The Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — Paul Bonnifield realizes there is no venue in Routt County that gives writers other than poets a platform to share their art.

“The idea behind (An Evening of Original Essays and Poetry) is to allow local writers — we have several very talented ones — that write shorter pieces that aren’t poetry, a place to present their work,” he said.

Tonight and Saturday at the Paradigm Theater in Oak Creek, eight local wordsmiths will read their original works.

“Since Sunday is Mother’s Day, three of the presenters will present some things on women,” Bonnifield said.

Kate Krautkramer will read her essay, “Girl’s Prom,” which captures the thoughts and feelings of a young woman getting ready to attend prom.

Kathi Guler’s piece, called “Ladies’ Freedom,” is a powerful story about women’s fight for freedom from very early in time until more recent efforts.

“And what it means for a woman to gain her own freedom and not be dominated by society or men,” Bonnifield added.

Barbara Sparks wrote an essay that addresses racism in the early South and follows the story of a woman who overcomes adversity with the guidance of her mother.

Rita Herold is a descendent of original Yampa settlers, and she’ll share cowboy poetry she wrote about her family, the Laughlins.

“There will also be the poetry of Cesare Rosati, who does a thing on cats, gives advice to boys and is mostly humorous poetry,” Bonnifield said. “And Paulie Anderson will do his usual poetry thing.”

Reneé Johnson will read some diary entries from Louise Perison, also known as Pee Wee.

“She was a madam in Oak Creek and tells a tremendous amount about Oak Creek and gambling, prohibition, bootlegging and about her dancehall upstairs,” Bonnifield said. “And it will be a surprise what Nina Rogers reads. My confidence is completely in her, but I simply don’t know what she’s going to come up with.”