Party Like It's 1599

Grand Sonnet Slam

The Sonnet Slam Tuesday at KidCity to benefit ArtFarm and the Shakespeare in the Grove series raised more than $4,000 for the summertime drama series.

In a congratulatory note to slammers from ArtFarm founders and directors Dic Wheeler and Marcella Trowbridge, they wrote:

Thank you all so much for committing your time, talent and imagination to supporting Shakespeare in the Grove through this wild event. I think everyone had a really good time and we seem to have raised well over $4000!
And the food was great, Al Terzi was terrific, Toby Belch approved of the beer, all the food preppers and servers and other volunteers were fantastic and best of all every Sonneteer was memorable, unique and just lovely.

Sonnet Slam A Poetic Success For ArtFarm

It was one of those rare magical nights in Middletown.

On a make-shift stage in the foyer of Kidcity, actors of all stripes recited some of the 154 Shakespearean sonnets in an effort to raise money for ArtFarm.

The event, held at Kidcity, was devised to raise money for the summertime production of The Taming of the Shrew during the annual Shakespeare in the Grove performance in July. The first Sonnet Slam was a huge success, with dozens of supporters, twenty amateur and professional readers, and WFSB's Al Terzi as host.

Terzi was funny and charming as a succession of readers took Shakespeare through his paces. There was puppet Shakespeare, pirate Shakespeare, flip chart Shakespeare and lovely, costumed dramatic Shakespeare.

There were delectable snacks, and enough beer and wine to make Shakespeare seem eternally hip. Because he is.

Sonnet Slam Party Tuesday (7 to 9 pm)

Eye on the Air Today

Eye on the Air, a radio show to complement this blog. Guests today are Merrick Alpert, Democratic candidate for Senate running against Chris Dodd, and Dic Wheeler, from ArtFarm to talk about the upcoming Sonnet Slam to benefit the yearly Shakespeare in the Grove.

Eye on the Air, 1-2 PM, WESU, 88.1 FM, (wesu.org).

Sonnet Slam to Benefit ArtFarm's Shakespeare in the Grove on June 9

Originally scheduled for June 10, but changed to June 9 at 7 PM at Kidcity, so as not to conflict with Main Street Cruise Night, ArtFarm is hosting its very first Sonnet Slam, and there are a number of ways to get involved.

From ArtFarm

The Sonnet Slam is a Shakespeare Poetry Slam & Performance Event celebrating the 400th Anniversary of the first publication of Shakespeare's Sonnets. Performers from age 14 through adult professionals will each bring their art to one of Willie's 154 sonnets, and in the process they will raise money for this summer's Shakespeare in the Grove production of The Taming of the Shrew. Soloists or groups are encouraged. Singing, dance, circus sonnets – it’s all acceptable. Entertain us! There will be no judging, but there will be great prizes for the performers who get the highest total sponsorships.

This will take place as part of an Elizabethan Bash!, a great party with period music, photo opportunities with the Bard himself, food and drink and a host of other Shakespeare oriented activities.

The event starts at 7 pm on June 10 at Kidcity, 119 Washington Street in Middletown, but there are a number of ways in which you can get involved:

1) PERFORM A SONNET and recruit generous folks to sponsor you in this effort. Sponsorships are in multiples of 14 (the number of lines in a sonnet). Sponsors can pledge $1 per line ($14), $2 per line ($28) or any multiple of 14 ($10 per line is $140; $100 per line is $1400 -- you get it). Guidelines and sponsor pledge forms are attached to this email, or available at www.art-farm.org .

2) SPONSOR A PERFORMER for as little as $14. Free Shakespeare in the Grove is at risk this summer as corporate, foundation and city support has been hard to come by. Support a local performer and support ARTFARM all in one donation -- you can donate at www.art-farm.org .

3) ATTEND THE EVENT! Come see the Sonnet Slam and party with the Bard and his friends. Tickets are only (you guessed it) $14!

4) VOLUNTEER! We need help on the night of the event, and help organizing it between now and then -- soliciting prizes or donations of food from local restaurants, coordinating various aspects of the event, preparing an hors d'oeuvre or dessert, etc. GET ON BOARD!!!!

Contact us at info@art-farm.org, or just pick up the phone and call (860) 346-4390. However you choose to get involved, it's going to be a ton of fun, because that's the way we like it!!! A poster seeking performers, Shakespeare Sonnet Slam guidelines and Sponsor Pledge Forms are attached to this email. Please help to spread the word!