“A Banquet of Words and…”

An interwoven, multi-disciplinary showcase of
spoken word/poetry (Reenah Golden, Justice Peace),
storytelling (Djed Snead),
dance (Fresh and Flii Crew, Melinda Phillips, Douglas McIntyre),
dramatic performance (David Jason Kyle and Marcy Savastan),
and gospel (Walla of Zambia)

Why: Fundraiser for the Empowered Girl Alliance
and the Maafa Celebration Committee (two organizations
working to improve the quality of life in our community)

When: Saturday, December 13, 2008 from 7:30pm-10:00pm

Where: 1441 East Avenue, Rochester, New York (The Rochester Medical Academy)

Cost: $18.00 in advance/$25.00 at the door
Group and family discounts available

Tickets and more information can be obtained at
Mood Makers Books, Village Gate (585-271-7010)
or by calling (585) 256-3221

Monday, December 1st: BADEA

BADEA

APPEARING AT:

The Lovin' Cup

R.I.T.'s Park Point

ROCHESTER, NY 14623

Monday, December 1, 2008, 7:00pm

(followed by Open Mic hosted by Frank Judge/260-9005)

CALL: Lovin' Cup/292-9940--BADEA/234-1641 for more info

WWW.MYSPACE.COM/BADEA1

Sunday: Remembering Faces Reading

Contributors to Remembering Faces, the third chapbook in the Women Celebrating Women series, will be reading and signing copies of the book this Sunday at 1:00 P.M. at Liftbridge Bookstore in Brockport. Copies of the book will be available for purchase at $10/each.

Two Great Events this Thursday

Thursday, November 20th brings the Free Speech Open Mic featuring Liana Gabel & if you haven't had the chance to see this girl, I recommend you do ... She's utterly fabulous! Amazing voice, amazing words, amazing spirit ... truly!

Also this Thursday, a couple guys who swung by Pure Kona last week, Dr. Will and Gianni Gambino of Etch-a-Sketch Comedy Corp., will be serving up some comedy at the Cafe Underground. These guys were pretty impressive ... and very respectful of everyone getting up and doing their own thing. (www.gambino.pranks.com)

So, that makes it:

Liana Gabel
Free Speech Open Mic
The Mez Cafe & Music Hall
396 Gregory Street
8pm - what is it now 11ish?

and

Dr. Will & Gianni Gambino
Cafe Underground
480 W Main Street
7pm - ?

Also, Friday, November 21 - Liana Gabel will be performing at Boulder Coffee - she told me when & of course, i don't rememeber ... I wrote it down somewhere safe, so I wouldn't lose it ... and I'm sure it's very safe in whatever notebook I was carrying around the last time I saw her ... Unfortunately, I have no clue which one it was ... so she's there ... sometime on Friday ... evening ... with friends ... check her out ... she's amazing ... did I mention that?

And Monday, November 24th is the Wide Open Mic at Writers & Books ... Verb Cafe at 7:30 pm ... I will be at a Zoning Board Meeting myself, but you should go ... really ... I would ... I will, if anyone wants to be the clerk for Zoning Board ... anyone? no, okay ... have fun ...

Getting punchy now ... must sleep ... Take care!

Friday, November 14th- The Mez

The Alaska Show:

Nora Kaminski
Liana Gabel
Dana Marzovilla
John Cragie

8pm - ?

Come check out these fabulous musicians!

More to come ...

Two Treats this Week: Martin Espada and Norm Davis

Martin Espada

November 6: Reading, 7 PM
Flynn Campus Center
Building 3
Monroe Community College
Rochester, NY
Contact: Marie Brandt
http://www.martinespada.net/

Two reasons I’ll be doing my best to check this one out:

First: Nick Hogan, who was kind enough to let me know about this reading, recommended him after seeing him at the Dodge Poetry Festival this year and says he is a tremendous poet.

Second: The first thing I saw when I Googled him was this - Sandra Cisneros says: “Martín Espada is the Pablo Neruda of North American authors.”

So how could we miss this? And for free! Nick says, “People should treat themselves and go.” So I’m letting folks know at his, and my own, request.

and

Norm Davis at Books, ETC
Sunday, November 9th at 4:00 PM
Norm Davis will read selection of his poetry. Norm Davis has been a mainstay on the Rochester Poetry scene for many years. He has been a great encouragement to Rochester poets through his development of the Pure Kona series of open mike readings. Come and share some great writing and discussion. This program is free and open to the public. We will meet at Books, ETC., 78 W Main St., Macedon. If you have any questions, please respond by email books_etc@yahoo.com or phone John at 585-464-9103.

Also this week:

Wednesday, November 5, 7-9 pm
Rochester Poets Reading
Featuring Peter Chapman
Hughes Rotunda room
St. John Fisher College

Thursday, November 6, 8 pm
Free Speech Zone Reading Series at The Mez
Featuring Karrah Teague followed by an open mic.

Friday, November 7, 8 pm
Michael Czarnecki reading at
The Peace Storefront.

Wednesday, November 12, 7-9 pm
Rochester Poetry Workshop
Panera Bread at 12 Corners

Saturday, November 15, 1:30-4 pm
Rochester Poets Workshop
The Center at High Falls Gallery.

Sunday, November 16, 4 pm
Peter Chapman reading at Books, Etc.
78 W. Main St., Macedon, NY, 474-4116

Love Parade

From Lindsay:

Time to remember The Love Parade prowls this Sunday!

Meet me at the foot of Charlotte Pier at 1pm

Rain or Shine

With lots of inspiration on your person and love in your hearts

and let's plant the seeds
for Rochester to raise out of it's sometimes slouching ruins........

Let's stir our hearts remembering what is most important.......

Nix you naysayers! It's time, Very Very much time....To create a world more silken with love.......


Forward March will be called at the magical 1:11pm


- your parade much devoted

Creating "a new holiday" for Rochester, in what is to be the inaugural Lake Ontario Love Parade. Celebrating the beauty of the Charlotte Pier and the lake before winter obscures it's treasures! Taking a temporary step away from society by walking the pier in the opposite direction of the city, in the purpose of love, and recognition that we'd like to lead improved, peaceful lives. Honoring the people and things that we love. Possibly making up with our enemies by inviting them to walk with us in the parade or honoring them quietly by parading their picture with warm thoughts. Using the parade as a pre-winter cleanse of the old. Giving our city an authentic and mysterious event like the archaic parades of Bali and Italy. Celebrating brought-props and fun costuming. Paper bell Making. Creating social events in underused, magical areas.

Tonight! Native Americans and Education-Community Dialogue Series

Hello all,

Sorry for the short notice on this, but I just found my Baobab Cultural Center Newsletter and wanted to send this out to let you know about these awesome events - one of which is Tonight! I'm hoping to make it up for this one tonight myself, so maybe I'll see you there!

EVENT

Community Dialogue Series: Native Americans and Education
October 18, 2008 at 6:30 pm

Can Native Americans be Educated and Remain "Native"? This dialogue will explore this question. Peter Jemison, Director of Ganondagan State Historic Site leads discussion.

Jemison will discuss the educational experiences of Native americans in the USA. His talk will include an overview of themes in his art works, and excerpts from a documentary titled House of Peace. Jemison will engage the audience in a dialogue on what schools should teach about the Native American culture and what can be done to enable meaningful matriculation and integration of Native Americans in secondary and post-secondary education.

Details on documentary:

House of Peace tells the story of Ganondagan, a seventeenth-century Seneca village, now a New York State Historic Site, and documents the construction of a traditional bark longhouse there.

(1999, 29 min. Documentary) US; Producer: G. Peter Jemison (Seneca); Director: Cathleen Ashworth; Produced by: Friends of Ganondagan

Check out http://www.thebaobab.org/ for more information

Also coming up at The Baobab:

EVENT

Guest Speaker Event: Adobe: Down to Earth.
October 23, 2008 at 7:00 pm

Guest speaker Paul Rayar is the Director of Arcilla Research. Mr. Rayar is the originator of a technology for producing environmentally-friendly materials from waste streams. An artist by training, Mr. Rayar was a master at creating enameled jewelry, murals, and stoneware ceramics. A native of Florida, he set up his permanent workshop in the Netherlands, where he was sought out to decorate municipal buildings with sculptural ceramic relief and create public statuary.

More information on Paul Rayar is available at http://www.thebaobab.org/

EVENT

Community Dialogue Series: Race Relations: Seminole Indians and Blacks
October 25, 2008 at 6:30 pm

This dialogue will focus on the film "Black Indians: An American Story" that brings to light a forgotten part of America's past - the cultural and racial fusion of Native and African Americans. Discussion facilitated by Roberta Davis.

Honoring the Muse at FLCC

From Curt Nehring Bliss (The man with the coolest last name ever!)



HONORING THE MUSE with poet T.R. Congdon on Wednesday, September 24th at 7pm in the Honors House

Please consider joining us as FLCC Honors Studies kicks off our new Honoring the Muse performance series this Wednesday, September 24th at 7pm in the Parlor Room of the Honors House. Our first featured performer will be Rochester musician/poet/activist T.R. Congdon. Following Congdon’s reading will be a spoken word open mic.

As a musician, T.R. Congdon has played all over the country, opening for big names such as Tom Waits, Bonnie Raitt, and Jerry Lee Lewis. As a poet, he is widely published though he refers to himself as “an unknown figure in contemporary literature.” As a student at Cornell, he studied creative writing with the late A.A. Ammons, and as an independent film maker he has worked with Pulitzer and National Book Award winners and poet laureates such as Donald Hall, Yusef Komunyakaa, Carolyn Forche' and Amiri Baraka. Congdon’s current project is a forthcoming film to benefit New Orleans’ Common Ground Relief organization and will feature numerous poets, Katrina survivors, and volunteers from Common Ground Relief.

A profile of TR. Congdon on the web at www.commongroundrelief.org/node/676
* * *

Honoring the Muse aims to engage, challenge, and surprise audiences with an eclectic mix of weekly Wednesday night readings and performances. Each evening will feature a guest performer followed by an open mic. The Honors House and the community it cultivates provide a generous venue for the presentation of original work. More information on the series can be found online at http://www.flcc.edu/honors and on Facebook (search “FLCC Honors House” and become a fan to stay connected).

The schedule for the 08-09 academic year is as follows:

First Wednesdays at 7pm: Songwriters Circle hosted by Curt Nehring Bliss

Second Wednesdays at 5pm: Composers Forum hosted by Dr. David McGuire

Third Wednesdays at 7pm: Go Bananas (comedy/improv) hosted by Noah Earl

Fourth Wednesdays at 7pm: Writers Bloc Party (spoken word) hosted by Jon Palzer

Poetry, Nonfiction, Discussions Galore

So many things are happening this week! So hard to choose ... I would love to make it to all these events, but I know I'll never pull it off. The one place I know I'll be is at Pure Kona Thursday night for Rich Forster's feature.


I never pass up a chance to hear him read, though I'm partial, since I'm convinced he talks like a tree and I've been known to be quite fond of trees. Intrigued? Come decide for yourself ... and bring something to read for the open mic ... add to the melee!


Tuesday, September 23:

Clea Koff,Author of “The Bone Woman” will speak at SUNY Brockport in the Tuttle North Gymat 8:30 pm. Koff will discuss her work asa UN forensic anthropologist working with families who lost loved ones togenocide.


25 And Under Reading will be hosted by: Sally Bittner Bonn in the VerbCafé at Writers & Books at 7:00 pm. Free toW&B members, $3 general public


Wednesday, September 24:

Francis Smith Foster, African American family life and Women’s Studiesscholar will be holding a discussion on “Freedom’s Journal and its Work,” atNewton Hall on the SUNY Geneseo campus at 5 pm.


Dinty W. Moore is the author of Between Panicand Desire; The Accidental Buddhist: Mindfulness, Enlightenment and SittingStill; Toothpick Men; and The Emperor’s Virtual Clothes. Reading held in The New York Room, CooperHall at SUNY Brockport at 8pm (free & open to the public)


KathAnderson, mentor and friend of poet Ruth Lunt, will be reading from AsQuarks Are to Cicadas, a selection of Ruth’s poemsselected and organized by Kath andrecently published byFoothills Publishing at 7pm. FREE


Thursday, Sept. 25:

Rich Forster will be the feature at The Pure Kona Open Mic, at The Mez, 389 Gregory Street at 7:30 pm. Followed by an Open Mic. FREE

Phil Memmer and Michael Jennings will be the Visiting Writers at Writers andBooks will host.

7 pm: $4 W&Bmembers, $6 general public.

For info on the writers, see http://www.wab.org/events/2008_09.shtml.

Tomorrow: David White

David White at Books, ETC

On Sunday, September 14th, at 4:00 PM, David White will read from his collection of poetry.

David is a philosopher with forty years of professional experience in Upstate New York. All his philosophical work focuses on Bishop Joseph Butler, author of The Analogy of Religion (1736). David balances philosophy with poetry in his dialectic, but the poems are not religious.

The poems, collected under the title Luck of the Welsh, take up the theme of life as a trial with a naturalized Deity as the Probation Officer. This program is free and open to the public. We will meet at Books, ETC., 78 W Main St., Macedon.

If you have any questions, please respond by email books_etc@yahoo.com or phone John at 585-464-9103.

Amy Bloom at Brockport

September 10: Amy Bloom will be featured at the Brockport Writers Forum at 8pm in the New York Room of Cooper Hall on the Brockport campus. This event is co-sponsored by the Women & Gender Studies Program at Brockport and is free and open to the public.

About Amy Bloom: Amy Bloom is the author of two novels, two collections of short stories, and a nominee for both the National Book Award and the National Book Critics Circle Award. Her stories have appeared in Best American Short Stories, Prize Stories: The O. Henry Awards, and numerous anthologies here and abroad. She has written for the New Yorker, the New York Times Magazine, the Atlantic Monthly, Vogue, Slate, and Salon, among many other publications, and has won a National Magazine Award. Her first book of nonfiction, Normal: Transsexual CEOs, Crossdressing Cops, and Hermaphrodites with Attitude, is an exploration of the varieties of gender. She lives in Connecticut and teaches at Yale University.

*About info taken from the flyer sent by Kathleen Gill Re: Brockport Writer’s Forum

For more information contact Writers Forum Co-Directors
Ralph Black and Anne Panning at (585) 395-5713
www.brockport.edu/wforum/

Pure Kona Open Mic

Here are the upcoming features for Pure Kona Open Mic.

Sept. 11 - Major Tony Nelson
Sept. 25 - Rich Forster
Oct. 9 - Patricia Roth Schwartz
Oct. 23 - Norm Davis
Oct. 30 - Lynn Cuthbertson
Nov. 13 - Mike Rae & John Francunas


We are alternating weeks with Free Speech Zone Open Mic, with Pure Kona occurring on the 2nd & 4th Thursdays. Readings take place at The Mez, 389 Gregory Street, beginning at 7:30PM. Norm Davis and Rick Petrie are the evening's hosts. Please email Rick at petrie95@hotmail.com if you have any questions.

Upcoming Features for Pure Kona

August 28 - Dr. Zaeus
Sept. 11 - Major Tony Nelson
Sept. 25 - Craig LaSalle


Pure Kona alternates weeks with Free Speech Zone Open Mic,
with Pure Kona on the 2nd & 4th Thursdays.

Readings take place at The Mez, 389 Gregory Street, beginning at 7:30PM.
Norm Davis and Rick Petrie are the evening's hosts.

Saturday: Collective Show at The Mez & Arianna's 13th Birthday

This Saturday, August 9th at The Mez
389 Gregory Street, Rochester

Doors Open at 7:30 pm
Show begins at 8 pm
Cost : $5

So, Shawnee Boyeee has pulled together an interesting amalgamation of people & poets, musicians & munchkins ... it'll certainly be magical and maybe a bit maniacal ... we shall see, we shall see ...

It also happens to be my daughter Arianna's 13th birthday, so we will be incorporating a birthday blow-out in amongst the poetic performances & musical merriments ...

Arianna will be starting us off with a little poetry and a song or two (with some extra added talent from her little brother Ayden) and then ... in some sort of unknown and malleable line-up, will be me, Chris Reynolds, Urknee & Bjurton, and Shawnee Boyeee!

Hope you can come out for poetry, music, mania, and a fond farewell to Arianna's pre-teen years and her entrance into the intense insanity of American Adolescence!

BADEA wins 1st Prize for "Do You Remember?"

A message from BADEA:

GREETINGS ALL!

BADEA is proud to announce that we were chosen as a first prize winner in the 2008 Blackdog Records Songwriting contest. We were put in the category of "World" and won for our composition, "Do You Remember?" Visit "www.blackdogmg.com" and you can listen to all 65 finalists.

The song is listed under Robert Snead as the writer, not BADEA but believe me, it was and will remain, a group effort.

Upcoming Performances:

2nd Annual Rochester A.B.O.V.E. festival at Genesee Valley Park August 2, 2008 at 2pm

Westside Farmers Market Tuesday, August 19, 2008 at 4:30pm

The Sankofa Festival, Village Gate, Goodman Street, August 23, 2008 at 2pm

T.F. Rice at The Mez: August 7th

That's right, August 7 at The Mez: T.F. Rice a.k.a. Tanya, the fabulous proprietor of The Other Herald, will be the featured reader:

Hi,
just a quick note that I will be reading from SMALL TOWNS, as well as new poetry and a few very short fiction (if I am allowed to stray from poetry-- ha, ha), at The Mez in Rochester on Thurs. Aug. 7 (389 Gregory Street) 8-10 p.m. which includes open mic. The Mez looks to have great food and atmosphere. Check out this cafe, formerly known for many years as Daily Perks, online at: http://www.houseofhamez.com . Maybe I'll see you there? Bring something to read, if you dare!!
Tanya

It's not too often Tanya makes the trek out to Monroe County, so it's a special treat to have her so close at hand - I say, take advantage of it if you can! I know I will!

This Saturday: Art Show Opening

So folks, this Saturday, July 12 from 5-8pm is the Opening
for my Art Show: In Fusion at Books Etc.

Books, Etc. is a fabulous Used Book Store/Coffee Shop/Gallery owned by my good friend John Cieslinski and his sister Mary Ann. I am so happy to be doing a show at such a wonderful place, run by such kind and caring people.

John and Mary Ann host Art Shows at the store every few months, offer a meeting place for the Wayne County Writer's Group, and have a variety of events, including music nights, poetry readings, book club meetings, and sudoku parties.

The bookstore is located at 78 West Main Street, in Macedon, NY. (Just click the Title to the Post to link to a Google Map)

I have several new pieces in this show and will be doing a reading in conjunction with the show, as well, on Sunday July 20th.

I hope you will be able to make it to the Opening this Saturday. I am as excited to see you all as I am for you all to become acquainted with these wonderful people and their fabulous bookstore.

Upcoming Features for Pure Kona

Here are the upcoming features for Pure Kona Open Mic:

July 10 - BADEA
July 24 - Keith Stott
August 14 - Lindsey Herko & Bobby M'ville


We are alternating weeks with Free Speech Zone Open Mic, with Pure Kona on the 2nd & 4th Thursdays. Readings take place at The Mez, 389 Gregory Street, beginning at 7:30PM. Norm Davis and Rick Petrie are the evening's hosts. Please email if you have any questions (petrie95@hotmail.com).

Thanks again.

Rick Petrie

Saturday: Noises, Words, & Sounds at The Mez

An evening of noises, words & sounds with

Honkersome Honkersome Honkersome Horns

NPV

Urknee & Bjurton Russell

Come join us for an evening of jazz-noise sound-scrape word-birding bozo-phonics, guaranteed to offer an alternative to sensitive folksiness, & jamband jamborees.

On this evening we will be featuring the debut skronking of four olde horn-eyed windbag-mongers, Honkersome Honkersome Honkersome Horns; joining them will be Mez word-bird veterans Urknee & Bjurton Russell, and notably noisy improv/noise trio NPV.

There may be some surprises....you have been warned....


Surprises! I love Surprises! I'll definitely be there!

Matt Shackelford: Thursday, June 26

Pure Kona Open Mic/ Free Speech Zone Open Mic

(Whichever it happens to be rotating to this week ... I get confused)

Whatever you call it, don't miss the melodious mumblin's of

Mr. Matt Shackelford (a.k.a. Shack ... or is it Shaq ... no, definitely Shack)

(Author of the break-out Chapbook: Kissings of Possibility)

Thursday, June 26 8pm


The Mez Cafe,

389 Gregory Street, Rochester


Hope to see you there!
(Hope to make it there!)

Reading for Relief: Saturday, June 28

From Wanda Schubmehl:

Asia has been devastated recently by a cyclone in Burma/Myanmar and the powerful earthquake which hit Sichuan province in China. We have all seen the photos and video on TV and the internet, and have, perhaps, been listening to the NPR coverage of the earthquake from its reporters who happened to be in the earthquake zone at the time of the quake.
Maybe you took a minute to think about the desperate needs of the victims of these natural disasters, and wished there were something you could do to help.

Here is an opportunity to spend an afternoon in the company of wonderful local writers reading from their poetry, fiction, and memoir, for a suggested donation to relief efforts for Burma/Myanmar and Sichuan, China through Mercy Corps.


What: A literary reading of original poetry, fiction, and memoir
Where: First Universalist Church of Rochester
150 S. Clinton Avenue
When: Saturday, June 28, 2 PM


Monetary donations are requested. Donations will be channeled through Mercy Corps (www.mercycorps.org), a humanitarian relief organization with 29 years of experience in disaster relief and other humanitarian projects. There will be the option of donating to Mercy Corps with or without a tax credit. You will be able to specify if you want your donation to be used for the survivors of the earthquake in China, the cyclone in Burma/Myanmar, or both.


Authors who will read from their work include:

Tricia Asklar, Ron Bailey, Todd Beers, Louise Bennett, Julie Damerell, Sonja Livingston, Lucy Luo, Wynne McClure, Len Messineo, Elizabeth Osta, Rufino Pabico, Salvatore Parlato, Jr., Colleen Powderly, John Roche, Wanda Schubmehl, Patricia Roth Schwartz, Marie Starr, David Tilley, Kathleen Van Schaick, Leah Zazulyer


With grateful acknowledgment to the First Universalist Church for the donation of space for the reading

Some Poetry Events This Week

From Frank Judge:

Tonight, Wednesday, June 4: Rochester Poets Reading 7-9 pm
Festured Reader: Jeremy Fernaays, followed by refreshments and an open mic.
Location: Hughes Rotunda Room, Wilson Education Building of St. John Fisher College.

Thursday, June 5: Free Speech Zone Reading at The Mez
Feature: Chris Reynolds, followed by an open mic. Readings start at 8 pm.

Friday, June 6: First Friday Reading Series at The Peace Storefront
Feature poet: Michael Ketchek, 8 pm
Preceded by appetizers and followed by an Open Mic

Friday, June6: John Roche will be reading at Greenwood Books on East Ave at 7 pm

Wednesday, June 11, 7-9 pm: Rochester Poetry Workshop
Location: 12 Corners Panera Bread
Bring 5-8 copies of any poems you want to share

Saturday, June 7, 6-10 pm: Opening Reception & Sale is on for "Small" and "Lilac Time" at the Center at High Falls Gallery. Sales begin at 7:30 pm with a raffle for buyer positions 1-20. Also, Friday, June 6, 6-10 pm is the Preview (no purchasing) of 6x6x2008 Show.

Genesee Reading Series: June 10th

From Wanda Schubmehl: Now in its 24th year, the Genesee Reading Series presents writers from the greater Genesee Valley region.

Hosted by Wanda Schubmehl
$3 W&B members, $6 general public
7:30 p.m., W&B
Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Featuring: Ron Bailey and David Michael Nixon

We sometimes speak of "poetic voice," and the GRS for June presents two eloquent examples. Their work has distinct character and approach. We invite you to hear these two poets read from their body of work.

Ron Bailey
Ron Bailey is well-known in our community for his originality and poetic voice, and for his commitment to teaching and mentoring others. He frequently teaches for Writers and Books, among others. He had a distinguished career in education, both secondary and college level.

Ron Bailey has a chapbook, green fire, from 2003, is widely anthologized across the US, and has been most recently published in Cicatrix, The Red Wheelbarrow, and The Aurorean . He is energized by collaborative work, and in the last few months has participated or been featured in collaborations with the RPO, Rochester Art Club, and RochesterInk, the 2007 poetry festival.

David Michael Nixon
David Michael Nixon has produced a full-length, limited-edition poetry book, Season of the Totem, and four chapbooks, You See Me in the Trees, Blue Water Line blues, Hunting the World, and Venus In Retirement. He also has poems in journals such as HazMat Review, Yankee, Home Planet News, and Waterways.

David Michael also teaches, including at Writers and Books. He is known as well for his a capella singing.

Some Upcoming Poetry Events

Just taking my first lunch break all week and wanted to send out a quick shout to you all ... HOWDY!

I'll be coming out of my shell this week to feature for Pure Kona. Hoped to have more new stuff to read, have some, but not as much as I'd like ... it's all rough and stuff at this point ... so I'm trying to figure out what to read. So, if you have any ideas, preferences, notes to avoid drop me a line and let me know ... not that I expect you to remember all my work ... my ego's not that huge ... but I know I often go, you know that one about the bird and the wire thing ... that one's good .. read that ... anything really to help me narrow down my options ... hope to see you there!

Here's the latest scoop from a plethora of poets:


PURE KONA POETRY OPEN MIC

Here are the new features for Pure Kona Poetry Open Mic:

May 8 - Marie Starr
May 22 - Joel Dow
May 29 - Jeremy Fernaays

Pure Kona Poetry Open Mic is held every 2nd and 4th Thursday at The Mez
(389 Gregory St in the South Wedge of Rochester) at 7:30PM.
Norm Davis and Rick Petrie are the cohosts. 15 years running this June.

Sincerely,
Rick Petrie


From Frank Judge:

Monthly RP reading: Wednesday, May 7, 7-9 pm, in the Hughes Rotunda room at St. John Fisher College. Featured reader will be poet Rick Petrie, co-host of the Pure Kona reading series, followed by an open mic.

The Rochester Area Haiku Group will meet Sunday, May 18, 2-4 pm at the annual Bonsai Show at Monroe Community Hospital.

The May Rochester Poetry Workshop will be Wednesday, May 14, 7-9 pm at Panera Bread, 12 Corners.


The Mez (http://www.houseofhamez.com/) could be forced to close because rising costs have outpaced rising sales. Please spread the word about this important, supportive venue for poets and musicians. And don't forget Mezapaolooza, a 3-day celebration of art, poetry & music, Friday, May 16 (4-11 pm) Saturday, May 17 & Sunday May 18 (Noon-11 pm). Poets will be reading Noon-1 pm on Sunday the 18th. If you'd like to read, contact (Frank Judge: 260-9005) ASAP.


From Sally Bittner-Bonn:

BIG authors coming to Buffalo in 2008-2009! Check out this line-up folks, and buy your tickets now, if you're interested (they're already 50% sold out!)! Maybe we can get a caravan of Rochester folk to these 4 events (though I might be otherwise engaged for at least a few of these...)

Sally


Michael Kelleher

LITERARY BUFFALO

BABEL 2008-2009 SUBSCRIPTIONS ON SALE NOW

Just Buffalo is happy to announce our 2008-2009 lineup for Babel:

Chinua Achebe, Nigeria, September 25. Book: Things Fall Apart.

Michael Ondaatje, Canada, October 29. Book: The English Patient.

Marjane Satrapi, Iran, April 1. Book: Persepolis.

Isabel Allende, Chile, April 17. Book: House of the Spirits.


Previous subscribers can re-up for $75. New subscription (four events): $100. Patron subscription $250. Patron Pair $400. Patron subscribers receive VIP seating and attendance at all pre-event author receptions. We expect to sell out next season by subscription. If we do not, tickets for individual events will go on sale September 1.

Note: as of today, we are 50% sold out for next season.


From Donna Marbach:

ByLine Magazine - As of May, ByLine is changing its format from a monthly magazine to a thicker by-monthly magazine. As a result, the deadline for the ByLine Chapbook competition has been extended to September 2, 2008, although the announcement of winners is still expected to be December 2008. (See our website www.bylinemag.com for further details) Also note, that I continue to solicit poetry submissions on a regular basis, as well as articles on the craft of poetry, the marketing of poetry, poetic forms, and devices. Do note, however, that submissions for ByLine should now be sent to ByLinepoetry@gmail.com. rather than to my regular email address.


Women Celebrating Women – Palettes & Quills has issued a call for submissions for the third chapbook in the Women Celebrating Women series. Poems are being solicited from women writers on the theme of women who have made a difference. The deadline for receipt of submissions is July 5, 2008 and a reading and publication party is tentatively scheduled at Writers & Books for October 9, at 7:00 p.m. (Email me at dmarbach@rochester.rr.com


On Saturday May 10, from 10 a.m. until 1p.m., I am scheduled to lead a work shop on Basic Computer Techniques for Poets and other Writers ($32 for Writers & Books Members; $36 for general public) There are still openings in this class. Please call Writers & Books at 585-473-2590. Spread the word to friends who don’t get email. I promise they’ll find this easy to learn and essential to working as a poet in the computer age.

This course is geared to the literary technophobes out there. Some of the things we will explore together are (a) how to turn off the auto-format that capitalizes the first line of your poem (b) how to attach a document to an e-mail and send it, (c) how to download information and save it from a website, (d) how to copy and paste files into e-mails, (e) how to reformat fonts or styles without completely retyping your work, (e) how to save multiple versions of a draft without retyping it every time, (f) how to save files to a disc or merge a series of single files into a single manuscript file. This is a basic hands-on problem solving course for the practical needs of writers. It is not high tech. Your questions will be answered in plain English. You will have the opportunity to practice doing these things yourself. Bring your own laptop or use the Writers &Books computers.


On Thursday, May 8 at 7:00 p.m. The Poetry Rejection Club (i.e. Tricia Asklar, Tom Holmes, and myself) will be the featured readers at the Just Poets’ open mic at Barnes & Nobles in Pittsford. Celebrating the end of our first year of competition for the most rejections, we will share with you some of our funniest, meanest, and strangest rejection experiences. We will also read some of our most rejected poems as well as some of our accepted ones. But most of all, we want to entice you to become a member and compete with us in our new year which started May 1, 2008 and will run through April 30 2009. There are no special qualifications for membership, nor any dues. All you have to do is make a commitment to submit poetry and track rejections and acceptances for the next year. (Realistically, to be competitive, you will have to submit upwards of 100 submissions -but that’s totally doable -- really only about 10 a month or 2 a week). Come join us for some fun and moral support in marketing our poetry. We promise some laughs and a good time.


And Don’t Forget: My dear friend Wynne McClure will be reading along with Julie Damerell at the May 13th Genesee Reading Series at 7:30 p.m. at Writers & Books. Wynne hopes to have copies of her new book at that time too. Either way, she would really enjoy your company at her reading. If you can, please attend.



Well, that's all for now ... that I know of ... I'm sure there's more. I apologize for the sporadic announcements ... still no working computer (or car) and I don't always have time to check at work ... Late for my lunch break now! Gotta go! Hope all is well with all y'all!

Critical Theory to Play Benefit at House of Hamez

A message from Michael of Critical Theory (a.k.a. Ethic)

For those of you attending (or not sure), I've recently confirmed that all proceeds from the door of our show at House of Hamez on April 19th will be going to IHS' Amnesty International fund for "One Laptop Per Child" program.

The money made at the entrance (a $3.00 donation from each attendee) will go directly toward purchasing a uber-dope, solar powered, transforming, nazi-battling laptop for either an underprivelaged child on another continent, or an underprivelaged school right here in Rochester.

Last time we played House of Hamez, we made 100+ dollars from the door alone (and that was without promoting heavily and many of you not showing up). Realistically, we'd like you all to help us match and exceed that amount in the name of local musicans and Amnesty's great cause.

I don't want to promote the show as a fund raiser because I don't feel right riding the coat tails of a good cause for my own business moves, but I DO feel that it's imporant for you to understand the difference you can make by helping us promote, ect.

That's it! Spread the word, and even if you can't make it to the show, please donate to the One Child Per Laptop fund at IHS. It's a great thing. Thanks, peace, love, sex I love you michael of Critical Theory

www.myspace.com/criticaltheoryrrwww.myspace.com/bethnavahcriticaltheory

So whether you go to hear some fabulous rhymes and music or to support the cause ... or (how great is this)see a fabulous performer AND support a fabulous cause ... just go if you can ... you won't regret it .. this guy is phenomenal!

Tonight: First Friday Rochester Program

Jan Cedras will be reading as part of the First Friday Rochester program tonight Friday. March 7 from 7-7:30 at Greenwood Books on East Avenue just down from RoCA and around the corner from Eastman.

Also, here's the link to info on all the other events:

http://www.firstfridayrochester.org/march_08.htm

More First Friday events:

Anti-War Storefront and Gallery
poetry reading (7:30-9:30 pm) featuring David White

Continuing art exhibit: Homicide in Rochester
a year in portraits by Jeremy Oversier 658 Monroe Avenue


Bernunzio Uptown Music
Live Music (6-9pm) by singer/songwriter Steve Piper
with friends Scott Regan, Maria Gillard, and John Daddy
www.stevepipermusic.com www.mariagillard.com


Booksmart Studio
Opening Reception (6-9pm) for The 1st Annual
Alternative Digital Printing Exhibition

Cascade Art Center
Opening Reception (7-9pm) for Form and Function
This exhibition showcases emerging artist
Sarah Rutherford and furniture designer Brandon Carmo

Center at High Falls / High Falls Art Gallery
A Photographer's Path 11

Crocus Clay Works
Opening Reception (5-9pm) for
Mutually Amused: Painting by Ryan DeClerck and Jennifer Rorke
and interactive group painting to live acoustic music


Gallery One Fine Arts
Triple Treat Friday Art+Food+Music from (6-11pm)

Galvin/Davis Studio/Gallery
New work by Chas Davis and Tom Galvin

Genesee Pottery
Opening Reception (6-9pm)
Evolution and Division ceramic work
by Syracuse artist Tim See

Greenwood Books
poetry reading (7-7:30pm) by Jan Cedras

Hartnett Gallery
Family Gathering: A Look into the World of Eating Disorders

Image City Photography Gallery
Root Fusion with featured artist Steve Root
guest photographers: Michaele Cultrara, Hope Junot,
Max Rempel, Jeanne Sozio, Sa Kim Tran, and Steve Tryon

More Fire Glass Studio
Glass Blowing Demonstrations by Guest Artists

Richard Aerni Ceramic Design
New Work by Gallery Artists

Rochester Contemporary Art Center
Opening Reception (6-10pm) for Jessica Julius in LAB Space
upstairs open studios

Artist's Walk to Sibley Center Window with Lanna Pejovic at 8pm

Studio 354
Opening Reception (6-9pm) for The Raven and the Writing Desk
new work by Nancy Topolski and Rachael Hetzel

Visual Studies Workshop
7th Annual Visual Studies Workshop Silent Auction Benefit (6-9pm)
artwork by recognized artists and current MFA students
all proceeds support VSW. admission: $15 / $5 for students

6th Annual Poets Against the War

At the Golisano Gateway, Mid-level Room, Basil Hall
St. John Fisher College, Rochester, NY 14618 US
When: Tuesday, February 12, 7:00PM to 11:00PM
Phone: 260-9005

From the host Frank Judge:

For the sixth year in a row, we're inviting area poets, musicians and other performers to participate in the Rochester Poets Against the War & Occupation event. It will be held in the Golisano Gateway, St. John Fisher College, 7-11 pm, Tuesday, February 12, the 5th anniversary of the cancelled White House symposium on poetry which launched the PAW movement.

No one is expected to create work for the event, but we encourage poets and other writers to read their own material. If you're a musician and don't feel your have any suitable pieces, there's a mountain of suitable songs from the Civil Rights & Vietnam era protests that are as timely now as they were then.

If you're participating, please email a bio-bibliographical blurb (4-5 lines) for the program notes -- publications, interests, causes vs. academics. If you joined us before, please update your info.

Please RSVP ASAP so we can get to work on press notices, flyers and other publicity.

Thanks again for your support.

~Frank
sns1@msn.com
Rochester PAW Coordinator
260-9005

One of a kind concert this Saturday at House of Hamez

SATURDAY FEB. 2...GROUNDHOG'S DAY.... @THE HOUSE OF HAMEZ AT 8PM (389 gREGORY)

THESE 4 ENSEMBLES WILL BRING JOY AND CONSTERNATION (depending on underwear tightness preferences)


NPV

THE NOSE (featuring Ian Downey & Mary Lewandowski)

JOEL'S PROJECT (the young electroacoustolonogist strikes!)

ERKNEE & BJURTON RUSSELL


admission is cheap to negotiable

ZuZu Cafe, and Poets & Writers, Inc, proudly announce:

A new local reading series:
to be held on the third Thursday of every month
(excluding April, August, and December)

The featured poets will read at ZuZu at
Fall Street, Seneca Falls, at 7 pm,
followed by an Open Mic 'til 9 pm.

Delicious teas, coffees, desserts and other refreshments are available..
Pat Schwartz serves as the series organizer and emcee.

The kick-off event on Thurs, Feb 21st, will feature:
Michael Czarenecki, Maureen Owens, and Ellen Clark

Following will be:
March 20th: Colleen Powderly and Tricia Asklar
May 15th: Ron Bailey and Claudia Stanek
Future schedule TBA

FYI: on Fri., April 18th, Patricia Roth Schwartz will read at the Seneca Falls Library at 7:30 pm;on Fri, April 25th, Karla Linn Merrifield will read at Auburn Public Theater,as part of their bi-annual "An Evening with A Poet" program.
Both of these event are also funded by Poets and Writers, Inc.

Thanks Pat!

This Thursday -----> Ian Downey

This Thursday -----> Ian Downey!

Not since Acoustic Music Not For Wimps have I seen the fabulousness of Sir Ian Downey! I am hoping a babysitter will magically appear for me tomorrow and I will be able to manifest myself at House of Hamez ... but if I cannot, go in my stead ... if that's even correct, I don't quite know ... maybe just go instead ... or just go! That's it, just go!

Upcoming events are House of Hamez:

January 10: Lynn Cuthbertson PK
January 17: Gerald Schwartz FSZ
January 24: Robert Ricks PK
January 31: TBA PK
February 7: Nick Hogan & Brenan Giusti FSZ
February 14: Naseer Hammed, a.k.a. Sevin PK
March 6: Lawrence Berger FSZ

The House of Hamez
389 Gregory Street
Beginning at or around 7:30PM

Hope to catch you dropping in there sometime ...