Victor D. Infante's Blog, page 159
April 5, 2014
Dear Lord, give me the strength to accomplish a ridiculous number of impossible things this week ...
About to launch into a cleaning frenzy to get the house in order before Daniel Nester arrives for the Weekend of Poetry Doom, an company comes a-visiting tonight.
TOMORROW: I read T.S. Eliot at 5 p.m., then Daniel and I headline a night of sestinas at 7 p.m., both at Nick's Bar and Restaurant, 124 Millbury St., Worcester. Classic writers and formal poems made awesome. With booze. It's like a make up for how these things were mis-taught in high school.
***
To celebrate both National Poetry Month and April Fool's Day, I orchestrated a ridiculous poetry game online Tuesday: #FantasyPoetreySlam, where a wide range of writers wrote poems and posted videos of said poems from the perspective of a resident of one of six fantasy worlds.
#TeamGotham won, in large part due to Rick Lupert's high scoring video:
#TeamSunnydale came in second, thanks in great deal to Kathy Silvey's "found poem":
And #TeamGondor came in third, thanks in great part to this awesome poem from Dawn Gabriel:
And there's plenty more. Follow the #FantasyPoetrySlam hastag and enjoy!
***
In my What you're Listening To column, I listened to the latest album from Protean Collective, and in Pop Culture Notebook, I listened to Janelle Monáe cover Prince, ran down the April Fool's hoaxes and spoke to local musicians about the passing of Anderson Lynne Mar.
All right. Enough of that. I have way too much to do right now.
TOMORROW: I read T.S. Eliot at 5 p.m., then Daniel and I headline a night of sestinas at 7 p.m., both at Nick's Bar and Restaurant, 124 Millbury St., Worcester. Classic writers and formal poems made awesome. With booze. It's like a make up for how these things were mis-taught in high school.
***
To celebrate both National Poetry Month and April Fool's Day, I orchestrated a ridiculous poetry game online Tuesday: #FantasyPoetreySlam, where a wide range of writers wrote poems and posted videos of said poems from the perspective of a resident of one of six fantasy worlds.
#TeamGotham won, in large part due to Rick Lupert's high scoring video:
#TeamSunnydale came in second, thanks in great deal to Kathy Silvey's "found poem":
And #TeamGondor came in third, thanks in great part to this awesome poem from Dawn Gabriel:
And there's plenty more. Follow the #FantasyPoetrySlam hastag and enjoy!
***
In my What you're Listening To column, I listened to the latest album from Protean Collective, and in Pop Culture Notebook, I listened to Janelle Monáe cover Prince, ran down the April Fool's hoaxes and spoke to local musicians about the passing of Anderson Lynne Mar.
All right. Enough of that. I have way too much to do right now.
March 28, 2014
Portents of things to come ...
I was delighted to find out the other day that my poem "After the End of the World" will be included in the MulitVerse anthology, edited by Rob Sturma and Ryk McIntyre, from Write Bloody Publishing.
The book will be out this fall. I'm happy with this one for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that the poem was originally published in Dark Horizons: The Journal of the British Fantasy Society, edited at the time by Stephen Theaker, but it was never published here in the U.S. So that's nice. Also, I'm pretty sure I've been in all but two of the Write Bloody anthologies -- not counting the Revival tour ones -- and I'd like to keep that particular streak going.
As I mentioned earlier, my National Poetry Month is going to be insane, but two days stand out as the most ridiculous, in all sense of the word.
On Sunday, April 6, I'll be involved with a poetry double-header at Nick's Bar and Restaurant, 124 Millbury St., Worcester. First off, at 5 p.m., I'll be the feature for The Hangover Hour, where the feature doesn't read their own work, but rather the work of a dead writer. I'll be doing T.S. Eliot, and as promised elsehere: No "Wasteland," "Hollow Men" or "Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock."
Then, at 7 p.m., I'll join The Incredible Sestina Anthology editor Daniel Nester and special guests including Lea Deschenes, Heather Macpherson and Jenith Charpentier, along with a special all-sestina open mic, for a celebration of Dnaiel's wonderful book. People ask me why I've put so much of my personal effort into this book, but I think anyone who's read it will understand. This book is amazing. I really want people to read it.
Later in the month, at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 22 at the Worcester Public Library, 3 Salem Square, Worcester, I'll be hosting MegaSlam 2014: The Battle for Worcester! For this slam, I've asked just about every poetry reading, salon or literary journal in the city to send ONE representative to dual in a poetry slam the likes of which no one has ever seen!
Poets Dmitry Berenson, Amanda Borelli, Tony Brown, Jenith Charpentier, Linda D'Agosto, Nicholas Earl Davis, Lea Deschenes, Joe Fusco Jr., Robert Blackwell Gibbs, Angel Gonzalez, Joyce Heon, Mareh K Labenski, Dan Lewis, Heather Macpherson and Sarah Sapienza will throw down in a two-round poetry slam that promises to be filled with twists, turns, drama, tears and perhaps small amounts of blood!
The poets are representing Ballard Street Poetry Journal, the Barnes & Noble Poetry Series, the Conscious Corner Poetry Series, the Dirty Gerund Poetry Series, The Hangover Hour Poetry Salon, the Outlaw Stage/Works in Progress Open Stage, the Poets' Asylum, Radius Online Literary Journal, the Round Room Women's Poetry Salon, Step Up Open Mic, StreetBeat Poetry Series, the Top Floor Poetry Salon, the Worcester Review and Worcester Storytellers.
And beyond that, I have April Fools activities, various poetry salons and a TV show to tape. I think my lazy month is officially over ...
The book will be out this fall. I'm happy with this one for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that the poem was originally published in Dark Horizons: The Journal of the British Fantasy Society, edited at the time by Stephen Theaker, but it was never published here in the U.S. So that's nice. Also, I'm pretty sure I've been in all but two of the Write Bloody anthologies -- not counting the Revival tour ones -- and I'd like to keep that particular streak going.
As I mentioned earlier, my National Poetry Month is going to be insane, but two days stand out as the most ridiculous, in all sense of the word.
On Sunday, April 6, I'll be involved with a poetry double-header at Nick's Bar and Restaurant, 124 Millbury St., Worcester. First off, at 5 p.m., I'll be the feature for The Hangover Hour, where the feature doesn't read their own work, but rather the work of a dead writer. I'll be doing T.S. Eliot, and as promised elsehere: No "Wasteland," "Hollow Men" or "Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock."
Then, at 7 p.m., I'll join The Incredible Sestina Anthology editor Daniel Nester and special guests including Lea Deschenes, Heather Macpherson and Jenith Charpentier, along with a special all-sestina open mic, for a celebration of Dnaiel's wonderful book. People ask me why I've put so much of my personal effort into this book, but I think anyone who's read it will understand. This book is amazing. I really want people to read it.
Later in the month, at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 22 at the Worcester Public Library, 3 Salem Square, Worcester, I'll be hosting MegaSlam 2014: The Battle for Worcester! For this slam, I've asked just about every poetry reading, salon or literary journal in the city to send ONE representative to dual in a poetry slam the likes of which no one has ever seen!
Poets Dmitry Berenson, Amanda Borelli, Tony Brown, Jenith Charpentier, Linda D'Agosto, Nicholas Earl Davis, Lea Deschenes, Joe Fusco Jr., Robert Blackwell Gibbs, Angel Gonzalez, Joyce Heon, Mareh K Labenski, Dan Lewis, Heather Macpherson and Sarah Sapienza will throw down in a two-round poetry slam that promises to be filled with twists, turns, drama, tears and perhaps small amounts of blood!
The poets are representing Ballard Street Poetry Journal, the Barnes & Noble Poetry Series, the Conscious Corner Poetry Series, the Dirty Gerund Poetry Series, The Hangover Hour Poetry Salon, the Outlaw Stage/Works in Progress Open Stage, the Poets' Asylum, Radius Online Literary Journal, the Round Room Women's Poetry Salon, Step Up Open Mic, StreetBeat Poetry Series, the Top Floor Poetry Salon, the Worcester Review and Worcester Storytellers.
And beyond that, I have April Fools activities, various poetry salons and a TV show to tape. I think my lazy month is officially over ...
March 27, 2014
New Hampshire tonight!
Lea's performing up at Milly's Tavern in Manchester tonight. If you're going to be around, stop by, hang out and listen to some poems. Slam Free or die is among my favorite readings in the country, and I don't get to visit often enough.
Slam Free or Die
Lea C. Deschenes performs. Hosted by Mark Palos
Milly's Tavern
500 Commercial St.
Manchester, New Hampshire
7 p.m. Thursday, March 27, 2014
***
Last week, I sat down at Union Music with the very nice Tom Matthew to be interviewed for the Two Ton Music podcast. We talked about music and poetry, I read some poems, and introduced songs by a few favorite musical acts: The Deadites, The Evil Streaks and James Keyes.
Anyway, here it is:
Otherwise, it's been a bit quiet (a quiet which will decidedly end April 1. For Real.) Wrote a little bit about The Pixies, Alsarah & the Nubatones and upcoming readings by Richard Fox and Khary Jackson.
But as I said, that quiet won't last. There's a whole lot of noise on the horizon. I should enjoy the silence while I have the chance.
March 22, 2014
Wait? It's Spring Already? When Did THAT Happen?!?!?
I have about 30 projects in the air, and every one of them seems to be at some major junction right about now. Lots and lots to do, and not a lot of time to labor or dither over any of it. I'll talk more about the upcoming readings later, but I did want to draw some attention to something else I'm involved with:
This is a TV music competition that WCCA TV is doing, and I'm going to be one of the judges, alongside singer-songwriter Cara Brindisi, guitarist Cliff Goodwin and some other great folks.
Auditions will take place from 3-6 p.m. April 190 at WCCA TV, and will be recorded for TV. The panel will pick 5 top winners to move on in the competition. All five selected candidates will win a $25 gift certificate from Union Music. The top prize winner will receive a grand prize which includes an additional $50 gift card, a Sure SM58 Microphone, a Peavey tripod Microphone stand with boom arm, and a Peavey,US made, 50 foot microphone chord, from Union Music and also a TV interview and performance appearance on WCCA TV's hit music show Band Edge.
It sounds like a lot of fun, so if you know a local teenager who sings, send 'em down to audition.
***
I feel like I haven't done anything lately. Which isn't exactly true, but little of what I've been doing is writing. But that stuff needs to happen, too. But there were a few odds and ends, including this small write up of Anda Volley, Brian Chaffee and the Players, and Jake & John Cardiff, as well as this bit about the amazing Kawehi.
Things have been busy over on Radius, where in recent weeks we've published four incredible poems by Mariya Deykute, a poem by Sam Sax, Tatyana Brown's look at the things going on with Fuck Yeah Poetry Slam, and Wilbur Dee Case's riposte to something I wrote a few weeks ago. And lots more in the wings.
But first, I need to go clean the living room floors, and then the ferret cage, and then do a bunch of writing-related stuff that's not actually writing. Because that stuff has to happen, whether you like it or not.
March 16, 2014
'A long time ago ... we used to be friends ...'
It's been interesting reading the critical reception to the Veronica Mars movie. I watched it last night on Amazon Prime -- have to admit, I'm loving it being available online the same day it's in theaters --and was giddily head over heels for it, particularly Kristen Bell's performance, was as crackling as it ever was when it was a TV show. Bell can bring wit, anger and vulnerability in a rapid succession without missing a beat. Absolutely marvelous.
Most of the reviews have been good, and as far as i can tell all the reviews from fans of the show were good. Which makes sense -- it really made for the fans. Like, quite literally. They paid for it with the Kickstarter campaign. Most of the reviews from reviewers who admit they haven't watched the show have been largely good, too, but man .. the ones that aren't, aren't.
There are some complaints that are completely valid: secondary and tertiary characters only getting a cursory introduction, for instance. Personally, I think the basic relationships and roles in the story are clear -- heck, even I didn't remember some of the minor characters -- and while the consensus seems to be that it didn't throw too many people, I can see where some would have that issue. I think, if you know nothing about the show -- and I think the creators were banking on very few people who knew nothing about the show showing up -- you're left with the mystery, which is good but unremarkable, and Bell's performance, which is extraordinary. For some viewers, that's enough. For others, it might not be. I can get that
The one complaint that I have little sympathy for though is the complaints about the "TV aesthetic." Veronica Mars always had a stylized look to it, a noir film with bright, vibrant colors where the shadows should be, or "California noir." Personally, I think creator Rob Thomas translated that look perfectly, but then again, I actually watched it on a television. But I think it's unfair to say "it looked like a TV show," when really, it looked like Veronica Mars. I can't help but suspect under that particular complaint is an old-fashioned anti-television bias, which seems out of touch in an age where TV is breaking more artistic ground than film, but hey. Whatever.
Still, I'm filled with unabashed love for the movie. Veronica Mars is one of those shows -- along with Buffy the Vampire Slayer, X Files and a few others -- that I hold closest to my heart. The potential for a let-down was immense. But in the end, it was everything I wanted it to be. So I'm calling that one a win.
***
I'm having a slow-down month: Mostly staying home and getting some work down. Particularly, I'm concentrating on the non-sexy aspects of the writing life: Writing pitches, sending out queries and submissions, editing. It's not all good times, but this is the stuff that's the actual work.
It's even been a bit slow for me at work, as I've been preoccupied with less visible aspects of my job. I do have a review, though, of Ruined Your Childhood, the latest album from Water Sickert and the Army of Broken Toys.
Lea's got a poem in the debut issue of Wicked Banshee Press, along with great work from Tara Betts, Jenith Charpentier, Cassandra DeAlba, Emily O’Neill, Stephanie Lane Sutton, Kayla Wheeler and others. Go check that out.
I don't have any shows until April, when things get all sorts of crazy for me, but Lea has one coming up at one of my favorite readings, Slam Free or Die in Manchester, New Hampshire. If you're in those parts, I hope we see you:
Slam Free or Die
Lea C. Deschenes performs. Hosted by Mark Palos
Milly's Tavern
500 Commercial St.
Manchester, New Hampshire
7 p.m. Thursday, March 27, 2014
Most of the reviews have been good, and as far as i can tell all the reviews from fans of the show were good. Which makes sense -- it really made for the fans. Like, quite literally. They paid for it with the Kickstarter campaign. Most of the reviews from reviewers who admit they haven't watched the show have been largely good, too, but man .. the ones that aren't, aren't.
There are some complaints that are completely valid: secondary and tertiary characters only getting a cursory introduction, for instance. Personally, I think the basic relationships and roles in the story are clear -- heck, even I didn't remember some of the minor characters -- and while the consensus seems to be that it didn't throw too many people, I can see where some would have that issue. I think, if you know nothing about the show -- and I think the creators were banking on very few people who knew nothing about the show showing up -- you're left with the mystery, which is good but unremarkable, and Bell's performance, which is extraordinary. For some viewers, that's enough. For others, it might not be. I can get that
The one complaint that I have little sympathy for though is the complaints about the "TV aesthetic." Veronica Mars always had a stylized look to it, a noir film with bright, vibrant colors where the shadows should be, or "California noir." Personally, I think creator Rob Thomas translated that look perfectly, but then again, I actually watched it on a television. But I think it's unfair to say "it looked like a TV show," when really, it looked like Veronica Mars. I can't help but suspect under that particular complaint is an old-fashioned anti-television bias, which seems out of touch in an age where TV is breaking more artistic ground than film, but hey. Whatever.
Still, I'm filled with unabashed love for the movie. Veronica Mars is one of those shows -- along with Buffy the Vampire Slayer, X Files and a few others -- that I hold closest to my heart. The potential for a let-down was immense. But in the end, it was everything I wanted it to be. So I'm calling that one a win.
***
I'm having a slow-down month: Mostly staying home and getting some work down. Particularly, I'm concentrating on the non-sexy aspects of the writing life: Writing pitches, sending out queries and submissions, editing. It's not all good times, but this is the stuff that's the actual work.
It's even been a bit slow for me at work, as I've been preoccupied with less visible aspects of my job. I do have a review, though, of Ruined Your Childhood, the latest album from Water Sickert and the Army of Broken Toys.
Lea's got a poem in the debut issue of Wicked Banshee Press, along with great work from Tara Betts, Jenith Charpentier, Cassandra DeAlba, Emily O’Neill, Stephanie Lane Sutton, Kayla Wheeler and others. Go check that out.
I don't have any shows until April, when things get all sorts of crazy for me, but Lea has one coming up at one of my favorite readings, Slam Free or Die in Manchester, New Hampshire. If you're in those parts, I hope we see you:
Slam Free or Die
Lea C. Deschenes performs. Hosted by Mark Palos
Milly's Tavern
500 Commercial St.
Manchester, New Hampshire
7 p.m. Thursday, March 27, 2014
March 7, 2014
My Life Isn't Like Other People's, Is It?
Do you want to get an appreciation for how tough teaching is? Go stand in front of a high school class at 7:30 a.m. I don't know how teachers do it every day. Every time I'm in a classroom, it feels like I've run a marathon.
That being said, the creative writing class I spoke to this morning was wonderful. As is often the case these days, the kids needed some coaxing to talk in class, but once they got going they seemed really into it.
Today's topic was story and narrative, and we talked about both fiction and journalism -- hold the obvious jokes, please -- and how they're structured similarly, and where they diverge. We did an exercise where they built two outlines for short stories -- one about a real person, the other for a favorite fictional character.
Yes, I just had a high school class write fan fiction. But they seemed to be into it, and by the end seemed to have a great grasp of how a narrative works.
Kids are amazing. Give them a chance, and they do remarkable things.
***
Wednesday night I reviewed Demi Lovato at the DCU Center. Pop music is always odd for me. I find it kind of fascinating, even if I don't much care for it myself. Lovato's largely unobjectionable, and I found her to be a terribly engaging performer, but what struck me most was how the audience -- largely young women -- responded to her. You can throw shade at pop music all you want -- and Lord knows I've done so myself -- but it's impossible to deny what a tangible presence it is in those kids' lives, how meaningful it is to them. That's a real thing, and it's important.
I was accompanied to the concert by local musician Anda Volley, whose own music is about as far from Lovato's as I can I imagine. Still, it's always interesting watching musicians encounter work wildly divergent from their own. If their minds are open to the experience, I find they often have fascinating takes on what's happening on the stage. Art feeds art, and even bubblegum pop has something to offer. All told, a fun night and a good show.
In other music news, I talk about Zack Slik's new, self-titled album in my column this week. Slik plays some pretty mean blues- and country-flavored Americana music, and is definitely worth checking out.
***
On the poetry front, my poem My poem "Portrait of an Adolescence in Record Reviews" is online in the current issue of FreezeRay Poetry, along with some great work by Emily O'Neill, Hanif Abdurraqib, Melissa Newman-Evans, Jeremy Radin, Mckendy Fils-Aime, Daniel McGinn, Cassandra de Alba, Heather Knox, Sean Battle and more. It's a deliriously fun.
I don't have any gigs for the rest of month, although my April is crazy. Here's what's next for Lea:
An Afternoon of Words and MusicFeaturing Lea C. Deschenes, Timothy Gager, Michael Fisher and music by Krista Baroni and Eric Treehouse
Tatnuck Bookseller
18 Lyman St.
Westboro, MA 01610
1 p.m. Saturday, March 8, 2014
In the meantime, lots to do ...
That being said, the creative writing class I spoke to this morning was wonderful. As is often the case these days, the kids needed some coaxing to talk in class, but once they got going they seemed really into it.
Today's topic was story and narrative, and we talked about both fiction and journalism -- hold the obvious jokes, please -- and how they're structured similarly, and where they diverge. We did an exercise where they built two outlines for short stories -- one about a real person, the other for a favorite fictional character.
Yes, I just had a high school class write fan fiction. But they seemed to be into it, and by the end seemed to have a great grasp of how a narrative works.
Kids are amazing. Give them a chance, and they do remarkable things.
***
Wednesday night I reviewed Demi Lovato at the DCU Center. Pop music is always odd for me. I find it kind of fascinating, even if I don't much care for it myself. Lovato's largely unobjectionable, and I found her to be a terribly engaging performer, but what struck me most was how the audience -- largely young women -- responded to her. You can throw shade at pop music all you want -- and Lord knows I've done so myself -- but it's impossible to deny what a tangible presence it is in those kids' lives, how meaningful it is to them. That's a real thing, and it's important.
I was accompanied to the concert by local musician Anda Volley, whose own music is about as far from Lovato's as I can I imagine. Still, it's always interesting watching musicians encounter work wildly divergent from their own. If their minds are open to the experience, I find they often have fascinating takes on what's happening on the stage. Art feeds art, and even bubblegum pop has something to offer. All told, a fun night and a good show.
In other music news, I talk about Zack Slik's new, self-titled album in my column this week. Slik plays some pretty mean blues- and country-flavored Americana music, and is definitely worth checking out.
***
On the poetry front, my poem My poem "Portrait of an Adolescence in Record Reviews" is online in the current issue of FreezeRay Poetry, along with some great work by Emily O'Neill, Hanif Abdurraqib, Melissa Newman-Evans, Jeremy Radin, Mckendy Fils-Aime, Daniel McGinn, Cassandra de Alba, Heather Knox, Sean Battle and more. It's a deliriously fun.
I don't have any gigs for the rest of month, although my April is crazy. Here's what's next for Lea:
An Afternoon of Words and MusicFeaturing Lea C. Deschenes, Timothy Gager, Michael Fisher and music by Krista Baroni and Eric Treehouse
Tatnuck Bookseller
18 Lyman St.
Westboro, MA 01610
1 p.m. Saturday, March 8, 2014
In the meantime, lots to do ...
February 27, 2014
More Stuff I Forgot to Talk About ...
I'm trying to get back into the habit of using this blog. I'd drifted away from it, in favor of Facebook and Twitter, but this is still a far better medium to collect one's thoughts and share information in a way that you can find it again. Ever go looking for an old Facebook post? It's not as easy as you'd think it would be.
Anyway, in all the hullabaloo, I forgot to mention the other day that two pieces that appeared in Radius were finalists for the Best of the Net awards: Tatyana Brown, for her essay, "Your Invitation to the Wake: For Alexandra Petri, After Her Article, ‘Is Poetry Dead?’," and Jean Macpherson for her essay, "Crying, my little one, footsore and weary." What makes me happy about these two pieces being recognized is that they're both about the relevance of poetry, Tatyana's in a more extroverted, activist way and Jean's in a more interior way, about channeling emotion through a beloved poem. We talk about poetry's "relevance'" as though that were an easy thing to discuss, as if being relevant were a binary state. Tatyana and Jean here reveal that "relevance" is a lot more multilayered than that, but that the personal and communal significance of poetry is as prevalent as ever. Even if someone's always popping up to declare it dead.
Also, while I'm at it, I want to thank everyone who donated to Radius through our new "donate" button. Even a dollar or two goes a long way toward keeping us being able to present amazing work like Tatyana and Jean's, as well as amazing poems like these from Hieu Minh Nguyen. And again, thank you. Your support is immensely appreciated.
***
In my music column today, I listen to Luke MacNeil's "These Are Good Songs."
Anyway, in all the hullabaloo, I forgot to mention the other day that two pieces that appeared in Radius were finalists for the Best of the Net awards: Tatyana Brown, for her essay, "Your Invitation to the Wake: For Alexandra Petri, After Her Article, ‘Is Poetry Dead?’," and Jean Macpherson for her essay, "Crying, my little one, footsore and weary." What makes me happy about these two pieces being recognized is that they're both about the relevance of poetry, Tatyana's in a more extroverted, activist way and Jean's in a more interior way, about channeling emotion through a beloved poem. We talk about poetry's "relevance'" as though that were an easy thing to discuss, as if being relevant were a binary state. Tatyana and Jean here reveal that "relevance" is a lot more multilayered than that, but that the personal and communal significance of poetry is as prevalent as ever. Even if someone's always popping up to declare it dead.
Also, while I'm at it, I want to thank everyone who donated to Radius through our new "donate" button. Even a dollar or two goes a long way toward keeping us being able to present amazing work like Tatyana and Jean's, as well as amazing poems like these from Hieu Minh Nguyen. And again, thank you. Your support is immensely appreciated.
***
In my music column today, I listen to Luke MacNeil's "These Are Good Songs."
February 26, 2014
True Tales of the Mouse-acolypse
We seem to have turned a corner in our ongoing battles against mus musculus. The exterminator came in for another visit, touching up traps and such, but the sightings are less frequent. We live in hope to be rid of them entirely soon. Fingers crossed!
In the meantime, I've settled back into work after our whirlwind visit to NYC last week, and the newspaper, as always, has managed to be demanding of my time, although all that's visible on the surface is my recent roundup of music videos by Afghan Whigs, James Keyes and The Wytches. In related news, the Worcester area is having another reality TV insurgence. Stories are under way at the moment, but local drag performer Joslyn Fox is a contestant on RuPaul's Drag Race (she'll be in the group that begins next week) and there are a couple of contenders from the region on The Voice, including Hanson's Kristen Merlin, who made her way onto 'Team Shakira" the other night, and Palmer's Noah Lis, who, judging from the Twitter traffic this morning, made it on "Team Blake Shelton" last night. W00t! Always happy when locals are doing well on these things.
And speaking of pop music, next week it appears I'll be reviewing Demi Lovato at the DCU Center. I'm actually kind of curious, as I've not really done a whole lot of these big pop extravaganzas. Will this aging rock guy survive the experience? Stay tuned ...
***
In poetry news, found out recently that my poem Portrait of an Adolescence in Record Reviews will appear in the next issue of the online pop culture poetry journal Freezeray, and my poem Sixteen Was the Year will appear in the next Learn Then Burn anthology. Honored and excited.
Over on Radius, Volume Four gets into full-swing with four spectacular poems by Megan Falley. The woman is an immense talent, and we're happy to publish a chunk of her work.
In the meantime, I've settled back into work after our whirlwind visit to NYC last week, and the newspaper, as always, has managed to be demanding of my time, although all that's visible on the surface is my recent roundup of music videos by Afghan Whigs, James Keyes and The Wytches. In related news, the Worcester area is having another reality TV insurgence. Stories are under way at the moment, but local drag performer Joslyn Fox is a contestant on RuPaul's Drag Race (she'll be in the group that begins next week) and there are a couple of contenders from the region on The Voice, including Hanson's Kristen Merlin, who made her way onto 'Team Shakira" the other night, and Palmer's Noah Lis, who, judging from the Twitter traffic this morning, made it on "Team Blake Shelton" last night. W00t! Always happy when locals are doing well on these things.
And speaking of pop music, next week it appears I'll be reviewing Demi Lovato at the DCU Center. I'm actually kind of curious, as I've not really done a whole lot of these big pop extravaganzas. Will this aging rock guy survive the experience? Stay tuned ...
***
In poetry news, found out recently that my poem Portrait of an Adolescence in Record Reviews will appear in the next issue of the online pop culture poetry journal Freezeray, and my poem Sixteen Was the Year will appear in the next Learn Then Burn anthology. Honored and excited.
Over on Radius, Volume Four gets into full-swing with four spectacular poems by Megan Falley. The woman is an immense talent, and we're happy to publish a chunk of her work.
February 21, 2014
Back from New York ...
New York City is amazing. It really is. I don't know if I could ever be tough enough to actually live there, but I am deeply, deeply in love with it, and perhaps moreso after the sestina anthology reading at NYU. This is the third reading for the book I've done, and each show has had a great audience, and an eclectic array of contributors. It's been fun, enlightening and an all around good time. If you have a chance to catch the readings coming up in Chicago (tonight I think!) and at AWP in Seattle, you very much should.
Also this trip, we got to see our friends Dorinda and Scott, which is always great, our friend Jenna in New Haven. It's good to be social!
Upcoming shows:
Slam Free or Die
Lea C. Deschenes performs. Hosted by Mark Palos
Milly's Tavern
500 Commercial St.
Manchester, New Hampshire
7 p.m. Thursday, March 27, 2014
An Afternoon of Words and MusicFeaturing Lea C. Deschenes, Timothy Gager, Michael Fisherand music by Krista Baroni and Eric Treehouse
Tatnuck Bookseller
18 Lyman St.
Westboro, MA 01610
1 p.m. Saturday, March 8, 2014
Nick's Poetry Double-Header Part 1: The Hangover Hour
Victor D. Infante reads the work of T.S. Eliot. Hosted by Dave Macpherson.
Nick’s Bar and Restaurant (as recently seen in the movie “American Hustle”)
124 Millbury St.
Worcester, MA, 01610
5 p.m. Sunday, April 6, 2014
Nick's Poetry Double-Header Part 2: Reading for 'The Incredible Sestina Anthology'
Featuring Daniel Nester, Victor D. Infante, and others TBA
Nick's Bar and Restaurant
124 Millbury St.
Worcester, MA 01610
7 p.m. Sunday, April 6, 2014
MegaSlam 2014: The Battle for Worcester
Hosted by Victor D. Infante, participants TBA
The Worcester Public Library
3 Salem St.
Worcester, MA 01608
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 29, 2014
***
While I was out of town, my most recent What You're Listening To column came out, with my review of the latest from Worcester punks Uh Huh. Over in Radius, we begin our fourth rotation around the sun with Where Something Beautiful Should Be: Radius, Volume Four, as well as a little bit about our brand-new "Donate Here" button.
And that's probably enough to keep you busy for a little while ...
Also this trip, we got to see our friends Dorinda and Scott, which is always great, our friend Jenna in New Haven. It's good to be social!
Upcoming shows:
Slam Free or Die
Lea C. Deschenes performs. Hosted by Mark Palos
Milly's Tavern
500 Commercial St.
Manchester, New Hampshire
7 p.m. Thursday, March 27, 2014
An Afternoon of Words and MusicFeaturing Lea C. Deschenes, Timothy Gager, Michael Fisherand music by Krista Baroni and Eric Treehouse
Tatnuck Bookseller
18 Lyman St.
Westboro, MA 01610
1 p.m. Saturday, March 8, 2014
Nick's Poetry Double-Header Part 1: The Hangover Hour
Victor D. Infante reads the work of T.S. Eliot. Hosted by Dave Macpherson.
Nick’s Bar and Restaurant (as recently seen in the movie “American Hustle”)
124 Millbury St.
Worcester, MA, 01610
5 p.m. Sunday, April 6, 2014
Nick's Poetry Double-Header Part 2: Reading for 'The Incredible Sestina Anthology'
Featuring Daniel Nester, Victor D. Infante, and others TBA
Nick's Bar and Restaurant
124 Millbury St.
Worcester, MA 01610
7 p.m. Sunday, April 6, 2014
MegaSlam 2014: The Battle for Worcester
Hosted by Victor D. Infante, participants TBA
The Worcester Public Library
3 Salem St.
Worcester, MA 01608
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 29, 2014
***
While I was out of town, my most recent What You're Listening To column came out, with my review of the latest from Worcester punks Uh Huh. Over in Radius, we begin our fourth rotation around the sun with Where Something Beautiful Should Be: Radius, Volume Four, as well as a little bit about our brand-new "Donate Here" button.
And that's probably enough to keep you busy for a little while ...
February 19, 2014
IT'S ALIVE!!! Popping my head up before I disappear again for a few days ...
Gearing up to head out of here for a couple days. If you want to catch me tonight, I'll be down in NYC for the latest sestina shindig:
Reading for "The Incredible Sestina Anthology"
With Paul Muldoon, Scott Edward Anderson, Patricia Carlin, Victor D. Infante, Jason Schneiderman. Hosted by Daniel Nester.
NYU Bookstore
726 Broadway
New York, NY, 10003
6 p.m. Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Then, we're going to do something different and spend time with friends for a couple days. Because wow this winter was turning us into hermits, When I get back, it's mostly work, work, work. Now that my computer problems are resolved, time to get back to Radius and all the writing I was putting off.
Oh! And Saturday I'm reviewing Audra McDonald at the Hanover Theatre, which I'm rather excited about.
***
OK, some things happened while I was computer impaired. For instance, Radius published Cristin O’Keefe Aptowicz's I’ve Got a Freaking Song In My Heart, So Come On, Let’s Go: Some Reflections on Maggie Estep.
Over on Telegram.com, I reviewed the latest from 33 Leaves and Andrew Scandal, and compiled a list of awesome love songs by local musicians. It was a Valentine's column, of course, but the songs are pretty much good year round.
Reading for "The Incredible Sestina Anthology"
With Paul Muldoon, Scott Edward Anderson, Patricia Carlin, Victor D. Infante, Jason Schneiderman. Hosted by Daniel Nester.
NYU Bookstore
726 Broadway
New York, NY, 10003
6 p.m. Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Then, we're going to do something different and spend time with friends for a couple days. Because wow this winter was turning us into hermits, When I get back, it's mostly work, work, work. Now that my computer problems are resolved, time to get back to Radius and all the writing I was putting off.
Oh! And Saturday I'm reviewing Audra McDonald at the Hanover Theatre, which I'm rather excited about.
***
OK, some things happened while I was computer impaired. For instance, Radius published Cristin O’Keefe Aptowicz's I’ve Got a Freaking Song In My Heart, So Come On, Let’s Go: Some Reflections on Maggie Estep.
Over on Telegram.com, I reviewed the latest from 33 Leaves and Andrew Scandal, and compiled a list of awesome love songs by local musicians. It was a Valentine's column, of course, but the songs are pretty much good year round.
