October 20 • David Messineo and Davidson Garrett
David Messineo, poet, publisher, poetry editor and historian, is among the 20 longest-serving independent literary magazine publishers and poetry editors in America who is still active in both capacities. He is a rare three-consecutive-year winner in the national American Literary Magazine Awards, a 2009 recipient of the New Jersey State Jefferson Award for Public Service, and the 2011 recipient of the Dwyer Award for Journalism in New Jersey History. He is the author of eight published poetry collections: First Impressions, Suburban Gothic, A Taste of Italy, A Taste of Brazil, Restoration, Formal, The Search for the Sapphire Robe, and now Historiopticon.
Davidson Garrett
Davidson Garrett is a native of Shreveport, Louisiana. He trained for the theater at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts and graduated from The City College of New York with an M.S. in Education. A member of Screen Actor’s Guild/AFTRA and Actors’ Equity, he has worked in theater, film and television since 1973. His poetry, fiction and articles have been published in The New York Times, The Episcopal New Yorker, Xavier Review (New Orleans), Sensations Magazine, Third Wednesday, Marco Polo Arts Mag, Big City Lit, the website of The Beat Museum in San Francisco and in Podium, the online literary journal of the 92nd Street Y. Davidson is the author of the poetry collection: King Lear of the Taxi published by Advent Purple Press. Poetry from that collection was featured in the short film “Taxi Driver” by Flashgun Films of Great Britain, which was screened at London’s Portabello Film Festival in 2008. In 2011, Davidson was nominated for a Pushcart Prize and in May 2013, he was invited to read at Joe’s Pub in New York City as part of the Taxi Drivers’ Workshop for the PEN International Voices Festival. His latest chapbook, To Tell The Truth I Wanted To Be Kitty Carlisle and Other Poems was published in 2013 by Finishing Line Press. Davidson has been a New York City taxi driver for over 35 years to help subsidize his art.