New Issues Fundraiser This Sunday

Everyone is invited to join us this Sunday, August 29th, 2 to 6 p.m. at Bell's Eccentric Cafe, 355 E. Kalamazoo Ave., for the second annual New Issues Fundraiser, a Celebration of Kalamazoo Poetry.  A $5 donation will be requested at the door. Support a small press!

Poetry reading begins at 3 p.m. Poets participating will include Rob Haight, Linda Nemec Foster, Phillip Sterling, Conrad Hilberry, Di Seuss, Adam Clay, Richard Katrovas, Arnie Johnston, Jennifer Sweeney, Chad Sweeney, Denise Miller, Nancy Eimers, Daneen Wardrop, Susan Ramsey, Elizabeth Kerlikowske, Denise Miller, John Rybicki, Gail Martin, and Lynn Pattison.

Check out the latest publications from New Issues. Eat cookies. Drink delicious, locally-brewed beer. Listen to Joe Gross play music. See the amazing talent we have here in Kalamazoo.


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New Issues Fundraiser a Success

New Issues would like to thank everyone involved in making our Summer's End Celebration and Gala Fundraiser a huge success. Whiskey Before Breakfast was a musical hit. Diane Seuss, Jamie D'Agostino, Heather Sellers, David Dodd Lee and John Rybicki gave great readings. Even the weather cooperated: after a week of cold and rainy weather the sky cleared and the sun shone.

Bonnie Jo Campbell and crew led the art auction with panache and the bidding was heated. The lucky winners went home with gorgeous pieces of art.

A final shout out to Bell's Eccentric Cafe. Without their fantastic space this event would not have been the same.

Art Auction at the Summer's End Celebration

We have a fabulous selection of donated items for our art auction. There are a number of beautiful ceramic items from artists like Hannah Fisher, Brenda Quinn, and Joan Carcia. Oil paintings by Erin Scott. Metal sculpture by John Running-Johnson. Letterpress edition of In the Palm of Space by Herbert Scott, printed by Sutton Hoo Press. Three Fiber Collages by Marie Combs made with hand-made paper, dryer lint, and found materials. Other items include new t-shirts, Japanese prints, Chinese rugs, and fortune-telling cards in six languages.

Come to New Issues's Summers End Celebration and Gala Fundraiser and make your bid! August 30th, 2-6 p.m., Bell's Eccentric Café.

August 30th: You're Invited to Attend Our Summer’s End Celebration & Gala Fundraiser

Western Michigan University’s literary press, New Issues Poetry & Prose, is happy to announce the Summer’s End Celebration & Gala Fundraiser. Please join us if you can at Bell’s Eccentric Café, 355 E. Kalamazoo Ave. on Sunday, August 30, from 2 to 6 p.m. A $5 donation is requested at the door, and food and refreshments will be available.

New Issues poets and Michigan writers John Rybicki, Heather Sellers, David Dodd Lee, Diane Seuss, and Jamie D’Agostino will read briefly from their poetry. The inimitable Bonnie Jo Campbell will serve as auctioneer for a variety of excellent paintings, rarities, and hilarities. Whiskey Before Breakfast will perform traditional Irish dance music.

New Issues Poetry & Prose, a non-profit literary press, was established in 1996 by poet and Editor Herbert S. Scott. New Issues publishes eight to twelve new titles each year with a focus on contemporary poetry. New Issues enjoys support from WMU, the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, and the generous donations of a supportive arts community.

For more information about the press and the fundraiser, call Marianne Swierenga at (269) 387-8185 or visit the press’s Web Site at www.wmich.edu/newissues.


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Kalamazoo Brewery Donates to Local Arts Organizations, Including New Issues Press

Bell's Brewery has awarded $100,000 in grants to 18 local arts, humanities and children's organization, including a $5,000 grant to New Issues Poetry & Prose. Read the Kalamazoo Gazette article.

This grant couldn't have come at a better time. On July 13, the Gov. Granholm dissolved the Department of History, Arts, and Libraries, which is home to the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA). MCACA has provided New Issues with numerous grants for their Inland Seas Poetry Series. The future of arts funding in Michigan is even more uncertain. MCACA will not be eliminated, but it will be moved to the Michigan Strategic Fund of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. ("Gov. Jennifer Granholm's executive order closes Michigan's Department of History, Arts and Libraries" Grand Rapids Press)

And I might add, Bell's has fabulous beer. And the Brewery's Eccentric Café will be hosting our August 30th event/poetry reading.

Save the Date: August 30

Mark your calendars! New Issues will be ending the summer with party on Sunday, August 30. Bell's Brewery Eccentric Cafe. Poetry readings, book deals, an auction of fine goodies, live music, great company, and beer. More information to come as plans are finalized. Stay tuned!