Jan Steckel's Blog: Horizontal Poet Sings Bidyke Blues - Posts Tagged "music"

Monday night, July 18, I had a terrific time at North End Forum, a reading in the Ravenna neighborhood of Seattle. I can honestly call this one of the best open mics I've ever been to, and I've been to a LOT of open mics. This one, organized by singer, poet and guitarist Jed Myers, had as much music as poetry, and both were top-notch. The poets and musicians welcomed new Seattle resident Tracy Koretsky and me to read a few extra poems, and they received us convivially.

High points for me included (but were not limited to) the music of the Band of Poets, which consisted of the host with vocals and guitar; pediatrician Ted on the drums; Ted's wife Roseanne on the harmonica; and a very good female vocalist whose name I didn't catch. Later they were joined by a trumpeter named Philip, who also read very witty poetry. A singer-songwriter named Jacob played guitar like James Taylor and sang like Gordon Lightfoot, one of those basses you can feel in your chest like drums.

Early in the evening, a startlingly talented young poet named Chase Evans moved me to a standing ovation. Turns out he has a band named Slow Bunny and appears in Seattle slams. My husband Hew made everybody laugh with his poem "What Would Jesus Do?"

Tracy Koretsky, my friend from Berkeley who co-featured, knocked me back with her superb work, expertly delivered as always. She just gets better and better. Tracy and I also got to spend an afternoon writing together by a poolside. She really taught me a lot about craft.

Julene Tripp Weaver, a friend from this website, showed up and sat next to me! What a thrill to meet her in person. My only regret is that she had to leave at the break, before I could hear her read. I did manage to snag a copy of her new book, though, which I'm really looking forward to reading.

This trip to Seattle marked a milestone for me. It's the first time I've been physically able to travel that far in about six years. Colorado and Chicago, here we come!

If you live in Seattle or pass through, don't miss North End Forum (certain Monday nights at Bai Pai Lounge) and the remarkable Band of Poets.

Welcome to May! For this week only, through May 11, I'm offering free shipping for *The Horizontal Poet.* I'm trying to raise money to pay for my trip to New York in June to attend the Lambda Literary Awards ceremony, where *The Horizontal Poet* is a finalist. From now through May 11, you can order signed copies of the book for $14, with free shipping, by sending a check to me at Jan Steckel/PO Box 18797, Oakland, CA 94619. You can also order by PayPal at Jmsteckel at aol dot com.

Here's what Out in Print (reviews of queer authors) had to say about the book:
http://blog.outinprint.net/2012/04/23...

Thanks to AskGayWrites for featuring the book on their blog here: http://blog.outinprint.net/2012/04/23...

I'll be one of several readers at Works in Progress, an all-women's open mic, on May 12. Here's the skinny on that evening:

CHECK OUT THE NEXT WORKS IN PROGRESS,
An Open Mic for Women :
at the Fireside Room, Plymouth United Church of Christ ,
424 Monte Vista, Oakland, CA, USA

Saturday, May 12, 6:30-10:30 pm

Featuring: Irina Rivkin – Original old-world OutMusic Awardee layers poetic lyrics, rich textured harmonies and vocal beats, all created on-stage through live-looping. Her compelling, powerful songs blend jazzy folk & rhythmic world music with an all-original sound. www.irinarivkin.com.
and Sharlana Bacchus playing her recorder and sharing her poetry with us.

Plus Eight other artists to thrill and delight you!!
Come enjoy the magic!!

$7 - $10 Admission includes a raffle ticket for a chance to win one of five $25 certificates to a local restaurant.

6:30 – 7:30 Pot Luck --– Bring your favorite dish to share.
7:30 - 10:30 Performance, Fireside Room

Hosted by Feminist Author & Poet Linda Zeiser, Produced by Linda Zeiser & Carolyn Stull Zeiser. For information, contact Linda at (510) 701-1022, ZeiserpoetMC@aol.com.

Works In Progress is a creative space for women's art: Poets, Musicians, Comediennes, and Performance Artists. All are encouraged to share their works, completed or evolving. WIP is scent free and wheelchair accessible.

Seven or eight years ago I started doing publicity for a Montclair women's open mic called Works in Progress, hosted by Linda Zeiser. Linda and her partner Carolyn Stull have encouraged so many San Francisco Bay Area women to realize their creativity and to get in touch with their inner diva. They helped me get my first full-length poetry book to Zeitgeist Press, The Horizontal Poet. The book, which went on to win a 2012 Lambda Literary Award, is dedicated to Linda and Carolyn.

On Saturday night, January 12, Works in Progress celebrates its 100th performance in Piedmont (Oakland, CA). I'll be the featured reader, performing new poems as well as old. Melanie DeMore, a celebrated singer-songwriter, will perform two sets of live music. The evening is FREE, Linda's and Carolyn's gift to our women's community, along with eight free fashion watches they'll be giving away as door prizes. See http://www.goodreads.com/event/show/8... for address and details. Please feel free to cross-post to other women's lists and SF Bay Area literary lists, making it clear that all women are welcome.