Month: September 2026

Whether you’re a seasoned performer or a first-time reader, we encourage you to join us for an evening of creative expression and community spirit. Let’s hike together—one poem at a time! We look forward to seeing you there!

The Stroll of Poets board of directors hope that you are having a terrific summer. Since the Haven Reading Series 2026/2027 season will be commencing in a couple of weeks at the Upper Crust Cafe with an all open mic engagement once again on September 21st (scroll for details), we’re ready to get after it and hope that you will be there and/or also join us for our Haven Reading Series this season.

The readings will continue on a biweekly schedule with an additional few dates at Audrey’s Bookstore in November, January, February, and May. One of four 10-minute featured reader spots will be available at each of these Haven Reading events for all Stroll members who have paid for their yearly membership, whether or not you contribute a poem to the yearly anthology (one reading spot per person per year only please).

Also, please remember that each session will require additional volunteers to mic host and to assist as a door host so we ask that you sign up for one of these spots as well if you can. Once you have signed up, confirmation and reminder notices will be sent to you via e-mail.

Sign Up Here.

The 2026-2027 Haven Reading Series begins on September 21! This year, in response to feedback from members, there will be a new arrangement of the room at Upper Crust, in collaboration with the venue. The two major changes will include:

1. Meals ordered from the menu will no longer be served in the Reading Room.

Please continue to enjoy the delicious fare at the Upper Crust – they have been incredible supporters of the Stroll for many years! However, going forward, you will be asked to enjoy your meal in the main area of the restaurant instead. This will make it easier for the Upper Crust servers to serve you, and will allow us to set up the room without disrupting your meal. If you do arrive early to eat and would like to save a seat in the room prior to the reading, you are welcome to do so with a coat (or a poem!) placed on a chair (once the room is set up).

2. There will be a new room arrangement.

We will be moving the microphone and reader area to the back (south) wall of the room, in front of the sideboard. Most tables will be pushed to the side and/or removed to prioritize row seating. Refreshments will be served in the booth at the entrance and the admissions table will move to the north wall.

We welcome any volunteers who can arrive early to assist with set-up beginning at 6:30 p.m.

We believe these changes will increase accessibility, audience comfort, and reduce disruptions to the reading. After our trial period, we will be collecting feedback on the changes in December/January and making adjustments as needed.

– The Stroll of Poets Board