Bard Wire began ...
preCYBERhistory
'Bard Wire' was an idea for a traveling poetry troupe in 1995. Of the original members of that 'troupe' only poet stevenallenmay pursued the idea further; creating a public access TV show (re)VERSE, a series of poetry readings in Berks and Lancaster Counties, and finally in 1998, conceiving of a poetry festival lasting each and every day of the month of April 1999 to be called "Bardfest99", which in turn became part of National Poetry Month, organized nationally by the Academy of American Poets.That lead to mention in the WALL STREET JOURNAL(March 28,1999) and to inclusion in the UNESCO International Poetry Directory.
An accidential comment made over pizza on August 28, 1998. As soon as the words escaped my lips, I knew I had stumbled onto something BIG. I have been working non-stop on in since. I put together a team of poets Berks Bards, a 501 c 3 Nonprofit organization, in order to create Bardfest(with corresponding year) in Berks County, PA. Bardfest took more than one person to accomplish. It's a lot of work. I know. I want to thanks those who gave of our own time and energies to make Bardfest happen. Good luck in your futures!
One of the many ideas that contributed to the concept of Bardfest is that there are not enough outlets for poets in this country. There are too few outlets for poets; so in Berks County, PA, for 30 days, we created a traveling festival. Each day somewhere else. Every day of the month. Every April.
By using technology to promote, enhance, and enlighten; "SP" is constantly working to elevate poets & their work. s-a-m has been exploring the potential and possibilities of the Internet since 1998, and have found them incredible. In fact, the Net played a big role in the planning and execution of the first 30 day poetry festival to take place in the USA : Bardfest!!
This page is to present a bit of the history leading to Bardwire, Bardfest, and after the move to Philadelphia; "Sarasvati Productions". What began as an idea back in 1995 has now grown to the point of mention in the WALL STREET JOURNAL(March 28,1999) and to inclusion in the brand new UNESCO International Poetry Directory.
"Saravati Productions" evolved out of the experiences which led to Bardfest99-2002, Lebanon Poetry Project, Lancaster Poets Out Loud, and the Eternal NOW! series in Philadelphia, PA, and the "Poets Among US" festival of April 2003. Primarily run by poet stevenallenmay who has been hosting various poetry readings throughout Eastern Pa. since 1995 as well as cofounding Plan B Press with poet Dianne Miller, SP brings a wealth of hands-on expertise to bear.
By using technology to promote, enhance, and enlighten; "SP" is constantly working to elevate poets & their work. s-a-m has been exploring the potential and possibilities of the Internet since 1998, and have found them incredible. In fact, the Net played a big role in the planning and execution of the first 30 day poetry festival to take place in the USA : Bardfest!!
Bardfest99, started it all. April 1-30. Part of National Poetry Month. Dreams into realities, clouds into concrete. Mentioned in the March 26, 1999 issue of the Wall Street Journal. From the beginning, I was fortunate to get some great talent to come and help bring this "infant" along. Besides local and regional artists; I have been able to bring in Ralph LaCharity from Cincinatti, Ohio ('99-00), Billy Collins ('01), Logic Alley ('00), Sonia Sanchez ('01), Karen Blomain ('99), Ace Boggess ('01), Left Sock Theory ('99-01), slampoet Michael Brown('00), and Charles Bernstein ('02), as well as many others. It's been an incredible experience!
We believe that technology merged with art is the future. "SP" looks at the work of artists generally and poets in particular, recognizing their tireless struggles to just exist on the margins of our 'bottom line' society. But poetry DOES matter. It's not enough to write it, we have to live it.
A more detailed "journey" is forthcoming. With my move to Philadelphia in December 2001, my emphasis has also shifted to Philly.
psst - I am including the links to first two Bardfest events on this page because knowing the past and dwelling on it are two different things. Besides, I like to emphasize that it's only been since 1999 that this thing has been happening, and it's the only 30 day poetry festival ON THE PLANET!!!