Archive for the ‘Events’ Category

Coffee House Readings Closer

Posted: October 28, 2023 in Events, Ink's Poetry
Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
0

With everything going on, I almost hate to say it, but 2023’s been a really good year for me. And that’s continuing at least through mid-November with two features planned for the 17th in Burlington, NJ at Evermore Coffee Roasters and the 19th in Asbury Park at Asbury Park Roastery.

Evermore’s a great spot for Kendall A. Bell’s (Maverick Duck Press) “A Poetry Tempest” reading series. I’ve only been once (my first trip to Burlington!), and the talent was astounding. And now I’m floored and honored to not only be reading with the fabulous Alise Versella, who I know from several local open mic spots, but also none other than Geraldine R Dodge poet BJ Ward! (Apologies to Casey Britton, who I’ve not yet had the pleasure of hearing or reading.)

Coffee and Words is a series near and dear to my heart. Organized by Cord Moreski, it has the feel of the Annex shows hosted by Chris Rockwell some all too many years ago. There’s never a shortage of amazing features and poets on the open mic, and the atmosphere is as supportive as it is crafty. And I have the honor of reading with sucker-punch poet Jewlz Wit A Z and Rebecca Weber, who consistently amazes no matter the direction or focus of her poems. (Apologies to Donel and Mi, who I’ve yet to have the pleasure of hearing or reading.)

And since my creativity has been stuck in the unusual states of inspired and productive, I made a brochureside(tm) of one of my poems, “The Museum of Broken Promises,” to be sold solely at these two events. Each will be numbered for authenticity and feature said poem a la broadside fashion but in tri-fold museum brochure style. There’s a lot of fun and even a few Easter eggs in the backside babble, too!

These readings will be a great end to 2023, and there’s even more to come!

Going Mad!

Posted: August 28, 2023 in Events, Ink's Poetry
Tags: , , , ,
0

Many do not know this, but early on in my adult life, I once (and only once) decided to move away from New Jersey so that I might afford living elsewhere alone. That somewhere ended up being Secane, PA. While living there, I happened upon Eileen D’Angelo’s Mad Poets Society. It was a home away from home as far as open mics and readings went; the community was as welcoming as it was talented. One of my poems ended up being published in one of the group’s anthologies, and I read at their annual festival some time back. While I moved back to New Jersey only a short time later, I maintained a great affinity for the group. So when I saw an email blast calling for readers, I decided to end my estrangement. Luckily, they were of a similar mind.

The Mad Poets Society Festival is a yearly affair that usually coincides with a street fair, which takes place in Media, PA and features all kinds of great foodstuffs. (Note: the street fair is scheduled for the October 8 this year.) While the latter would definitely be reason alone to attend the poetry festival, the 55 scheduled readers (including me) on the bill for the 36th iteration, which will take place rain or shine on October 1, 2023, more than justify the trek. It’s a short, one-day festival featuring five sets of 11 poets reading approximately five minutes of poetry each. If you’re looking to hear me, I’ll be in the third set, which kicks off at 2:00 pm (1400) in The Mansion Parlor at the Media Borough Hall (301 N. Jackson St.; Media, PA). I’ll have copies of my chapbooks and formal collections for sale, but mostly I hope to see you all there!