Comments on: Second Saturday’s Poetry Forum

By: J. Vandine

J. Vandine — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 15:35:26 +0000

as one of the poets and one of the guitarists, I have a foot in both camps. I do feel that poets should have there own forum and I have no reluctance to do what I can to promote it. Thanks Laura for this discussion!

By: Ken Boe

Ken Boe — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 03:35:38 +0000

As a poet it would be particularly pleasurable for me if Poetry were the dominant form, whatever happens. Musicians tend to want to make it their own concert, particularly guitarists. If the musicians and others had their segment first, and then the poets read as the featured act after that, it would be more interesting. Then, at the end, you could feature one or more of the musicians improvizing while one of the poets read, tying it all together.

By: Gumbyjag

Gumbyjag — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 06:38:56 +0000

I agree with Laura, I believe that poetry should have it’s own forum. Changing the format only hides the real problem. People won’t bear their souls or share their feelings unless they’re in a comfortable, less competitive environment. A talent show just sounds like a few hours of hand claps and entertainment being shown as “art”. There is a line, you know. Don’t get me wrong, I would love to see a night with mixed arts, even ones with segmented formats. All the same, I can’t help but defend something (poetry reading) that just isn’t pushed enough in the community. Print out more flyers, spread the word at churches, youth at schools, and city halls. Word-of-mouth hasn’t done it, people won’t come without an incentive, and buying coffee and listening to people isn’t a good one. This is what I think Laura was getting at when she spoke of people saying “I don’t get poetry”. Well if they would only listen!

It can’t be: “Come in. Listen. Take your turn. Clap your hands.” It needs to be: “Be a part of the community. Let your voice be heard! Share your art with us.”

Voices will be heard, what wants to be said will be. It’s getting people to that mic and getting the faithful to save this form of public, yet all so private artform alive in this town.

By: Ken Boe

Ken Boe — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 19:07:35 +0000

I like the idea of having different segments. A skit segment, a poetry segment, and music segment and a mixed-genre collaboration segment. That way you get the best of all worlds, keep the poetry identity, add new friends and followers. My art reception at Chaos in downtown Phoenix will be a poetry night. And Vida always has art on the walls, so that already counts for some kind of mixed affair right there.

By: Mark Lloyd Baker

Mark Lloyd Baker — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 18:58:05 +0000

I agree with Ms. Stennerson about keeping poetry night separate. Poetry is a distinct art form that deserves its own venue.

The atmosphere of a poetry reading is completely different from that of a talent show. Put poets in a talent show and the mood and feel of a good poetry reading will be impossible to achieve. It would be doing a disservice to the poets and their audience.

By: LCGross

LCGross — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 16:18:12 +0000

With Valentine’s Day approaching is there any discussion about doing an evening of your favorite romantic poet? Check out Chilean poet Pablo Neruda and his “Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair”. Now there was a poet!

By: Pizzo

Pizzo — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 15:41:50 +0000

maybe the format could be in sections via poery hour followed by music,skits, etc…whatever—just need to keep the momentum going in honoring the open mic concept. I know i wouldnt want to do music if i was the only musician there. just talk some guys into bringing a bass and some bongos to back up the poetry reader………beatnik cool—–dig man!

i have received your vibe
keep love alive

peace out

grand master P

By: ann corsey

ann corsey — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 13:37:03 +0000

I really enjoyed this article. It is very informative and personal. Cool.