Owl Hall

Wed, Sep 23, 630-830pm. FREE

LENGTH: 2 hours

LEVEL: all welcome

WHAT TO EXPECT: Join host Christine Ernst for an evening of new work from Mary Ellen Redmond and Al Starkey. Each will read work from their latest books, followed by a book signing and an open mic.

The open mic is limited to ten 3-minute slots -- if you interested in reading, please contact Christine Ernst at ChristineE@Cultural-Center.org to secure your spot.

The event is FREE, but registration is requested. Attendees are encouraged to make a freewill donation.

DON'T FORGET: This event is held in Owl Hall on the first floor. Feel free to BYOB to enjoy responsibly.

FEATURED POETS:

Al Starkey is a past winner of poetry prizes in the Atlanta Review, the International Library of Poetry’s Open Poetry Contest, and is a recipient of The Carriage House Poetry Prize of Tiferet Journal in 2016. His poetry has appeared in several journals and magazines and has been exhibited, published and/or heard in Cape Cod art galleries and museums, The Cape Cod Times and NPR radio. He is the author of five other collections of poetry. His latest book, A Rickety Skiff, was published in 2026.

Al, a native New Englander, and his wife, Susan, have lived in Ireland and Colorado before settling in the village of Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts in 2015.

Mary Ellen Redmond’s poems have appeared in The Drunken Boat, Rattle, Comstock Review, Cape Cod Review, Free State Review, One Art, and The Cortland Review, but the publication she is most proud of is the poem tattooed on her son’s ribcage. A former slam poet, she represented Cape Cod at the National Poetry Slam Competition in Providence, RI. She earned her MFA in poetry at the Bennington Writing Seminars. A retired teacher, she enjoys her time making art, reading, writing, and walking her dog. Her new collection is I Have One Student.

SAVE: This event is FREE but you can save on other events and classes by purchasing a membership for only $65 and get discounts year-round at the Center.