Here in Worcester, we're undergoing a renaissance in the performance poetry/spoken word scene. On Sunday, Sept. 20, we're supporting that renaissance with two big events: the launch of a compilation CD of the current scene, and the formal launch of a central Web presence for it all.

This announcement (more or less) will be appearing on the Poets' Asylum Website on Sunday, courtesy of the tireless Bob Gill and the efforts of many many others:

"Worcester currently supports four weekly poetry readings, a monthly storytellers gathering, adult & youth slam teams and more. The performance poetry venues in Worcester have formed a collective to celebrate that diversity and help foster cooperation in spreading the word about words.

This weekend the Collective will be distributing a Spoken Word CD at stART on the Street 2009:

http://www.startonthestreet.org .

The CD includes some of the best performance poetry to be found at the local poetry venues.

We've also put together a website to collect basic info about the performance poetry venues in the CD. Think of it as a starting point to explore the wealth of words waiting to be heard.

Please check it out at:

http://poetsasylum.org/collective.

We hope to see you soon."

I won't personally be around this weekend; other things call. But you should be out there, checking us out this weekend and throughout the coming weeks.

And PS: the CD is DOPE...performances from Alex Charalambides, Duende, Bill MacMillan, Sou MacMillan, Dave MacPherson, Mike McGee, Ryk McIntyre, and many many others with no "Mac" or "Mc" in their names. ;-) It's a vital and well-done scene document. Hit the stART on the Street Festival on Sunday to get one of the thousand free copies we'll be distributing there...and keep your eyes peeled for more. It's an exciting time.