Daily Inspiration: Meet Christine Hall

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christine Hall.

Hi Christine, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
In 2012, I surveyed my scattered scraps of poetry and decided to type them all into one document. The pricey quote for a single copy at the print shop led me to the more affordable option of self-publishing. Armed with a body of words and penchant for performing, I hit the open mics. My mom urged me to commit to one thing for a year, and the live poetry circuit fit my interests. Poetry in the Brew, a monthly reading in the loft at Portland Brew East, had been going for a couple of years before I heard of it. From the fantastic art on the walls to the intimate atmosphere and poetic camaraderie, the spirit of the space captivated me. I became a regular and in November 2014, the founders of Poetry in the Brew asked me to organize the readings. The Brew is celebrating its 10th anniversary now, with our anthology Sinew: 10 Years of Poetry in the Brew, released August 24 by April Gloaming Publishing.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Poets wear their hearts on the page, and at readings, we act them out on stage. There is the personal struggle of refining style, perhaps resisting a proclivity for a rhyme in favor of free verse, and the professional challenge to connect with an audience amidst the sacred cacophony of expressions. Developing a clear voice and the confidence to inhabit the work remains the goal in whichever direction I grow.

At Poetry in the Brew, cultivating an inclusive atmosphere drives our decision-making. Nurturing the health of a community requires consideration of all the individuals within the group, navigating diverse personalities, and setting boundaries so that all feel safe in vulnerable sharing.

The pandemic brought our readings online, and while we missed gathering in person, the accessibility afforded by the virtual open mics transformed our interactions. We moved from monthly to weekly events, welcoming an international crew across time zones, and look forward to continuing to meet online even after we return to Portland Brew East.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Hosting Poetry in the Brew and producing special events nourishes my soul and feeds my creativity. I love the exchange between artists, how exposure to other art forms and processes can exponentiate output. Seeing people make something with the lot they’re given in life, in any medium, sparks my appreciation. I’m enthusiastic about collaborating, and curating, so enjoyable is the nexus where creative minds meet.

In 2005, I facilitated MuseX Bazaar Community Arts Center in Germantown, in awe of the local talent I witnessed and desiring a network through which we could support one another. Looking to expand my perspective, I’ve worked in pr for the music industry, on the art department for film and tv, emceed comedy shows, performed spoken word with the circus, planted a garden, and mothered two sons.

Once a festival host commented that I was the AC/DC of poetry. I do like my art hardcore more than pastoral, as I am most proud of choosing a creative outlet for the destructive urges that come with the frustrations of existing as human.

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
At one of the first poetry open mics I attended, I heard this: “You either go to church, therapy, or you do this.” With the world in its current state, I’d understand anyone needing all three, but poetry was the path I took.

The human touchstones of identity, community, and purpose are all served by gathering to share in creative expression, and this became more urgent and rewarding throughout the lockdown and the global crisis. I’ve learned to modulate despair with acceptance, and hold out the belief that hope regenerates if we hang on, face what comes, and communicate on the regular with caring folk. We adapted to meeting online and stayed flexible with the format to accommodate shifting circumstances. Attendees dubbed our readings “poetry church,” convening with open minds and hearts to pour out and listen in turn.

Pricing:

• Sinew: 10 Years of Poetry in the Brew $14.99
• Waking Up God $13.00

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: poetryinthebrew.wordpress.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poetryinthebrew/, https://www.instagram.com/xineraquel/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/poetryinthebrew
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrFKq9hNbdzYQx9KaQy3Qpw
• Other: https://poetryinthebrew.bigcartel.com/product/sinew-10-years-of-poetry-in-the-brew, https://www.amazon.com/Waking-Up-God-Christine-Hall/dp/1475018533

Image Credits:
Eric L. Hansen
Bart Mangrum
Ross Smith
Jeff Cottrill
Cynthia Winfield
Nina Adel
Jon Rizzo
Franchesa Kirkpatrick
Bonnie Solloway
Hil H.