The Mad Poets Blog

Yeah yeah yeah, I know. It’s almost March… well, we’re poets over here & we don’t necessarily subscribe to you’re “calendar.” We don’t feel a need to follow linear time in order to make meaning of our lives. We prefer chaos to order…

…okay we may not prefer it, but chaos seems to prevail much of the time.

However, with hard work, dedication & support groups (we call them poetry readings) we are working through our perpetual procrastination and behind-the-eight-ball-ness.

And speaking of poetry readings (nice segue, right?), we’ve finally gotten around to updating the reading series pages on the main site. Word. There are still a lot of holes, but we’re fleshing it out. Literally, we’re lining up all the warm bodies we can find to give featured readings at the Big Blue Marble in Mt. Airy, Milkboy in Bryn Mawr, Churchill in Pottstown, and the Madness series.

Check it out. And hope to see you at a reading soon.

Thursday, November 11, 7pm the Mad Poets Society will feature Joe Roarty and open mic contest winner Elliot Levy at Milkboy Acoustic Cafe in Bryn Mawr. I’ve been looking forward to this reading all year… and that was based on only having Joe Roarty confirmed. Now that we’ve got our contest winner (Congrats again Elliot!), I’m even more excited.

Joe Roarty has been a regular at Milkboy for about 2 years. I will never forget his first open mic reading: he read a seemingly simple poem about fixing a car, complete with sound effects made by blowing air through his lips and shaking his head (imagine a balloon loosing air & flying through the air). I have to admit, I thought he was quite possibly a little insane. After a few more open mics, I realized he was probably closer to a genius… and most definitely a mad poet. Joe doesn’t read, he performs, usually punctuating his poems with a hand-held drum and other sound effects. But for me, his best instrument is his voice, which rises, falls, whispers, booms, screams, and yowls to blast his poems alive. A performance by Joe Roarty is not something you will soon forget. Don’t believe me? Check it out:

Our open mic winner is one of the few poets out there who can match Joe’s energy.

Elliot Levy, winner of the Milkboy open mic contest

Elliot Levy is a young poet — and I mean young — high school young. And very green in poetry — he just started writing last year. But his poems are inspired and powerful. His work shows the strong influence of spoken word poetry and hip hop. His poems use steady, pounding rhythms to carry his significant messages. Elliot took the open mic contest with only three readings, beating out regulars who participated every single month. Clearly, he is a force to be reckoned with.

As always, the reading starts at 7pm with the featured readings followed by an open mic. This is our last reading till 2011, so let’s make it a real party!

…Elliot Levy, senior at Harriton High School (yes, you read that right: high school), has won the open mic contest at Milkboy Acoustic Cafe in Bryn Mawr.

Elliot Levy, winner of the Milkboy open mic contest

Elliot is a senior at Harriton High School.  He has been writing poetry since his Junior year and started performing at open mics during the beginning of this year.  He co-founded the Harriton Poetry Club and hopes to compete in the Brave New Voices national competition this summer.  Besides writing poetry, Elliot plays football and wrestles for his high school team.  He has two supportive parents and a cat named Winston who inspires him daily.

Elliot will be featured in the November reading, next week, alongside Milkboy regular Joe Roarty. In the end, it was a close contest. Our runners up were Betti Kahn and, just one vote behind, Howard Lieberman. I expect we’ll be hearing more from these poets in next years open mics!

Congratulations to Elliot! And thanks to everyone who came out & read in the Milkboy open mic this year. It is because of you that this series is so awesome each and every month. I can’t wait to see everyone next week for our last reading of the year: Thursday November 11, 7pm. Be there!!

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!

Sorry for the late notice, but the reading schedule for tonight at Churchill’s in Pottstown has been postponed until next week, October 16th. So, don’t go to Churchill’s tonight — at least not for poetry. If you’re in the area & you’re looking for some tasty pastries, Churchill’s is your place. But if you’re looking for poetry, featuring Aaren Perry and Therese Halscheid, you’ve got to come back next Saturday October 16th at 7pm. Turns out both of these poets are involved in the Dodge Poetry Festival (which is happening as I type in Newark, NJ) and we all failed to notice the conflict until earlier this week.

So, at the risk of being exceedingly redundant: that’s next Saturday, October 16th, Otherwise Poetry at Churchill, featuring the amazing poets Aaren Perry & Therese Halscheid. Not only that, this reading is the last chance to participate in the Mad Poets Open Mic Contest at Churchill.

In case you need some more convincing, here are the readers’ bios:

Aaren Perry, poet

Aaren Perry has performed his work at venues from the Nuyorican to the Kimmel Center to the World Cafe. He has taught writing workshops at schools and colleges on the East Coast and in the Midwest for over 20 years. Perry is published in local and national literary journals and has appeared on National Public Radio and on regional television broadcasts. He produced and directed a long-running cable poetry show on DUTV. Bilingual and holding an MFA from Vermont College, he received a PA Council on the Arts Grant. Aaren is an Organizational Development consultant with Team Builders Plus. His books OPEN FIRE (Whirlwind Press, 2004), POETRY ACROSS THE CURRICULUM: An Action Guide for Elementary Teachers (Pearson, 1997), as well as his spokenword CD, MERCURY CALLING (MelodyVision, 2000) are available at bookstores and by emailing ayperry [at] aol [dot] com.

Therese Halscheid, poet

Therése Halscheid is author of three poetry collections: Powertalk (1995), Without Home (Kells, 2001) and Uncommon Geography (Carpenter Gothic, 2006). Uncommon Geography received a 2007 Finalist Award from the Paterson Poetry Book Prize. She also won a chapbook award by Pudding House Publications, as part of their 2007 Greatest Hits series. Like record albums, Greatest Hits is a collection of twelve poems spanning the writing life of the poet, prefaced with a narrative that weaves the poet’s life with the body of work. She was awarded a 2003 Fellowship for poetry from NJ State Council on the Arts, and has received awards from literary journals, as well as a Geraldine R. Dodge Fellowship to Vermont Studio Center. Her writings, both poetry and prose, have appeared in numerous magazines. Since 1998, she has been a visiting writer in schools for NJ State Council on the Arts and teaches writing courses in varied settings, including Atlantic Cape Community College and Rutgers University in NJ. As well as writing experiences in the States, she has taught in England and Russia. In 1998, she led a group of women writers to South Africa to meet South African writers. 1995, she was an Artist in Residence at Acadia National Park, ME. For the past decade, the author has been house-sitting, while traveling widely to write. This mobility, along with simple living, has helped her to sustain her writing life. Many poems chronicle travels across varied terrain. She photographs her travels, and her one woman exhibition of poetry and photography, Visual Diaries, has shown in galleries. See her website: ThereseHalscheid.com to view features, reviews of her books, resume, contact information, photography, poems.

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!