This virtual event will feature readings by

Gabriel Guevara
Christine O’Leary-Rockey
Melinda Rizzo
Cindy Ventresca

Hosted by Maria Masington

Registration for this event is required. To register, click HERE

Sponsored by Raven Rabbit Ram and Mad Poets Society

Gabriel is an artist and business owner living in Harrisburg, PA. He started writing poems as a kid, but really took an interest  while living in NYC for college and attending open mic nights at the Bowery Poetry Club. When he’s not writing poetry, he’s pouring candles for Moonrise Candle Co. where he’s both a co-owner and self-assigned candle connoisseur. Gabriel helps organize with the Harrisburg Palestine Coalition in continuing the fight for a liberated Palestine. This work informs a lot of the art he creates as he believes it is the role of the artist to spread the truth. You can catch Gabriel performing improv at Harrisburg Improv Theatre or in shows like the upcoming “The Da Vinci Code” opening in June at Theatre Harrisburg.

A freelance reporter and writer by trade, Melinda Rizzo believes poetry informs her non-fiction work – which circles back to feed her poetry. Rizzo’s work has been published in Philomel, the literary journal of the University of Pennsylvania, Bucks County Writer, Bucks County Herald and others. She has been a multiple-time runner up in the annual Bucks County Poet Laureate competition. Rizzo is working on her second book of poetry, working title What they don’t tell you, anchored by her breast cancer diagnosis and journey in 2021 during the height of the coronavirus pandemic. Late Snow & Hellebore ©2019 is her first full length book, published by Aldrich Press, a division of Kelsey books. Pushcart Prize Nominated Ravens is among the poems in Late Snow & Hellebore. It is available on Amazon.com, Kelsay Books and from the author directly. For animated sample book readings, visit Melinda Rizzo Poet.

Cynthia began writing poetry at the age of seven after receiving a typewriter as a Christmas gift. Most recent publication credits include the Bay to Ocean Journal, the Eunoia Review, The Main Street Rag, ONE ART, One Sentence Poems, the Orbis Quarterly International Literary Journal, Sky Island Journal, SWWIM Every Day, and 3rd Wednesday. She was longlisted for the 2023 Palette Poetry Rising Poet Prize and serves as an assistant poetry editor for Narrative Magazine. Cynthia just completed her first manuscript of poems: Blue Hour.