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PODCAST

Poetic Pontification

The Daily Californian

Poetic Pontification tackles all things poetry in the Bay Area. From Berkeley-specific events to general poetic ponderings, host and producer Melina Kritikopoulos follows her curiosity around the Bay to bring poetry down from its pedestal and into the ears of listeners.

society & culture

All Episodes

14:54

On City Lights Booksellers

Poetic Pontification ·

2023/05/27

In the final episode of season 2, Melina talks with Evan Kennedy, the 22nd poet to be featured in City Lights Booksellers’ Spotlight Series. Listen for a deep dive into Evan’s work and the series as a whole. Evan’s book was released March 21 and can be found here.Music (in order of appearance):Jazz And Hop, kidcutAnima VagulWhen I Paint My Masterpiece, Bob DylanMy Own Version of You, Bob DylanCuriosity, All Good FolksLe Bracelet, Alain GoraguerGreat Fairy Fountain

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20:16

On the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering

Poetic Pontification ·

2023/05/01

Melina travels all the way from Pegasus Books on Shattuck Ave to Elko, Nevada for the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. This is part two of a two-part episode on cowboy poetry. Last episode talked about cowboy poetry’s history and today, listeners will catch a ride to Elko.Music (in order of appearance):Jazz And Hop, kidcutAy Ay Ay, Rich & Valerie O’BrienSaloon, Danijel ZamboThe Antics, West Valley ShakersOda Por Las LlanurasSouthern Lord, Danijel ZamboNo Wonder, West Valley ShakersWhiskey

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12:36

On cowboy poetry

Poetic Pontification ·

2023/04/15

Melina travels all the way from Pegasus Books on Shattuck Ave to Elko, Nevada for the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. This is part one of a two-part episode on cowboy poetry. Today’s episode defines cowboy poetry and talks about its history. Next episode will take listeners on the road and over to Elko. Sound credit: “The Barn Cats,” Vess QuinlanMusic (in order of appearance):Jazz And Hop, kidcutEl Gato, Sky ToesOriginal songs by Kyle KellerHome on the Range, Vernon DalhartNevada, Danijel

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14:51

On the Bubble Lady of Telegraph Avenue

Poetic Pontification ·

2023/02/04

Lesser-known Berkeley street poet Julia Vinograd fought violence with bubbles and words. In this episode, Melina chats with Ken Paul Rosenthal, a filmmaker whose upcoming project documents the life and time of Julia. If you’d like to learn more about the film, you can visit betweenspiritandstonethefilm.com. Sound credit (in order of appearance):Bloody ThursdayBloody Thursday speechesCrackdown, Julia VinogradBubblesFootstepsCoffee shop"The Calling of Jerusalem" Recording, c. Ken Paul Rosenthal, All

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12:46

On the Black Poets’ Imagination

Poetic Pontification ·

2023/01/06

For many poets, community is key to creation. In this episode, Melina talks to two poets who performed at BAMPFA’s Black Poets’ Imagination reading event, chatting about poetry in community and as a form of storytelling. Music (in order of appearance):No Mystery, Cutesy Chamber EnsembleJazz And Hop, kidcutGodspeed, Frank OceanBoiling Point, LethalNeedle

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9:40

On musical poets

Poetic Pontification ·

2022/11/28

Music and poetry have a special relationship. In this episode, Melina dives into that connection, talking to two Bay Area poets who use music in near-opposite ways to enhance their poetic work.Audio credit:Langston Hughes and Charles Mingus - Same In Blues/Comment On Curb (by Maddy Tube on Youtube)Manhattan Thirties Flash (from Youtube, Allen Ginsberg's The Fall of America: A 50th Anniversary Musical Tribute)Not A Poem (from Youtube, Damani Rhodes’ Not A Poem)Supporting poetry courtesy of Tony

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12:16

On Lunch Poems

Poetic Pontification ·

2022/10/22

In this episode, Melina takes listeners on a journey through the history of UCB’s Lunch Poems, a monthly poetry-reading event on the UCB campus that began in 1994. With past speakers like Giovanni Singleton and Lawrence Ferlinghetti paving the way for upcoming poets today, the resumption of in-person programming at Morrison library this year has kept the strong poetic tradition alive.Audio credit:UC Berkeley Event’s Youtube Channel (Lunch Poems- A Noontime Poetry Reading Series playlist)Frank O´Hara

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13:37

On Poets’ Corner

Poetic Pontification ·

2022/08/27

Welcome to season 2 of Poetic Pontification! To kick off the new season, host Melina Kritikopoulos takes listeners on a tour of Poets’ Corner, a neighborhood in Central Berkeley made of streets named after poets.Audio credit: Amantium Irae reading- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zNH7Qs8kTYMusic (in order of appearance):Jazz And Hop, kidcutB Lee, WalzMiles Away, WalzCapitoline, Floor ModelSwing It, All Good FolksIn the Midnight Hour, Wilson Pickett2:32AM, Wisanga

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11:45

On the “Bay Area Poetry Renaissance”

Poetic Pontification ·

2022/06/23

Listen to come along on Melina’s experience of the annual Berkeley Book Festival, talking with 6 poets from in and around the Bay. With poems about lost histories and alcoholism and why poetry will save the world, there’s a bit of everything in this week’s episode.

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12:56

On word counts

Poetic Pontification ·

2022/05/12

In this episode, Melina sits down with yet another poet who displays their work on a fence. This time, Gary Turchin, a poet and writer for over 40 years, talks about the fence around his house as a place for self-publication, his work in elementary schools reciting poetry for kids, and his thoughts on pictures in the poetic space.

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16:01

On poetic community

Poetic Pontification ·

2022/05/06

Berkeley has been home to many poets in the past, and today is no different. This week, Melina sits down with Taylor Stoneman, a poet from Arizona, who found Berkeley to be the perfect place for her poetry to flourish.

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11:02

On spontaneous poetry

Poetic Pontification ·

2022/04/28

Ever see a tag on the street and take a second look? What about a poem? For poet Leslie Reed, a hidden fence in North Berkeley is her place of creation. In this episode, Melina takes a walk with Leslie to explore her fence poems out in the wild.

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19:32

On coastal differences and historical legacies

Poetic Pontification ·

2022/04/21

In this episode, Melina sits down with Arisa White, a poet and educator from the east coast, to talk about her connection to the Bay Area. What’s the difference between the poetry scene on each side of the country, and how does it shape a poet’s journey?

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25:12

On selfishness

Poetic Pontification ·

2022/03/31

In this episode, Melina sits down with 4 members of UC Berkeley’s Live Poets Society to talk all things poetry. They discuss topics from style and form to feelings and selfishness, and why poetry may be “the most selfish form of art.”

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14 results

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