Poet readings in Hardwick and 10 10-minute plays

Three poets to read at Hardwick event

Ann Day, Ron Lavallette and Elye Alexander will be featured in a poetry reading in Hardwick Wednesday, Aug. 25, at 7 p.m.

Jeudevine Memorial Library is sponsoring the event, which will be held in the Memorial Building, across from the library. Light refreshments will be served.

Day has written a number of books, including "The Nature of Things" and "A Poetry Journal for the Seasons." She lives at Knoll Farm in Fayston, which she has placed under a conservation easement. She writes a weekly nature column for the weekly Valley Reporter, and publishes a poetry-photography calendar every year. She has participated in Montpelier's Poetry Alive and was a featured poet at the Norway (Maine) Arts Festival.

Lavallette, who lives in Barton, started writing and reading poetry in the 1960s when he encountered Lawrence Ferlinghetti. His work has been in many anthologies and journals, including the Anthology of New England Writers, Pine Island Journal, Moondance, Comstock Review, and Everyday Poets. His work is on the web at eggsovertokyo.blogspot.com.

Alexander, who lives in Craftsbury, is a featured writer on wizards.com. With Alexander O. Smith, he has translated the works of Japanese writer Kaoru Kurimoto, including "The Guin Saga." He has spent time in Wales and translated "Jabberwocky" by Lewis Carroll into Welsh. He is a freelance writer and a part-time editor. He also works with his father doing custom building.

Each poet will read for 20 to 25 minutes. Then, refreshments and conversation with the poets will follow. Information: 472-5948

Ten-Fest event planned in Waitsfield

Emily Rondeau of Waterbury will perform in the Vermont Playwrights Circle's third annual "Ten-Fest," 10 10-minute plays by 10 local authors.

The event is produced by Jeanne Beckwith, F. Brett Cox and Kim Ward, and is part of the Vermont Festival of Arts. Performances are Thursday to Saturday, Aug. 19 to 21, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 22, at 2 p.m., at the Valley Players Theater, Route 100, Waitsfield.

The playwrights are Judy Alexander of South Burlington; Sarah Brock, Jim Higgins and Bram Towbin of Montpelier; Maura Campbell of Burlington; Em Frappier of Richford; Margot Lasher of Marshfield; Lars Nielsen of Northfield; Dvora Zipkin of Worcester; and Liam Kuhn of Old Bridge, N.J.

Plays range from the zany to the sublime, from a walk in a New York City dog park to a moment of murderous hilarity.

The other actors include Amanda Menard, Danny Bick and Martin Pincus of Montpelier, Dvora Zipkin of Worcester, Francis Moran and Kate O'Neil of Moretown, Cynthia Seckler and Susan Bauchner of Waitsfield, Bob Carmody of Charlotte, Charles Emmons of Brookfield, Chris Riddell of Cabot, and Joseph Laston of Williamstown.

The plays are directed by Jeanne Beckwith, Kim Ward, and Lesley Becker of Montpelier, Maggie York of Barre, and Henry Erickson of Warren.

Tickets at the door are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students. Reservations: 583-1674. Information: 229-0112; www.vermonplaywrightscircle.org, www.valleyplayers.com.