[Alex Pepple]

The latest edits to the year's lineup were made on July 13 by Maryann:


Dear Eratosphereans,

The Distinguished Guest Forum has been brought some of the most stimulating events at the Sphere, with popular bakeoffs and workshops, and comments from renowned guests the high craft of poems that make it as finalists for the events.

This year, we hope to maintain and yes, exceed that tradition of excellence. We have lined up an exciting cast of Distinguished Guests for our regular annual events, and a few new ones.

I’m thrilled to announce the following lineup, coming soon to the Distinguished Guest in 2010:

March 1— Short poems bakeoff: Wendy Videlock, Distinguished Guest; Maryann Corbett, Host.

April/May — The Sonnet bakeoff: Catherine Tufariello, Distinguished Guest; Susan McLean, Host.
     Submissions: March 11-April 18. Event: May 1-..

earlier in June — Richard Wilbur Festival (similar to the Robert Frost festival of a couple of years ago) hosted by Tim Murphy.
     Event: June 15 or so-..

June 17 — The Poetry of Quiet Desperation discussion panel with Joshua Mehigan and Jeff Holt hosted by Tim Murphy.

July — Translation bakeoff: Geoffrey Brock, Distinguished Guest; Adam Elgar, Host.
     Submissions: May 24-June 30. Event: July 16-..

August — Flash Fiction workshop (similar to the Flash Fiction workshop we had with Vanessa Gebbie some years back): Nina Schuyler, Distinguished Guest; Tim Love, Host.
     Event: August 11-15..

Late August / Early September — Light verse bakeoff: Deborah Warren, Distinguished Guest; Michael Cantor, Host.
     Submissions: July 31-August 31. Event: Sept 14-..****

Mid September — The Michael Donaghy event hosted by Tim Murphy.
     Event: Sept 17-.. ***We'll need to reschedule this, as conflicts are creeping up.***

End of September — International Translation Day hosted by Adam Elgar.
     Event: Sept 26-..

Early October — Tanka workshop, everything conducted by David Anthony.
     Event: Oct 8-..

Mid October — Haiku (and possibly Haibun) workshop: Lee Gurga, Distinguished Guest; David Rosenthal, Host.
     Event: Oct 22-..

Mid November — The Michael Donaghy event hosted by Katy Evans-Bush.
     Event: TBA..

December — Deck the Halls: Catherine Savage Brosman, Distinguished Guest; Dee Cohen**, Host. (Special thanks to Tim Murphy for getting Catherine for us!)
     Submissions: Oct 26-Nov 28. Event: Dec 10-..


So, we’re all set for another year of wonderful Distinguished Guests and events!

Cheers,
…Alex

[Donna English]

WOW! Quite a line up, thanks in advance to the hosts/hostesses and guests. The Sphere rocks!

Donna

[David Anthony]

No tanka?
Tim said there would be tanka.

[Robert Pecotte]

David said what I was thinking.

Tanka is creative, Tanka is ancient, Tanka is formal=Tanka Goood

[Tim Murphy]

Lee declined last year. David, has he committed to join us this year? If so, just run the event double breasted to encompass both tanka and haiku. He's perfectly qualified to teach and judge both.

[David Rosenthal]

Originally Posted by Tim Murphy

Lee declined last year. David, has he committed to join us this year? If so, just run the event double breasted to encompass both tanka and haiku. He's perfectly qualified to teach and judge both.

I assume he has agreed, but really that is Alex's department. I do not know much about tanka myself, and haven't written any -- I am all haiku -- but if Lee is willing, I will bone up a bit and figure something out. I think it is really up to Lee and Alex.

David R.

[David Anthony]

I don't think Lee does tanka.

[Alex Pepple]

I'd combined haiku and tanka until Lee indicated that he only does the former. Hence the current lineup. Still, I'll try to squeeze Tanka in.

Cheers,
...Alex

[Michael Cantor]

Become the haiku
Seek one pure cherry blossom
Not a drunken tree

[Patricia A. Marsh]

Just wondering: Will haibun be included in the October workshop? I ask because, in the Winter-Spring 2010 issue of Modern Haiku, editor Charles Trumbull announced that Lee Gurga has agreed to serve as the magazine's haibun editor.