Local Poet Wins First Prize Poet Jean Colonomos won first prize in the Ventura County Poetry contest for her poem, “Dear Martha.� The contest theme was “Defining Moments.� “Dear Martha� is a love poem to Martha Graham,� said Colonomos. “I was a member of The Martha Graham Dance Company in the nineteen sixties. The poem is part of a full-length volume, an experience I’ve been putting into words for the last few years.� Among the judges for the contest was Ventura poet Phil Taggart, Poet Laureate Emeritus. For more information: vcpoetryproject.org. Virtual and Live Events June 5, 7 p.m.—Topanga Peace Alliance (TPA) presents First Friday Film Night with American Trial: The Eric Garner Story, a timely documentary in light of the George Floyd murder. The film will be followed by a moderated discussion with guest panelist Henry Brown, former recruiter of the Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission. This is an unscripted courtroom drama that presents the trial that never happened against the NYPD officer who was filmed choking Eric Garner to death in 2014.The film Zooms to your home on Friday, June 5, with a brief meeting at 7:15 p.m., followed at 7:30 p.m. by the film. Link to Zoom at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81378021338?pwd=TkRsVDhjQ0Q0aXArcWtGUTNQengwUT09 Meeting ID: 813 7802 1338; Password: 442081. Sunday, June 6, at 6 p.m., Loose Lips Presents Poets Anita S. Pulier and Frank Mundo. The Loose Lips Poetry Series will reconvene virtually for its quarterly poetry reading featuring poets Anita S. Pulier and Frank Mundo. Held on Zoom with the support of Ventura Writers and two-time Ventura Poet Laureate Emeritus Phil Taggart. Attention: Zoom access will be posted at pw.org/literary_events/loose_lips_poetry_reading_0 and on Facebook a week before the event. Loose Lips is dedicated to bringing a diverse array of the best contemporary poets to Topanga (and virtually) and to provide authors and audiences (near and far) with a poetic forum and community. June 6, 2 p.m.—Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum returns to live performances with an in-person concert by Topanga’s beloved singer-songwriter Inara George and her and: Barbara Gruska, Gabe Noel, Samantha Sidley, and Wendy Wang. All proceeds benefit Theatricum Botanicum’s artistic and educational programming. Located at 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga CA 90290. Tickets are $20 and $30: (310) 455-3723; or theatricum.com/inarageorge. Seating will be socially distanced and masks required as dictated by LA County guidelines on the day of the event. Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum 2021 summer repertory season, sponsored by the S. Mark Taper Foundation, returns to live performances July 10- through November 7, opening on Saturday, July 10, at 7:30 p.m. with a fresh look at Julius Caesar. On Sunday, July 11 at 4 p.m., A Midsummer Night’s Dream offers a new take on its signature production, infusing the Bard’s beautiful language with music and song. On Saturday, July 31 at 7:30 p.m., Theatricum introduces the world premiere of The Last, Best Small Town by local Latine playwright John Guerra. It is a tale of small-town America set in the nearby town of Fillmore, the self-proclaimed “Last, Best Small Town in Southern California.� Tickets go on sale June 1 at theatricum.com;(310) 455-3723.