Cultural caffeine? Poet’s Café stirs it up on Oct. 15

PCAT hosts free event with Nora Grimm, Gary Whitehead, and an open mic

TENAFLY—Poets have long used Greek mythology as a source of inspiration. Writers and poetry enthusiasts are invited to gather for an evening inspired by Greek mythology. Join PCAT on Oct. 15 to read and discuss poetry that provides refreshing perspectives on some of the classical stories and characters we’ve come to know — Is there more to Medusa than her looks? Did Icarus regret his man-made wings? 

After the discussion, there’s time for dedicated writing, followed by an open mic to perform your written work (new or old!) or the work of another poet who inspires you. All poetry lovers, writers and mythology enthusiasts are welcome.

Grimm grew up in Tenafly, where her love of poetry began. She earned her bachelor’s degree in creative writing from Trinity College and spent the rest of the year after graduation touring writers workshops in Washington, California, and Texas. She then moved to Scotland to pursue a Master of Letters at the University of St. Andrews, where she studied under John Burnside and Paul Muldoon. 

She now works at an AV production company in New York City and with her husband lives in Englewood with their scruffy dog, Olive.

Gary J. Whitehead is the author of four books of poetry and his work has appeared in journals, magazines and newspapers, most notably in The New Yorker and Poetry. His awards include a New York Foundation for the Arts individual artist fellowship in poetry, a Pearl Hogrefe Fellowship at Iowa State University, the Anne Hally Prize from the Massachusetts Review and a Princeton University Distinguished Secondary School Teaching Award in 2023.

In 2023 he was named Bergen County Teacher of the Year and has held numerous artist residencies. He teaches English and creative writing at Tenafly High School.

The event is open to anyone who would like to contribute or listen to the contributions of others at the open mic. Admission is free as part of the Presbyterian Church at Tenafly’s cultural outreach program