By Selena Chambers

Staff writer

HOBE SOUND - 'Tis the season for poetry, and the Mars Gallery is ready to celebrate.

Beginning Friday, Oct. 20, from 7-9 p.m., local poets will have the opportunity to recite their rhythms and divulge their rhymes at the gallery.

"We've been having 'Poetry Slam' for over a year," said Dona Omanoff, owner of Mars gallery.

"We have people who come ranging from 80 years old to very young."

The Poetry Slam is an open-microphone event and Ms. Omanoff invites anyone to attend and read their work. If poetry is not your style, you can read from a short story, sing a song, or tell some jokes.

"Last year we had historian Karen Girouard read from her books depicting revolutionary times in Rhode Island." said Ms. Omanoff. "It's really open."

To open the door of creative dialogue even further, Ms. Omanoff hopes this season will introduce multimedia into the Poetry Slam.

"We're looking for video artists to showcase their work," she said. "The gallery has a laptop connected to a large-screened TV to showcase video or multimedia work. But we only hook it up if we plan to in advance." added Ms. Omanoff.

Some Mars Gallery regulars are expected to read, such as Ed "Ivy" Hill, Carol Goss and Rick Spisak, who will be returning as the master of ceremonies.

Parents wary of poetic passion need not worry. The Poetry Slam is intended to be family friendly.

"If children attend, they are accompanied by an adult," said Ms. Omanoff. "And poets will modify work to allow children to enjoy it." She added that children often participate in the performances and recalled several talented teenagers who have performed original songs. The diversity of age and genre the open-mic brings embodies the Slam's purpose.

"This is a place for writers to get encouragement from other writers. For every poet who wants to be heard, this is where to come." she said.

Mars Gallery Poetry Slam will meet every third Friday, beginning Oct. 20 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The Mars Gallery is located at 11760 S.E. Dixie Highway, Suite 7, Hobe Sound. For more information, contact Dona Omanoff at (772) 545-7432, or visit the Web site at www.donaomanoff.com.

chambers@hometownnewsol.com