Martin is guest reader at poetry event

TORRINGTON — Torrington poet, author, and freelance writer Patricia Martin will be guest poet at a special event in Woodstock, NY, on Saturday, Nov. 11.

“Amina Baraka & The Red Microphone: Concert for Armistice Day and the Eve of the Russian Revolution Centenary” will be held at the Colony, 22 Rock City Road, Woodstock, N.Y.

The event is produced by John Pietaro, a writer and multi-instrumentalist who serves as The Red Microphone’s director and percussionist. Pietaro organized the event in honor of Armistice Day, the traditional commemoration of war’s end, which this year falls on the eve of the Russian Revolution’s centenary.

Celebrated poet/activist of the Black Arts MoveFollowing ment, Amina Baraka headlines the concert, which will combine poetry, prose, and free jazz. Baraka has travelled the world, collaborating with her husband, the poet/playwright Amiri Baraka (a.k.a.LeRoi Jones). his death, Baraka has become increasingly active as a performance poet, spreading messages of equality and liberty.

The Red Microphone features acclaimed musicians Pietaro, tenor saxophonist and flutist Ras Moshe Burnett, alto saxophonist and pianist Rocco John Iacovone, and bass player Laurie Towers, who partnered with Pietaro in The Flames of Discontent.

Martin will be reading two poems that she wrote specifically for the event, accompanied by improvisational music performed by The Red Microphone. “Skin on Poppies” speaks to civil and human rights, and “Ink and Blood” is an epic that weaves excerpts from letters soldiers wrote from the front lines to their families and loved ones back home in wars spanning from the Civil War to Vietnam. In performing “Ink and Blood,” Martin and Baraka will trade off stanzas, giving the piece two distinct voices.

“I am excited to be performing at the Colony with revolutionary poet/vocalist Amina Baraka and The Red Microphone, an ensemble of individuals who are leaders in their own right in the New York City scene,” Martin said, in a written statement. “I moved to Torrington less than two years ago from New York’s Hudson Valley, and have performed at the Colony during other events John has produced. It’s a wonderful, historic space and a great venue.

“Having this opportunity inspired me to create two new pieces. ‘Skin on Poppies’ touches on the dignity and rights of all people, as we are all connected as human beings. And by using the actual words of soldiers during war time—without any editorializing—I think ‘Ink and Blood’ makes a somewhat shocking, powerful, and profound poetic plea for peace.”

Journey Blue Heaven — one of Woodstock’s most beloved musicians — opens the evening with a set of original songs as well as adaptations of other musicians’ works.

Doors open at 7 p.m., and the event starts at 8 p.m. General admission is $10.

Martin is an author, poet, performer/actor, and freelance writer/communications professional. A native of Darien, she relocated to Torrington from Woodstock/West Saugerties in New York’s Hudson Valley. In March 2017, she launched “SpeakEasy,” a monthly poetry/spoken word event in Torrington. Martin has been featured at numerous venues, including The Museum of the Imagination, The Howland Cultural Center, The Dissident Arts Festival, The Woodstock Fringe, The Byrdcliff, Theatre, and The National Beat Poetry Festival’s “Kerouac Café,” among others. She’s been heard on The Woodstock RoundTable/WDST and Women of Note/WKZE, is a monthly guest on “She’s Raising the Bar” radio show, and has been published in Chronogram, The County and Abroad, Art Times, Chatham Magazine, WaterWrites, and other periodicals. A member of the Author’s Guild, Martin is the author of one humor book, five nonfiction books, a spoken word & music CD with composer/producer Gus Mancini.

Contributed photo/Not for resale Torrington poet, author, and freelance writer Patricia Martin will be guest poet at a special event in Woodstock, NY, on Saturday.