SATURDAY AT AQLF!!!!!!!
What a richly rewarding, healing, FUN day/night!
The morning began with no folks lined up for the acting class I had planned to give, but that's okay, because it freed me up to take a breath, and attend a couple of wonderful workshops! The first, a Prose Workshop given by Judy Doenges, had us discussing character, and the way setting can influence, and inform that character.
Collin Kelley, when asked about his "Conquering Venus", detailed how viewing Wim Wenders' "Until The End Of The World" and especially, lovely actress Jeanne Moreau, literally created one of the characters in his novel."She became what I imagine Jeanne Moreau--the person--to be."
Ms. Doenges and Kate("For The May Queen") Evans were surprised by this revelation(as was I), and this fueled more discussion.
Ms. Doenges gave us a hand-out which featured a short story by Peter Cameron, a favorite of hers.
The second workshop was with Kate Bornstein. Her views on gender/race/class identity are legendary, but it's still amazing to see and hear her, in-person.
She detailed a heirarchy that rivals the one created by Eric Maslow(Maslow's Heirarchy of Human Needs)--the one all us college kids became familiar with. The difference being, this heirarchy is one that defines methodologies that attempt to control, and/or repress us.
Despite her claims of being a completely depressed, pessimistic person most of the time, her bright light shone through. I daresay if she didn't carry some hope in her heart, she would not bother to teach the rest of us. "Hello Cruel World" is her fantastic book. Get it, read it, follow the survival tips. Her main rule? "Don't Be Mean."
It was nearly 2:00 P.M., so Robin Kemp and I headed to Landmark Diner, just down from the Forsyth Street Library, for a quick bite that turned into a rather leisurely lunch(Her--Dolmades; me--Moussakka, Greek salad, french fries, mozzarella sticks). We tried to get caught up with one another--I seldom get to see Robin(the woman works continually!), and we discussed current events.The political acumen and tremendous care she exhibits for this country was humbling. I think Robin ought to run for office!
After this, I headed back to the Library, and was treated to bookmarks, "book-thongs", and candy.
I took the train to Brookhaven, where Hansoo fetched me, and we headed off to browse at Phipps Plaza(even in this upscale mall--with boutiques like Versace, and Jimmy Choo, I saw NO ONE with purchases. Everyone, even old-money-wealthy, was simply browsing). We trundled down to Candler Park by car, to hear some pre-show poetry from Yolo, and Lakara Foster.
Lakara wowed me with her takes on relationships, women-love, bad men, and body-image(by day, she's a counselor for young women). You go, woman!
Yolo is a favorite of mine--his "We Are Not The Boys We Want" is an anthem to a sometimes-hyocritical gay mens' community."Fags Are Not Responsible", a searing indictment of the bigotry and homophobia all LGBT are familiar with.
"Skin Deep", the play that won the Larry Corse Prize for Playwrighting, a $1,000.00 award, and received its' premiere as part of AQLF was fun...lots of broad comedy, and a drag queen diva, to boot!
Sunday: 3:00 P.M.--Reginald T. Jackson will direct a show he wrote, "69", just after I give "The Woman Who Called Herself Vincent" a debut. Both are "staged readings", which means they are not-quite-polished.
I'm planning to ask for feedback, as it will help me to "shape" my telling of Vincent's life.
Then Sunday night, at Eyedrum Gallery, a big night of music and craziness, to cap off the fun five days/nights we've all had!
Peace, kids.
Showing posts with label Yolo The Poet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Yolo The Poet. Show all posts
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008
DETAILS ON THE UPCOMING ATLANTA QUEER LITERATURE FESTIVAL:
http://atlqueerlitfest.blogspot.com/
I'm truly excited to be included in this excellent, diverse array of artists, teachers, writers, thinkers, musicians, actors.....Come OUT and support the poets and novelists you often read about on this blog! I personally will be reading at Charis Books next Friday evening, and I'll be holding an Acting Workshop on Saturday morning at the downtown library. Sunday afternoon, also at that downtown library, I am thrilled to premiere a new theatre piece, my one-woman show entitled "The Woman Who Called Herself Vincent", which is my take on the life of Edna St. Vincent Millay. I am particularly honored to be featured on the same bill with the marvelously talented playwright and actor, Reginald T. Jackson, who will perform his own new show as well!
All days/times are detailed at the above link to Atlanta Queer Lit Fest.
The talents who are HEADLINING this Festival are too numerous to list, but include: Mark Doty, Kate Bornstein, Kate Evans!
Big hugs and THANK YOU's to the incredibly dedicated Committee members who are making this happen, most especially :
Megan Volpert--exemplary teacher, she's a newlywed(Congrats, Megan!), and a brilliant, witty poet; Collin Kelley- -playwright, poet,novelist,and great human being;Franklin Abbott-- activist, poet, community organizer, saint; the well-known playwright and teacher--Larry Corse(he generously awarded $1,000.00 to this years' playwrighting winner. That play, "Skin Deep" runs several nights during the fest!), Kerri she's-so-gorgeous-I-always-get-distracted-and-forget-her-last-name--- she's talented, kind, and dedicated to LGBT concerns; C. Cleo Creech--warm,but edg-y poet with an eye for art--(and artists!),Cleo is a designer of words, and images.Yolo the Poet, the cutest gay young man you'll meet at the Fest--he has a huge following, and always makes me laugh--and think--at the same time.
Big Thanks to Cal Gough from Ponce Library too!
There are many, many others who derserve mention--these are simply the ones who leapt to mind as the folks I heard from on a regular basis during their long planning of this fab event!
Peace, kids!
http://atlqueerlitfest.blogspot.com/
I'm truly excited to be included in this excellent, diverse array of artists, teachers, writers, thinkers, musicians, actors.....Come OUT and support the poets and novelists you often read about on this blog! I personally will be reading at Charis Books next Friday evening, and I'll be holding an Acting Workshop on Saturday morning at the downtown library. Sunday afternoon, also at that downtown library, I am thrilled to premiere a new theatre piece, my one-woman show entitled "The Woman Who Called Herself Vincent", which is my take on the life of Edna St. Vincent Millay. I am particularly honored to be featured on the same bill with the marvelously talented playwright and actor, Reginald T. Jackson, who will perform his own new show as well!
All days/times are detailed at the above link to Atlanta Queer Lit Fest.
The talents who are HEADLINING this Festival are too numerous to list, but include: Mark Doty, Kate Bornstein, Kate Evans!
Big hugs and THANK YOU's to the incredibly dedicated Committee members who are making this happen, most especially :
Megan Volpert--exemplary teacher, she's a newlywed(Congrats, Megan!), and a brilliant, witty poet; Collin Kelley- -playwright, poet,novelist,and great human being;Franklin Abbott-- activist, poet, community organizer, saint; the well-known playwright and teacher--Larry Corse(he generously awarded $1,000.00 to this years' playwrighting winner. That play, "Skin Deep" runs several nights during the fest!), Kerri she's-so-gorgeous-I-always-get-distracted-and-forget-her-last-name--- she's talented, kind, and dedicated to LGBT concerns; C. Cleo Creech--warm,but edg-y poet with an eye for art--(and artists!),Cleo is a designer of words, and images.Yolo the Poet, the cutest gay young man you'll meet at the Fest--he has a huge following, and always makes me laugh--and think--at the same time.
Big Thanks to Cal Gough from Ponce Library too!
There are many, many others who derserve mention--these are simply the ones who leapt to mind as the folks I heard from on a regular basis during their long planning of this fab event!
Peace, kids!
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
OUTrageous SUCCESS AT OUTWRITE BOOKS!!!!
I can scream this headline, 'cuz it's so true! I've been a reader, and a listener at so many readings, open mics, performances, etc., over the past decde, that I've lost count. But last night took my breath away. First, a big-shout-out to Philip, who always supports us local writers, and us in the LGBT community in particular!
Franklin opened the evening with a couple of love poems, and made the observation that "this one was written when I was very young. I wrote love poems when I was young; in my 50's, I write about flowers..." The (huge!) crowd gathered was chuckling at every witty line, and C. Cleo Creech was up next(sidebar: Just before taking the stage, Cleo noted, giggling, "the poster for the event got my gender wrong..." and someone commented that he could claim he's transgendered, whereupon I commented, "Yes, Transgendered is the new gay."
More laughter.) And so it went. The laughter was punctuated by moments of edgy solemnity--Cleo read from a new group of poems about "empathy". He explained he wants to highlight empathy for those we cannot easily feel empathy for, and he gave a chilling account, in a very brief poem about an abused dog's abuser. He ended with a few "up" pieces that once again had the audience cheering.
Franklin read a bit, then introduced me as "actor, poet, peace activist, bisexual activist....with Lisa, you never know what to expect..."
I never decide until I'm at the actual reading, precisely what I will read, and last night was no exception....and I suppose I did not want to disappoint the very attentive audience, after all his hype-ing of me, and my work, so.....
I ended up starting with a few sex-y pieces("For Amanda W." and "The French Are Famous For") to begin with, then a few darker pieces, "Iraqi Haiku"(I spoke about the chapbook Cleo put together to highlight the injustice which continues in Iraq's Constitutionally-allowed killing of LGBT persons),then read a few from my book, Words From Water: Poems, "For Aunt Carolyn", "Grief" and then explained that I have a second book, "The Orgasm Poems", which will have 50 orgasms in it. "I've written 40 so far; I'm waiting for the rest..." which elicited a roar of laughter from the varied audience "I didn't realize that was funny, " I said...I then finished with the poem, "Orgasm II" which is the second in that series. As I prepared to sit down, I was shocked by the amount and the duration of the applause.
Franklin read a bit, and kept the vibe going with tales of "meeting" a goddess in the temples of India....then he introduced the man most of the enthusiastic crowd at Outwrite had been waiting for: Yolo!
Yolo performed with bravery:
a piece on "We Are Not The Boys We Want" had me biting the inside of my lip, as it rang true, and sad, and hard to hear...Near the end of his reading, Yolo said "I am going to do a poem I thought was too 'X-rated'---even for Outwrite, but Lisa has inspired me, so here goes my dream-poem. And he performed a poem about a universe of purple, and women riding men, and women riding waves in the ocean, and--stop reading here if you could be easily offended. I mean it, stop now. Okay, deep breath...
"...and dildoes..." "and titties.." And somehow, Yolo's words rose above anything plain, or vulgar. His phrases SANG--this poem had the eroticism of an Anais Nin(who I adore, btw).
I don't know whether to adopt Yolo(he's so CUTE, and YOUNG!), or wait 'til he's older, and drag him off to my house, to exchange dream images with him! WOW!
Needless to say, the group at Outwrite(it was standing-room-only, even out to the street, during the reading) was thrilled. I am so grateful to have been a part of this special evening. THANK YOU PHILIP! Hey kids, GET DOWN TO OUTWRITE and buy yourself a book or two. Take a look at the booksellers' recommendations.....and GET AN OUTRAGEOUSLY delicious cupcake while you're there, too!
Oh!
Hollis Gillespie (you may know her through her weekly column in Atlanta's Creative Loafing newspaper) will be appearing at OUTWRITE BOOKS, on August 24th, and I plan to attend, to hear her, and meet her, and to get signed copies of her (fabulously funny,and tender) books!
Pictures from Tuesday's "Poetry With Franklin and Friends", will be posted at this blog,in an entry later this week! for now, check out:
http://www.outwritebooks.com/
To all of you who asked to purchase a copy of "Words From Water: Poems", I promise, I'll have it very soon. Honest. And I'll have "The Orgasm Poems" out, right after!
Peace, kids.
I can scream this headline, 'cuz it's so true! I've been a reader, and a listener at so many readings, open mics, performances, etc., over the past decde, that I've lost count. But last night took my breath away. First, a big-shout-out to Philip, who always supports us local writers, and us in the LGBT community in particular!
Franklin opened the evening with a couple of love poems, and made the observation that "this one was written when I was very young. I wrote love poems when I was young; in my 50's, I write about flowers..." The (huge!) crowd gathered was chuckling at every witty line, and C. Cleo Creech was up next(sidebar: Just before taking the stage, Cleo noted, giggling, "the poster for the event got my gender wrong..." and someone commented that he could claim he's transgendered, whereupon I commented, "Yes, Transgendered is the new gay."
More laughter.) And so it went. The laughter was punctuated by moments of edgy solemnity--Cleo read from a new group of poems about "empathy". He explained he wants to highlight empathy for those we cannot easily feel empathy for, and he gave a chilling account, in a very brief poem about an abused dog's abuser. He ended with a few "up" pieces that once again had the audience cheering.
Franklin read a bit, then introduced me as "actor, poet, peace activist, bisexual activist....with Lisa, you never know what to expect..."
I never decide until I'm at the actual reading, precisely what I will read, and last night was no exception....and I suppose I did not want to disappoint the very attentive audience, after all his hype-ing of me, and my work, so.....
I ended up starting with a few sex-y pieces("For Amanda W." and "The French Are Famous For") to begin with, then a few darker pieces, "Iraqi Haiku"(I spoke about the chapbook Cleo put together to highlight the injustice which continues in Iraq's Constitutionally-allowed killing of LGBT persons),then read a few from my book, Words From Water: Poems, "For Aunt Carolyn", "Grief" and then explained that I have a second book, "The Orgasm Poems", which will have 50 orgasms in it. "I've written 40 so far; I'm waiting for the rest..." which elicited a roar of laughter from the varied audience "I didn't realize that was funny, " I said...I then finished with the poem, "Orgasm II" which is the second in that series. As I prepared to sit down, I was shocked by the amount and the duration of the applause.
Franklin read a bit, and kept the vibe going with tales of "meeting" a goddess in the temples of India....then he introduced the man most of the enthusiastic crowd at Outwrite had been waiting for: Yolo!
Yolo performed with bravery:
a piece on "We Are Not The Boys We Want" had me biting the inside of my lip, as it rang true, and sad, and hard to hear...Near the end of his reading, Yolo said "I am going to do a poem I thought was too 'X-rated'---even for Outwrite, but Lisa has inspired me, so here goes my dream-poem. And he performed a poem about a universe of purple, and women riding men, and women riding waves in the ocean, and--stop reading here if you could be easily offended. I mean it, stop now. Okay, deep breath...
"...and dildoes..." "and titties.." And somehow, Yolo's words rose above anything plain, or vulgar. His phrases SANG--this poem had the eroticism of an Anais Nin(who I adore, btw).
I don't know whether to adopt Yolo(he's so CUTE, and YOUNG!), or wait 'til he's older, and drag him off to my house, to exchange dream images with him! WOW!
Needless to say, the group at Outwrite(it was standing-room-only, even out to the street, during the reading) was thrilled. I am so grateful to have been a part of this special evening. THANK YOU PHILIP! Hey kids, GET DOWN TO OUTWRITE and buy yourself a book or two. Take a look at the booksellers' recommendations.....and GET AN OUTRAGEOUSLY delicious cupcake while you're there, too!
Oh!
Hollis Gillespie (you may know her through her weekly column in Atlanta's Creative Loafing newspaper) will be appearing at OUTWRITE BOOKS, on August 24th, and I plan to attend, to hear her, and meet her, and to get signed copies of her (fabulously funny,and tender) books!
Pictures from Tuesday's "Poetry With Franklin and Friends", will be posted at this blog,in an entry later this week! for now, check out:
http://www.outwritebooks.com/
To all of you who asked to purchase a copy of "Words From Water: Poems", I promise, I'll have it very soon. Honest. And I'll have "The Orgasm Poems" out, right after!
Peace, kids.
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