This went out today:

Dear Cascadia Poetry Festival Participant,

I am sending out an email to participants, volunteers, patrons and organizers.

The SPLAB Board voted unanimously last night to POSTPONE the 2020 fest until 2021. The COVID-19 virus is the main factor. My own personal health is another. I was diagnosed with intermediate prostate cancer a month ago and am planning treatment once the insurance signs off on the method I have chosen. I expect a full recovery, but I am told I may not have the same energy and so the two events have forced us to take this drastic step.

Can you make it on April 30-May 2, 2021? We need to get your confirmation. We plan to have as much of the programming NEXT YEAR as we planned for 2020, so please let me know. I have some confirmations via phone, so some elements will be in place, just delayed one year. Registration for 2021 IS OPEN: Buy tickets for Cascadia Poetry Festival – San Juan Island – 2021

We will also need help in getting out the word to ensure sales of 50 Gold Passes for 2021. I will let current Gold Pass Holders know we can set them up for 2021, or give them a refund.

In the meantime, SPLAB will be working on the re-boot of PoPo, the August Poetry Postcard Festival. The new site will be here: https://cascadiapoeticslab.org/ feel free to send this to your lists.

I also hope to see you APRIL 11, 2020 at the launch of my expanded edition of A Time Before Slaughter/Pig War: & Other Songs of Cascadia. See: http://www.openpoetrybooks.com/event/book-launch-a-time-before-slaughter-10th-anniversary-edition-by-paul-nelson/

Thanks for being a part of this work.

Sincerely,

Paul E Nelson

4 Comments

Martha Kaplan on March 8, 2020 at 6:48 pm

Dear Paul,
Just one more wish for the best possible on your prostate cancer choices and outcomes, among what I sure is a deluge of good wishes. You bring so much to po world; world world. Besides, a return trip to Door Co. is a must.

With care and respect––
Splabman on March 8, 2020 at 9:33 pm

Bless you Martha. I have been awarded a residency at Write ON Door County Oct 19-25, 2020. I hope to see you.

Huge thanks for your kind words,

Paul
Mark d. Johnson on March 30, 2020 at 10:27 am

Dear Paul , I am wishing you a whole heap of healing for your medical treatments.
best wishes that you bounce back fit as a fiddle. Blessings
Splabman on March 30, 2020 at 11:44 am

Thanks Mark!

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2020 Fest Postponed ‘Til 2021