Newtown Cultural Arts Commission (NCAC) has announced the second annual "Risk A Verse" poetry event will take place on Sunday, April 23, at Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main Street.Last year, residents including First Selectman Pat Llodra, Animal Control Officer Carolee Mason, and Angelo Marini, the owner of Sal e Pepe, were among those to participate.newtownpoetry@gmail.com or call 203-731-1809. Additional information and updates will be available on Facebook at Risk A Verse - Newtown.

April is National Poetry Month, a monthlong celebration of the pleasure of this literary art. Newtown is joining in by inviting residents to recite their favorite poem in an afternoon of community, followed by a reception.

For anyone who has a favorite poem they would like to share, this is the opportunity to risk a verse.

To participate, send e-mail to

Newtown Poet Laureate Lisa Schwartz and NCAC member Tracy Van Buskirk are again hosting Risk A Verse.

The community is invited to the readings, which will begin at 2 pm April 23.

Admission is free, but donations will be accepted to benefit NCAC's Newtown Arts Festival and the NCAC Scholarship Fund. Those offering $5 or more will be thanked with a booklet of the poems being read during Risk A Verse.

A reception for readers and attendees will follow.