Book Notes: Slam poet Chris Cook will read at Auntie’s

Chris Cook, Spokane’s top ranked slam poet and a trumpeter with the Spokane Symphony, will make a return trip to Auntie’s Book Store this month to read from his collection of poems, “The View From the Broken Mic.”

Cook will give a Valentine’s Day-themed reading at 2 p.m. Saturday at Auntie’s, 402 W. Main Ave. He promises “many unusual, comical and sometimes twisted animal love poems” he’s become known for. His first reading, in November, drew a large crowd, he said.

As for the “top-ranked slam poet” thing, he’s won both the Spokane Poetry Slam and the All-Star Poetry Slam at last fall’s Terrain. He will represent Spokane at the National Poetry Slam this August in Boston.

Young poetry lovers

At 7 p.m. Thursday, some well-spoken young people from area high schools will take the stage for the regional Poetry Out Loud competition at the Bing Crosby Theater, 901 W. Sprague Ave.

In Poetry Out Loud, students must recite poems from memory, and they’re judged on their skills of performance and recitation.  Last year’s regional winner, Mead High School’s Langston Ward, went on to win the statewide contest and was a finalist at the national level. Poetry Out Loud organizers say Ward won this year’s qualifier at Mead, and will be back Thursday to defend his regional title.

Poetry Out Loud is sponsored locally by Get Lit! Thursday’s regional contest is free and the public is invited to attend.

In Idaho, Moscow High School has claimed the state champion three years running, as Haley Henderson won in 2010 and 2011 and Emily Musette Hays was the champ in 2012. The North Idaho region final will be Feb. 15 in Moscow.

For details, visit  poetryoutloud.org.