Starry Walker brings the sort of forthright, unaffected honesty to her poetry readings that pulls the listener into the work. In her poem “The Art of Riding The Bus in Five Steps,” when she says to “buy an extra ticket so your pride can sit next to you,” you may subconsciously reach for your wallet.
Walker, of Greenville, South Carolina, will read at St. John’s Bajo el Sol Gallery and co-facilitate a poetry-writing workshop on Sunday at 5 p.m. The floor opens for a spoken-word poetry jam and jazz session at 7 p.m. featuring “From Broheem With Love” and specialty cocktails concocted by the Bajo el Sol staff.
The Rhyme and Lime evening is hosted by the Gri Gri Project, which seeks to create interpretive exhibitions, critical writing, events and archives related to the cultural patrimony of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
In the poetry workshop, Walker will ask participants to explore the meaning and importance of grief work, depictions of grief in poetry, and will create a space for participants to explore their own grief through verse.
Walker, who graduated from Berea College in 2018, has had her work featured in notable venues such as Apache Cafe in Atlanta and Busboys and Poets in Virginia. Walker is one of many longtime supporters of Rhyme and Lime, whose work features in the upcoming Rhyme and Lime Poetry Anthology set to release in December. Prospective participants can sign up for the workshop by contacting ravenphillipslove@gmail.com.
On Friday, Nov. 29, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Mongoose Junction kicks off the holiday season with live music, festive food and libations, and its signature shopping. This yearly St. John holiday tradition is hosted by the Mongoose Junction Merchants Association. It also marks the beginning of Coquito season at Bajo el Sol Gallery, which will feature new artwork by select artists.
