Village Poets of Sunland-Tujunga invites poets and friends of poetry to the first of this year’s monthly readings held in-person on Sunday, Jan. 29 at 4:30 p.m. at the Bolton Hall Museum, 10110 Commerce Ave. in Tujunga. We will start the year on a high note, presenting two eminent poets: Sharmagne Leland-St. John and William Scott Galasso. 

This will be the last monthly readings with featured poets selected by Dr. Maja Trochimczyk, who has served as artistic director of Village Poets for 12 years. After she steps down, Alice Pero, current poet laureate of Sunland-Tujunga, will take over the role of making selections of poets for the VP monthly readings. 

Two segments of open mic will be available and refreshments will be served. Suggested donation is $5 per person for the cost of refreshments and to donate to the Little Landers Society that manages the Bolton Hall Museum, a Los Angeles Historical Landmark built in 1913. The readings in 2023 will take place on the following Sundays: March 26, April 30, June 25, Aug. 27 and Oct. 22.

Sharmagne Leland-St. John, a 22-time Pushcart Prize nominee, is a Native American author, poet, concert performer, lyricist, artist and filmmaker. She is the editor-in-chief of the 21-year-old literary and cultural arts journal Quill and Parchment.com. She is the founder of fogdog poetry in Arlington, Washington, and Quill and Parchment Poetry at The Vauclause Lounge in West Hollywood. Leland-St. John tours the United States, Canada and Europe as a performance poet.

She is widely anthologised and her poetry and short stories appear as well in many online literary journals, radio and television. She has published seven books of poetry. Leland-St. John is editor of “Cradle Songs: An Anthology of Poems on Motherhood,” winner of the 2013 International Book Award Honouring Excellence in Mainstream and Independent Publishing as well as one of four finalists for the NIEA (National Independent Excellence Award). 

William Scott Galasso is the author of 17 books of poetry. He serves as an editor for the California Quarterly. He will present the newest book, “Saffron Skies,” published in 2022.

Upcoming Village Poets Event: On Sunday, March 26 featured poets are Toti O’Brien and Linda Dove.