The life and work of American poet James Wright will be celebrated in a three-day event, "Into Blossom," from March 21 to 23 at Villa Montalvo. The event is produced by the San Jose Center for Poetry and Literature and Villa Montalvo. Participants from around the country include Wright's lifelong friends and fellow poets Robert Bly, Galway Kinnell and Carolyn Kizer, as well as his wife, Ann Wright.
Among the highlights of the program will be the world premiere of a song recital of Wright's poems, with music composed by pianist David Alpher and vocals by San José Opera baritone Nmon Ford-Livene.
According to poetry center director Lequita Vance-Watkins, "James Wright is one of our national treasures. His voice is no less resonant today . . . than when he was here."
Wright, who died in 1980, won the Pulitzer Prize for his collected poems.
"Into Blossom: A Celebration of James Wright" is being supported by the Academy of American Poets, the Compton Foundation, the Office of Cultural Affairs, the City of San Jose, PEN Center, USA West, the Poetry Society of America, the Santa Clara Arts Council and Southern Poetry Review.
The weekend includes a Friday night buffet reception and poetry readings; a Saturday symposium, with translations, letters, poetry readings, buffet lunch and dinner; a Saturday evening poetry reading and song recital of Wright poems; a bring-your- own-picnic brunch on Sunday; and the planting of a memorial tree. The Sunday program is open to the public. Tickets are $120 for all events or $25 for Saturday night only. Call 292-3252.
This article appeared in the Saratoga News, March 19, 1997.
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