The next event in the First City Poetry Reads series will be held December 13 at 7 p.m. at Anytime Fitness in Bemidji. The theme will be “Our Physical Selves,” featuring poet Erin Lynn Marsh who will address the personal and cultural aspects of physical disability.

Marsh is a Bemidji area poet and teacher who received her MFA in Creative Writing from Lesley University of Boston. Her poetry has been featured in various publications and she is currently completing a poetry collection.

In addition to Marsh’s reading, the program will also feature demonstrations and discussions on the themes of fitness, strength, bodybuilding, weightlifting and rehabilitation. Toni Bratager, who recently won a bodybuilding competition in Duluth, will discuss and demonstrate her training methods. Bratager has a degree in dietetics and is an RN at Sanford Hospital in Bemidji. Other personal trainers and competitors will be on hand to answer questions and discuss their experiences.

An open mic session will take place at the event. Area poets are encouraged to share their work surrounding the theme of “Our Physical Selves.” Anyone interested in pre-registering to read can contact Marsh Muirhead at 218-556-6313 or mgmuirhead@midco.net. Poets are asked to keep their reading to 3 minutes and provide family-friendly content.

The First City Poetry Reads series, sponsored by the Spoken Word Committee of Watermark Art Center, is designed to bring poetry to new venues and listeners in and around the First City on the Mississippi. The concept aims to add unique sources of energy, interest and creativity to the spoken word. Future readings will be held at Sanford Hospital, Wollman Coffee, Lake Bemidji State Park and more. For more details, visit our First City Poetry Reads page.