate Robert Pinsky joined poet Monica Youn to share recent work and exchange ideas, along with moderator Elizabeth Bradfield, local poet and naturalist on June 9, 2018 in the Hawthorne Barn. In the videos below Monica Youn and Robert Pinsky each read from their collections of poetry. Monica Youn reads ‘Portrait of a Hanged Woman,’ ‘Redacre,’ and ‘Goldacre.’ Robert Pinsky reads ‘Creole’ and ‘Shirt.’
Robert Pinsky and Monica Youn: Poetry and Conversation (Full)
Former U.S. poet laureate Robert Pinsky joined acclaimed poet Monica Youn to share recent work and exchange ideas, alongside moderator Elizabeth Bradfield, local poet and naturalist on June 9, 2018 in the Hawthorne Barn.
Pollock: A Staged Reading featuring Jim Fletcher and Birgit Huppuch
We were pleased to present a theatrical reading of Pollock on June 16, 2018, featuring the original actors, Jim Fletcher and Birgit Huppuch, in Provincetown’s Hawthorne Barn as part of Twenty Summers' annual month-long arts festival. French playwright Fabrice Melquiot's drama, translated into English by Kenneth Casler and Miriam Heard, and directed by Paul Desvaux, illuminates the profound connection between the brilliant madness of Jackson Pollock and his marriage to artist Lee Krasner, exploring the charged space between his genius and her spirit, his inhibitions and her frustrations. It was our honor to shine a spotlight on these two important artists, both of whom spent time in the Hawthorne Barn.
This performance was made possible through the support of The Cultural Services of the French Embassy, which promotes the best of French arts, literature, cinema, digital innovation, language, and higher education across the U.S.
Sharon Olds and Mark Doty in Conversation
June 10, 2017
Iconic poets Sharon Olds and Mark Doty read from their influential collections, and discuss the secrets behind their fearless craft. This event took place on June 10, 2017, and was moderated by Provincetown poet Kelle Groom.
Production Credits: Filming by Sean Gannett Productions / Audio by Chris Blood / Edited by Filipp Kotsishevskiy
Goodbye, Sailor: An Evening of Words and Music
An evening of classical music and readings about nautical wanderlust. The musical performance by L’Académie chamber orchestra featured dramatic pieces by Henry Purcell, Marc-Antoine Charpentier, Elisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre, Marin Marais, and others. Literary excerpts, ranging from Homer to Robert Browning, were read by National Book Award–winning authors M. T. Anderson and Julia Glass.
Valerie Martin
Valerie Martin is the author of ten novels, including Trespass, Mary Reilly, Italian Fever, and Property, three collections of short fiction, and a biography of St. Francis of Assisi, titled Salvation. She has been awarded grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Guggenheim Foundation, as well as the Kafka Prize (for Mary Reilly) and Britain’s Orange Prize (for Property). Among others, Martin’s last novel, The Confessions of Edward Daywas a New York Times notable book for 2009. Her latest books are a novel, The Ghost of the Mary Celeste, and a middle-grade reader, Anton and Cecil: Cats at Sea, cowritten with her niece Lisa Martin. Valerie Martin has taught in many writing programs. She resides in Dutchess County, New York, and teaches currently at Mount Holyoke College.
A Day of Words Poets
Poets Scott Challener, Daniel Johnson and Leslie Shipman