Well-Versed Festival of Rhymes, Music

Starting Sunday, meter will take over Los Angeles.

No, the city isn’t hiking its parking rates. Rather, for a week, enjoy the first Los Angeles Poetry Festival.

A marathon reading with music, another of American Indian poetry, another of rock poetry--all will be part of the occasion. Cafes, bookstores, parks, cultural centers and museums will be some of the locations. Most presentations are free, the only requirement being the lending of an ear.

Festival organizers expect more than 100 poets to participate in readings at more than 25 sites. The weeklong event is sponsored by the City Cultural Affairs Department and the California State Poetry Society.

The vigor of verse is scheduled to be celebrated in many ways, at many locations. For information on the complete schedule, call (213) 664-8489. Here is a sampling:

* From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday there will be a Marathon Reading With Music by more than 30 poets at the downtown Triforium, near City Hall.

* At 6 p.m. Tuesday, Deaf Poets Evening will be presented at the Los Angeles Photography Center, 16953 Ventura Blvd., Encino. An interpreter will provide sign language.

* The Poetry of Seniors will be read at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Yablon Cultural Center, 7213 Beverly Blvd.

* At 3 p.m. Saturday there will be readings of Gay and Lesbian Poetry in Plummer Park, 7377 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood.

* At 3 p.m. Saturday, Poetry by Women will be read at the Bread and Roses Bookstore, 13812 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks.

* The readings at the Korean Cultural Service Gallery, 5505 Wilshire Blvd., at 8 p.m. Friday, will be accompanied by interpretive movements by Sonia Hahn.

* The readings of American Indian poetry will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Southwest Museum, 234 Museum Drive, Highland Park.

* Rock Poetry will be read at 8 p.m. Tuesday at The Music Machine, 12220 Pico Blvd. West Los Angeles.

Local poets say it will be a week to remember--mark their words.