Best. Feature. Ever.
Thanks to everyone that came out to the Blue Ox last night. There’s no possible way you could have enjoyed it more than I did but I hope it came close. Having family, both blood and chosen, and friends in the audience along with a nice mix of complete strangers helped make it a truly
Intellectual curiosity is an aphrodisiac. I’m no elitist, but I do have high standards for certain things, especially when it comes to having a clue about current events and a passion for reading in general. You speak eloquently and have seemingly read every book ever published. You are a fountain of endless (sometimes useless) knowledge,
Aniticpating Acentos
I don’t usually get nervous about a reading until 10-15 minutes before it starts so the premature butterflies that have been floating around since last night have me feeling really dizzy. I found out last night that my aunt, youngest on my father’s side and more like a cousin, is coming to the reading and
Just read the text of Kerry’s prepared speech – not the transcript of the one actually delivered which varied slightly – and can’t help but think in terms of the poetry slam: 4.8 for content, 3.0 for performance. Which in this image-obsessed, media-driven world, one where George Bush is able to successfully present himself as
For the last time…?
Truth or hyperbole? I’ve learned to never say never but in all likelihood, Wednesday, August 4th will be the last time I appear on stage as a featured poet. I fell into the slam scene on a lark back in the summer of 1997, competing in my first Friday night slam at the Nuyorican Poets
louder than words: reloaded differed from the Matrix sequel I jokingly subtitled it after in two significant ways: 1) It didn’t completely and unnecessarily alter its tone from its original incarnation; 2) The turnout was much lower. In fact, the paid turnout was exactly the same as the last show back in May: 21. One
Making Connections
You’re not a poet, you just slam a lot. I should note that I tend to define slam poets in a very general sense, beyond the specifics of the actual competition. IMO, non-competing poets that read frequently at slam-affiliated open mics are also slam poets, looking for and benefitting from the audience the competition attracts
The New Stuff
For Rich Villar I remember the new stuff. When it hit the mic raw and risky like homemade sushi more interested in the flavor than the presentation. We were too hungry for pretense. I remember the new stuff. When it burst from the heart like a ball of fire through an origami parade
Cause the whole, world, loves it when you don’t get down (bah da, bah bah bah-da da) And the whole, world, loves it when you make that sound (bah da, bah bah bah-da da) And the whole, world, loves it when you’re in the news (bah da, bah bah bah-da da) And the whole, world,
On Saturday, I lost my glasses on Nitro (the roller coaster at Great Adventure), a fitting epilogue to the tough lesson that was Friday’s watershed louder than words show. I had low expectations for the Friday slot to begin with, but twenty-one paid in the audience – the majority of whom were supportive friends/co-workers from