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[2.25.03][1.12.03]

JC 2.5.03
TWO IDIOTS PEDDLING POETRY

Wednesday night's edition of Two Idiots Peddling Poetry at the Ugly Mug Cafe in Old Town Orange was typically entertaining. Everything ELSE about the night? Highly unusual:

1) Driving in from the 22 on Glassell to the reading, the passengers in my car noticed SNOW on the ground. (Further inspection indicated that it really WAS snow, and not just wishful thinking.) If anyone has a logical explaination, please drop me a line, because I'm still baffled, and I'm afraid that -- coupled with a few other signs such as imminent war and the return of the McRib sandwich -- this can only mean bad times ahead.

2) Steve Ramirez started things off by reading "Sources Of The Delaware" by Dean Young out of the Best American Poetry 2001 anthology. By complete coincidence, I have been on a major Dean Young kick lately -- his most recent book, Skid (which contains that poem), is amazing. I took this as a good omen -- at least good enough to offset whatever portent snow in Southern California might imply.

3) The second reader was someone named C. Bruce Shasky. Mr. Shasky is apparently a Vietnam veteran. He did a poem about the Columbia explosion. Afterwards, he left the stage with something between a salute and a seizure and spent the rest of his evening "interacting" with other readers, to the point of near-heckling when a feature (see #4) was onstage.

4) The main attraction at the reading was a rare feature appearance by 20-year veteran Los Angeles poet Laurel Ann Bogen. Laurel has a reputation for being an outstanding performer, and she captured the crowd -- many of whom had traveled a considerable distance to see her -- with her inimitable style. Most of her set was drawn from material from her new book-in-progress from Red Hen Press, Washing A Language . Set list: "Visibility Report," "The Door For Love And Death," "Stricken," "Winchester Mystery House," "I Dream The Light Of Reason 2," "The Quick Step," "The Silk Road," "In Praise Of Spinsters," "Vocation Of The Chair," "My Sentence," "Washing A Language," "Immigrant Song," and "October Poem At The Edge Of The Continent."

5) The aforementioned Idiots usually draw an accomplished crowd to their weekly reading, but this night was exceptional even for the Ugly Mug -- practically an ad hoc anthology sipping coffee. The open reading included such notables as Michael Kramer, Richard Beban (who read a sharp-edged political piece called "The Great Train Robbery"), Jaimes Palacio (a strong new two-part poem called "Care"), Daniel McGinn (the "Structure Of Language"/"So What?" pair), Marcia Cohee (taking a chance with some brand-new work), VCP's own Frankie Drayus ("Ceci N'est Pas Magritte," the title poem from her most recent chapbook), and Michael Sprake ("Wild Rice And Salsa"). (Also in the crowd, but unfortunately not reading, were Kaaren Kitchell and Lori McGinn.)

6) In addition to the established poets mentioned in #5, the Idiots manage to attract some VERY promising young talent to their open mic. I haven't been to the reading in the last few months, but I was amazed at how many interesting and diverse new voices have joined the party: Dan Rubiano, Carrie Seitzinger (I REALLY liked her work the few times I've heard it), Joy (who did a spontaneous poem called "Generation Gap" aimed at a certain person mentioned in #3...if only he had still been there...), Brian, Xainab Outlaw (always an Ugly Mug favorite), Aaron Roberts, Greg Austin (strong slam-style stuff...a nice change of pace for the reading), Jason Macbeth (great poem about Dubya), Erin Moutino, and Cora Outlaw all read on Wednesday. Hopefully they will keep coming back to share their words.

7) June Melby got mentioned an awful lot for someone who wasn't at the reading.

8) Next week, the Idiots present Cecilia Woloch in a VERY special reading. Cecilia will be reading "Tsigan: The Gypsy Poem" in its entirety. Mark your calendar. (While you're at the calendar -- please note that this Sunday, 2/9, will be the next round of the Big Damn Poetry Slam at the Ugly Mug.)

9) Oh yeah, this John Casey guy was the other feature. While at the microphone, he managed to name-check physics, the old cartoon "Underdog," UCLA, synesthesia, a couple of random poets, and his parents, who by some coincidence happened to be at the reading. Apparently he read some poetry, too.

Mike the Poet 2.8.03
Dayum... lets give some love to Wayman LitRave!
this man is diligent.. He's provided the forum for folks like Knowledge, John Casey, Jelena, Scott Becker, Frankie, Terry & myself-- I appreciate your good vibes & hard work..

Besides my monthly column for Poetix, I've also started to write for a site called www.la2nite.com

They're looking for writers, so if any of you have
story ideas on LA nightlife & cultural events, hit 'em up.. they're some cool folks --
Yeah & Wayman's right, Hawaiian Gardens is live my friends!
About the only place that can compete with it is
North Long Beach,
Much love everybody!
tell me some of your favorite
LA 'hoods...
peace!

JC 2.7.03

REDONDO POETS

Usually I write reviews attempting to maintain some sort of objective tone that would make my high school journalism teacher proud, but when the review is of a Daniel McGinn feature, it's nearly impossible to do. The man is a magical performer, an eloquent and sensitive poet, and one of the nicest human beings you could hope to meet...and his appearance at Coffee Cartel for the weekly Redondo Poets reading this past Tuesday night was no exception. Several poems in the set were taken from his recent collaboration with Paul Suntup, The Shape Of Her Back -- if you haven't picked up a copy yet, then you're missing out. Three short poems about his granddaughter Emma were a crowd favorite, but my personal highlight was hearing a pair of poems about language: one a found poem from a college textbook called The Structure Of Language , and the response poem "So What?" which wove elements from the found poem into a funny, insightful counterpoint. Set list: "Vanity," "Inkblot," "Amputee," "I Know About The Moon," "Marilyn's House," "Three Poems About Emma," paragraph from The Structure Of Language , "So What?", "Dreaming Of Warsaw" (a pantoum), "Untitled" (the first poem from the new chapbook), "Ashes" (by Paul Suntup), and "After Rain."

Open reading highlights: Victoria Locke read "To The Guys Who Don't Care." Patrick Mooney read "Ascension." Marie Lecrivain read "F---ing In Sidereal Time." ("Sidereal time," incidentally, is the slightly incorrect time measurement you get when you tell time by the position of stars. If that ever comes up in Final Jeopardy! when you're on the show and you win, you own me big time.) Gary J. did a powerful performance of a piece called "Centrifuge." Milena (and yes, I did misspell her name in last week's review...d'oh!) read a response poem to Thom Gunn called "Marker." Jeff H. improvised a poem on the word "Constantinople." (Not "Istanbul.") M.C. Bruce got the biggest laughs of the night for the very funny piece "Spam." Michael Sprake impressed me with "Shed Of Sustenance." Finally, Wanda Van Hoy Smith read her own poem about (grand)children, "The Soft Trap."

Readers: Victoria Locke, Patrick Mooney, John Casey, Dana Campbell, Marie Lecrivain, Jerry Hicks, Gary J., Powers@Large (I'm not making it up -- he really wrote it that way on the signup sheet), Lori McGinn, Larry Colker, Daniel McGinn, Ron W. (who was probably on sidereal time himself, since he read for ten minutes on a four minute limit...), Adrian Nelson, Milena, Zack Wolk, Rose Dement (keeping rhyming poetry alive), Diana Hansford, Jeff H., Max, M.C. Bruce, Michael Sprake, Wanda Van Hoy Smith.

Upcoming features: Continuing the Orange County import trend, Sholeh Wolpe (2/11), Katya Giritsky (2/18). (Not sure where he lives, but Ivan Smason is on 2/25.)

Wayman Barnes 2.7.03
The KPFK Recordings

LitRave was invited by KPFK's Feminist Magazine to record a CD to give as a premium on their pledge drive this upcoming Wednesday. Cool, hunh?

On the show there will be an interview by our very own Charlotte O'Brien with our very own Frankie Drayus. So listen, call in and pledge lots of money, and be the first in your neighborhood to own a LitRave CD.

Feminist Magazine
Wednesday nights 7-8 pm on KPFK
(90.7 in Los Angeles & 98.7 in Santa Barbara)
www.kpfk.org/
www.feministmagazine.org/

The Poets: Jelena Andjelkovic, Mani Suri, Frankie Drayus, John Casey, Michelle Daugherty, Ratpack Slim, Charlotte O'Brien, & Wayman Barnes.

Special Thanks to Fernando, The Newsroom, KPFK, Feminist Magazine, Josy Catoggio, and Maggie LePique.

Wayman Barnes 2.4.03
Thanks, Terry.

It was all in good clean fun. And I love, love love the word Solomonic!!! I desperately want to use that as a blurb on some future chapbook. Please, say Yes?!!!

Terry McCarty 2.2.03
Some clarification should be made

Dear Wayman,

Thanks for posting your Solomonic point-of-view regarding the recent war of words between Rick Lupert and myself on the topic of inserting critical viewpoints in the middle of obituaries honoring the dead poets of our community.

First, I would like to say that Rick and I exchanged e-mails in private and each of us have apologized to the other regarding our conduct during the events of the past weeks. The matter is now settled. I have no more animosity towards Rick and I'll certainly be attending readings at the Cobalt whenever possible.

Next, I would like to say that, if I had anything to do over again, I would refrain from saying "To hell with......" at a public reading. It was my assumption that there were enough poets there who had heard my discussion of Rick and the McClain matter the previous week at the Rapp. I was already upset from some personal remarks Rick had made in a letter to the Cobalt Poets group. So, I let my temper flare and uttered the infamous words.

Having said that, I will defend the right to criticize another poet's conduct in public so long as it doesn't descend to unnecessarily inflammatory remarks. I think that our local poetry community too often shrinks from discussion and self-examination of dubious conduct (including Mark Savage's expensive portraits that enabled a select few in the community to celebrate themselves instead of working harder to find a larger audience for poetry). In that spirit, I welcome John Casey's criticisms of my behavior.

Regarding the L.A. Poetry Festival, I did attract some controversy awhile back for remarks I made about the festival not being representative of the entire community. In the past few months, I wrote a polite letter to Suzanne Lummis on this topic and this led to a dialogue regarding the festival holding an open reading like the previous festival's reading at the Zen Restaurant. I suggested the Rapp Saloon and hooked Suzanne up with Mani Suri. Mani has done a fine job of working with Suzanne and her assistants-and the L.A. festival open reading will be held at the Rapp in April. I would still like to see a citywide L.A. festival (one that would complement the L.A. Festival instead of competing with it), but that will depend on the community pulling out of its usual cliquish factionalism for it to be a reality.

This year, I'm going to be too busy to put together a McClain book. However, I'll be one of the first to buy such a book if someone in the community decides to edit a compilation of his work.

Hope this is helpful to you. Feel free to print this letter on LitRave if you want.

Sincerely,
Terry McCarty

Silpot 2.2.03
why aren't there any photos of jamaica kincaid?

Wayman Barnes 2.1.03
Mani Suri, Frankie Drayus, Jelena Andjelkovic, Charlotte O'Brien and I performed at the Barnes & Noble in Pasadena and had a great time. It is a fun place to do our lil' in-their-face-as-they-walk-in-the-door-poetry-show. Thanks to Ellen Eastwood and all our friends who came out to support.

JC 1.31.03
TEBOT BACH

Friday night marked the inaugural Tebot Bach reading at Golden West College, its new location for 2003 and beyond. The early verdict on the new venue? It's MUCH nicer than the old location at Fidelity National Bank. The new room is much larger, with tables and chairs in plentiful supply. (The arrangement was closer to a business meeting than a poetry reading -- tables all over the room with chairs clustered around -- but it actually made the place more comfortable in a strange way.) Most importantly, the acoustics were fine (helped out by Steve Ramirez's fine soundboard work) -- the old room always felt "dead" for some reason.

The reading boasted two highly respected features, Holaday Mason and Michael C. Ford. The much-published Holaday focused on a lot of new material, some from a manuscript awaiting publication, and some extremely new poems that were debuted at the reading. Highlights of her set included "After Supper," "A Recitation Of Water," "Heirlooms," "Early Morning High Winds...", "Vision Somewhere Over The Pacific," "Until Death," "Chi" (from the current issue of Spillway ), "The Edge Of The World" (introduced as a personal favorite), and "Inside The Radio" (from the upcoming Tebot Bach anthology of California poetry). Michael, a Grammy and Pulitzer Prize-nominated poet and spoken word performer, entertained with several pieces intermingled with anecdotes about his writing life and life in Los Angeles. His set included "How To Score Women At Discos," "Madonna And Prince Are United On Board The Death Star," "If Marriage Is Just A Bad Joke, Take My Wife Please," "A Chicago Funeral Homily," and "The Black Dahlia." (If Michael ever gives a workshop on how to write poetry titles, I'll be the first one to sign up.)

This monthly reading routinely draws outstanding, feature-quality poets to its open mic, and Friday was no exception. John Gardiner performed a WONDERFUL new piece called "Californian" which wove threads about the passing of his mother and his life-long residency in this state into a strong poem which also be included in the upcoming anthology. Michael Kramer read a complex piece based on a Bible story. Katya Giritsky read three terrific new pieces: "3 Poems Or 5 Minutes," "Travels With My Aunt," and "Shopping For Used Cars On Harbor Blvd." Mel Bernstein finished off his portion of the open mic with a piece claiming that he'd kick Danny DeVito's ass for $100. (Note to Danny: He was kidding. Please don't sic the lawyers on him.) Diane Dahlman (sp?) read a funny piece about fantasy men. Ben Trigg closed the reading with a touching poem set amidst a road trip to San Francisco called "Alcatraz Looks Beautiful In The Distance."

Lots of other Orange County poetry news was mentioned at the reading. Tebot Bach, in addition to prepping the anthology, is putting together a swimsuit calendar of Southern California poets. Get your pre-orders in EARLY at http://www.tebotbach.org . (There will also be an article in the Tuesday Los Angeles Times on that subject, apparently.) Plans are also underway for the 2003 Orange County Poetry Festival, with a kickoff planned for March 30. Stay tuned for more info. Last year's event was outstanding -- hopefully this year's activities will be just as good.

Readers: Michael Paul, John Gardiner, Michael Kramer, Joan Bauer, Joseph, Katya Giritsky, Sharon Saunders, Jim Sandford, Holaday Mason, Michael C. Ford, Andre Jacobs, John Casey, Mel Bernstein, Wendy Wright, Diane Dahlman (sp?), Meredith Lasko, Teri Bar-Sonja (sp?), Ben Trigg.

Upcoming features: Richard Beban and Kaaren Kitchell (2/28), Michael Kramer and Sholeh Wolpe (3/28).

JC 1.30.03
REDONDO POETS

After a several-month absence from the Redondo Poets weekly reading (blame work, often and loudly), I was excited to finally be in town on a Tuesday night -- especially so since the featured reader was going to be Beth McIlvaine. ("Going to be" is your clue to look for foreshadowing.) I had gone to Coffee Cartel a few months ago on a night that she was supposed to feature, but she had to cancel at the last moment that night. As luck would have it, last night she had to unexpectedly cancel AGAIN -- car trouble left her stranded in Orange County. Hopefully the third time will be a charm! (The usual co-host, Jim Doane, was also a no-show as he was home in Orange County recovering from the flu. The obvious lesson here is to avoid Orange County.)

Even with the last-minute changes, host Larry Colker oversaw a wonderful open mic reading. Larry opened with Donald Justice's "Men at 40," and later read one of his own pieces ("Caterpillar"), which is among my favorites. (His chapbook will be coming out later this year -- watch this space for details!) Chris Rimkis (probably butchering the spelling, my apologies), whom I had not heard before, read several carefully detailed pieces, including "Hippopotamus." Jeff H. extemporized poetry based on random words from the crowd -- the choices were "bile," "bedsprings," and "eagle," if you're curious. Wanda Van Hoy Smith (who is a TREASURE of our local poetry scene) read her consistently insightful and funny work, including "Judgment Day Jazz" and a new piece called "Virgins Of Terror." Patrick Mooney did a new piece tentatively titled "Your Kisses Turn To Ashes In My Mouth," and the drop-dead hilarious "Lingua Franca." (I'm waiting eagerly for a copy to show up in my inbox.) Maleena (another spelling issue, and I can't even hazard a guess at her last name), another poet I hadn't heard before, did a wonderful poem titled "Etchings" that caught my attention. (I'm probably remembering the lines slightly wrong, but this part really hit me: "I must have been written in pencil on your skin / Your depths reserved for someone else") I read "The Big Day" by Tina Brown Celona (in honor of the State of the Union address) from her book, "The Real Moon Of Poetry And Other Poems," which is a challenging read but highly recommended. (That particular poem also appeared on the Poetry Daily website, so check it out in your archives if you're curious: www.poems.com )

Readers: Larry Colker, Chris Rimkis (sp?), Dana Campbell, Rose Dement (sp?), Alice Winter, Jeff H., John Casey, Max, Ron W., Diana Hansford, Wanda Van Hoy Smith, Maleena (sp?), Patrick Mooney, Zack Wolk, Benjamin.

Upcoming features: An INCREDIBLY strong February lineup, including Daniel McGinn (2/4), Sholeh Wolpe (2/11), and Katya Giritsky (2/18).

Wayman Barnes 1.30.03
For those of you who aren't in the know I thought I would explain the latest controversy that is happening in the LA Poetry Scene:

THE WILLIAM McCLAIN CONTROVERSY

It all started with this message on The Poetry Super Highway Weekly Virtual Update:

“Quick note to mention the passing of long time poet and 'dirty old man' William McClain. William was a mainstay at Southern California Readings since before anyone was every born (or at least the last decade) and his special brand of rhyming-gonna-get-that-girl-and- be-naughty-with-her poetry, although not necessarily the most vital contribution to the literary world, was certainly endearing enough to mention that he will be missed by many. William McClain passed away this past week at the ripe old age of 92.”

And since then all Hell has broken loose.

WHO WAS WILLIAM McCLAIN?

For starters he was my personal favorite poet on the scene. Honestly. Now usually when I tell people that they think I am joking. And that is probably why this thing has blown up the way it has.

When William McClain would go up to read he would often describe himself as a “dirty old man” and he would do a ribald piece with a nudge and a wink. His poems were very funny. He always got his laughs where he intended to get them, which is not an easy thing to do. And took more skill than most people would probably have given him credit for. In other words: My Hero.

If you want a face to go with the name, Poetix did a very nice tribute to him. Check it out: William McClain Tribute.

“TO HELL WITH RICK LUPERT!!!”

Rick Lupert, for those of you who don't know, is another staple of the LA Poetry scene. He hosts a weekly reading at the Cobalt Café and runs the Poetry Super Highway Website. He is also a very funny man. He is quick witted, sarcastic, and dry. Extremely ddddrrrrryyyy. If you read the offending message above you can imagine how he would say it. And it would probably be endearing. One funny man to another.

But probably, and I know this from personal experience (read this Website for examples), he probably wrote the obituary very quickly and gave it no thought at all. Only to have it thrown back in his face by ...

THE TEMPEST IN THE TEAPOT

Terry McCarty. If you met Terry, you'd be surprised by the ruckus he can start. He is unassuming, quiet and quite often very funny. He is someone I like and he has often gone out of his way to do nice things for me. But every once in a while he gets pissed off about something … and watch out!

Last year there was a big dust up over the LA Poetry Festival. I don't remember the details, but it got a lot of people pissed off at him. Now he has started a big debate about the Rick Lupert comment on the VCP online forum. And he is going to poetry readings and shouting “To Hell with Rick Lupert!”

WAYMAN COMES TO THE RESCUE

So now it is up to me to do my Jimmy-Carter-best and make the peace.

Dear Terry,
Let it go. I doubt you are going to get anywhere by expressing this hostility the way you are. Especially at Poetry readings where no one knows what the heck you are talking about. You mentioned that someone should publish a book of William McClain's poems. Why not see if you can get that ball rolling yourself. It would be a lot more productive and an all around great thing to do. Believe me, I would be one of the first to buy it.

Dear Rick,
Be careful with what you say. Your words are going out to a large group of readers – some you know, most you don't. Your “quick note” will be scrutinized, passed along, debated over and before you know it someone is standing up in a front of a crowded room shouting “To Hell with Rick Lupert!!!”

JC 1.29.03
RAPP SALOON

Heather Long was the featured reader last Friday night at the Rapp Saloon. She performed her well-crafted poetry with elegance and style, holding the audience's attention throughout her 20-minute set. (Having just returned from a presentation skills class for work, I think I will be hypersensitive to performance for a few weeks. Her whole presentation would have earned kudos from my instructor for clear voicing of her work and commanding body language.) Highlights included "Kafka Speaks To Hermes" (LOVE that title), "Otherwise," and "Social Anthropology."

The open reading attracted a long list of readers. Jimmy Smith opened the reading on a good note (pun intended but regretted) by singing and playing guitar. (For me, though, the name "Jimmy Smith" will always conjure images of the jazz legend.) Melissa Fischer read some poetry written while she was living in Ghana. One of them, "Perceptions," contained a line that knocked me out: "How odd that anyone is ever in the same place at the same time." (Hmm...there might be a response poem coming soon.) Kurt, a well-dressed gentleman with a charming German accent, read a political piece called "The Truth Hides Behind A Bush." Dana Snow read a serious poem in three parts -- a BIG changeup if you know Dana, who usually regales audiences with humor. I read a poem ("How I Get Ideas") from Dean Young's most recent book, "Skid." (It's a FABULOUS book, if you have some spare change sitting around your home or apartment to pick up a copy.)

One other part of the reading was memorable, but not in a positive way. Terry McCarty opened and closed his poem with some harsh words for another poet not present in the room, which was a very awkward moment for the majority of the audience not privy to the situation. Yes, I am aware of the background. No, I am not going to explain it here. And no, I do not wish to enter the debate. I simply hope that in the future those sorts of comments would be reserved for private conversations. It sharply changed the mood in what was an otherwise upbeat evening.

Readers: Jimmy Smith (music), Alex Kapova (sp?), Luke Brannon (sp?), Suzanna Castille, Vince Grafolo, Melissa Fischer, Kurt, Avery Zia, Eric Haber, Peter Coca, Marie Lecrivain, Don Deedon, Ray Lanthier, Heather Long, Patrick Mooney, Dana Snow, Sara Hage (sp?), Manuel, Reverend Dave, Gary Justice, John Casey, Terry McCarty, Mani Suri, Pete Justus.

Upcoming features: Jaimes Palacio (1/31).

Wayman Barnes 1.27.03
BAN TANNER'S! Very sad news: Knowledge packed the Hot Spot this past weekend, but they still closed his show down.

Fortunately, Knowledge is a go-getter. He will have a new reading up and running very, very soon. I know he will. Hopefully, it will be at a place with better coffee. Take that, Tanner's!!!

Knowledge 1.17.03
Knowledge Posting:This is an S.O.S. Ignition had to fold but I got a double blow when the owner of Tanner's told me that the poetry wasn't working out at the Hot Spot which I'd been running for over 6 months now.I believe he got a complaint from an older woman who walked in when Bronwyn did a sex poem with a lot of F words.Now you can't censor your art so he said as I'd made flyers for this week he would see if we get a big turnout.If we do the Hot Spot can continue.I'm hoping poets will help support so that there will be a Saturday venue for poets in Culver City.The location is Tanner's Coffee Shop in Culver City.4342 Sepulveda Blvd.Saturday at 8pm.S.O.S. Save Our Spot.Knowledge signing off.

Mike the Poet 1.17.03
Knowledge my friend.. Do not be too heavy on your heart.. You gave a damn good effort--- There are already too many poetry venues & people are tired on Sunday nights--- Your ambition is to be lauded.. In big venues such as the one you chose it only makes sense to do a poetry event there once a month or so... The reason that the Poetry Lounge is so successful is that there are probably 6 to 8 people each week helping to host.. Each of these folks helps promote, pass the hat around, take turns calling up poets, etc.. They literally have a village.. You tried to do that all as one man.. it's too much work bruh.. It takes time to build a reputation.. You'd have to have Saul Williams or CodY ChesnuTT to fill that spot up every week.. & you'd have to keep inviting fresh famous features.. The poemcees do not need to rise up from the ashes for they are flourishing as we speak... Delivering poetic fury every night of the week at spots like the Harmony, da lounge, Green, A mic & Dim Lights, the safe House, the Hot Spot.. You are an ambassador of poetry & more than pulling your weight.. Keep your head up & I'll see you next week.. Your friend in poetry-- Mike Sonksen----MikethepoeT

Knowledge 1.13.03
Knowledge Posting:I should call this piece 'The death of a poetry spot.'Ignition' died in it's second week.On the first week 28 people paid to come and in the second week 6 people.I shot for the moon.It could have been free but that would have been an insult to the 2 DJ's that span for two hours both times and the Poemcees that would have rocked it for three hours if the place was full.This was a disco and was worth $5.It was the best location I'd ever seen for poetry.It was the best location but it needed your participation.Ray Kinsella - Field of Dreams/Ray Witter - Ignition.I guess life can't be like the movies.I looked at the stage shaped like a diamond and thought 'I built it but will they come?'The club displayed faith for two nights and took a three figure loss.They dared to dream also.I write this with a heavy heart.It would have been the biggest poetry spot in the country but not enough people believed in it.The Poemcees will rise again like a phoenix from the ashes but our next thing will be free now that I've seen poets aren't prepared to pay for good entertainment.Knowledge signing off.

Wayman Barnes 1.13.03
FAMILY REUNION 2

We couldn't let Ventura have all the fun. Luckily, Spam and Scott (with Gwen in tow) came down to Moonday and tore it up. A great night of poetry was had by all.

Good news! Apparently, rumors of the Bashful Dragon's leaving LA has been greatly exaggerated (She claims by me.) and she will be around for some time to come. Yay!

The Poets:
Rick Weinberger - Something about the war
Audrey Candor - Generation to Generation
Sarah Haige - "You have lived ..."
Russell - Admiration Led to Jungles
Ambika - To Do List
Alice Pero - Cusps; "Eager to drag dragons ..." Tom M. Hall - "Poems are like ..."; Can't live with them ..."; Crucifixion
Jelena Andjelkovic - Menudo (Amilio Madueno); Torch; Orange; Time; Holy Communion
Charlotte O'Brien - Pele; Love as a Muscle Flexing
Anne - "This is all background music ..." Jackson Pollock's Detail of One 1950
Gwendolyn Alley - "Let me tell you what I know about the Vietnam war ..."; "I see him when he is making bread ..."
Scott Vetsch - My Religious Education; My Mother's Stint as Outlaw
Spam - Grandpa's Steel Plate Theory; Squeal Creek Fogger; "The last sucker waltz .."; Hamburger Creek; Fishing Off My Girlfriend's Family Dock
Arthur Levine - "It is the color of life ..."; Mine is light ..." "Dreaming ...";
Keith Mason - "I want temples ..."
Judith Searle - A Prayer for my Father; Incompatability
Frank Jenkins - Girls are Different from Boys; I Didn't Start Out to Be a Poet
Wayman Barnes - The Saltiest Meat
Frankie Drayus - Over the Floating Bridge
Neil Aitken - Superstition; Translation

Moonday
Second Monday of the month, 7:30
Seattle's Best
1015 Montana Ave
(between 10th & 11th)
Santa Monica
310-230-2134

[2.25.03][1.12.03]