BAFS 5th Annual Summer Poetry Camp

July 6th-16th

Synchro-Mythological Poetics

Synchronized Mythology describes a type of telepathy between two or more people. In a group with a shared mythological background, external stimuli can trigger synchronized reactions. This can be illustrated by the typical Gen X reaction to the song “Bohemian Rhapsody”, which includes maximizing song volume and bellowing along with it. Two Gen Xers may have the same instantaneous synchronized reaction to perform this behavior, much like Pavlov’s dogs. However, given human self-awareness, a level of telepathic communication in the shared reaction occurs. We know the other person(s) is thinking the same thing at the same time, we can each feel it.

Poetry has the capacity to create synchro-mythologic event triggers without the need for a common mythology. A great poem will create its own internal mythology to draw the reader in, using perhaps a minimum of cultural triggers. “A Red Wheelbarrow” held no real cultural significance until the poem created a new mythology.

Beyond Academia’s Synchro-Mythological Poetics Summer Camp will explore some of the ways we can build these experiences into our own poetry. Camp will begin with an introductory weekend at the Boulder Public Library, including two workshops specifically for kids. As the week progresses, we will delve deeper into both Eastern and Western ideas on how to create shared meaning. Almost every workshop will include extensive writing practice. Half a dozen new instructors will grace our teaching field, and staple events such as the Drunken Haiku Competition, Black Market Translation improvisational punk show, and of course numerous readings will keep us energized after classes. As always, BAFS events are free to attend.

Facebook Event

2018 Camp Instructors

Reed Bye, Matt Clifford, Eric Fischman, Roseanna Frechette, Marcus If, Ira Liss, Clint Locks, June Lucarotti, Brice Mauirro, Jessica Rigney, Sarah Rodriguez, Ellie Swensson, Seth Walker, Eliza Beth Whittington

Instructor Profiles
Course Descriptions

Become a Supporting Member of the Skool!

A core principle of the Free Skool is that all of our events are free to attend. Our instructors pay their travel costs out of pocket and we estimate will spend 690 volunteer hours on the Skool this year alone. We will not pass around donation jars at events, so a great way to show your support for the Skool is to join us as a Member. Here’s how:

Become a Member

Schedule:

Google Calendar of Events – alt Link

Lead-up:
Sunday,_June	10th
7pm	BPL	“Second Sundays” workshop — Sarah Rodriguez
Thursday,_June	28th
11:58pm	Aley	Full Moon Alley Howl/Reading — Morrison Alley, Boulder
Saturday, June	30th
6:30pm	Perl	June 30th Brautigan Reading — Hosted by Rob Geisen, Pearl Street Mall Courthouse, Boulder
Wednesday,_July	4th
7pm	LSR	Big Independence Pasta Dinner — Hosted by LSR Crew
BAFS Summer Poetry Camp:
Friday, July	6th
7pm	TBA	Secret Orientation Party — TBA
Saturday, July	7th
10am-1pm	BPL	Seeking Inspiration — Kids Workshop, Sarah Rodriguez
2-6pm	BPL	Gummy Bear Death Match —Brice Maiurro
8pm	LSR	Drunken Haiku Competition — Hosted by Marcus If
Sunday, July	8th
12-2pm	BPL	Mountain Strong: Family Yoga & Storytelling —Kids Workshop, June Lucarotti
2-6pm	BPL	“Second Sundays” workshop — Marcus If
7pm	Merc	Jam B4 the Slam: BAFS Edition — Hosted by Roseanna Frechette, Mercury Café, Denver
Monday, July	9th
1-4pm	LSR	Page//Stage — Ellie Swensson
9pm	Chpl	BAFS Teacher Feature & Open — Hosted by Tom Peters, Wesley Chapel, Boulder
Tuesday, July	10th
1-4pm	LSR	Direct Perception as Seed of Poetry — Reed Bye
7pm	Inis	Spit Poet Open Mic — Hosted by Caito Foster, Innisfree Café, Boulder
7pm	Mtny	Punketry — Hosted by Brice Maiurro, Mutiny Info Café, Denver
Wednesday,_July	11th
10am-1pm	LSR	The Magic Circle: Writing as Game Design and the Lusory Attitude — Eric Fischman
2-5pm	LSR	Poetry 101 — Clint Locks
7pm	LSR	Big Pasta Dinner — Hosted by LSR Crew
Thursday, July	12th
10-1pm	LSR	Concepts of Tarot — Seth Walker
2-5pm	LSR	“Of the Body” — Jessica Rigney
7pm	Beet	Weekly Open Mic, Corner Beet/Denver
7pm	Dair	Dairy Poetry Open Mic ft. Seth Walker & Ellie Swensson, Dairy Center for the Arts, Boulder
Friday, July	13th
10am-1pm	LSR	Synchro-Mythological Poetics — Marcus If
2-5pm	LSR	Sourcery: Poetic Occultism -or- Occult Poetry — Seth Walker
7pm	LSR	Fireside Open Reading — Hosted by Thomas Ivory
Saturday, July	14th
10am-1pm	LSR	When Fucks Fuck — Matt Clifford
2-5pm	LSR	Chakra Charged Lines — Roseanna Frechette
8pm	LSR	Black Market Translation show — Hosted by BMT & LSR Crew
Sunday, July	15th
10am-1pm	LSR	Exaggeration Breakfast — Hosted by Ira Liss & Marcus If
2-5pm	LSR	Performing Your Creativity — Ira Liss
5:30pm	LSR	Inkwell Allstars and Open-mic Contest — Seth W, Roseanna F, William SB, BookBar, Denver
7pm	Merc	Jam B4 the Slam Open — Hosted by Gregory SETH Harris, Mercury Café, Denver
Monday, July	16th
10am	LSR	Collage Party — Hosted by LSR crew
1-4pm	LSR	Channeling Your Creativity — Eliza Beth Whittington
9pm	Chpl	BAFS Student Feature & Open — Hosted by Tom Peters, Wesley Chapel, Boulder

Camp FAQ

Workshops will be held at both the Boulder Public Library’s Arapahoe Room and Love Shovel Ranch. Please remember these spaces are Temporary Autonomous Zones, Autonomous as in be Responsible for yrself and others. Clean up yr trash (including All cigarette butts), recycle yr empties, wash yr dishes. No grease or hair in the drains, NOTHING in the toilet that didn’t come out of yr body except TP. Love Shovel Ranch rests in the heart of the wilderness; Leave No Trace. Weather permitting, workshops are held outside in the grove, so keep in mind the following :

Locations:
Boulder Public Library Arapahoe Meeting Room; 1001 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder
Love Shovel Ranch 722 Caribou Road, Nederland (behind Lilac hedge)

What to bring:

Enthusiasm!
Pen(S!) & Paper
Bug Spray & Sunscreen
Water Bottle. We have fresh spring water to refill.
Personal Fuel (Snack food, Real food, whiskey, coffee, tobacco, etc.)
Toiletries as necessary given yr duration
Layered Clothing. Bikini one minute & rain parka the next. Nights are chilly.
Picnic/Pass-out Blanket
Additional ‘camping gear’ as necessary given yr duration. Folding Chair?
Toys, Costumes, & Curiosities
Condoms.
Poetry Schwag

What not to bring:

Narcotics are not allowed at the Ranch. No pills, powders, daily dabbers thanks.
The Ranch is mostly young-child friendly, but not during workshops or parties.
Due to wildlife and distraction, no untrained dogs are allowed. No second chances.
Bigots of any kind are immediately ejected. No second chances.
Violence, including verbal, against any living being is not tolerated.

The Ranch is 420 & booze friendly. Overuse at workshops is a distraction for everyone.
Please be polite and discrete when smoking around the Boulder Public Library.