From the Teton County Public Library:
Come hear spoken-word poet, teacher and activist Drew Dellinger as he raps out his own rhythm of words for global ecology and justice. Dellinger visits Jackson for an evening presentation “Words in Action” on Thursday, May 22 at 7 p.m., followed by a writing workshop for adults on Friday, May 23 from 4-6 p.m. and a teen writing workshop on Saturday, May 24 from noon-2 p.m.
All events are free and open to the public, and sponsored by the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole, local organization LifeArts, and the Teton County Library Foundation. Advance sign up for the writing workshops is requested. The Teen Writing Workshop is designed for participants age 14 to 18. To reserve your spot, call the library’s Adult Humanities Program Coordinator at 733-2164 ext. 135 or email odoherty@tclib.org.
Valley resident Cate Cabot from LifeArts first heard of Dellinger when a friend quoted a line of his poetry to her during a conversation. Intrigued, Cabot researched the poet, read his work and began corresponding with him. Dellinger’s focus on ecology, activism and art seemed like it would be of great interest to the community.
Dellinger’s work addresses how the earth’s story relates to ecological and social justice, ultimately calling for an integration of the two realms. “The unfolding of life on earth, over these last 4.5 billion years, is without question the greatest story in the known universe,” says Dellinger in a recorded presentation available on YouTube (http://tinyurl.com/59dwa3).
The May 22 evening presentation “Words in Action” will showcase spoken-word performances of Dellinger’s poetry. He will also talk about the intersection between his poetic art and activism. A question and answer period will open the floor to interaction with the audience. The writing workshops on May 23 and 24 will explore the craft of writing poetry, as well as giving spoken-word performances, which participants may have an opportunity to do.
Dellinger teaches as an Associate Professor at John F. Kennedy University in the San Francisco Bay area. He is the founder of Poets for Global Justice, and author of the collection of poems, “love letter to the milky way.” Dellinger has presented at hundreds of conferences, colleges, protests and events across the country. His work is featured in the film, "Voices of Dissent," and the books “Igniting a Revolution,” “Children of the Movement,” and “Global Uprising.” In 1997, he received “Common Boundary” magazine’s national Green Dove Award.
Dellinger has studied cosmology and ecological thought with Thomas Berry since 1990 and has taught at Prescott College, Naropa University-Oakland and Esalen Institute. Dellinger has worked closely with scholars and visionaries such as Joanna Macy, Matthew Fox, Susan Griffin, and Brian Swimme, and has shared podiums and stages with Cornel West, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Ani Difranco, Billy Bragg, Medea Benjamin, Jim Hightower, Michael Franti, Eve Ensler, and many others. Learn more about Dellinger at www.drewdellinger.org.
FMI: 307-733-2164 ext. 135 or email odoherty@tclib.org.
