BAFS 6th Annual Summer Poetry Camp
July 5th-15th 2019 CE
Outlaw Poetics / Literary Activism
The history of American poetics is founded upon its Outlaws, from Whitman to Stein to Micheline, including the likes of the Imagistes, Harlem Renaissance, Post-Moderns (Black Mountain/SF Renaissance/Beat), and Slam. These out-law, or out-canon, poetic movements leave us now in the 21st Century with perhaps too many options. The recent development of the New Formalism in poetry may be indicative of wider American thought, and while instructive it is obviously counter-evolutionary. A retreat to formula in both academia and slam leaves us wondering just where is the new ‘Edge City’, as Kesey put it. Writing in the midst of the Sixth Global Extinction we must ask what level of outlawin’ is called for to derail our exponentially increasing climate disaster…
In the light of blatantly partisan media and GovCorp spin, it may be time for poets to rethink their job descriptions. Because there is no perceived economic value in poetry, we are free to follow a primary BAFS precept of “Speak the Truth.” Perhaps alone of all the known human professions, there is no reason for a poet to lie. So perhaps our job as outlaws, as poets, is to ‘steal’ back the Truth from the Spin. However, little good does it do if the Truth is contained on a page no-one reads, so a part of our new job description must be public dissemination. In person. Out Loud.
The 6th Annual BAFS Summer Poetry Camp will feature the one-day Outlaw Poetics Conference, backed up by ten days of workshops surrounding this core topic at the Boulder Public Library and Love Shovel Ranch in Nederland. Numerous other events such as teacher & student feature readings, performance opportunities with Drunken Self Defense, Black Market Translation, and the notorious Drunken Haiku Competition will fill out a week and a half of mad creativity.
2019 Camp Instructors
Dionne Barry, Reed Bye, Matt Clifford, Madison Coia, Troy Conrey, Dani Ferrara, Eric Fischman, Caito Foster, Roseanna Frechette, Marcus If, Shayna Lynn, Brice Maiurro, Michael Malpiedi, Caitlan Mitchell, Thomas R. Peters Jr., Sarah Rodriguez, Ellie Swensson, Jessie Thayer, Seth Walker, Eliza Beth Whittington, TBA
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 700 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:
Our Community, Our Patrons
We couldn’t do what we do without the support of our community. From grants and donations to fiscal and residence sponsors, all of our community supporters large and small are listed below. Without their help, we could not offer the level of 100% Free quality peer-to-peer education and public literary events that our BAFS standards demand. Honor the Patrons!
2019 Schedule: Tentative
Google Calendar — TBA
Lead-up: |
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Sunday,_June | 9th | |||||||||
7pm | BPL | Second Sunday Workshop —Marcus If | ||||||||
Monday,_June | 17th | |||||||||
8pm | Chpl | So, You’re A Poet Open Reading — Hosted by Tom Peters, Wesley Chapel, Boulder | ||||||||
11:59pm | Aley | Strawberry Full Moon Alley Reading | ||||||||
Friday,_June | 21st | |||||||||
LSR | Summer Solstice Revelry at LSR | |||||||||
Sunday,_June | 23rd | |||||||||
7pm | Merc | Jam B4 the Slam BAFS Edition — Hosted by Roseanna Frechette, Mercury Café, Denver | ||||||||
Sunday, June | 30th | |||||||||
6:30pm | Cort | June 30th, June 30th Brautigan Reading —Hosted by Rob Geisen, Pearl St. Courthouse Lawn, Boulder | ||||||||
Thursday,_July | 4th | |||||||||
11am | LSR | American Independence Day | ||||||||
BAFS Summer Poetry Camp: |
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Friday, July | 5th | |||||||||
2pm | TBA | TBA | ||||||||
8pm | LSR | Burn Yr Poem Opening Ceremony — Hosted by Thomas Ivory Jr. | ||||||||
Saturday, July | 6th | |||||||||
10am-1pm | BPL | Intro to BAFS —Sarah Rodriguez at Boulder Public Library, Boulder Creek Meeting Room | ||||||||
2-6pm | LSR | Outlaw Poetics / Literary Activism Conference | ||||||||
8pm | LSR | Drunken Haiku Competition — Hosted by Marcus If | ||||||||
Sunday, July | 7th | |||||||||
11-1pm | LSR | Intro to TAZ / Immediatism — Marcus If | ||||||||
2-5pm | LSR | How F*cketh Shall We Then? —Shayna Lynn | ||||||||
7pm | Merc | Jam B4 the Slam — Hosted by Roseanna Frechette, Mercury Café, Denver | ||||||||
Monday, July | 8th | |||||||||
10-1pm | LSR | Ladies’ Sewing Circle and Terrorist Society — LSR Crew | ||||||||
2-5pm | LSR | Revolution of Intimacies — Ellie Swensson & Michael Malpiedi | ||||||||
8:45pm | Chpl | Ten Word Prompts —Tom Peters, Wesley Chapel, Boulder | ||||||||
9pm | Chpl | BAFS Teacher Feature & Open — Hosted by Tom Peters, Wesley Chapel, Boulder | ||||||||
Tuesday, July | 9th | |||||||||
10-1pm | LSR | TBA | ||||||||
2-5pm | LSR | Reality Transgressions —Eric Fischman & Jessie Thayer | ||||||||
7pm | Inis | Inisfree Open Mic — Innisfree Café, Boulder | ||||||||
7pm | Mtny | Punketry — Mutiny Info Café, Denver | ||||||||
Wednesday,_July | 10th | |||||||||
10am-1pm | LSR | Bardic Paradigm Framing — Seth Walker | ||||||||
2-5pm | LSR | **Rescheduled** | ||||||||
7pm | LSR | Big Pasta Dinner / Open Reading — Hosted by LSR Crew | ||||||||
Thursday, July | 11th | |||||||||
10-1pm | LSR | Prophecies from the Void —Dani Ferrara | ||||||||
2-5pm | LSR | That’s the Feel – Dharma Poetics —Reed Bye | ||||||||
7pm | LSR | Nature in the Sacred Self —Dionne Barry | ||||||||
Friday, July | 12th | |||||||||
10am-1pm | LSR | Ladies’ Sewing Circle and Terrorist Society — LSR Crew | ||||||||
2-5pm | LSR | Poetry of Earth is Never Dead —Caitlan Mitchell | ||||||||
7pm | LSR | Self Defense for Poets —Capt. Troy Conrey USMC Ret. | ||||||||
8pm | LSR | Self Defense While Drunk —Capt. Troy Conrey USMC Ret. | ||||||||
Saturday, July | 13th | |||||||||
10am-1pm | LSR | Smoking Prana —Roseanna Freschette | ||||||||
2-5pm | LSR | Improvisation, Memorization and Recitation —Eliza Beth Whittington | ||||||||
8pm | LSR | Black Market Translation show — Hosted by BMT & LSR Crew | ||||||||
Sunday, July | 14th | |||||||||
10am-1pm | LSR | Fucks, Giveaway — Matt Clifford | ||||||||
2-6pm | BPL | “Second Sundays” Ecopoetic Activism Pt III w/ Marcus If at Boulder Public Library, Outside Amphitheater | ||||||||
7pm | Merc | Jam B4 the Slam Open — Hosted by Roseanna Freschette, Mercury Café, Denver | ||||||||
Monday, July | 15th | |||||||||
10-1pm | LSR | Poetic Deviance & Digital Theft — Madison Coia | ||||||||
2-5pm | LSR | Renegade Publishing — Caito Foster | ||||||||
8:45pm | Chpl | Ten Word Prompts —Tom Peters, Wesley Chapel, Boulder | ||||||||
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 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 and bottle caps), 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 Boulder Creek Meeting Room, Outside Amphitheater; 1001 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder
Love Shovel Ranch 722 Caribou Road, Nederland (behind Lilac hedge)
Both Boulder Canyon (Hwy 119) and Coal Creek Canyon (Hwy 72) have multiple construction areas. Boulder Canyon is closed entirely M-Th 9:45-2pm. It takes 45-60 minutes to traverse just Boulder canyon when it is open, there are at least 3 long stoplights in the canyon. Additionally, it is randomly closed due to rockslides from construction (at least twice in the last month). This means everyone must plan for long travel times to get to workshops on time. We have a pretty tight schedule, so this will be important.
Weather is looking like last year – likely overcast 50% of the time, temps 65-70 degrees, probable drizzle-rain. However, keep in mind the weather Will change During the workshops, anywhere from 40-95 degrees are possible and even probable. Layered clothing is crucial to your comfort. Love Shovel Ranch is in the High Wilderness, be prepared.
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
- Snacks
- 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.
Styrofoam / non recyclable packaging.
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.
Wish List!
- BAFSkool Laptop – Urgent!
- Audio/Video Recording Equipment – (wireless/)microphone!
- Snacks
- Coffee & Ciggies
- Whiskey & Weed
- Toilet Paper & Dish Soap
- White Sugar for Hummingbirds
- Food to share
- Olive Oil & Honey
Tax free donations to Beyond Academia LLC are humbly appreciated!