Wellspring Literary Series to feature evening of art, music
The audience listens to a musical performance at The Wellspring Literary Series March 20 at Art Reach.
The Wellspring Literary Series will feature an evening of poetry and music at 7 p.m. on April 15 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Michigan.
The event, which will be the final Wellspring of the 2018-19 academic year, will feature Central Michigan University creative writing alumnus and poet Russell Brakefield, who will read from his recently published poetry collection, “Field Recordings.” Brakefield’s work has been featured in various periodicals including the Indiana Review, Hobart and Poet Lore.
Alongside Brakefield, student writer James Champion will also read from his work.
The reading series was founded by English language and literature faculty Robert Fanning. Free dinner will be provided by Max & Emily’s.
Mount Pleasant band Daryl & the Beans (of which Fanning is a member) will perform what will be one of their few sets of the year.
The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Michigan is located at 319 S. University Ave. Wellspring events usually take place at Art Reach of Mid-Michigan, making this event's venue out of the ordinary. Fanning attributes the change in venue to the popularity of the band.
“Art Reach is a wonderful venue for most of the readings, but when a world-caliber rock band like Daryl and the Beans comes to town, we need some extra seating available for their legions of groupies," Fanning said.
This event is free and open to the public, and Fanning said he believes students should take advantage of it.
“Students learn (from Wellspring) that poetry and writing are not made to sequester in one’s heart or home, but to be brought into the community,” Fanning said. “Poetry is a living art that wants release from dusty tomes and from the academy. It is an art that engages with our time, interrogates our existence, and that, especially now in spite of a world that appears ripping apart at the seams, restores our hope in our common humanity, and strengthens our empathy."
