Goldsmith goes to Washington

At right is a photograph taken of Kenneth Goldsmith at the White House - yes, the White House. On May 11, Kenny (who teachers here at CPCW and is a longtime friend and affiliate of the Writers House) performed his poetry (and that of Whitman and Hart Crane) along with several other poets, including Elizabeth Alexander, Rita Dove, and Billy Collins. He also co-led a poetry workshop for schoolchildren, a session hosted by Michelle Obama. We're quite tickled that this "weird" conceptual poet was invited to such an event. Our friends at Jacket2 have somewhat "covered" this happening, so go here to J2 for a link to the video of the aforementioned workshop.

Jenny Egan and Sam Donsky, May 14

Alumni Authors Spotlight: Jennifer Egan & Sam Donsky
May 14, 4:00 PM in the Arts Cafe
To RSVP: call 215-746-POEM. RSVP required.

Our Alumni Authors Spotlight reading will feature fiction writer Jennifer Egan (C'85) and poet Sam Donsky (C'07), who will read from their work then join us for a post-reading reception.

Jennifer Egan is the author of The Invisible Circus, which was released as a feature film by Fine Line in 2001, Emerald City and Other Stories, Look at Me, which was nominated for the National Book Award in 2001, and the bestselling The Keep. Her new book, A Visit From the Goon Squad, was published in June 2010. Also a journalist, she writes frequently in the New York Times Magazine.

Sam Donsky (C'07) is a second-year student at Penn Law School. He has been involved with Kelly Writers House since 2003 and first shared the KWH podium with Jennifer Egan in May 2005. Donsky's first poetry manuscript, Poems vs. the Volcano, is a collection of 100 poems -- one for each movie that he has seen since graduating from college.