The house was packed for the 2 featured poets, Stu Bartow & Paul Pines, but, of course, much thinned out by the time the last open mic reader hit the stage. But first, our host, Carol Graser, began with a poem titled “A Bowl of Warm Air” by Moniza…
Caffe Lena Open Mic, February 1 Read More »
Since 2005 this has been an annual event, first at the Lark Tavern, now at McGeary’s on Clinton Square in Albany (NY). We started in 2005 when Poets Speak Loud! began as an open mic on the last Monday in January. Tom Nattell, who had been the host of…
Tom Nattell Memorial Beret Toss & Open Mic, January 30 Read More »
After the Yes! Reading I raced (not quite) up Central Ave. to WAMC’s Linda Auditorium for the monthly gathering of UGT. I thought I’d be late, but Mojavi had just taken the stage & was talking about getting smacked as a kid by his mother in the supermarket. He must’ve been soooo cute!
Urban Guerilla Theater, January 20 Read More »
Somehow there has (almost) always been conflicts in the world of Albany arts with this series that brings in a variety of young writers/artists tied to the academic world. But tonight the conflict was what the newspapers, in referring to a non-plane crash, a “near-miss”
Yes! Reading Series, January 20 Read More »
I stopped in a the UAG Gallery on Lark St. in Albany, NY on the First Friday Gallery Walk to take in their exhibit “Occupy the UAG,” art from/inspired by the Occupy Albany movement. The art was compelling, varied and affordable.
Occupy Albany: Words, January 18 Read More »
At some of the previous Slams here at Valentines, notably #9, the scores were so uniformly high, no matter what was performed, that it was like the judges were all clones, or smoking on the same crack pipe.
Nitty Gritty Slam #10, January 17 Read More »
Unbeknownst to me, the December version of this regular monthly open mic held at the UAG Gallery that had been titled “Occupy the Word” had been postponed. So this month’s version of the St. Poem series was on the theme of political pieces inspired by the Occupy Albany.
St. Poem Reading Series: Occupy the Word, January 16 Read More »
Nancy Klepsch and; I were back together again as co-hosts after a couple of months of playing tag-team. It has always surprised me how many folks show up on a Sunday afternoon for poetry, but, hey, I like surprises.
Poetry + Prose Open Mic, January 8 Read More »
Like a punch-drunk fighter I keep going back for more, & signed up once again for the Slam. There were just 8 of us, so I was in. But first the open mic, which was worth the price of admission.
Nitty Gritty Slam #9, January 3 Read More »
Attentive Wait Staff at McGeary’sBack in the backroom of McGeary’s, Clinton Square, Albany, NY, on the last Monday of December or, as our host, Mary Panza, characterized it, “the post-holiday hangover edition.” She herself was treating the disorder wi…
Poets Speak Loud!, December 26 Read More »
Once again I went down to Valentine’s, hoping for a slot in the Slam (&, of course, hoping to make it at least to the second round). But first an interesting open mic, where folks seem to do real poems, rather than just perform. Mojavi was the ho…
Nitty Gritty Slam, December 20 Read More »
Actually on the third Sunday this month (otherwise it would have been on Christmas Day), with its usual gathering of fine regional poets & a featured poet (Cheryl A. Rice), & a special surprise for me. Co-hosts were Edie Abrams & Denn…
Sunday Four Poetry, December 18 Read More »
The Hudson Valley Writers Guild supports the efforts of writers in all genres by sponsoring readings, workshops, and contests and providing a number of valuable resources for the entire literary community.
