Open Mic Poetry Readings

[Angeline]

Has anyone done this? There's one near me in a few weeks, and I think I'm gonna go for it.

Got any advice? What should I read? Tath, can you drive up and hold my hand? I'm nervous--I know I have no reason to be, but I'm a neurotic girl.

I'm a reader, not a rapper or slammer. Is that good or not? (It's at a bookstore, so it ain't exactly performance art).

Come in here and encourage me.

 

[jd4george]

Ang... been there, done that. (I even wrote a poem about it... "First Reading"... sorry for the blatant promotion, but oh well! )

Advice? Depends upon what you want to do. My last reading was a prelim slam for the Maine Festival. I selected some recent things that I thought were pretty good, and I read them. Sadly, I was the first reader (and being number one is assurance of not making the cut... everyone forgets how goods the shit was!).

I majored in theatre in college, and consider myself an accomplished public-speaker. Even so, I practice my delivery. What the hell, "performing" the poem is part of the magic.

Is there a time limit? I ask, because I've been prepared to read something about 4 1/2 minutes long, only to discover that there's a strict 4 minute limit. They were anal, (and assholes) and would cut poets off.

Concept and images are always important in poetry. But readings are a performance. So, which creation of concept and image has the greatest music?

Got several in mind? Then, imagining that this is the only time you ever read publicly, which poem would you want recalled, should someday someone say: "Did you ever get the chance to hear her read ___________? Man, it was a good fucking poem."

I understand the tweaks of fear. I still get'em. My poems are my babies, and like any proud parent, I want my kids to be liked.

But, Angeline, my only real advice is this. Have fun. After all, all poets are fools... we chase the things no one sees, and hear music when others hear silence.

And don't forget Ginsberg's sage commentary: "People don't like your stuff... fuck'em."

By the way, where is the reading?

 

[tungtied2u]

Has anyone done this? There's one near me in a few weeks, and I think I'm gonna go for it.

Got any advice? What should I read? Tath, can you drive up and hold my hand? I'm nervous--I know I have no reason to be, but I'm a neurotic girl.

I'm a reader, not a rapper or slammer. Is that good or not? (It's at a bookstore, so it ain't exactly performance art).

Come in here and encourage me.

Go for it Ange. Bluesky really had great feedback when she read some of hers.

If you're reading more than one, I'd start with a couple short ones , then kick in with a longer one to wrap it up.....once you've got 'em hooked.

As far as choices......I'm not familiar enough with your stuff.....except to say you can't choose incorrectly......just consider your audience......

And who knows....maybe if you knock back a couple bourbons before you go on.....you could be a ramming slapper....or slapping rammer.....

and you'll be magnificent at it......

 

[*Catbabe*]

Just think of it as one more way to share what you love Ange. You'll be great.

 

[Angeline]

Ang... been there, done that. (I even wrote a poem about it... "First Reading"... sorry for the blatant promotion, but oh well! )

Advice? Depends upon what you want to do. My last reading was a prelim slam for the Maine Festival. I selected some recent things that I thought were pretty good, and I read them. Sadly, I was the first reader (and being number one is assurance of not making the cut... everyone forgets how goods the shit was!).

I majored in theatre in college, and consider myself an accomplished public-speaker. Even so, I practice my delivery. What the hell, "performing" the poem is part of the magic.

Is there a time limit? I ask, because I've been prepared to read something about 4 1/2 minutes long, only to discover that there's a strict 4 minute limit. They were anal, (and assholes) and would cut poets off.

Concept and images are always important in poetry. But readings are a performance. So, which creation of concept and image has the greatest music?

Got several in mind? Then, imagining that this is the only time you ever read publicly, which poem would you want recalled, should someday someone say: "Did you ever get the chance to hear her read ___________? Man, it was a good fucking poem."

I understand the tweaks of fear. I still get'em. My poems are my babies, and like any proud parent, I want my kids to be liked.

But, Angeline, my only real advice is this. Have fun. After all, all poets are fools... we chase the things no one sees, and hear music when others hear silence.

And don't forget Ginsberg's sage commentary: "People don't like your stuff... fuck'em."

By the way, where is the reading?

It's at Border's. Wanna come? (You can read too, buddy.) Then at least I'll be assured of two people (you and ee, who has no choice, lol) applauding or fingersnapping or whatever it is people do at these things. I have read publically before but not since grad school--years ago--and I haven't been to a reading in a long time, so I'm not sure what to expect.

And I don't know why I'm obsessing. Hell, I taught seventh grade English--now *that's* a tough audience.

 

[WickedEve]

Has anyone done this? There's one near me in a few weeks, and I think I'm gonna go for it.

Got any advice? What should I read? Tath, can you drive up and hold my hand? I'm nervous--I know I have no reason to be, but I'm a neurotic girl.

I'm a reader, not a rapper or slammer. Is that good or not? (It's at a bookstore, so it ain't exactly performance art).

Come in here and encourage me.

Oh, you're lucky to have the opportunity. Nothing here like that. You have a great reading voice. You'll do fantastic. Do you have any poems picked out yet?

 

[Angeline]

Re: Re: Open Mic Poetry Readings

Go for it Ange. Bluesky really had great feedback when she read some of hers.

If you're reading more than one, I'd start with a couple short ones , then kick in with a longer one to wrap it up.....once you've got 'em hooked.

As far as choices......I'm not familiar enough with your stuff.....except to say you can't choose incorrectly......just consider your audience......

And who knows....maybe if you knock back a couple bourbons before you go on.....you could be a ramming slapper....or slapping rammer.....

and you'll be magnificent at it......

Hmmm. I'll send you a plane ticket. Maybe I can fill the audience with my friends, shilling for me. (Well, except darkmass, who would just critique me, the bum.)

 

[Angeline]

Just think of it as one more way to share what you love Ange. You'll be great.

(I'll write a giraffe poem.)

 

[WickedEve]

Can you do Annointed or is it not an annointed kind of crowd?

 

[Angeline]

Re: Re: Open Mic Poetry Readings

Oh, you're lucky to have the opportunity. Nothing here like that. You have a great reading voice. You'll do fantastic. Do you have any poems picked out yet?

Not yet. I was thinking about Lady's Blues in Winter and maybe Wanting Snow (but this being Maine, that one could be a biiiig mistakey, lol).

Help meeeeee.

 

[Angeline]

Can you do Annointed or is it not an annointed kind of crowd?

omg! are you crazy? i'd be blushing so bad I'd want to go through the floor!)

 

[jd4george]

Ang... is it the SoPO Borders? If not, which one. And when? I'd be sorely tempted to be there... both to listen, and perchance to read.

 

[Angeline]

Ang... is it the SoPO Borders? If not, which one. And when? I'd be sorely tempted to be there... both to listen, and perchance to read.

You have a pm.

 

[WickedEve]

omg! are you crazy? i'd be blushing so bad I'd want to go through the floor!)

But it's so sexy without being dirty.
I like both that you mentioned.

 

[Angeline]

But it's so sexy without being dirty.
I like both that you mentioned.

Well not the first time I read. Maybe after I get some practice at reading, though. I was also thinking about my poem Birthing Art--dunno if you remember that one. It's about learning to read--but that would be three long poems, so I'll have to see. I've been editing a lot of my old stuff, so I have lots to sort through.

This is another time I'm thinking of sp. We often discussed doing a reading together. I was gonna do one at this coffee house in Princeton and put a picture of him and my cell phone with him on the other end on a stool next to me--say this is Doug, he's in Wisconsin. Everyone say hi to Doug. lol. Then after I read a poem, I could pick up the phone and say Doug? How'd it go? Hey everybody? Doug liked it.

 

[Angeline]

Oh? jd? I'm not sure about the time limit--have to check with them. I think my longer pieces run about 2.5-3.0 minutes (I know that from recording them), so I hope that's not too long.

And Ginsberg was right. About a lot of things, imo, but definitely that.

 

[tungtied2u]

Well not the first time I read. Maybe after I get some practice at reading, though. I was also thinking about my poem Birthing Art--dunno if you remember that one. It's about learning to read--but that would be three long poems, so I'll have to see. I've been editing a lot of my old stuff, so I have lots to sort through.

This is another time I'm thinking of sp. We often discussed doing a reading together. I was gonna do one at this coffee house in Princeton and put a picture of him and my cell phone with him on the other end on a stool next to me--say this is Doug, he's in Wisconsin. Everyone say hi to Doug. lol. Then after I read a poem, I could pick up the phone and say Doug? How'd it go? Hey everybody? Doug liked it.

Can you conference on your cell?...If so, include me....

 

[Angeline]

Can you conference on your cell?...If so, include me....

I don't have a cell now because a) my daughter went over the limit on my old one so many times (leaving me with huge bills--it's pretty hard to take when you have to pay $200 bucks for your kid singing Sponge Bob songs with her best friend) that I gave it up in disgust and b) I've got enough weird stuff in my head without adding a daily dose of lithium, lol.

But for you it might be worth getting one.

 

[tungtied2u]

I don't have a cell now because a) my daughter went over the limit on my old one so many times (leaving me with huge bills--it's pretty hard to take when you have to pay $200 bucks for your kid singing Sponge Bob songs with her best friend) that I gave it up in disgust and b) I've got enough weird stuff in my head without adding a daily dose of lithium, lol.

But for you it might be worth getting one.

I could post mine in the mail to you....as a loaner....but from what you're saying it might be cheaper to purchase a plane ticket....

 

[BlueskyBeauty]

ange..i'd say have a drink or 2 before you read..it keeps the knees from buckling

the one i just did a few weeks ago was a down and dirty all girls thing for lesbians..i started with straight lies..and ty eve for suggesting i write it..and for helping me end it with a bang..i had the audience laughing and clapping and hollering out..it was great, and after the 1st verse my butterflies were gone bcuz i felt the audience really getting into it.

i went out last week and still had a gal remember that poem and me reading it..told me i was great..now, i'm not anywhere near the poet you are so i can imagine they'll eat you up like chocolate.

..and i would check on the time restraints, it's usually around 3-4 minutes.

good luck and enjoy it most of all.

 

[Angeline]

ange..i'd say have a drink or 2 before you read..it keeps the knees from buckling

the one i just did a few weeks ago was a down and dirty all girls thing for lesbians..i started with straight lies..and ty eve for suggesting i write it..and for helping me end it with a bang..i had the audience laughing and clapping and hollering out..it was great, and after the 1st verse my butterflies were gone bcuz i felt the audience really getting into it.

i went out last week and still had a gal remember that poem and me reading it..told me i was great..now, i'm not anywhere near the poet you are so i can imagine they'll eat you up like chocolate.

..and i would check on the time restraints, it's usually around 3-4 minutes.

good luck and enjoy it most of all.

Yo girlfriend! Clean out your mailbox!

 

[shyly curious]

Hi Ang,

We've never met or pm'd at all. I'm in the Brunswick area, I'd love to come hear you read. Pm me details if you feel comfortable.

Good Luck!!

 

[BlueskyBeauty]

Yo girlfriend! Clean out your mailbox!

oops! lol..no wonder i haven't been getting pm'ed

all fixed!

 

[Maria2394]

Ange!!
this might not be appropriate, but you know how I love sista fista and can just SEE you all dresed up like a preppy Goth, giving it all you got, you go GF, lol besta luck, xoxo

 

[annaswirls]

Well not the first time I read. Maybe after I get some practice at reading, though. I was also thinking about my poem Birthing Art--dunno if you remember that one. It's about learning to read--but that would be three long poems, so I'll have to see. I've been editing a lot of my old stuff, so I have lots to sort through.

This is another time I'm thinking of sp. We often discussed doing a reading together. I was gonna do one at this coffee house in Princeton and put a picture of him and my cell phone with him on the other end on a stool next to me--say this is Doug, he's in Wisconsin. Everyone say hi to Doug. lol. Then after I read a poem, I could pick up the phone and say Doug? How'd it go? Hey everybody? Doug liked it.

sounds like him

He wrote one specifically for me to read when I used to go Monday nights downtown about me reading lol! We talked about speaker phoning but I always called until afterwards and read them for him then.

It was cool sharing his work with strangers. He seemed to dig it, I did it a couple of times. Couldn't convince him to do one, there was some sort of festival coming to his area over the summer. He was thinking about it. The one he sent some for for me to read, he told me to fold them in my pocket and not read them until it was my turn. Thank God I got there and the reading had been postponed, I would have died of embarassment! I have not been back down there since June.

He will be looking at the top of your head from his glass bottom boat (or glass bottom canoe) and will be so proud of you

You will do great Ange. You know my favorite of your poems is your one with coffee. It is about relationships. I don't remember the title, but it might be cool to read at Borders. Wish I could be there to see you too--let us know how it goes!


I did a bunch at our bookstore a couple of years ago, the crowd will be kind, they will love you, it will most likely be small, poets and their loved ones.

I will be thinking of you

~anna