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Emanating from the San Fernando Valley, VCP SoCal Poets is a non-profit organization committed to the cultivation and advancement of poetry in Southern California. Founded during the Covid-19 pandemic, our goal is to provide the camaraderie and spirit of the original Valley Contemporary Poets founded by Nan Hunt in 1980.
In addition to cyber readings and eventually, live readings, VCP SoCal will work with poets and media artists to produce podcasts and films about poets and poetry. We are a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization.
In addition to cyber readings and eventually, live readings, VCP SoCal will work with poets and media artists to produce podcasts and films about poets and poetry. We are a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization.
VCP SoCal Poets welcomes a changing of the guard...
VCP 's esteemed Jerry Garcia is retiring from the Board of Directors as he and his lovely bride Becky Freeman Garcia relocate to the warm and sunny climate of Palm Springs. As Jerry enjoys this new chapter of his adventure, (as well as his newly-minted Board Member Emeritus status) VCP wishes he and Becky happy trails.
VCP will continue to move forward; and as we create new pathways with our footsteps, we find ourselves in a web of surging ocean waves and a unique opportunity to ride a multitude of crests.. We invite you to join us as we all surf together.
Please meet VCP's new Board of Directors:
VCP will continue to move forward; and as we create new pathways with our footsteps, we find ourselves in a web of surging ocean waves and a unique opportunity to ride a multitude of crests.. We invite you to join us as we all surf together.
Please meet VCP's new Board of Directors:
Teresa Mai Chuc
Teresa Mei Chuc was born in Sài Gòn, Việt Nam and fled her Vietnamese homeland with her mother and brother shortly after the American war in Việt Nam spending three and a half months in a freight boat stranded in the South China Sea before being rescued. Her father, who had served in the Army of the Republic of Việt Nam, remained in a Việt Cộng re-education prison camp for nine years.
Altadena Poet Laureate, Editor-in-Chief 2018-2020 and a member of the Pasadena Rose Poets, Teresa Mei Chuc is the author of three full-length collections of poetry, Invisible Light (Many Voices Press, 2018), Keeper of the Winds (FootHills Publishing, 2014) and Red Thread (Fithian Press, 2012). Teresa’s new poetry chapbook, Incidental Takes, is forthcoming from Hummingbird Press in 2023. Teresa teaches literature and writing at a public high school in Los Angeles.
Elizabeth Iannaci has worn many hats: She worked in the Music Business in its Golden Years: 1974-1981 and retired after 26 years from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In between she worked as a personal assistant, a Marilyn Monroe impersonator, stage actor (winning many awards and little money) and earned her MFA in Poetry from Vermont College of Fine Arts.
She is a widely published and anthologized LA-based poet whose work appeared recently in The Saranac Review, Pentimento, Pratik Anthology of Southern California Poets, and various other publications. She is proud to have been a co-director of the VCP’s previous incarnation for a number of years, and is honored to now serve as Executive Director. Elizabeth has one son, three grandchildren, and is partially-sighted, which may account for her preference to paisley over polka dots.
Her most recent chapbook is The Virgin Turtle Light Show: Spring, 1968 from Latitude 34 Press.
She is a widely published and anthologized LA-based poet whose work appeared recently in The Saranac Review, Pentimento, Pratik Anthology of Southern California Poets, and various other publications. She is proud to have been a co-director of the VCP’s previous incarnation for a number of years, and is honored to now serve as Executive Director. Elizabeth has one son, three grandchildren, and is partially-sighted, which may account for her preference to paisley over polka dots.
Her most recent chapbook is The Virgin Turtle Light Show: Spring, 1968 from Latitude 34 Press.
James Evert Jones has curated and hosted poetry and spoken word events throughout Los Angeles for over 35 years. James curates and hosts the monthly Spoken World Live international readings, and the twice-monthly Expressions L.A. reading series, through his volunteer work with the Los Angeles Public Library.
James’s work has been featured in Redshift 5, Spectrum, The Moment, A Decade of Sundays, Voices from Leimert Park Redux, the Sparring with Beatnik Ghosts Omnibus and Onyx: Spoken Word as well as the websites poeticdiversity and the Altadena Poetry Review, among others.
His first collection of poetry, Cinematic Life, is due to be released in 2023.
James is a 2017 and 2019 recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award.
James’s work has been featured in Redshift 5, Spectrum, The Moment, A Decade of Sundays, Voices from Leimert Park Redux, the Sparring with Beatnik Ghosts Omnibus and Onyx: Spoken Word as well as the websites poeticdiversity and the Altadena Poetry Review, among others.
His first collection of poetry, Cinematic Life, is due to be released in 2023.
James is a 2017 and 2019 recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award.
Bryn Wickerd is a twenty-six year old, Non Binary, Poet, Domestic Violence Advocate, collector of vintage books, and self-proclaimed San Fernando Valley rat. Their poetry has been displayed in an ekphrastic art gallery at Whittier College entitled "Bridges.”
As well as being featured at several popular readings, such as: Shout!, Lamplight, The Poetry Circus, & for Two Idiots Peddling Poetry. Additional publications include; Los Angeles Poet Society, Falling Star Magazine, Rise Up Review, Acid Verse, and Moon Tide Press’ Poet of the Month.
Bryn hopes the times are treating you gently.
As well as being featured at several popular readings, such as: Shout!, Lamplight, The Poetry Circus, & for Two Idiots Peddling Poetry. Additional publications include; Los Angeles Poet Society, Falling Star Magazine, Rise Up Review, Acid Verse, and Moon Tide Press’ Poet of the Month.
Bryn hopes the times are treating you gently.
Please visit often to know more about VCP's readings, salons and workshops in the coming weeks. See you soon!