In Retrospect
(April – July 2026)
To hold space is to lend your support and to make a significant difference. When our faces or names show up to share and listen, our voices, live or virtually always matter. With that being said this quarterly report is a review of poetry scene shared on social media between April to July 2026 in Northwest Ohio, allowing poets and poetry lovers to be in the know about poetical events and aha moments. Disclaimer: Some events are not mentioned due to being missed or me not being aware of it. All venues took place in Toledo, Ohio, unless otherwise provided.
Kicking off National Poetry Month and showering us with APRIL poetics in and around Northwest Ohio came Natasha Trethewey (April 2 – University of Toledo Law Center), the former U.S. Poet Laureate. She gave a robust reading to an intimate audience and subsequent book signing. Sylvania Writes Out Loud (April 3 – Erin Ann's, Sylvania) hosted its one-year anniversary with an open mic of all things poetic. They typically offer scoops of indulgence with an open mic and poetry slam for poets, musicians, comedians, and storytellers. In its third year #5poets5parks (April 3 – Glass City Pavillion) hosted by Julie E. Bloemeke, a Toledo native and Atlanta transplant. The project pairs a powerhouse of five regional Ohio poets, with Toledo Metroparks, who write how parks give them inspiration. Featured poets were Cal Freeman, Dior J. Stephens, Ruelaine Stokes, Grace Guy and Charles Malone. For more info, visit https://metroparkstoledo.com/5poets5parks. Poetry & Soul Sessions is a monthly spoken word and open mic venue (April 16 – Lucille’s Jazz Club the evening is hosted by Kay Renee, a cool poet and entrepreneur doing the thing. Features were poet, Natasha T. Miller and soul singer, Jazmine Renee. Poetry & Soul Sessions features music by local band, Soulful Collective. Ode to the Zip (April 18) is an annual poetry contest linked to identity and home address with creative expression. Hosted by the Toledo Fair Housing, with partners, Toledo City Paper, Arts Commission and the Public Library, this juried and prize-winning event invites poets to write a five-line poem reminiscent of their locality. Event found here: https://toledofhc.org/events/. Toledo Has Spoken (April 23 – Collingwood Presbyterian Church) is a local Buckeye Broadband cable TV program in Toledo. This unique blend of creativity platformed local spoken word artists, poets, and live performance recordings. Hosted by the dynamic duo, Del and Kelli Grace. Respect Tha Mic 419 (April 8 – The Code) is a monthly vibe where poets are original, hosted by poet and entrepreneur SunKissed, who is always holding down space for creatives. SunKissed also hosted a Poetry Appreciation Night on April 25. Events found at https://www.facebook.com/RespectThaMic419. Uncloistered Poetry (April 11 – The Attic) is a monthly venue hosted by Lucas County’s own Poet Laureate, Jonie McIntire. It celebrated National Poetry Month by featuring an all-open-mic evening with seven-minute spots each. Impressive!
MAY flowers planted a garden at the Lima Land Poetry Slam (May 8 – Vibe Coffeehouse & Café, Lima) with more events on their Facebook page. Uncloistered Poetry (May 9 – The Attic) left no grass to grow beneath anyone’s feet. The venue hosted by Jonie McIntire featured amazing performances by Anna Barnes, Jennifer Browne and Live Hightower. Toledo Museum of Art Poetry Prize (May 9 – Glass Pavillion). This reading and ceremony featured the writers whose winning poems were inspired by the museum’s art collections and judged in their respective categories. https://toledomuseum.org/events/poetry-prize-reading-awards-ceremony.
Sylvania Writes Out Loud (July 3 – Erin Ann's, Sylvania) this month featured Toledo poet, Mike Hackney, who by the way launched his new book, Hand-Stitched which is available at Bottlecap Press here, https://bottlecap.press/products/handmh. Respect Tha Mic 419 (May 13 – The Code) was on tap and always promises raw, uncut and filtered. This month featured included spoken word poets, Kay Renee and Dajah Mary. Visit https://www.facebook.com/RespectThaMic419. VALA Gallery [Visual Audio Literary Artists] (May 13 – Virtual) is hosted by Penny Thieme, a creative out of Kansas who offers monthly a monthly venue for regional poets and visual artists. I was presented with a nice invitation and I graciously accepted the challenge to read some poems from my book, As We Cover Ourselves With Light (Sheila-Na-Sheila Editions) to an engaged audience. Visit VALA https://www.facebook.com/VALAGALLERY. Two Poets-Two Books (May 23 – The Reading Grounds, Findlay) celebrated the new works of Findlay poet, Kerry Trautman and Toledo poet, Adrian Lime, Days of Bees (dancing girl press & studio) and Cherries from a Pail (Dark Heart Press), respectively. Toledo Has Spoken (May 30): Yes, it has real voices and real stories pulsing the beat of Toledo. Visit https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572671033277. Lucas County Board of Commissioners (May 19 - Toledo) announced the next Poet Laureate selection process, with open applications for the fourth laureate whose term begins September 1.
The JUNE bugs may be pesky, but those poesies keep turning up. The Fish Fry Poetry Night (June 5 – SOS Club) delivered on their promise to feed the palate and the soul. Uncloistered Poetry (June 13 – The Attic) brought the outside heat into cool vibes. Features were Columbus poet Darren Demaree and yours truly, Sandra warming up the mic for the open mic to follow. Pride and Poetry (June 4 – Mott Library) is one of a series of three reading offerings. The audience experienced the authenticity of LGBTQIA+ poetry with featured poet, Pink Flowers, and an open mic. Poetic Pride (June 22 – Findlay): The Findlay Art League sponsored an open mic of LGBTQIA+ voices.
This update has been provided by Sandra Rivers-Gill.
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