Mountains to climb, roses to mourn
Sorrell driving growth of poetry scene; also, Quartetto Gelato coming to Kokomo
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Difficult times can bring out human creativity, and Seth Sorrell, a 2023 Northwestern High School graduate and present Ivy Tech Machine Tool and Computer Science student, has had his share of adversity.
Having lost his parents at a young age, Sorrell turned to writing and ended up trying poetry to help him cope with not only his family adversity, but his last three years in high school, dealing with the COVID lockdown in which he found himself.
"I have always been a writer," said Sorrell. "I started out actually writing short stories, and during the COVID lockdown I transitioned into poetry. I had a lot of mental health struggles at the time, and I decided to write poetry."
It took Sorrell some time to find his style, but once he did, "I have done it ever since."
Sorrell credits Northwestern librarian and NHS Writing Club advisor Lisa Pritchard with helping him "hone his craft."
Sorrell published his first poem collection, "From the Mountain: A Book of Poems about the Joy and Sadness in the Human Experience," in September 2023 and is getting ready to publish his next work, "The Vicious Rose: A Book of Broken Heart Poetry.” Both books are available on amazon.com
Sorrell is also active in the local poetry scene, helping to organize and coordinate a recent Poetry Society of Indiana reading at Pizza Junkiez in January. Building on the success of that event, the Kokomo branch of the society has another event upcoming on March 29 at American Dream Hi-Fi, called "Poetic Power Night."
Other upcoming poetry-related events in March locally include a reading at The Radish Cafe and Market, 115 W. Sycamore St., from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sat., March 2, and poetry instruction at the Kokomo Howard County Public Library, 220 N. Union St., on Wed., March 13, from 5-8 p.m.
Quartetto Gelato coming to Kokomo
Kokomo Community Concerts presents Quartetto Gelato as the 2023-2024 season continues. This latest example of world-class entertainment performing in Kokomo will take place on Sunday., March 10, at 2:30 p.m. The concert takes place in the Kokomo High School Auditorium, 2501 S. Berkley Road.
Quartetto Gelato is a popular, yet highly unusual classical crossover quartet, featuring the cello, violin, oboe, and accordion. With sold-out performances in New York, Washington, L.A., London, Tokyo, Hong Kong and elsewhere, this dazzling ensemble has enchanted audiences and critics worldwide with its exotic blend of musical virtuosity, artistic passion, and humor.
The group’s performance repertoire spans the globe and includes classical masterworks, engaging vocals, the sizzling energy of tangos, gypsy and klezmer songs, and a relaxed humor and stage presence that establishes an intimate rapport with audiences.
Quartetto Gelato’s international career was launched when they won the coveted title of NPR Performance Today’s “Debut Artist of the Year.” The group’s first DVD, Quartetto Gelato: A Concert in Wine Country, was picked up by PBS throughout the U.S. in 2007 and is still broadcast regularly. The group is regularly heard on CBC, Classical 96.3 FM, NPR, PRI, and NUR networks, not to mention the soundtrack of the Hollywood film “Only You,” starring Robert Downey Jr and Marisa Tomei.
Quartetto Gelato released its 10th album in 2021, called “Tasty Tunes,” which features a blend of fun, eclecticism, international flavors, multi-instrumentation, vocals, and superb musicianship.
Tickets are available at the door for $25 or by visiting www.kokomocommunityconcerts.org. Call 765-210-0686 for additional information.