Woodland Pattern’s Marathon is a life-affirming celebration of voices from every corner of our community. As the baton passes from poet to poet, hour after hour, you will hear from children and seniors and people of every age group in between; from writers of varied heritages, backgrounds, and experiences; from Milwaukeeans, Wisconsinites, and from people across the country and globe; from poets writing in diverse languages (including invented ones); and from poets at every stage of their practice—from those sharing their work for the first time and from those who have spent a lifetime doing so. More than any singular performance, it is this range of voices and the equal attention each one receives that most deeply inspires us, year after year.
In addition to poetry addressing every subject imaginable, be prepared to also enjoy live music, screenings of moving-image works, and some special surprises. Performances will take place in the Arc Theater at Saint Kate and will also be livestreamed via Crowdcast. Lunch and dinner, catered by Saint Kate, will be provided for day- and weekend-pass holders, and for all participants. Discounted hotel rooms at Saint Kate for Marathon-goers are also available through our website.
In addition to being an extraordinary event and beloved tradition, the Poetry Marathon serves as a community-driven fundraiser. Participating poets attempt to raise $50. Those contributions are then matched by a sponsor for the hour and supplemented by major sponsorships. All funds raised are then reinvested right back into our community through hundreds of free programs that support creativity at every stage of human life.
We hope you will join us for Woodland Pattern’s biggest event of the year and for what promises to be an electrifying weekend of live poetry and performance! Tickets may be purchased in advance or at the door.
For more information, to sponsor poets, or to stream our live broadcast, please visit our website.
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Presented by WISCONSIN’S OWN LIBRARY—a unique collection of Wisconsin authors and illustrators owned by The General Federation of Women’s Clubs–Wisconsin, with funding provided by the Gwendolyn M. Schultz Charitable Trust; and by DEWITT LLP with MATTHEW HILLS & ANGELA VORAS-HILLS.
Saturday’s performances are sponsored at the Sonnet-level by THE ASPHODEL NEWS and on Sunday by EASTERN BOHEMIAN BREWERY.