Quickie (Phoenix Risen)
Gotta lot to do today, but I want you to know my featured reading at Phoenix Coffee in South Euclid for Saturday Night with the Poet's Haven went very well.... Our friend Chris (Rune Warrior) came all the way from Detroit. James and Dianne Borsenik took us out to eat before heading to the gig. And a lot of fine poetic folk were in attendance (including, but not limited to, Wendy Shaffer, T.M. Göttl, Cavana Faithwalker, Steve Goldberg, Jean Brandt, Peter Leon, Rubin William and my wife Geri Lynne). Split Pea/ce were also featured - and VertigoXX of www.poetshaven.com was our host and MC.
VXX recorded the goings-on and will be posting a podcast of them for your listening pleasure very soon at www.poetshaven.com, as well as on the Poet's Haven's MySpace page. I'll try to let you know as soon as it's online.
I didn't take my camera or any notes - tried to focus solely on the poetry. But Dianne Borsenik and Rune Warrior took a bunch of pictures and will probably be blogging something about the event very soon. [UPDATE: They did it! To read Dianne's blog click here; to read Chris', click here.] I don't feel I'm the best person to review my own reading, anyway. But I thought it went well. I felt a little nervous at first (less so than I might have expected), but didn't take too long to start feeling right at home. I was thrilled that so many friends showed up to show their support (the house was packed!). During the open mic, I very much enjoyed hearing some of the performers who were new to me. And several of the poets I've seen and enjoyed many times before outdid themselves, taking their already excellent work to deeper, more sensitive and more inspired levels.
I read several of my pieces live for the first time, including an untitled poem Will Northerner published a few months ago as part of his Blast Invitational, "Prison Scene" from Bloggerel, and my previously unseen "Preacher Gunn" (which I began writing 10 years ago in prison and revised slightly a few hours before the event).
And this was before the coffee kicked in! [photo by Dianne]
Other pieces I read included Holier Than Thou, Rapists, John Cage Engaged and Uncaged, and my epic Identity Crisis. Can't recall for sure what else now....
Please keep an eye on Dianne Borsenik's and Rune Warrior's blogs for more... as well as on www.poetshaven.com for the podcast... and if you can, please check out the next Saturday Night at the Poet's Haven open mic event in person at Scribbles Cafe in Kent, Ohio, on September 6th at 8 p.m. Rising star Dakota Kincer will be featured.
We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your friendship, inspiration and support! Peace....
VXX recorded the goings-on and will be posting a podcast of them for your listening pleasure very soon at www.poetshaven.com, as well as on the Poet's Haven's MySpace page. I'll try to let you know as soon as it's online.
I didn't take my camera or any notes - tried to focus solely on the poetry. But Dianne Borsenik and Rune Warrior took a bunch of pictures and will probably be blogging something about the event very soon. [UPDATE: They did it! To read Dianne's blog click here; to read Chris', click here.] I don't feel I'm the best person to review my own reading, anyway. But I thought it went well. I felt a little nervous at first (less so than I might have expected), but didn't take too long to start feeling right at home. I was thrilled that so many friends showed up to show their support (the house was packed!). During the open mic, I very much enjoyed hearing some of the performers who were new to me. And several of the poets I've seen and enjoyed many times before outdid themselves, taking their already excellent work to deeper, more sensitive and more inspired levels.
I read several of my pieces live for the first time, including an untitled poem Will Northerner published a few months ago as part of his Blast Invitational, "Prison Scene" from Bloggerel, and my previously unseen "Preacher Gunn" (which I began writing 10 years ago in prison and revised slightly a few hours before the event).
And this was before the coffee kicked in! [photo by Dianne]
Other pieces I read included Holier Than Thou, Rapists, John Cage Engaged and Uncaged, and my epic Identity Crisis. Can't recall for sure what else now....
Please keep an eye on Dianne Borsenik's and Rune Warrior's blogs for more... as well as on www.poetshaven.com for the podcast... and if you can, please check out the next Saturday Night at the Poet's Haven open mic event in person at Scribbles Cafe in Kent, Ohio, on September 6th at 8 p.m. Rising star Dakota Kincer will be featured.
We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your friendship, inspiration and support! Peace....
Yaar.... Mr. Crisis... am loading and editing my photos as we speak.
Unfortunately the "most unique and fetching photo" is on my phone...and maybe interminably trapped there... the Obama-look alike photo of JC.... but I'll see if I can figure out the arcane magic of how to get it from my phone to my computer and get back to you on that... Because it of course is priceless... a one of a kind.
Blog will be up either tonight or tomorrow. I'll post a link here in the comments when it is done. I'm sure Dianne will do the same. She took more photos than I did.
I will say briefly here the featured reading by JC was outstanding and top quality. Well received too.
There were several other top quality poets who shared their work. Some traditional, some Slam style poetry .. a nice mix of variety and styles. Making for a stimulating evening of poetry. Lots of new connections and friends made.. over all a fun night.
But I will just tantalize here or I will give away my whole blog...
Chow....
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Cool, Chris!!! Thank you. I'm looking forward to it....
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I think it is just wonderful that Chris came here again to hear you read. She is a real supporter of you, isn't she? Now you have someone else to take pics and blog for you. Sorry I couldn't make it on Saturday to the Phoenix since I had Miriam, Marc, Katy and Kevin here and had a great weekend with all of them. Don't forget I want a copy of your poetry in Bloggerel. Thanks...
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Thanks, Elena!
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I think it is great that our friend, Chris, was able to come here again to hear you read and take more pictures. Sorry I couldn't make it this weekend since I had a house full of company, Miriam, Marc, Katy and Kevin were all here. I also have been putting together about 40 pictures of the Mayan ruins that were on slides and Marc is getting my web site underway. Miriam, by the way is a poet herself and was the editor of the Hofstra University Poetry magazine and has published in about 6 or 7 poetry books. I may put some of her poetry on a blog. She is also accomplished in other ways, and wins prizes for her doll fashions that she sells on e-Bay. Marc has a music studio and has CDs of his music on iTunes. He also has published a lot, the latest is his book on Earl Dickerson, civil rights lawyer in Chicago and a friend of ML King. So I always enjoy talking to my kids. They are also very creative...
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The comment didn't show up the first time I submitted it. WHY? So that is why I tried again and repeated a couple of things. Sorry about that.
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congrats. you do be getting around.
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Thanks, Smith!
I will be going to fewer readings this coming month - wanna take a bit of a break and do more new writing.
I'll at least go to the Lit and maybe one more this coming month. Got another featured read scheduled for the 1st Tuesday in October at the 806 in Tremont - will be able to do some of my music there as well....
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Wow.... Elena.... thanks a bunch ... I'm afraid I'm a bit speechless after the not so subtle put down you just left there...
I guess all I can say is........ thank you... how kind.
I will be back with a link after I finish my blog...
But I'm afraid I shouldn't leave comments here any longer... they don't seem welcome even though this blog has always been open for everyone to comment on in good spirits.... a nice place to chime in...
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Chris,
Please don't go... I think your comments are always thoughtful and pertinent to whatever discussion is going on. This is one of the greatest blogs I've read for the exchange of ideas and I think it's be a lesser place without you. Don't let one or two problem children chase you away.
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Chris, what subtle put down can you come up with? I didn't start all the fuss on the last blog and as a matter of fact didn't even start commenting until the very end after the "butt smooching" was introduced by Teresa. I thought it was humorous, sorry you didn't.
It is a LMAO humor and nothing more. lol
I agree with Pinky P.
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Who is having an identity crisis tonight?
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I took everything in the last blog in very good humor... I thought. I found it all very funny.. I had no hard feelings about anything.
I was referring to the comment you posted above. I just thought it was very pointed, unnecessary and unkind...
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Chris, if what I wrote was unkind please forgive me. I wonder what I wrote could possibly be considered UNKIND? Will you please explain what you mean by this? I am mystified entirely by your attitude and I think others would be also.
"scratching my head wondering what she meant" lol
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Thank you, Pinky!
I want everyone to feel comfortable saying whatever he or she feels inspired or incined to say here. But freedom of speech works best when we can be respectful of each other, even when we happen to disagree.
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Great job on Saturday night! And I really liked hearing Identity Crisis. Well done, my friend.
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Especially coming from someone like you, that means a great deal. Thank you, T.M.!
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Hey JC - just wanted to drop you a line - I've been busy writing crazy shit all day but congrats - you must be floating on cloud nine, a new poet on the scene and all -
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Thank you, Lady! I feel a great sense of accomplishment.
I'm digging very much the "crazy shit" you've been posting on your blog lately.
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I'm jumping up and down right now. Aside from the GREAT turnout at the event, two and a half hours of readings recorded (some of which won't make the podcast, but that's why I tell everyone ya gotta come to the events) and John/JC's spectacular reading, I just secured an AMAZING, MIND BLOWING musician from Arizona for this weekend's episode!
There will be at least three episodes of the podcast featuring work from Saturday night.
I just can't wait to see the photos smoke coming out of my ears after Mike from Split Pea/ce dropped an F-bomb in the first 'song' of their ALL AGES / MODERATED set... LOL Nothing stronger than one use of the word "bitch" at last month's "red" 21+ / UNMODERATED show, but the "green" show got a "fuck," at least three references to masturbation, and poems about gettin' neekid. LOL (The good news is, the next Poet's Haven shows at the Phoenix will be rated "yellow," pending a final okay from the manager.)
--VX
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LOL.. everyone was waiting for you to pull out the hook.... VX
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I would have, except I already knew what to expect in the rest of the piece. (It used to be on the Split Pea/ce MySpace page, and I know I've seen them perform it once before, maybe at the Cleveland 100.) If he'd followed it up with something I hadn't heard before, I might've been worried, but the rest of their set was work I was familiar with. I'm going to give Mike the benefit of the doubt on this, and guess that he *meant* to change the word but in the rush of performing it slipped his mind. It was all okay, the youngest person in the audience was maybe 15 or 16, and nobody was offended. But this is why I'm going to be working hard on making sure most of the future shows I book are rated "yellow."
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LOFL!!! So, I've got John/JC's recording split for the podcasts, and now I've moved on to Split Pea/ce... Just as Mike reads "fucked around with her" you can hear glass breaking. Either someone dropped something up at the coffee bar or my brain blowing that gasket was louder than I thought. LOL!
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LOL... the look on your face when Mike "fucked" the mic was priceless!
Thanks again, Vertigo, for a wonderful evening of poetry - and for inviting me!
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Hi, everybody, sorry it took me so long to get here-- but I've been busy putting together my blog reviewing Saturday night's spectacular reading! You can find it at www.myspace.com/poetrybelfry , a brand new site I've just opened. I want to use it to report on local readings and poets (from my point of view, and believe me, I won't be competing with the very erudite Jesus Crisis!)-- and would love to hear what you think about it. Be sure to check out the photo album of the event, also on that site. I would appreciate your letting me know if you find any links that don't work. And I believe JC will be posting a link to the blog, as well. Congratulations, JC, on a wonderful featured reading. It was a memorable night, and your performance was outstanding! It was nice to see a lot of local poets there to offer you their support and encouragement, and I enjoyed their poetry and company, as well. Kudos to you, and I look forward to your next reading!
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Thank you very much, Dianne! The bellfry is a great idea, and I've added a link inside the text of this blog.
I'm grateful for your friendship and support and looking forward to your featured reading as well.
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Hey...
wasn't able to post this till just now.... had someplace to be... But here is the link to my blog about the weekends happenings and JC's coming out party as Featured Reader at Phoenix Coffee.
Here is the link:
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=167215819&blogID=427620164
Clicking on this here text will take you to the RuneWarrior blog about the Reading.
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Very cool! Thank you, Chris! I've added a link inside the blog itself, too.
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The first podcast from this show is online, featuring the first half of John/JC's reading. (The second half, "Identity Crisis," will be used in episode 8, going online September 13th.)
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Saturday Night With The Poet's Haven episode 6 is now online! This episode features poetry from Jesus Crisis, Newell Williams, and Dianne Borsenik and music by Jammin' Joe Buck.
To get the podcast on iTunes:
http://www.itunes.com/podcast?id=269155426
If you wish to download the podcast directly from PoetsHaven.com, go here:
http://podcast.PoetsHaven.com or http://podcast.PoetsHaven.com/links/06.html
You can also listen to the podcast on MySpace.
http://www.myspace.com/poetshavenpodcast
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Cool! Thank you, VXX!
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Episode 8, featuring "Identity Crisis," is now up on the MySpace page for your listening pleasure. It will be available to download on Saturday.
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