The Playshop is Shortlisted in this week's City Paper!

City Paper Short List for Dec 31-Jan 7

Wed., Jan. 6 -- Poetry

Who says poetry has to be work? Today's Pittsburgh Poets Playshop, hosted by local poet Crystal Hoffman, is all about the fun side of verse; instead of poring over scansion, activities at this all-ages playshop include found poetry (created by isolating and/or arranging phrases already published by someone else) and collaborative writing games. Think less Rubaiyat, more Dada. It's the first in a monthly series at the Carnegie Library Main Branch, and goes down at noon -- making it perfectly timed for those to whom a little experimental poetry for lunch sounds filling. AM Noon. 4400 Forbes Ave., Oakland. Free. 412-622-3151 or newandfeatured@carnegielibrary.org

CLP's Event Page for January 6th Playshop

Click Here for the Carnegie Library's Event Posting

First Playshop January 6th @ Noon

Pittsburgh Poets Playshop

You’ve heard of a writer’s workshop, but this is a playshop! Join local poets and writers in collaborative compositions, surrealist writing games, found poetry exercises, and much more. Come learn, compose, and have fun with writing.
We will meet every 1st Wednesday of the month, starting January 6, 2010.

1st Wednesday of the month
12 noon
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh - Main (Oakland)
4400 Forbes Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

For more information:
newandfeatured@carnegielibrary.org

Some Games We've Played

Follow the links to find out more about each game. We'll add more soon! Note that the rules to the games are occasionally adjusted for play with larger groups or to increase approachability.

Exquisite Corpse

Opposites

Time Traveler's Potlatch

Surrealism and Writing Games

Writing games and procedures played a major role in the Surrealist movement of the early twentieth century. Not only did the Surrealists believe that through these games they could unlock the door to their subconsciousness (thereby freeing themselves from the bonds of logic and discursive order), but also that the collaborative nature of the games would allow them to tap into a collective store of artistic and poetic energies.

It is not necessary to approach these games with the same high-minded ideals of the Surrealists (though you are certainly welcome and encouraged to do so). This group exists to practice these writing games as a way to write without the stress of production and expectation. It is also a way to meet other writers and enjoy the process of artistic collaboration.