Poetry Performance Update
As some of you know, I did my first ever live poetry reading Saturday at the Barking Spider Tavern's open mic, hosted by Cleveland's own Kerouacian prince of poetry Ray McNiece and his very talented and versatile band tongue-in-groove (their music, even without words, is poetry). Lots of other poets/performers hit the stage, too - local literary luminaries like Barry Zucker, Anita Herczog, Claire McMahon, Dianne Borsenik, Terry Provost... and I wish I could remember all the groovy people's names. Lots of great work... and enough to give Jesus Crisis performance anxiety. Thank Gawd for Holy Moses Pale Ale and Geri holding my hand... lol.
Eventually, I did get up... Ray (who knew me only from MySpace) gave a rousing introduction ("Jesus in the house!"), I made a few cursory remarks about it being my first time, and then I launched into my recently-blogged poems Allen Ginsberg Wants You! and John Cage Engaged and Uncaged, with the band improvising a fantastically appropriate and inspired accompaniment. After the first line or two, any remaining nervousness was gone and I felt like I was "in the zone." Even though I missed a line in "Cage," no one seemed to notice and I ended up getting a LOT of glowing feedback. Ray and Barry both used the word "awesome" - and even if they were just being polite to the newcomer, their kind words made me feel awesome. Overall, I think it went wonderfully - and it seems to be leading to other opportunities.
Anyway, I later heard that the afternoon had been recorded and that some of the performances will be broadcast Wednesday (21 May 2008) on Cleveland's WJCU radio (88.7 FM) during the "Wordplay" program. Even if you're not in the Cleveland area, you can listen online by going to the station's website (http://www.wjcu.org/listen) at 12:30 (Eastern Standard Time) on Wednesday afternoon. Since I'm a relative unknown (and the work I read was R-rated) I don't know whether they'll include my performance or not (obviously I hope so). But even if they don't, it's worth tuning in to hear Ray McNiece and some of the others. I'll record it, if I can.
P.S. I also plan to hit the open mic at the Nia Coffeehouse (1925 Coventry Rd.) tomorrow (Tuesday) between 6 and 8 p.m.
You may now return to your regularly scheduled programming....
Eventually, I did get up... Ray (who knew me only from MySpace) gave a rousing introduction ("Jesus in the house!"), I made a few cursory remarks about it being my first time, and then I launched into my recently-blogged poems Allen Ginsberg Wants You! and John Cage Engaged and Uncaged, with the band improvising a fantastically appropriate and inspired accompaniment. After the first line or two, any remaining nervousness was gone and I felt like I was "in the zone." Even though I missed a line in "Cage," no one seemed to notice and I ended up getting a LOT of glowing feedback. Ray and Barry both used the word "awesome" - and even if they were just being polite to the newcomer, their kind words made me feel awesome. Overall, I think it went wonderfully - and it seems to be leading to other opportunities.
Anyway, I later heard that the afternoon had been recorded and that some of the performances will be broadcast Wednesday (21 May 2008) on Cleveland's WJCU radio (88.7 FM) during the "Wordplay" program. Even if you're not in the Cleveland area, you can listen online by going to the station's website (http://www.wjcu.org/listen) at 12:30 (Eastern Standard Time) on Wednesday afternoon. Since I'm a relative unknown (and the work I read was R-rated) I don't know whether they'll include my performance or not (obviously I hope so). But even if they don't, it's worth tuning in to hear Ray McNiece and some of the others. I'll record it, if I can.
P.S. I also plan to hit the open mic at the Nia Coffeehouse (1925 Coventry Rd.) tomorrow (Tuesday) between 6 and 8 p.m.
You may now return to your regularly scheduled programming....
*smiling*
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Me too!
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Happiness is a warm mike. Congrats!!
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Thanks, Elena!
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OOOPs. I meant mic not your brother. But I'm glad he's alive and well also. lol
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lol...
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That was too funny.
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Congrats of course... Mr. JC...
Hope your planning on doing even more...
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Thanks, Chris! And absolutely....
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congrats. ray's a great mc, and a decent person. is this your first public reading of your poetry? i know you've performed your play/s.
i rather miss the poetry scene in cleveland - i love reciting in front of folk, and feel less inspired without it.
lady's setting up a poetry reading down here - it'll be bi-lingual.
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Thanks! I've acted, sang, and played keyboards publicly - all in prison, unless you count school kid stuff or stuff I've posted on the Internet. But this was my very first public poetry reading. I see now what you mean about the increased inspiration that comes with "reciting in front of folk." Definitely feeling it....
I wish I could be there for the bi-lingual poetry reading.
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Enjoyed your reading! I think Ginsberg would've loved your poem (really). I studied with him at Naropa. Always a good time at the Spider!
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Thank you very much, Claire!
I greatly appreciate your feedback.
I like what I've seen of your work so far, and I'm looking forward to seeing/hearing more.
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Ah, high voltage poetry in Cleveland - I miss the thill of my heart pounding before getting up on stage. We've enjoyed many a time with McNiece & Provost.
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Thanks, Lady! They do seem like "quality" fellows.
And I hadn't felt that thrill since my last stage role, playing Judas Iscariot in In Remembrance (2002).
Glad to know it's not all in the past....
And I can't believe I wrote Kia, when I meant Nia.
Guess my newbieness is showing....
I had to go back in and fix that.
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You might want to check out the cleveland poetics group on Yahoo. Most of the major Cleveland poets use it - it's kinda the grapevine of poetry for Cleveland. It's at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/clevelandpoetics/
Cheers
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Very cool! Thanks a lot, Lady!
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Congratulations John!
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Thanks, Terese!
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Just another comment, John. I realized when I read your poems that they have a lot more impact when read aloud. Of course they also do reading them but I think you have the voice and the demean of an actor. I know you can project and that is so important. So DO contact those who have poetry readings. You know I think you have talent and it will only get better by expressing it in public settings. I have great hopes for you and know that one day you will be recognized for your writing and your talents in both writing and music. Bless your little cotton pickin' heart.
Be beat, be classic, be rock or whatever, but be YOU. That is important. Remember this if you don't remember anything I have written to you.
Don't imitate but be your own creation.
Remember that is what we are, we create ourselves daily and change as well like the tides of the sea, the phases of the moon and the beat of the drums. WOW, did I write this???
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Thanks, Elena....
I'm working on being me
Becoming me
And in a way
Whatever I happen to be
Or become
Will be
Simply
Me.
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Very cool JC! Congrats! You will be doing a lot more in the future for sure.
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Thank you, Susan! I hope so....
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So proud of you. Glad you did not inherit my fear of public speaking. Good luck tonight. Let me know how it goes. Will be anxiously awaiting.
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Thanks, Mama!
I did inherit it, I think. But over the years I've gotten over it somewhat and it's not nearly like it used to be.
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...congrats!!!!!! ...sounds like you were in great company, as well!! ...long may you run!!!!
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Thanks, barbie!
Now you've got that Neil Young song going through my head:
"With your chrome heart shining in the sun
Long may you run."
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Looks like fun! You are brave!
Oh, I also watched your video 'Haunted by Forever", geez John, what DON'T you do?
Beautiful words, I expected that...but your voice? Rockin' dude, I would buy the CD. Seriously.
Piano...again excellent.
I listened the whole damn thing twice!
You Rock!
Hugs,
Suze
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Wow... thanks, Suzette!
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