Live from the Living Room, June 10

Sometimes an open mic is more fun when it doesn't happen. Don Levy was locked out of the Capital District Gay & Lesbian Community Center on Hudson Ave. this night; there was no volunteer available to attend the cafe due to the other activities in town for Gay Pride Week. We hung out on the stoop, a pleasant Spring evening, until the featured poet, Alifair Skebe, arrived. Don arranged for Alifair to read in September & we adjourned to DeJohn's on Lark St.  [Photo shows Alifair Skebe reading at the Social Justice Center in July, 2008.]

Over coffee, tea, soda & beer we talked about poetry & writing. Don read a Frank O'Hara poem which prompted a discussion on narrative. Mimi Moriarty & Ed Rinaldi read a poem each, with Alifair complementing Ed on getting his poem going before the "I" jumped in.

Alifair Skebe is a fine poet, we are blessed to have her in the area, & I was pleased to spend some time in her company (beyond running into her & her family at the Flea Market). It was almost like hanging around the living room of the GLCC, except that I could have a beer.

So, as they say at the end of the Uncle Wiggly stories, if ice doesn't fall from the sky & freeze the locks & someone shows up with a key, we will gather on the next second Wednesday of the month at 7:30PM, at the GLCC, 332 Hudson Ave., Albany once again for "Live from the Living Room."