Happy V for Victory weekend, Playonwordsians. We’re delighted to share our next featured video from January’s New Year Nouveau show, showcasing the talent of Pratibha Kelapure and Taylor Sanders. Watch Taylor perform “The Night Subway Crawl,” as filmed by the handy team at South Bay Pulse:
POW fans will remember Pratibha’s work from previous shows. Pratibha is a writer, editor, literary coach, and performer. She is the founding editor of The Literary Nest journal. In her previous life, she served the Silicon Valley as a VLSI Software engineer. Other than that she is a wife, mother, and a community volunteer–she even volunteered to help us collect donations at January’s show (thank you!). This spring, she is hosting a writing contest through the Literary Nest for fiction, poetry and logo design. Deadline is March 30! Learn more here.
Thanks to all our fabulous writers, readers and friends who joined us in January.
Last night we were thrilled to bring back one of our favorite local writers, Pratibha Kelapure, in our Words&Music show at San Jose’s St. James Park. POW fans might remember her piece “Swimming Lessons,” as performed by Laurel Brittan back in June. This time we were treated to one of her lovely poems, “Mango Pulping.”
Pratibha is the founding editor of The Literary Nest Journal. She writes short fiction, literary essays, and poetry. In her previous life, she served the Silicon Valley as a VLSI Software Engineer. Other than that she is a wife, mother, and a community volunteer.
Pratibha Kelapure
Recent Awards:
Honorable Mention for the poem “Monet on Her Mind” in the Los Gatos Poet Laureate Poetry Contest
First place in the South Bay Writers WritersTalk Essay Contest in January 2014, July 2014, and January 2015.
I have won several weekly flash fiction contests such as Flash! Friday Microfiction Contest, Finish That Thought, Monday Mixer, 55 Word Challenge, Midweek Blues Busters, and others.
Upcoming projects:
I would like to grow and nurture my online literary journal, The Literary Nest. In the coming months, I will feature some great guest poetry editors. The submissions are always open.
What inspired you to participate in Play On Words?
Laurel Brittan performing “Mango Pulping” on July 14 in St. James Park. Photo credit: Michelle Anderson.
I participated in the June event, “Play On Words: Take Flight,” and I am impressed with the energy and professionalism of the Play On Words organizers and the community.
Which writers or performers inspire you?
The musical theater performers and dancers inspire with the flow of energy and grace of movements.
Name a book or performance that fundamentally affected you.
“My Fair Lady” was the very first musical I saw, and it inspired me for several reasons: the class commentary, perseverance of human spirit, and witty dialogue, not to mention graceful dancing.
Our July 14 show was made possible through the generosity of The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, in partnership with the San Jose Downtown Association.
Just what does it feel like to jump feet-first into a well, when you don’t know how to swim? Today we’re delighted to feature footage of Laurel Brittan performing Pratibha Kelapure’s “Swimming Lessons” on June 3 at Cafe Stritch:
It’s summer–so good luck with all your water sports. Stay tuned for details of our July 14 show at St. James Park!
It’s nearly time to take flight. We had our rehearsal on Saturday night and we are pumped to perform tomorrow at Cafe Stritch. Our playbills will be printed tomorrow–and in one last effort to spread the word, we’re sharing the full lineup for Play On Words: Take Flight here:
“Audition,” by Brian Van Winkle, read by Michael Weiland, Melinda Marks, Brian Van Winkle, Adam Magill, and Julia Halprin Jackson
As we gear up for the big show, we’d also like to extend our gratitude, once again, to The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the San Jose Downtown Association, as well as Steve and Max Borkenhagen of Cafe Stritch, whose support and guidance helped make this show possible.
We are thrilled to produce “Swimming Lessons,” a short piece by local writer Pratibha Kelapure, at Play On Words: Take Flight, made possible through the generosity of the The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, in partnership with the San Jose Downtown Association, and our partnership with San Jose’s Cafe Stritch.
Pratibha Kelapure
Pratibha is a humble writer, editor, literary coach, and performer. She is the founding editor of The Literary Nest journal. In her previous life, she served the Silicon Valley as a VLSI Software Engineer. Other than that she is a wife, mother, and a community volunteer.
Her recent awards include:
Honorable Mention for the poem “Monet on Her Mind” in the Los Gatos Poet Laureate Poetry Contest
First place in the South Bay Writers WritersTalk Essay Contest in January 2014, July 2014, and January 2015
The Winner of Flash! Friday Microfiction Contest Aug 2014
What inspired you to participate in Play On Words?
I am a fan of all the performing arts.
Which writers or performers inspire you?
Inspiration comes from unexpected sources. I discover new writers and performers every day.
Name a book or performance that fundamentally affected you.
I am probably showing my age here, but The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot had a huge effect on me. When I was 10, I saw a local performance of Kathak Dance that stuck with me and sparked my interest in the performing arts.
Play On Words 