Don’t miss this unique celebration of poetry hosted by our good friend and past president, Bianca Amira Zanella. Be sure to stop by at the Poetry Society of Vermont table and say hello.
Date: Friday, April 3, 2026
Event Start Time: 6:30 PM
Lobby doors open: 5:30 PM
- Phoenix Books will have books on display and the concession stand will be open!
- Interactive communal poem in lobby will be open for participation starting at 5:30.
- Be sure to visit the Poetry Society of Vermont table.
Seating begins: 6:00 PM
Event Duration: 6:30 – 9:00 PM
Location: The Paramount Theatre, Rutland, VT
Admission: FREE –This is a free event, no ticket required; please RSVP on the Facebook event page.
Event details:
Celebrate National Poetry Month and kick-off the 6th year of Poetry Downtown Rutland with a FREE screening of the Oscar-nominated documentary Come See Me in the Good Light. With pre-show poetry and a post-show community conversation on grief’s essential role to living and how poetry and art help us to move forward, we’ll speak with panelists Poet Jess Bouchard, Artist-Healer Kelli Prescott, and Death Doula Jackie Proulx.
Come See Me in the Good Light is a poignant and unexpectedly funny love story about queer poets Andrea Gibson (the late poet laureate of Colorado) and Megan Falley facing an incurable cancer diagnosis with joy, wit and an unshakable partnership. Through laughter and unwavering love, they transform pain into purpose, and mortality into a moving celebration of resilience. This film, which was a fan favorite when it premiered at Sundance in 2025, is directed by Ryan White and produced by Tig Notaro, Jessica Hargrave, Stef Willen, and Ryan White.
Ahead of the film screening, when lobby doors open, we invite you to participate in a communal poem activity centering on how you express grief, laughter, and love. Meet our panelists and contribute to a community conversation after the film, as well.
Bianca Amira Zanella
P.S. Calling all poets to submit to Poetry Downtown Rutland by 3/14!
Poetic Medicine Healer, The Paper Poet
Poet-in-Residence, Phoenix Books
Facilitator, Writers For RecoveryFounder, Rutland DVAPInstagram: @thepoetbianca
c: (603) 732-8606
pronouns: she/they