Poetry at the Pagan Reading and Open Mic

Poetry at the Pagan Reading and Open Mic

By Sandra Proto

This summer marks three years that I have co-hosted Poetry at the Pagan, a poetry reading and open mic at Valley Stream’s Pagan-Fletcher Restoration. Poetry at the Pagan is sponsored by the Valley Stream Historical Society, an organization that operates the Pagan-Fletcher Restoration. Joseph Coen, a fellow poet, asked me in 2023 if I was interested in joining him in hosting poetry events in the summer.  We met at a neighborhood coffee shop to map and plan it.  We discussed having a poetry event once a month in June, July, and August. Our initial format was to have three to four featured poets. and no open mic.  We wanted to test the water and see how it would go.  The water was very inviting, and we had our first successful summer poetry readings.  We held them outdoors in the garden (except our July event, which was held indoors because of inclement weather). The poets featured were Christina Rau, JR Turek, the purple poet, Jack Zaffos, Dd. Spungin, Maggie Dinzler Shaw, Marsha M. Nelson, Anne Coen, Aether Atomsk, Christine A. Barbour, and Paula Curci, Nassau County Poet Laureate Emerita 2022-2024.

The Valley Stream Historical Society was pleased with the results of the poetry readings and wanted us to continue to host the summer readings.  For the 2024 readings, we decided to change it up a bit and instead of three to four features, we decided to have two features plus an open mic. With this change, we had a nice turnout, and we were able to hear other creative voices.

Front: Dd. Spungin, Jack Zaffos, Sandra Proto Back: Aether Atomsk, Anne Coen

As we embark on 2025, we have kept the format of two features and an open mic. Our June 29^th event showcased the talent of Quiana “Q. Imagine” Marks and Jennifer Gibaldi. Please join us for our July 27^th event when we welcome Margarette Wahl and Monica Wendel.

Poetry at the Pagan

Featured Readers Margarette Wahl and Monica Wendel

Open Mic

Sunday, July 27, 2025

5 pm-6:30 pm

Pagan-Fletcher Restoration

143 Hendrickson Avenue

Valley Stream, NY 11580