Celebrating St. Patrick's Day through writing

ALBERTON – As St. Patrick’s Day approached, the community was invited to take part in a day of poetry and story readings to enjoy an art form, which has made many Irishmen famous.

The reading was on Sunday, March 16, at the Sidetrack Cafe in Alberton.

The restaurant’s tables had been moved together so everyone could sit in a round-table format. The group went around the room in no particular order and read their pieces. This was not a critique or workshop of the writing and any discussion was a chance for people to say what they thought of the piece.

People brought along all kinds of things to read including short stories, excerpts from novels, poems and pros. Some were written by the reader while others were a favorite piece from a book of poetry or an anthology.

“I don’t mind people reading the stuff from [author] Shel Silverstein,” Parris Young, the founder of the event, said. “But I really like it when people read their own stuff, even if it’s in the beginning and kind of clumsy, at least they’re getting it out.”

Brooke Barnett, one of the participants of the event, has been coming to the readings since 2008. Shortly after moving to Alberton, she wanted to start a writer’s group to get feedback on her own writing and was directed to Young. When she contacted him, he told her about the poetry reading, which was scheduled to happen in a couple weeks.

In the years since, Barnett has come to most of the readings. She said she tries to act as filler and read something of hers if nobody else will read.

“Depending on the year, sometimes I don’t get to read anything because we get a lot of people and a lot of readings.” Barnett said.

People of all ages came, both to participate and to hear the readings.

Young said this was an off year and there was not as much of a turnout as there has been in the past. People came and went throughout the event, but at its peak there were approximately 15 to 20 people there. The amount of traffic usually varies year to year and the change was not too surprising.

“I don’t know what it is,” Young said. “The tide of the sky, I guess.”

Young began holding the readings approximately 35 years ago. They are always right around St. Patrick’s Day and are usually the weekend before the holiday. Young chose the day because of how Ireland is famous for poets.

“I love the Irish,” Young said. “They’re one of the few white people who have been treated like indigenous people. They have a spirit that is hard to bring down.”

The event was described as similar to an open mike event where people could show off their talents, express themselves or just enjoy what other people did. Every year the event is different. In the past, people have brought instruments to play as well as stories or poems to read.

A small meal was provided during the event. Barnett made a bison stew to accompany the vegetable sticks and chips, which were also provided. In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, a bottle of Irish Cream was available, along with some wine. Barnett said the bison stew was a special treat for this year’s event.

The event has been held in a variety of places around the town. It has been in the Alberton Community Center as well as some of the bars. While the event is mostly promoted around Alberton, through flyers and Facebook, everyone is welcome to participate. Young said as long as someone loved writing or poetry and was willing to make the drive, they would be welcome at next year’s event.