Singer-songwriter poet to perform

Singer-songwriter poet Beth Wood is no stranger to Sisters. The Texas-born, Portland-based troubadour has been hosting the Sunday Community Celebration at the Sisters Folk Festival for the last eight years. On Friday, August 9, Beth will read poems from her two poetry books, “Ladder to the Light,” and “Kazoo Symphonies” at Paulina Springs Books. Then on Saturday, August 10 from 5 to 7 p.m., Wood will play songs from her 11 albums in the Eurosports Food Cart Garden.

Both events are free and open to all.

The response to Wood’s second book of poetry, Ladder to the Light, has been overwhelming. Inspired by an image from a Jane Hirshfield poem, “Mule Heart,” in which grief and joy are carried in “two waiting baskets,” Wood seeks to find balance again and regain footing after heartbreaking loss. Ladder to the Light chronicles her journey from grief to gratitude to believing in love again — poetry as a ladder toward the light. Ladder to the Light is the winner of the 2019 Oregon Book Awards Readers’ Choice Award and was chosen as a finalist for the 2019 Oregon Book Awards – Stafford/Hall prize for poetry.

Wood’s exceptional musicianship, crafty songwriting, powerhouse voice, and commanding stage presence have been winning over American audiences for over twenty years. Beth’s performances and songs have won accolades from the Kerrville New Folk, Rocky Mountain Folks Festival, Sisters Folk Festival Dave Carter Memorial Songwriting Contest, and Telluride Troubadour Contest. Beth has released 11 independent albums and two books of poetry and has a forthcoming duo album with Ara Lee James under the name of Stand and Sway, which will play at this year’s Sisters Folk Festival.

The poetry reading is set for Friday, August 9, at 6:30 p.m. at Paulina Springs Books, 252 W. Hood Ave. The Eurosports Food Cart Garden is located at 223 E. Hood Ave. All ages are welcome — bring chairs.

For more information about Beth Wood, visit http://www.bethwoodmusic.com.