The Mad Poets Blog

It’s been a while… thanks to budget cuts and general financial yuck, it’s been a lot longer than any of us would have liked. But this weekend, we are thrilled to finally release Volume 23 of the Mad Poets Review!!!! We’ll be celebrating on Saturday, starting at 11am, at the Delaware County Institute of Science.

Mad Poets Review, Vol 23

Volume 23 is definitely worth the wait! Bigger than your average MPR, this is an extra-stuffed, stunning issue — 272 pages, perfect bound, and filled with incredible poetry from local favorites, like Joe Roarty and Dan Maguire, as well as nationally renowned poets, like Therese Halscheid and Paul Martin. Sneak a peek at the Table of Contest below the jump.

For those who haven’t been to a book party before, it’s a read-till-you-drop extravaganza, where we go through the issue cover to cover and any published poet who’s there gets to read his/her work. Come for all or part. Come for great poetry. (I also have it on good authority that there will be some scrumptious munchies!) The party starts at 11am at the Delaware County Institute of Science.

TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)

Tomorrow night, the Delaware County Institute of Science will host Bill Wunder, Tracy MacNish, and special guest, open mic contest winner, Margaret Robinson. The featured reading, which is hosted by Brian Sammond, starts at 7pm and is followed by an open mic!

Poet Bill Wunder

Bill Wunder is the author of Pointing at the Moon (WordTech Editions, 2008) and a chapbook, A Season of Storms (Via Dolorosa Press, 2002.) In 2004, he was named Poet Laureate of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. His poems have been widely published, and he has twice been nominated for the Pushcart Prize in poetry. Bill has been a finalist numerous times in The T. S. Eliot Prize, and the Allen Ginsberg Poetry Awards. In 2010, he was nominated for a Pew Fellowship in the Arts. He has read and lectured in local schools, colleges, festivals, book stores, libraries, and on public television. Bill serves as Poetry Editor of The Schuylkill Valley Journal, and lives with his two black labs in Bucks County.

Novelist Tracy MacNish

Tracy MacNish has published four historical novels for Kensington Publishing, has written short, experimental fiction, and is working on a contemporary novel as well as another historical novel.

Finally, we are delighted to present Margaret A. Robinson as the Institute’s open mic contest winner. Robinson earned her reading by impressing audiences at the Science Institute time and again with powerful open mic performances. Robinson’s work has appeared recently in Prairie Schooner, and she is the author of several volumes of poetry including Sparks (Pudding House Press). She is an adjunct professor of Creative Writing at Widener University.

Margaret Robinson is the first of three audience-chosen readers the Mad Poets will feature this fall. Votes are still being tallied for the series at Churchill in Pottstown and Milkboy in Bryn Mawr. Stay tuned.

This Thursday the fun continues at Milkboy with an evening of poetry, spoken word, and general shenanigans from Philadelphia artists Stephanie Durann & St. Skribbly Lacroix. Expect to be inspired, agitated, amused, bemused, and befuddled… you name it. Here’s why:

Stephanie Durann, poet

Stephanie Durann is a writer from Philadelphia, PA who has performed under various reading series, festivals and cabarets in the city including Poets and Prophets, LadyFest Philly, Univers-all Voices, Black Women’s Arts Festival, the Sedgwick Theater, and several reading series at Moonstone Arts Center (fka Robin’s Bookstore).  She won Honorable Mention for her poetry in Byline Magazine in 2001 and was one of four winners of the Power99fm/Def Poetry Jam Contest in 2002. Her work was also featured in several publications including Hinge Online and The Worcester Review.  She was also a participant in the National Book Foundation Summer Writing Camp in 2004.  She produced her first chapbook, The Rites of Individual Passage in 2003. Recently, she co-hosted for and read for the Light of Unity Reading Series and the Soul Connection, Philly Alternative Soul.  Currently, her main goal is to permanently leave the cubicle farm.

Genre-bender St. Skribbly Lacroix

Defying the genre-”nazis” as writer, performer, comedic sketch artist, actor, singer, songwriter,model and photographer, Skribbly LaCroix blends all of his talents and skills in a cutting edge  matrimony between performance art and pop-culture. LaCroix is the host of the immensely popular music performance series ROCKERS! He is a founding member of the performance collective known as the Unf*ckwittables. Forever developing new ways to push creative manifestation to new levels, LaCroix not only tests new waters every time he steps on stage but the patience and gag reflex of (and nowhere near exclusive to) Christians, moralists, feminists, puppy lovers and poets everywhere. His first book The Pen Is Mightier Than the Lord is set to release early 2011.

…And if that’s not enough, we’ve got some edge-of-your-seat action in the open mic contest. Here are the standings. Above all things, this reading promises good times. Be there: Thursday, Oct 14th, 7pm.

Not exactly a week in preview, since it’s Tuesday — almost Wednesday at this point. Luckily, we haven’t missed anything good yet!

Here’s what we’ve got coming up:

Wed, Oct 13th, 6:30pm: MPS Critique Circle at the Coffee Club in Media, Pa., facilitated by Amy Laub. Bring 15 copies of one of your own poems that is “under construction,” for roundtable critique & discussion. Free & open to public.

Thurs, Oct 14th, 7pm: St. Skribbly Lacroix & Stephanie Durann at Milkboy Acoustic Cafe in Bryn Mawr, Pa., hosted by Autumn Konopka. The featured reading is followed by our open mic — and the last opportunity to read for the open mic contest & shoot for a featured slot in November.

Sat, Oct 16th, 7pm: Aaren Perry & Therese Halscheid read for Otherwise – Poetry at Churchill, in Pottstown, Pa., hosted by Glenn McLaughlin. Featured readings followed by an open mic — and the last chance for the contest spot at Churchill’s. Note: This reading was postponed from last week. So if you thought you missed it, you’ve got a second chance!

It’s a busy week, so I’ll skip all the witty preamble and get straight to the particulars. I’ll post more on each reading throughout the week. Be sure to follow us on twitter (@MadPoetsSociety) so you’re in the know.

Tues., Oct. 5th, 7-10pm: Open mic for poets & musicians at Steel City Coffeehouse in Phoenixville, hosted by Stu O’Connor and Mary Kathryn Morgeneier. Sign up at 6:30pm.

Wed., Oct. 6th, 7pm: Potpourri of Poetry, a new MPS series at the Park House Cafe in Ridley Park. The debut reading will feature Dave Worrell, followed by an open mic. This reading is free & open to the public. Hosted by Camelia Nocella.

Thurs., Oct. 7th, 7pm: Book party for Bill Van Buskirk, winner of the Mad Poets’ Joie DeVivre Book Award. Van Buskirk will read and sign copies of his winning book, This Wild Joy that Thrills Outside the Law, selected by renowned Philadelphia poet and editor Louis McKee. This free event will be held at the Delaware County Institute of Science.

Sat., Oct. 9th, 2-5pm: The Business of Words Workshop, led by Tamara Oakman, at the Blue Grotto in West Philadelphia.

Sat., Oct. 9th, 7pm: Therese Halscheid & Aaren Perry read for the Otherwise – Poetry at Churchill series in Pottstown.

Today’s the day — the 23rd annual Mad Poets Festival happens this afternoon from noon – 5p (????) at Medial Borough Hall, 3rd & Jackson Streets in Media, Pa.

And you know how there are usually 40+ poets?  This year its 59!!! (With 8 more on “standby”). We’re really excited to have former U.S. poet laureate Daniel Hoffman making a special guest appearance to read our last poem of the day.

Each poet will read for 5 minutes — just check out the incredible line up.

First Set
Host: RICHARD MOYER

12p – ROCKY MARCELLUS
12:05 – SHARON RITROVATO
12:10 – CHERYL FILIPPONE
12:15 – RON FISCHMAN
12:20 – RACHEL VOHRA
12:25 – BARBARA TORODE
12:30 – CAROL CLARK
12:35  – BRIAN SAMMOND
12:40  – MEL BRAKE
12:45  – MICHELLE DOUGHERTY
12:50 –  JANET SADLER
12:55  – DONALD LaBRANCHE
1:00  – MISSY GROTZ
1:05 –  PRABHA NAYAK PRABHU

Second Set
Host: MEL BRAKE

1:10 – RICHARD MOYER
1:15 – DAVE WORRELL
1:20 – BETTI KAHN
1:25 – CONNIE BERESIN
1:30 – AWILDA CASTRO
1:35 – BILL DANKS
1:40 – ALICE WOOTSON
1:45 – JOYCE MEYERS
1:50 –  JANET MASON
1:55 – J. MASE III
2:00 -  JOE ROARTY
2:05 – MUSIC from SILVER WIND

Third Set
Host:  EMILIANO MARTIN

2:10 – KENNETH WOLMAN
2:15  – KARL WENCLAS
2:20 – ED KRIZEK
2:25 – KASIA NEWCOMER
2:30 – NICK LUTWYCHE
2:35 – LISA LUTWYCHE
2:40 – CAROL CLARK WILLIAMS
2:45 – BILL HOLMES
2:50 –  RUTH ROUFF
2:55 – CHARLES CARR
3:00 – SUSAN H. ROBBINS
3:05 – TAMARA OAKMAN

Fourth Set
Host:  TAMARA OAKMAN

3:10 -  STU O’CONNOR
3:15 – STEVE DELIA
3:20 – DEVIN COHEN
3:25 – AMY SMALL Mc-KINNEY
3:30 –  AZIZA KINTEH
3:35 –  JANET SPANGLER
3:40 – JOANNE LEVA
3:45 – EMILIANO MARTIN
3:50 – LIZ CHANG
3:55 – MICHELE BELLUOMINI
4:00 – LEONARD GONTAREK
4:05 -  MUSIC from SILVER WIND

Fifth Set
Host: LEONARD GONTAREK

4:10 –PHILADELPHIA’S VOICES OF A DIFFERENT DREAM, SUSAN WINDLE & ELLEN MASON
4:15 – AMY LAUB
4:20 – GABRIELLE BC “PLUMDRAGONESS”
4:25 – LISA BARON
4:30 – MARY LOU STREZNEWSKI
4:35 –  RAY GREENBLATT
4:40 – ANN RUSSEK
4:45 – PETER BAROTH
4:50-  BILL VAN BUSKIRK
4:55 – DANIEL ABDAL-HAYY MOORE
5:00 – DANIEL HOFFMAN.

The Mad Poets Society is honored to be hosting so many talented poets in one venue in afternoon. See you there!

The September open mic at Milkboy Acoustic Cafe in Bryn Mawr was a close one. The audience was really split & the majority of our readers grabbed the exact same number of votes. Our leader — Linda Fischer — eeked it out, snagging one extra vote with a poem she said was brand new & that she was just trying out. I’d say it’s a keeper, Linda!

This month, we also had an honorable mention: “I don’t think poetry is about competition” also got a vote. Three cheers. Because I double checked and “I don’t think poetry is about competition” wasn’t even on the sign up sheet. I don’t remember hearing him/her read. Perhaps I was in the loo.   …okay, seriously people, get over yourselves. The contest keeps it interesting.

Alright, snark exorcised.

So, while the monthly results keep us on our toes, it’s the final tally that will give us our November reader. And right now, here’s how it stands:

1st: Elliot Levy
2nd: Howard Lieberman
3rd (tie): Betti Kahn & Stephen Delia

If this little voting experiment has taught us anything, it’s that anything can happen. I can’t wait till our next reading, Oct 14th 7pm, when this all gets decided! Not only that, but we’ve got two awesome poets lined up. See you then.

The crisp air and falling leaves means its time again for another Mad Poets Bonfire. This Saturday, devoted scout master & bonfire leader, Richard Bank, will keep the fire going and lead us in channelling our inner wild things. Come one, come all.

We’ve got the campsite at Ridley Creek Park from around 4p this Saturday Sept 18th till around midday Sunday. It’s free. You can stay for a little while or camp overnight. Bring your own rations, your own accommodations, your instruments and your poems — and be prepared to howl at the moon. This is an all ages kinda thing, but be warned its also uncensored. If you don’t want your little ones being influenced by the forces of untamed poets, leave them at home. For full details & directions, check out the Bonfire page.

If you’re on the loose this Thursday, make sure to drop by the Delaware County Institute of Science in Media for a wonderful poetry reading featuring Harriet Levin Millan and Jeffrey Ethan Lee.

Poet Harriet Levin Millan

Prize winning poet Harriet Levin Millan is the author of two books of poetry.  Her debut collection, The Christmas Show (Beacon Press) was chosen by Eavan Boland for a Barnard New Women Poet’s Prize. That book also won the Poetry Society of America’s Alice Fay di Castagnola Award.  The Philadelphia Inquirer named it a Notable Book of the Year. Her second book, Girl in Cap and Gown (Mammoth Books) was a 2009 National Poetry Series Finalist. A PEW Fellowship in the Arts Winner in Poetry and a graduate of the Iowa Writer’s Workshop, she co-directs the Program in Writing and Publishing at Drexel University.  Her story, “Yalla!,” which is part of a novel she is writing about the Reunion Project that seeks to reunite Lost Boys of Sudan with their mothers, will appear in the Kenyon Review in January 2011.

Poet Jeffrey Ethan Lee

Jeffrey Ethan Lee has been Senior Poetry Editor of Many Mountains Moving, Inc., a 501(c)(3) since 2007. Lee’s poetry book, identity papers (Ghost Road Press, 2006) was a 2007 Colorado Book Award finalist. His first full-length poetry book, invisible sister (Many Mountains Moving Press, 2004) was praised in American Book Review, North American Review, and Rain Taxi Review, among others. Lee won the 2002 Sow’s Ear Poetry Chapbook prize ($1,000) for The Sylf (2003), created identity papers for Drimala Records, published Strangers in a Homeland (chapbook with Ashland Poetry Press, 2001). He also published hundreds of poems, stories and essays in North American Review, African American Review, American Poetry Review, Xconnect, Crab Orchard Review, Crazyhorse, Crosscurrents, Green Mountain Review, Washington Square, & Other Voices. He also won the first Tupelo Press award for literary fiction in 2001 for a novel, The Autobiography of Somebody Else. He has a Ph.D. in British Romanticism and an MFA from NYU. Text and audio samples can be found here, here, here and here.

This month’s reading, hosted by Brian Sammond, will also be your LAST CHANCE to read and/or vote in the Science Institute’s open mic contest. The Institute has kept its ballot box sealed all year long, and after this last reading, we’ll crack it open to find out who will win the coveted featured reading spot in October. Oooooh the anticipation!

As always, the reading starts at 7pm at the Delaware County Institute of Science, 11 Veterans Square, Media, PA 19063.

Downer of the week:

Tonight’s Mad Poets Critique Circle, facilitated by the illustrious Amy Laub, at the Coffee Club in Media, PA is cancelled. Boo!

We’ll see you next month (Wed, Oct 13th). Bring 10 copies of your poems and a supportive, creative spirit open to sharing, learning and growing as a poet.