April is national poetry month, and Vashon Allied Arts will celebrate with two performances and two workshops later this month.

The events have been organized by Ann Spiers, a well-known Vashon poet.

First up will be a a performance by Mary Lou Sanelli, an author, actress and dancer, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 24, at the Blue Heron.

Sanelli’s multi-media, one-woman show will be based on her book, “The Immigrant’s Table, a Literary Feast.”

Organizers describe the performance as a “visual journey of poems, recipes, photos and more based on Sanelli’s colorful Italian upbringing.”

Another event — “Hiway Haiku comes in from the Rain” — is part of Vashon Allied Arts’ New Works Series.

It will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 25, at the Blue Heron, and feature Ann Spiers, Kajira Wyn Berry and Hita Von Mende as they bring haiku to stage in a fvariety of visual, spoken and choral forms.

Tickets for each performance are $10 and $12, and can be purchased at Blue Heron, Heron’s Nest, Books by the Way, www.brownpapertickets.com and by calling 463-5131.

The weekend will also include two workshops.

Berry will instruct calligraphy from 9 a.m. to 12 noon Saturday, April 24, in the Minglement meeting room.

Following Berry’s workshop, Haiku poet Michael Dylan Welch will lead another workshop, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at the same location.

Welch’s workshop will explore the myths and realities of the haiku form.

Tuition is $20 for each workshop. Call 463-5131 to register.

Contact Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber Arts Editor Elizabeth Shepherd at arts@vashonbeachcomber.com or 206-463-9195.

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