Florida Vacation Guide

Key West, Florida Keys – The work of Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Robert Frost is to be celebrated Wednesday through Sunday, April 9-13, on the island where he wintered for more than a dozen years.

The 14th annual Robert Frost Poetry Festival, the Florida Keys’ only international poetry event, is to include workshops by acclaimed poets, a film evening, a cigar and wine tasting with open microphone readings, a jazz showcase with open microphone readings, a poetry slam, a sunset poetry sail, an art exhibit, poetry and haiku readings, and the announcement of the winners of the festival’s national haiku and poetry contests.

The festival is headquartered at the Key West Heritage House Museum & Robert Frost Cottage, 410 Caroline St., with select events at other places in Key West. Frost, who served as U.S. poet laureate in 1958-59, first visited Key West in 1934 and wrote one of his best-known poems, “The Gift Outright,” on the island. He subsequently paid winter visits to Key West from 1945 to 1960, staying in the small cottage now named for him.

The festival is to kick off with an opening reception at 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 9, at Key West’s Tropic Cinema, 416 Eaton St. Titled “Wanted: Poets Dead or Alive,” the reception offers a chance to meet guest poets and workshop presenters.

At 5:30 p.m. local actors and guest poets are to present a round-robin reading of works by Frost, Wallace Stevens, Elizabeth Bishop, Richard Wilbur, Kirby Congdon, Rosalind Brackenbury and other noted writers who are past or present Key West residents or frequent visitors.

A short documentary film on the life and poetry of Robert Frost is to follow.

Admission for the evening is $15 per person and includes light hors d’oeuvres. Drinks can be purchased from a cash bar.

Workshop registration and check-in are scheduled from 8:30 to 9 a.m. Thursday in the Robert Frost Orchid Garden at the Heritage House Museum. A “green” continental breakfast is planned for registrants.

Poetry workshops are scheduled Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Thursday’s sessions are to include Hidden Poems with author and poet Brackenbury, Writing Haibun with “Modern Haiku” editor Charles Trumbull and Lighting the Fire to Write with Key West writer and artist Cricket Desmarais.

At noon Thursday, Lunch with Robert Frost is to feature a presentation by Frost scholar Dr. Michael Wyndham Thomas. He plans to discuss Frost’s formative years as a poet in England and the forces that drew him to Key West in later life. Cost is $10 per person and includes a box lunch.

Smokin’ Poetry, hosted by Sunset Cigar Co., is set for 5 p.m. with wine, cigars and open microphone readings in the Robert Frost Orchid Garden. Guests are encouraged to bring their poetry and read. The $10 per person admission includes a souvenir wineglass.

The focus turns to the Beat Generation at 8 p.m. with And the Beat Goes On, an evening of music and poetry at Blue Heaven, 729 Thomas St. Attendees are invited to read their poetry accompanied by local jazz musicians.

Workshops are to continue Friday with presentations titled Hey Elvis, Where Do You Want This Piano? by New York author and poet Catherine Doty, Writing Tanka by internationally recognized haiku poet Barry George and How to Read Your Poetry to the Audience by Key West actor and poet Richard Grusin.

Also scheduled is Visual Poetry, an intimate evening at The Studios of Key West, 600 White St., featuring the “visual poetry” of local artists in mediums including painting, photography, film, wood, clay, performance art and more. The event is free and open to the public beginning at 6 p.m.

At 8 p.m. Friday, a poetry slam is scheduled at Sippin’ Coffee House, 424 Eaton St. Three rounds are planned, so each prospective participant should prepare three poems of not longer than three minutes apiece. Entrants are to be judged on their poems’ content and the strength of the poetry performance, and cash prizes await winning poets.

Poets must register to compete prior to 8 p.m. For information, call (305) 293-0555.

Saturday’s poetry workshops are to include A New Time, A New Place with Thomas, to be held on the deck of the U.S.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk docked at Key West’s Truman Waterfront.

Dr. Lee Gurga, former editor of “Modern Haiku” is to present Haiku: Poetry of the Season, while Key West bookbinder Bob Muens is to advise participants in Learn How to Construct Your Own Chapbook.

On Saturday evening, poets can take to the high seas for a 6:30 p.m. Poetry on the Water cruise aboard the Fury Catamaran. Complimentary appetizers and libations, a renowned Key West sunset, open microphone readings and live music are in store for participants.

Cost is $49 per person and advance reservations are strongly recommended. The boat departs from Ocean Key Resort, Zero Duval St. For tickets, visit www.furycat.com or call (305) 294-8899.

Sunday’s events are to begin at 10 a.m. in the Robert Frost Orchid Garden with a Celebration of Poetry featuring readings by workshop participants of their new poems inspired during the festival. Readings by guest poets are set for 2 p.m. in the garden.

Subsequently, talented young poets are to receive the festival’s Poetry in the Schools prizes. The announcement of the Robert Frost Poetry Festival national poetry contest winner and national haiku contest winner is to follow.

Cost for the festival’s seven workshops is $195 per person. Poetry lovers also can sign up for individual workshops for $50 per person per session, or choose any three for $125. Registration is required prior to the workshop.

For more information, registration and poetry and haiku contest rules and deadlines, visit www.robertfrostpoetryfestival.com.