What Happened at the 806 Lix and Kix Tuesday?
Thanks to everyone who made Tuesday night's Lix and Kix at the 806 anti-censorship poetry extravaganza a great success, especially to Dianne Borsenik, my co-host! It's been one hell of a past week at home, and I had almost no time to prepare or get into the proper mindset. But sometimes magical things can happen when we get our house-of-sand human plans out of the way.
The 806 Wine and Martini Bar in Cleveland's Tremont neighborhood has an awesome vibe. The place is, even without poetry, a work of art. Euro cool, lushly decorated, and yet totally comfortable, it makes you feel like you're living in the best of the future and the best of the past at the same time. It's the type of place where I can imagine Salvador Dali, Duke Ellington, Dorothy Parker, Gaughin, Kerouac, Hemingway, Sarah Bernhardt, John Coltrane, Miles and Bono sitting around with me creating paintings that perform organic poetry with avant-electro jazz music.
Dianne and I bounced back and forth with poems - sprinkling in a serious free speech message leavened with a hearty dose of humor. We read some old favorites as well as a lot of work we'd never before shared publically. We tackled a hearty mix of politics, religion and sex - and paid tribute throughout the night to certain artists who've been known to kick against the pricks of censorship (e.g. Allen Ginsberg, William S. Burroughs, d.a. levy and Steven B. Smith). Early on, a selection from Smith and Lady's book Criminal about the time Smith learned to masturbate had the crowd laughing hysterically. (They're looking for a publisher, by the way.) And the fun kept coming.
I also played several of my original songs, including two that were censored by the authorities in prison: "Enough of This Wonderful Counselor Bit" (from 2000's King of all Kings) and "Judas' Lament" (from 2002's In Remembrance). I performed my once blogged "Forever's Haunting Me" by request as well (click here to see a video of me playing that song at home).
After all that, open mic contributors Danilee Eichhorn, Steve Goldberg and Jen Pezzo kept us entertained and read some fine poetry, even outshining a post-debate guest appearance by presidential candidate and senator Barack Obama (okay, I admit it was me in a mask) reciting anti-Bush haiku.
We haven't confirmed it yet, but I believe we'll be having another poetry event at the 806 Wine and Martini Bar next month (if we stick to the first Tuesday, that'll be election day). When I know for sure, I'll post something about it in my blog and on my home page (www.crisischronicles.com). Meanwhile, here are a few photos from the event:
Me before the show (photo by Geri)
James Borsenik (photo by JC)
Dianne congratulates a couple of newlyweds who were in the house (photo by JC)
Steve Goldberg chats with a doctor whose name I can't recall (photo by JC)
Dianne heats up the crowd (photo by Geri)
Danilee Eichhorn shares her "Cunt" poem (photo by Geri)
Steve Goldberg shares a poem inspired by the 806 (photo by Geri)
Jen Pezzo was so good I didn't believe it was her first reading (photo by Geri)
Geri Burroughs (photo by JC)
Me wearing a work of art by Steven B. Smith (photo by Geri)
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To get your own Steven B. Smith art apparel
visit http://www.cafepress.com/emcsquared1
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And check out the 806 Wine and Martini Bar
at 806 Literary Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio
Peace and poetry,
John
Sounds like it was a wonderful night! That was so gracious of you to read from Criminal - thank you so much. Wish we coulda been there.
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My pleasure - you were both there in spirit. Folks even tried to buy my copy.
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thanks for pimping the book and the tee-shirts. gonna have to hire you as a manager and p.r. expert.
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I was glad to do so! Wanted one of those shirts ever since I saw Steve Goldberg sporting one at the Literary Cafe in July... and your book's the best I've read since I can't remember when. Even Geri's reading and loving it, and she rarely reads.
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I am loving it. A great poetic photo entry of the really important things in life ~
John - come on enter for a free book you're my buddy ~ It's a little short piece.
I appreciate you Cleveland guys - you're all the best goes for Detroit & Michigan too.
Thanks for being my internet friend.
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Thanks, Joy! I'm very happy I met you through Facebook. Dug your blog today, and hope I win your book.
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Yes, I, too, wish you, Smith and Lady, could have been there! As JC has said, we had a fantastic time! I am planning on catching up with Matt, the general manager of the 806, today or tomorrow, and confirming our next show date. I'm excited about the possibilities the venue presents!
The newlywed couple's names are Greg and Kay Anderson, and the doctor's name is Dr. S. Cherukuri. VX of the Poet's Haven was there, too, lending his support and encouragement, and Jamie, Dawn, and Kate (friends from work), and their friends. Oh, and Dr. Cann from work. But it's a big venue, so there's lots of room for more!
And let me tell you, people, JC was entertaining, amusing, and professional-- he held the audience in the palm of his hand when he read and sang. You could hear the bar crowd in the next room get quiet to listen. He's a wonderful emcee, as well!
It was a great evening! Can't wait to do it again!
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It sounds like a really fantastic evening was spent by all. Congratulations. I'm really glad to got to play your music and sing as well as recite. Great!!
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Thanks, Elena! And thank you very much, Dianne! You're too kind. And you were the perfect co-host. Kay compared us to oil and vinegar - I wonder which I was.
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Hmmmm... either one has an interesting connotation. Slick, smooth, oily? Or tart, sharp, vinegary? I'd say you were the slick, smooth performer, and my poetry was the tart part of the show, so there you have it. Lettuce continue in this endeavor, lol!
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Awesome! This event had all of my favorite things, poetry, activism, religion, sex and newlyweds! I have very strong feelings against censorship. I have the ACLU on speed dial, LOL.
Thanks for sharing this. You give me more than a glimpse into this really cool scene that you and your talented friends have going.
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Thanks, Tara! Can I get that ACLU number?
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You can check out the American Civil Liberties Union at ACLU.org and I also like the news on Amnesty International's website, Amnestyusa.org. It's important to follow the news from a variety of sources.
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Two good organizations! Thanks, Tara.
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Sounds like a great evening! Glad to see you getting your work out there.
Congrats Hugs,
Suze
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Thanks a lot, Suze!
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Sounds like an great time, and the pics of the venue look incredibly cool! Hope it continues so I can make it out at some point in the future
Take care!
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Thanks, T.M.! I hope so, too.
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OMG I had an awesome time! You and Diane were the perfect feature poets... The atmosphere was perfect. I can't wait for the next one.
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Thank you so much, Jen! I enjoyed your reading a great deal and am happy you came and participated.
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I'm so pleased this event went well. You and Dianne are the "Dynamic Duo" to catch a 60's phrase.... partners in crime...
I'm sorry my classes interferred with getting there to enjoy it Because your being able to share your music too is wonderful.. having heard you once or twice.. That was something I'd hoped eventually would happen.. lots of untapped talent you have Mr. Burrough's.. glad to see it coming out for others to enjoy.
So when's the next one?
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Thanks, Chris! You're too kind. I still don't know when the next one will be. Hope to know today....
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http://imapc.lifewithoutwalls.com/?u=CharlaXici
everyone would freak if eye came and read my forking dam here is a link to my own fifteen minutes of fame on MSN
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