Celebrate National Poetry Month at MCC

“Cross-Fluence” will perform at MCC for National Poetry Month

To help celebrate National Poetry Month at Manchester Community College, the library will welcome the bands “Gaslight Arkestra” and “Cross-Fluence” for an evening of spoken word and jazz improv on Tuesday April 29, 2014, from 6-7:30 PM, in the library’s Fireside Commons.

The event is free and open to the public, and refreshments will be served.

“Gaslight Arkestra” was founded in 2008 by drummer Jay Wood and keyboardist Matt Bister. The band also features Dave Parsons, guitar; Dennis Martinez, bass; and Trek Perry-Culbreath, saxophone.

Poet/spoken word artist Stephen Campiglio, an MCC credit-free programs staff member in the Continuing Education division, and Jay Wood formed the duo, Poem & Drum in 2010.  This grew into the trio, “Cross-Fluence” after adding Matt Bister on keyboards and guitar. With Wood and Bister also part of the Arkestra, it has become a natural progression for both bands to play together.

Campiglio published his first chapbook of poems, also called Cross-Fluence, in 2012, through Soft Spur Press. His second chapbook, Verbal Clouds through Various Magritte Skies, is forthcoming from Cy Gist Press. He founded and coordinates the Mishi-Maya-Gat Spoken Word & Music Series, which is held monthly at MCC’s downtown arts and education center, MCC on Main.

“Cross-Fluence” recorded a CD in 2011, which will be available at the event. Campiglio will also have copies of his books for signing.

For more information, please contact Paula Cook, MCC library’s associate director, at 860-512-2877, or email her at Pcook1@manchestercc.edu.