June 2012 Open Mic

Dear Writers,

We got mobbed by the geezer gang at open mic! Here’s who was there and what they read:

Her astrologer determined that CJ Prince would write about sex and death, so no surprise that she launched the night with pieces titled “One Night Stand,” “Hot,” and “Vanity.” After we broke for cold showers, Carol Hunter resumed with a very moving piece on the fallout of the drug war in Mexico. Dianne Meyer shared a beautiful and humorous tribute to a writing friend, “Ethel, When Last Seen.” Vince Laudi offered two protest pieces—”The Gun Lobbyist” and “Our God is Better than Your God”—along with “Coal Train,” a spoken song in search of a melody. Janet Oakley beautifully read “Technicolor Dreams,” published in the anthology A Cup of Comfort for Women.

The Geezer Gang certainly warrants its own paragraph. In the spirit of her forthcoming Field Guide to Geezers, Rae Ellen Lee persuaded some other writers to unite in a geezer theme last night. Sporting binoculars to spot geezers while out and about, she provided savvy advice. Jim Milstead chimed in with “Welcome to Geezerville!” Jared McVay performed “Two Old Geezers Talking,” and Jan Willing presented “The Story of Hiram Goldfarb” along with a miniature statue of Hiram, who has one whopper of a moustache.

Jan Willing and Hiram

From Rae Ellen’s Field Guide to Geezers: Many geezers have features that are bizarre, while others look exactly as you’d expect one to look. Occasionally, you’ll encounter a handsome, silver-haired man, who is nicely dressed. Yet when you peel away his outerwear—there you have it—suspenders. Get to know him better, say, on a visit to his man-cave, and you’ll see posters of antique tractors above his bed.  http://fieldguidetogeezers.blogspot.com

Poet Matthew Brouwer was on scene to “preach” from his upcoming book, The Gospel According to Matthew. Harvey Schwartz served up a short story sandwich with a poem in the middle, recounting vivid memories from 1956, 1975, and 1984. And local poet Dick Harris ended the night with “The Prairie Rolls On,” an account of returning to the family homestead site with his grandmother.

Kudos to Nancy Canyon, whose collection of short shorts Dark Forest just pubbed on Amazon!

BTW: Nancy moonlights as an astrologer.

• As always, send me your writing-related event notices so I can help spread the word! If you feel like it, tell a couple people about this blog. For more details about upcoming events, visit the About Town page at LaurelLeighWriter.com.
• Check out the open mic “regulars” page. If you’d like to be added you must have read within the last three months. Send me your site link, too, so I can include it!

Dianne Meyer

The next open mic is Monday, July 30 at 7 PM in the Readings Gallery at Village Books. Bring your written words discussing patriots and politics—or any creative work in progress. The rosters fill early so be sure to sign up ahead of time at the main counter on the first floor or call (360)-671-2626.

xo Laurel Leigh