26 LETTRES HOSTS OPEN MIC NIGHT FOR PONTIAC POETS
Published in the Pontiac Journal on May 7, 2025.
On April 23, Hursty’s Bar and Grill in Shawville welcomed poetry enthusiasts for the second annual “Poetry in the Pontiac” event hosted by the local writers group, 26 Lettres. This event, held in honour of National Poetry Month, brought together writers from the community and beyond to celebrate the written word.
26 Lettres is a Shawville-based group dedicated to nurturing writers of all styles and skill levels. The group meets regularly to share their work and provide mentorship to budding writers, aiming to build confidence and encourage them to submit their creations for publication. Writers can connect with 26 Lettres on Facebook to join their supportive community.
The evening featured an open mic for poets to share their work, starting with readings by 26 Lettres members Jennifer Mulligan, Tom McCann, and Earleen Devine. Guest poet Pearl Pirie then took the stage, captivating the audience with selections from her published works.
Pirie, an award-winning Québec poet based in Wakefield, is the founder of Phafours Press, which has published over 40 titles featuring contributions from 85 poets. Through her Studio Nouveau initiative, Pirie offers online workshops and hosts pop-up readings. Her latest collection, We Astronauts, is set to launch in June with Pinhole Press—a compilation of love poems reflecting her everyday passion for poetry.
The event proved to be a memorable celebration of creativity, fostering connections and showcasing the vibrant literary talent within the Pontiac community. – Dale Shutt
Photo – Pearl Pirie reads some of her works at the “Poetry in the Pontiac” event, April 23, in Shawville. (DS)
