Michael Dylan Welch named new poet laureate for Redmond

Michael Dylan Welch was recently named Redmond's third poet laureate and will begin a new poetry program this fall called Poetry in the Parks.

October 1, 2013 6:36 pm
Michael Dylan Welch is the City of Redmond's new poet laureate.
Michael Dylan Welch is the City of Redmond's new poet laureate.

Michael Dylan Welch was recently named Redmond’s third poet laureate and will begin a new poetry program this fall called Poetry in the Parks.

The public can hear Welch read selections of his own poetry during an event at the VALA Art Center at Redmond Town Center beginning at 6 p.m. on Wednesday.

Poetry in the Parks, an official program with the City of Redmond, will bring poetry to where people least expect it: outdoors. The program offers everyone the opportunity to discover the joys of poetry in their own environment.

“Poetry is a means of personal expression available to everyone,” said Welch. “My goal as Redmond poet laureate is to inspire all age groups to experience levels to write or enjoy poetry.”

Welch has a long history of inspiring local poets. He curates the SoulFood Poetry Night and the Redmond Association of Spokenword (RASP) readings. Both are staple monthly events, and he recently edited “Here, There, and Everywhere,” a RASP poetry anthology. He plans to enhance Redmond’s literary community by offering the following events in the next year:

  • Poetry reading at Happy Birthday: VALA – Hear Welch read selections of his poetry at the VALA Art Center at 6 p.m. on Wednesday.
  • Reception and meet and greet – Meet Welch and learn more about the Poetry in the Parks program at the Redmond Library on Oct. 30, beginning at 5:30 p.m.
  • Wanted: Dead or Alive: Celebrating Famous Poets – Quarterly readings at the Redmond Library that begin at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 30, starting with E. E. Cummings.
  • Poetry in the Parks – A poetry conference and book fair, with readings and workshops at the Redmond Senior Center, April 26-27, 2014.
  • Summer Poetry Walks: Monthly evening walks and directed writing sessions at various parks and trails in Redmond, from May to August 2014.

The public is invited to meet Welch and learn more about the Poetry in the Parks program at the reception at the Redmond Library on Oct. 30, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Wanted: Dead or Alive, a celebration of the poet E. E Cummings, directly follows at 6:30 p.m. The public is invited to bring their favorite E. E. Cummings poems to read and discuss. The evening will conclude with an open mic session.

For more information, visit www.redmond.gov/poetlaureate.