Initiated in the summer of 2002, the Garden Variety Poetry Series utilizes the intimacy and mediterranean ambience of the Villa's sunny rear garden and lower terrace, and its cool, shady patio, as a setting for al fresco readings and performances of poetry, music, and other creative expressions. Food, drink and animated conversation precede and follow the presentations.

Suspended for several years due to my travel schedule, the series resumes in July 2005 with a solo performance by the series coordinator, Allan Douglass Coleman. Because the space is small, the events are unadvertised, with admission restricted to a select list of invitees -- mostly local artists, writers, and musicians -- and their guests.

Readers to date have included The Sepoy Rebellion (Wil Wynn, Marguerite Maria Rivas, J. J. Hayes, and Allan Douglass Coleman), Amy Greenfield, and Malachi McCormick, founder and publisher of the renowned Stone Street Press.