tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765720094859722055.post5499790306779358453..comments2024-03-17T20:11:21.445-05:00Comments on DWx: What If They Gave A Reading & No One Showed Up? October 20DWxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12398265012182104454noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765720094859722055.post-24930050579003092622008-02-17T03:31:00.000-05:002008-02-17T03:31:00.000-05:00I must admit you all have accomplished something h...I must admit you all have accomplished something here...and this is a year later. I will see you all out at the readings.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765720094859722055.post-7663307096166664142007-10-30T13:12:00.000-05:002007-10-30T13:12:00.000-05:00Fred, At the Warehouse sounds like a great place t...Fred, At the Warehouse sounds like a great place to have a monthly open mic. <BR/><BR/>Weekend open mics are non-existant. Parking is tough for the Albany open mics. <BR/><BR/>I think I'd put my energy where my mouth is and volunteer to host it. <BR/><BR/>I promise I wouldn't take attendance. <BR/><BR/>Please contact me Fred, at tverhaegen@nycap.rr.com if you have any interest. <BR/><BR/>Mary Panza, Dan Wilcox, do you think theres a market for a weekend open mic? Is it worth a try?<BR/><BR/>Dan Wilcox indicated open mics aren't on weekends because venues don't like to give up the space.<BR/>If we have a venue willing to offer the space, would a weekend work for an open mic?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765720094859722055.post-636234377536403642007-10-30T12:55:00.000-05:002007-10-30T12:55:00.000-05:00From Mary PanzaFred and DanielHey guys, Albany Poe...From Mary Panza<BR/><BR/>Fred and Daniel<BR/><BR/>Hey guys, Albany Poets is interested in getting together and running some ideas past one another. Let us know.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765720094859722055.post-38573462338484424392007-10-30T12:35:00.000-05:002007-10-30T12:35:00.000-05:00Hey all and Fred and Mary--At The Warehouse is an ...Hey all and Fred and Mary--<BR/><BR/>At The Warehouse is an excellent space--there's parking--Albany people love that--but most of all the space is wonderful. My wife takes our kid to yoga there, too. On Saturdays and Sundays and other days, there's a super farmer's market.<BR/><BR/>And I agree--the venue can do so much to make-or-break an event. I have trouble lining up space even for my "official" Saint Rose events. To have a supportive space is ideal. <BR/><BR/>So maybe in the interest of turning potential negatives into a positive, wouldn't it be great to have a couple events at a place like At The Warehouse? I for one would love to have a series there.Daniel Nesterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12135073788017492685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765720094859722055.post-73362092798682004462007-10-30T12:25:00.000-05:002007-10-30T12:25:00.000-05:00From Mary PanzaHey FredI just got back from Tots Y...From Mary Panza<BR/>Hey Fred<BR/>I just got back from Tots Yoga AT THE WAREHOUSE. You are correct, it is a great space. panza@albanypoets.com.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765720094859722055.post-80963706088189040452007-10-30T07:29:00.000-05:002007-10-30T07:29:00.000-05:00I searched albanypoets.com and linked to this page...I searched albanypoets.com and linked to this page. It was facinating to read the blogs and hear the comments. I wonder if some of the reasons adding to poor attendence problems is the venue. Noisy clubs, stages next to busy bathrooms and kitchens, no room to move, poor parking access and an ambience not compatable with poetry may add to the problem. If any of the hosters would like to consider a potential new free venue for weekend afternoons, check out AT THE WAREHOUSE in North Albany, behind Miss ALbany Diner. We have a 925 sq. foot dance studio that is isolated from the rest of the market. Outside there is a tea shop and small cafe. We have live music from 11am - 2pm (usually a singer songwriter). The energy is phenomenal and I'm sure some curios people attending the market may wander in and add to your attendence. It could be a Saturday or Sunday afternoon venue from 12 till 3pm. If interested, stop down some weekend and ask for Fred. Thanks. Fred from AT THE WAREHOUSE.North Albany Bloggerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13930718716261186377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765720094859722055.post-12592280334552663782007-10-30T04:46:00.000-05:002007-10-30T04:46:00.000-05:00I don't think being concerned about attendance and...I don't think being concerned about attendance and pondering how to improve it is a bad thing, Tim.<BR/><BR/>I'm far newer to the whole open mike thing than you, but it seems to me that it is a fundamentally different thing than the sphere of the academics (to which I'm sure your laureate belongs) or the hermit scribbler. Different does not, of course, imply inferior.<BR/><BR/>It seems to me that the open mike nights (and the Albany area is blessed with a profusion of them) are more of a social thing than anything else. I am reminded of various clubs to which I have belonged in the past: the familiar faces, the camaraderie, the mutual support. It seems a wonderful thing, but not everyone is social and it has little to do with the writing of poetry (though obviously it provides an encouragement, or a provocation, to produce). <BR/><BR/>I think the fear, spoken and unspoken, of some is that such a regular, relatively small group could become incestuous and unproductive and stagnant without a steady infusion of new blood (and, perhaps, a separate audience to feed). And there's no doubt in my mind that it could (people being what they are). But there's also no doubt in my mind that it's not inevitable that it should, and from what (admittedly little) I have seen, the local community here is fairly robust and diverse and welcoming to new voices.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for my welcome. I'm off now on a plane West. I hope to hear you all read again in spring '08. Take care!Michael C. Rushhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11300622174153812004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765720094859722055.post-66885266878697237152007-10-29T22:19:00.000-05:002007-10-29T22:19:00.000-05:00Holy shit, Don Levy just beat the crap out of me i...Holy shit, Don Levy just beat the crap out of me in an email. He said I was really hurtful to Mary Panza and the other people.<BR/><BR/>I sincerely apologize for my statements. I am very new. I am very enthusiastic. I'm comparing now to 1996. I see the low attendance. I'm scared the poetry scene is dying out just as I'm falling in love with it. I do forget my two years is nothing compared to the time spent in the scene by almost everybody else.<BR/><BR/>Don does have me thinking though. He said in the last blog: <BR/><BR/>"I do not like some people's notion of taking "attendance" and accusing people who don't go to open mics all the time (because they have a life) of reading only when thery're featured."<BR/><BR/>I've been going to a lot of open mics. Does that I mean I don't have a life?<BR/><BR/>I do have a life. I really do. I swear to God. I have references. <BR/><BR/>Who was that poet laureate that Don Levy wrote a poem about that said only losers go to open mics? Wasn't that poet laureate saying we only go to poetry open mics because we suck as poets and have nothing else to do?<BR/><BR/>I'm in two poetry groups that total 20 people, only Mimi Moriarty goes to open mics on any regular basis.<BR/><BR/>I'm so confused. is that true?<BR/><BR/>Is the "feature-only" reading a higher level experience than an open mic?<BR/><BR/>Do I only like the open mics so much because I'm new? I love the randomness of the open mic. I love not knowing who will come. <BR/><BR/>I've read all 35 comments. I have so many questions. <BR/><BR/>It sounds like I've been dead wrong about the Albany poetry scene. But I sure don't have any idea whats right.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765720094859722055.post-91577266355387496342007-10-29T21:37:00.000-05:002007-10-29T21:37:00.000-05:00Had a great time at Poets Speak Loud. Thanks Mary...Had a great time at Poets Speak Loud. Thanks Mary and Thom for not kicking my ass. <BR/><BR/>The only person who yelled at me was Nicole, the waitress. <BR/><BR/>I did regret that Mary Panza and Thom Francis didn't read a poem. Not that I'm keeping track. <BR/><BR/>I love the Mary Panza high energy, can you blame me for missing her when I don't see her? I guess I'll have to come to her. <BR/><BR/>I remember vividly when Mary Panza was on the cover of Metroland, when was that? 1996? 1997? Long article too. It was an awesome article. She ran a tight, exciting ship at Border's. Larry Rapant, Tom Corrado and Stephen Clark were regulars those days. Stephen Clark used to workshop RM Engelhardt's poems sitting in our livingroom. Stephen Clark spent hours at his desk writing poems. There was a CD that included everyone's works that Mary Panza and Stephen Clark produced. It seemed for almost two years as a non-poet, I heard the names Mary Panza,her roommate Tess, Don Levy, Dan Wilcox, RM Engelhardt on a daily basis. I wasn't a poet then, I was too busy going to the gym, chasing, and being chased.<BR/><BR/>Now I'm chaste. I've found poetry. <BR/><BR/>So interesting to be in the thick of those names now, ten years later as a poet in such a different, much closer context. <BR/><BR/>Yes indeed. Mary Panza has ruled the scene a long time. I'm no dummy, I knew that. <BR/><BR/>I loved her then, I love her now. <BR/><BR/>I feared her then, I fear her now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765720094859722055.post-18967360162603965412007-10-29T15:59:00.000-05:002007-10-29T15:59:00.000-05:00It has happened to all of us...what if you hold a ...It has happened to all of us...what if you hold a open mic or featured reading series and no body came. It's happened to me many times over the years. I do not like some people's notion of taking "attendance" and accusing people who don't go to open mics all the time (because they have a life) of reading only when thery're featured. It's an unfair assumption to make. Instead of sniping at each other, maybe we can pool our collective heads and help each other out. And just a note from what I've noticed: it's always the people who offer "constructive criticism" are never the people who do the work that has to be done in organisng an open mic or working either on the Board of the Guild or Albany Poets. These people always like telling those doing the work what has to be done instead of rolling up thier sleeves and doing the work! Uncle DonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765720094859722055.post-39929430895293774572007-10-29T12:36:00.000-05:002007-10-29T12:36:00.000-05:00From Therese Broderick--I just spent three hours w...From Therese Broderick--I just spent three hours writing a new poem to read tonight at Phil Levine's reading. I want to be there to support him because he supported me in Woodstock. I think it's OK to want to reciprocate in friendship, and to prioritize my poetry events schedule in order to reciprocate to friends. I think this blog thread must be approaching some kind of all-time record for total number of posts. Also, I wasn't trying to pick a fight with anyone over the nature of poetry and I don't mind if people disagree with me. I enjoy the lively discussions.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765720094859722055.post-67788315513426848832007-10-29T11:59:00.000-05:002007-10-29T11:59:00.000-05:00I go to all the stuff regardless. Unless I don't ...I go to all the stuff regardless. Unless I don't like the poet's work. I guess I should not be speaking for others. <BR/><BR/>Conquer the low attendance problem without me. I was just suggesting that it would be great if the poets went out more. A sure way to increase attendance. You don't have to, I'll still be going to stuff. <BR/><BR/>I've only been to Night Sky Cafe three times, one of the three times was when Mary Panza featured. I went to hear her. I love her work. <BR/><BR/>Now I can't go see Philip Levine tonight, I'm afraid Mary Panza, Thom Francis and Daniel Nester will kick my butt. Actually any ONE of you is capable without even ganging up. <BR/><BR/>I'm a big sissy and I don't know how to fight.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765720094859722055.post-88684142095102582132007-10-29T10:59:00.000-05:002007-10-29T10:59:00.000-05:00We did a similar thing at the 2006 Albany Word Fes...We did a similar thing at the 2006 Albany Word Fest by inviting the hosts of poetry open mics in the upstate area (from Woodstock to Saratoga) to be featured readers at the event. It was a way for us to say thank you for all of the hard work it takes to put on an open mic series. <BR/><BR/>And to go back to the topic of only going to readings if you are able to get on stage yourself, I remember at the 2005 Word Fest a poet showing up at the Saturday night show at Valentines and turning around and leaving when he found out that there was open mic for him to read his poetry.Albany Poetshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13334299140412634681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765720094859722055.post-65198550354179955852007-10-29T10:46:00.000-05:002007-10-29T10:46:00.000-05:00Tim, what you say confirms my fears: that, beside ...Tim, what you say confirms my fears: that, beside those folks who want only to participate, there is no audience for readings in Albany. <BR/><BR/>Also: If a "huge" poet comes, only then will people attend a reading. So that means no one will go to see a less-than-huge writer, not if it means they can't read, too, Albany being a "participatory" scene"? Another fear confirmed.<BR/><BR/>How about instead of the word "force," I say "suggest"? "Require"? Would you prefer my students not go to your readings? Or, rather, the readings someone else puts on so you can read? We can set up our own readings here in the ivory tower--is that what you suggest?<BR/><BR/>Which leads me to another point: Those people Tim V and anonymous single out for not attending readings here on Dan's blog, this post and otherwise, by and large are curators/series-runners themselves: Mary, Dan, me, Pierre, RM, Nicole. All these people bust their butt so there's literary events here. Many of them, myself included, probably like doing this kind of work--organizing, curating, bringing people together. In case you didn't already know this, for every hour of a reading, there's 5-6 hours of emails, flyering, getting-the-word out. Are you saying, Tim and anonymous, that these people, who work so hard so you can sign up and do your thing, along with an unnamed "long list" of people, many of them possibly curators as well, should go out and see you read at other places? That by putting on a show, that's not enough? Why select curators as 80% of your examples? <BR/><BR/>When Erik and I set up a couple of readings at Behind the Egg, we had this idea to have other series curators feature (Carol, Dan, RM, Mary) because curators rarely get the love so many others take for granted: here's your bottle of water, we'll sell your books here, here's my introduction for you to fact-check. Give the curators some LOVE!Daniel Nesterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12135073788017492685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765720094859722055.post-1465183901892380402007-10-29T10:39:00.000-05:002007-10-29T10:39:00.000-05:00"I enjoy both listening and reading"That is what i..."I enjoy both listening and reading"<BR/><BR/>That is what it is all about.Albany Poetshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13334299140412634681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765720094859722055.post-21215678370697532042007-10-29T10:32:00.000-05:002007-10-29T10:32:00.000-05:00P.S. I'm going to see Philip Levine tonight. I go ...P.S. I'm going to see Philip Levine tonight. <BR/><BR/>I go to open mics regardless of whether the feature shows up other times tor not. I don't condition my attendance on that.<BR/><BR/>I enjoy both listening and reading.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765720094859722055.post-45198028653855402012007-10-29T10:26:00.000-05:002007-10-29T10:26:00.000-05:00I don't really care who goes to the open mics or n...I don't really care who goes to the open mics or not. I was only responding to the people who were complaining about low attendance. <BR/><BR/>I'm fine with low attendance. It just puzzles me when people complain about low attendance and want to seek outside audiences. Apparently there not happy with the low attendance. There is no outside audience. We only have our own pool. <BR/><BR/>Daniel Nester said he FORCES his students to go. "forced" is a very strong verb. definetely not a synonym of desire. "forced" - not an encouraging concept.<BR/><BR/>I think Dan Wilcox brought a great topic. The blog is a forum to explore these topics. Hopefully we're allowed to discuss that. <BR/><BR/>I mean no disrespect to Mary Panza, but I do note theres a long iist of people, Mary is only one of a long list, that are not seen at open mics unless there on stage. Mary does a lot of work behind the scenes. What of the rest on that long list?<BR/><BR/>Of course we're busy. We're all busy. Priorities.<BR/><BR/>I know Mary Panza was my inspiring force for attending in the Mary Panza STephen Clark days in 1996. Those Border readings were mobbed with people then. <BR/><BR/>If no one was complaining about low attendance, I would not be making any comments. <BR/><BR/>The way the blog was presented, it sounds like the potential listening audience was being attacked as ignorant etc. for not attending these readings. <BR/><BR/>I do not see the Albany poetry community as a spectator community. We are participators. <BR/><BR/>Unless of course a huge poet hits town, then naturally, we're spectators. <BR/><BR/>Seems completely normal to me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765720094859722055.post-73961196025180588692007-10-29T09:45:00.000-05:002007-10-29T09:45:00.000-05:00From Mary PanzaFirst of all, I have been part of t...From Mary Panza<BR/>First of all, I have been part of this open mic scene since the first QE2. Second, I have a been to HUNDREDS of open mics. I can't make all of the open mics anymore because I have a small child,a partner in school and a business. I really feel singled out for no reason. I have two, maybe three features a year. I never complain if there is a small attendance. Every time I get asked to feature it is an HONOR. I treat it that way and give 110% no matter how many people show up. I am a proud member of this community and have been for 20 years. I am also happy to be a member of Albany Poets. There is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes in this community. I may not be able to attend EVERY open mic but I try to do as much as I can to help it grow. So to anonymous and Tim V. when it is your 20th year anniversary in this scene, it will be my 40th.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765720094859722055.post-11426074493577327492007-10-29T09:38:00.000-05:002007-10-29T09:38:00.000-05:00That is a good point Dan. Some folks are just not...That is a good point Dan. Some folks are just not into the open mics, but go to featured readings. For whatever reason, it is their preference. Who are we to judge? At least they are out and supporting the art.<BR/><BR/>And also, to bring up something mentioned earlier, would you expect to see Bruce Springsteen at one of the local music open mics just so people will go to his show? Just because you are the feature, that does not necessarily mean that you have to attend the open mics. For example, we have Phillip Levine as our feature tonight at Poets Speak Loud, but you will probably not see him up at the Lark Tavern for another open mic night in the near future, because he hosts his own mic on Mondays in Woodstock.<BR/><BR/>Just something that I was thinking about.Albany Poetshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13334299140412634681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765720094859722055.post-89081141932638514312007-10-29T08:34:00.000-05:002007-10-29T08:34:00.000-05:00sb --Thanks for your kind words about what you hav...sb --<BR/><BR/>Thanks for your kind words about what you have heard of my poems--as a writer, I am in a bit of a crisis now, since I don't really consider myself a poet anymore--I write essays and memior-type stuff--but I want to get back into it.<BR/><BR/>I personally think poetry is better than movies, at least for the past 10 years, but more often than not not better than many of the original series on HBO or even Showtime. And it's certainly better than Britney. My point, I think, is that poetry and other-type readings can totally compete with those other art forms, and all it takes is to get over that perception/preconception/frame of mind. A Pierre Joris reading accompanied Munir Beken on oud is way better than, say, Everyone Loves Raymond reruns.<BR/><BR/>But I do see what you're saying, that reading series have to compete with other, much more force-fed things.<BR/><BR/>I personally don't care to go to open mics. It's my preference--I like to hear a whole set from a writer than the rat-tat-tat of the open mic. I do go to a lot of the featured readings around here, such as down in Hudson and at Albany and Sage. I often bring students--i.e., force them to go--because I think it's a great opportunity for them to see a "real, live writer." I have been encouraging some of my students to go to out to open mics and try out their voice, listen to other people. Does that mean I don't "support" open mics? I hope not.Daniel Nesterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12135073788017492685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765720094859722055.post-28878737543434755222007-10-28T19:26:00.000-05:002007-10-28T19:26:00.000-05:00Two things:1. Not that this is the wrong place to ...Two things:<BR/><BR/>1. Not that this is the wrong place to hash this out, but, if I'm not mistaken, I think that albanypoets.com has a messageboard/forum.<BR/><BR/>2. Anyone who has asked knows that the reason I started the Night Sky Cafe open mic was because my work schedule-mostly nights-often prevents me from going to open mics or other literary events, so I decided that I would host one. Now I make at least one a month, though usually more. Above all else, my interest in poetry open mics is hearing other people read. I know there are tons of people on the other end of the spectrum who only want to be heard; they want their ego boosted. I also can think of at least two people who go to open mics solely to listen.<BR/>The bottom line is that is not food, sex, shopping, television, movies, pop music, etc. Like stamp or coin collecting, being a Deadhead, watching David Lynch films, or mountaing climbing poetry is a special interest-for lack of a better term-and it does not have wide public appeal, and as Tim said Albany only has so many people(and sorry Daniel, I like what I've heard of your work and I've been dying to go to the behind the egg reading though I always work on saturdays, but I'm so sick of the NYC is better than everywhere else in the world thing. It's like being disappointed in a cat because it doesn't act like your childhood dog).<BR/><BR/>sbAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765720094859722055.post-48760303833147898912007-10-28T17:41:00.001-05:002007-10-28T17:41:00.001-05:00>>But anyone who writes a poem can read aloud his/...>>But anyone who writes a poem can read aloud his/her poem.<BR/><BR/>What if they're mute?? ;)<BR/><BR/>Seriously, though, I hear what you're saying but strongly disagree with it. Or, rather, I disagree with your effort to try to corral ALL poetry within those fences (as I probably would with anyone else's fences). The fact that a great deal of poetry is written that is <B>not</B> intended to be read aloud, which is never read aloud, or which it is even <I>impossible</I> to read aloud opens a lot of gates in those fences.<BR/><BR/>And personally I'm not interested in writing "notes;" I'm interested in writing poems. Not so much in reading them aloud or performing them to an audience, although that can be a kick from time to time (and, I agree, instructive). We don't live in a society where culture is primarily transmitted orally anymore, and I for one am perfectly content working within a paradigm of text which is informed by but not inferior to that of vocal sound.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, not trying to pick a fight or get off topic, just providing an alternative perspective.Michael C. Rushhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11300622174153812004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765720094859722055.post-22671835552375827172007-10-28T17:41:00.000-05:002007-10-28T17:41:00.000-05:00I can't thank you enough Dan Nester for your effor...I can't thank you enough Dan Nester for your efforts. I will attend a Frequency North. I come from downstate - Long Island - so 1980-1982 I made constant comparisons. I was so depressed. <BR/><BR/>Then after a couple years, I fell in love with upstate, and here I sit. <BR/><BR/>Please keep up your efforts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765720094859722055.post-63800538058630177662007-10-28T17:29:00.000-05:002007-10-28T17:29:00.000-05:00I suppose you're right Tim V. It is an unfair comp...I suppose you're right Tim V. It is an unfair comparison. But I do want to be part of the community here, and want things to be better. Being negative is something I'm trying to work against and I suppose is for me and my therapist to figure out. I've done my fair share of self-pimping, to be sure. Which reminds me: come out to see a Frequency North reading sometime! I don't read at 'em; I just put the show on, folks.<BR/><BR/>frequencynoth.com.Daniel Nesterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12135073788017492685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765720094859722055.post-41645648592011701722007-10-28T17:22:00.000-05:002007-10-28T17:22:00.000-05:00I mean no disrespect Dan Nester, I'm sorry if I ha...I mean no disrespect Dan Nester, I'm sorry if I have twisted your words. What I meant was I have never seen you show up at an open mic other than when you were featuring your people at Dan Wilcox's. I meant there are a ton of other people who also don't show up and support others either. I provided a list of people in my first comment. <BR/><BR/>I think you are inviting huge disappointment making comparisons to New York City. New York City has 8 million people to Albany's what...? So do the math.<BR/><BR/>Then New York City has a much larger population of independently wealthy, rich wives/rich husbands who have all day to be doing this art stuff. Theres almost none of that wealthy billionaire stuff in Albany. We're working. Then trying to fit the poetry in. Apples and oranges. <BR/><BR/>Are you applying a NYC paradigm to Albany? <BR/><BR/>That feels unfair to me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com