First Wednesday Presents Wendy McVicker, Philip Terman & Catro Trio (November 5 Westside Bowl)

First Wednesday Reader Series presents poets Wendy McVicker of Athens, Ohio, and Philip Terman of Grove City, Pa., accompanied by the Catro Trio: Dave Kana, Glenn Schaft & Mark DeWalt. Open mic to follow. Wednesday, November 5 at 7:00pm at the Westside Bowl, 2617 Mahoning Ave. Co-hosted by the YSU Poetry Club. This reading will be downstairs in the Trophy Room, accessible only by stairs. ASL Interpretation by Meagan Albani.

Wendy McVicker served as poet laureate of Athens, Ohio from 2020 through 2022. Her most recent full-length book is a collaborative collection with poet Cathy Cultice Lentes, Stronger When We Touch (The Orchard Street Press, 2023). Her newest chapbook is Alone in the Burning (Sheila-Na-Gig editions, 2024).

Philip Terman’s recent books are The Whole Mishpocha and My Blossoming Everything and, as co-translator, Tango Below a Narrow Ceiling: The Selected Poems of Riad Saleh Hussein. He co-curates the Jewish Poetry Reading Series, sponsored by the JCC Buffalo and directs The Bridge Literary Arts Center in Western Pennsylvania.

Mark DeWalt is a Grove City PA based keyboard artist. He is the leader of the jazz band Catro whose self-titled CD includes 7 of Mark’s own compositions. He has been involved in numerous other recording projects ranging from World Beat, original Rock, Jazz, and Contemporary Christian styles. He performs regularly in the region and has also appeared in Norway, Sweden and South Africa. DeWalt and poet Phil Terman have collaborated to present poetry reading accompanied by live music in multiple settings including coffee houses, universities and festivals.

David Kana is a Youngstown area saxophonist whose virtuosic improvisational skills have made him one the most sought after players in the region. David teaches at YSU’s Dana School of Music and gives private lessons. He has taught at universities in PA and Ohio and was a clinician for Aebersold Jazz Camp for over 30 years. He can be heard as the featured soloist on many recordings with big bands and jazz ensembles and performs regularly in the area with a wide variety of groups. David has performed with Catro and poet Phil Terman for many years. 

Glenn Schaft is the director of Drumset and percussion studies at YSU’s Dana School of Music. Glenn is a highly respected educator and percussionist and has recorded, studied and taught all over the world. His versatility and musicality are always an asset to any musical ensemble and especially when performing spontaneously as with poet Phil Terman. 

Upcoming Readings at Westside Bowl

December 3 Jason Harris & Mark Sebastian Jordan

January 7 Kelly Ferguson, Nicole D. Miller & Candice Zee

February 4 Conor Bracken & Lindsay Turner