Local Poetry On The Air

You can tell when National Poetry Month rolls around each year; the media takes the opportunity to highlight the art in the papers and on radio and television.  This week is no different with two appearances for local poetry.

On Wednesday, April 15, Thom Francis and Mary Panza will be on Channel 13 (WNYT) as part of their Midday News beginning at 11:00am.  Thom and Mary will be talking about the upcoming Albany Word Fest and read a poem or two.

Then on Friday, April 17, Joan Murray will be on the Roundtable program on WAMC (90.3FM / 1400AM) at 11:10am.  On the program Joan will be talking about a new anthology that she edited, The Pushcart Book of Poetry: the Best Poems from 30 Years of the Pushcart Prize, and her upcoming presentation of poems from that volume at The Arts Center in Troy.

Be sure to check out these programs showcasing the poetry and spoken word that lives in upstate New York.

One Week Until The 2009 Albany Word Fest

We are one week away from the 2009 Albany Word Fest! 

The first Albany Word Fest was held in September 2001 in Thatcher Park.  It featured poets from all over the upstate area sharing their words all day and into the evening in a beautiful outdoor setting.  Through all of the Word Fest since then, we have kept the same idea in mind; invite the poets and spoken word artists from all over the capital region and beyond to share their words and show that “poetry lives in Albany”.

This year is no different as we are having a 12-hour open mic for poetry on Friday night starting at 7:00PM at the UAG Gallery (247 Lark Street, Albany).  We already have more than 25 poets signed up for this all night event.  During the open mic we will be having some special featured poets perform including poets from Voorheesville, Albany area poetry workshop participants, and all three of this years “Best Poets” from the Metroland readers poll (Mary Panza, R.M. Engelhardt, and Dan Wilcox).  The open mic will end on Saturday morning with a very special performance by A.C. Everson and Friends.

Saturday night we come back to the UAG with music and poetry from the Rambling Jug Stompers, Margot Malia Lynch, Daniel Nester, Mother Judge, and Murrow. 

Since moving the Word Fest from September to April in 2005, The Albany Word Fest has become spring time tradition here in Albany celebrating not just National Poetry Month, but celebrating the Poets and Poetry of Upstate New York.  Like Dan Wilcox says, “In Albany, everyday is Poetry Month!”

For more information, go to www.albanywordfest.com.  See everyone at the Word Fest!

Don Levy at Poets Speak Loud, Tomorrow Night at the Lark Tavern

Brace yourselves! Monday, March 30th at Tess' Lark Tavern(453 Madison Avenue, Albany NY) the feature will be none other than DON LEVY!!!!!!! 7pm sign-up. We start around 8pm.

“Although it seems as if Don Levy has been reading his poetry since the year 1, he started reading his work back in 1988 at the legendary open mic at the QE2 hosted by Tom Nattell.  Don was a co-editor of Open Mic: The Albany Anthology and has been on the boards at different times of the Hudson Valley Writers Guild and Albany Poets.  He has been a featured reader at many open mic venues such as Valentines, The Social Justice Center, and Caffe Lena as well as reading in Washington park and at Larkfest.  He has also been a feature at readings in Woodstock, Plattsburgh, and Boston.  He currently runs the live at the Living Room series at the Capital District Gay & Lesbian Community Center at 332 Hudson Avenue.  His favorite dead poet is Frank O' Hara.”

Here is some more information on WORD FEST 2009

The online sign-up for the Word Fest Open Mic is ready for you!

We will have the sign-up sheet available at the Poets Speak Loud open mic at the Lark Tavern on Monday, March 30 and Albany Poets Presents at Valentines on Tuesday April 7.

Poets who want to sign up for the Word Fest Open Mic must enter their name and preferred time slot at www.albanywordfest.com . Be sure to check to see if another poet has already signed up for that time slot. Each poet will have between 10-15 minutes to read their work.

The open mic will go all through the night, so tell your friends to come and check it out.

Go to www.albanywordfest.com for more information and a schedule of events for the 2009 Albany WordFest.

2009 Albany Word Fest

In celebration of National Poetry Month, Albany Poets is proud to present the 2009 Albany Word Fest featuring the poetry, spoken word, and music of upstate New York.  This year’s event will take place on Friday, April 17 and Saturday, April 18, 2009.

The 2009 Albany Word Fest will start off on Friday night with a cocktail party at Tess’ Lark Tavern (453 Madison Ave.) at 5:00PM.  This is a chance for all of the poets and performers to get together, network, and reconnect with each other before the event begins. This is open to all ages.  Must be 21 or older to drink. 

At 7:00PM, the poetry and spoken word begins at the Friday Night Open Mic at the UAG Gallery (247 Lark Street).  This years open mic will be a special 12-hour open mic.

Poets who wish to participate in the open mic can sign up online by going to the Albany Word Fest website, www.albanywordfest.com.  Performers will also have a limited opportunity to sign up at the event itself.  Each poet will have10 -15 minutes to share their work.  Featured at this open mic will be A.C. Everson, groups of poets from Woodstock, Voorheesville, and other parts of area, plus all three of this years Metrolands Best Poets (Mary Panza, Dan Wilcox, and R.M. Engelhradt) and more. The open mic is open to all poets and spoken word artists with no style or content restrictions.  Admission is based on donation.

On Saturday, day two of the 2009 Albany Word Fest brings the annual Psycho Cluster F*#k to the UAG Gallery featuring music and spoken word from The Rambling Jug Stompers, Ed RInaldi, Mother Judge, Margot Malia Lynch, Daniel Nester, Murrow, and much more. Admission for this event is $5.00.  This event is open to all ages. 

The 2009 Albany Word Fest is sponsored by Albany Poets, Tess’ Lark Tavern, UAG Gallery, and the very generous donations of supporters of the arts in upstate New York.

Be sure to check www.albanywordfest.com for more details on the 2009 ALBANY WORD FEST.

Albany Poets Presents, Tuesday, Feb 3

Albany Poets is returning to Valentines on Tuesday, February 3 for our monthly open mic for poetry and spoken word. This month, in addition to all of the great poetry, we will have information on the Albany Word Fest that is coming up in April.

ALBANY POETS PRESENTS is Albany Poets monthly open mic for poetry, spoken word, and music. This event is hosted by Thom Francis.

When we are not having special events, such as the annual Airing of Grievances or the Johnny Cash Tribute Night, this is a No Gimmick Open Mic series. This means no features, no special theme, no mysterious name for the show… just a stage, a microphone, a sign-up sheet, and an audience.

Sign up starts at 7:00PM, the reading starts at 8:00PM. Valentines is located at 17 New Scotland Ave., Albany (right between Washington Park and Albany Med).

2008 Albany Word Fest Update

So far this years Albany Word Fest (This Weekend! April 18-19) is looking like it will be the biggest and best yet!

Four days until the 2008 Albany Word Fest and there is still time to sign up online for the Friday Night Open Mic at the UAG Gallery.  So far there are 75 poets signed up for the open mic with the online signup closing tomorrow evening.  Poets who do not sign up online will be able to sign up at the open mic at the UAG on Friday night.

Also, we are very excited to announce THE POET ESSENCE will be performing at the Psycho Cluster F#*k on Saturday night.  The Poet Essence is one of Albany's best spoken word artists and it is a real honor to have her as part of this years event.

Saturday's annual Psycho Cluster F#* will also be featuring The Johnny Bravehearts (Mary Panza, John Weiler, Monica Roach), The House Band of the Apocalypse (Thom Francis, K.J. Spencer, Aaron Christiansen), a multimedia performance from poet Nicole K with VJ Fongaboo of Twisted Pair Visuals, plus more acts to be announced this week...

The 2008 Albany Word Fest will also be the place to grab your copy of the long awaited, much anticipated OTHER:NINE.   The ninth issue of our litery magazine will be available featuring Maria Barr, Shuan Baxter, Chris Brabham, Seth Brown, Scott Casale, Michael J. Conner, Stephen H. Donohue, Tom Harmon, Nicole Karas, Adam Kress, Penny Meacham-Cornelius, Lisa Nolan, T. Kilgore Splake, Leigh Vandebogart, Dan Wilcox, and Hollice Danielle Wiles. Plus, an updated listing of all of the poetry readings and open mics in the area, the return of Miss Mona, and more.

We will launching some new features on the Albany Poets website for the Word Fest including an online open mic, a new look for the OTHER: site, and updated poets profiles and poems.

For more information on the 2008 Albany Word Fest and to sign up for the open mic, go to www.albanywordfest.com

2008 Albany Word Fest

It is that time of year again...Albany Word Fest! 

In celebration of National Poetry Month, Albany Poets is proud to present the 2008 Albany Word Fest featuring the poetry, spoken word, and music of upstate New York.  This year’s event will take place on Friday, April 18 and Saturday, April 19, 2008.

The 2008 Albany Word Fest will start off on Friday night with a cocktail party at Tess’ Lark Tavern (453 Madison Ave.) at 5:00PM.  This is a chance for all of the poets and performers to get together, network, and reconnect with each other before the event begins. This is open to all ages.  Must be 21 or older to drink. 

At 7:00PM, the poetry and spoken word begins at the Friday Night Open Mic at the UAG Gallery (247 Lark Street).  

Poets who wish to participate in the open mic can sign up online by going to the Albany Word Fest website. Performers will also have a limited opportunity to sign up at the event itself.  Each poet will have three minutes to share their work.  The open mic is open to all poets and spoken word artists with no style or content restrictions.  Admission is based on donation.

On Saturday, day two of the 2008 Albany Word Fest brings the annual Psycho Cluster F*#k featuring music and spoken word from The Johnny Bravehearts (Mary Panza, John Weiler, Monica Roach), The House Band of the Apocalypse (Thom Francis, K.J. Spencer, Aaron Christiansen), and more to be announced.  Admission for this event is $5.00.  This event is open to all ages. 

Also, throughout the 2008 Albany Word Fest, Albany Poets will release OTHER:NINE, the long awaited new issue of Albany Poets’ literary magazine as well as the launch of many new features to the Albany Poets website including an online open mic, new poetry from local poets, updated photo galleries, performance videos, and more.

The 2008 Albany Word Fest is sponsored by Albany Poets, Tess’ Lark Tavern, UAG Gallery, and the very generous donations of supporters of the arts in upstate New York.  For more information, up-to-date event news, open mic sign up, and more, go to www.albanywordfest.com

Poets Speak Loud Featuring John Raymond

The next Poets Speak Loud will be on Monday, March 31 at Tess' Lark Tavern with featured poet John Raymond followed by an open mic for poetry and spoken word.

John Raymond is a local rapscallion who is coming out of seclusion to take part in Albany's open mic poetry scene.  He enjoys music, backpacking, and smoked meats.

We will also have the sign up sheet for the 2008 Albany Word Fest Friday Night Open Mic for all of those poets and spoken word artists that have not had a chance to sign up for upstate New York's largest open mic

Poets Speak Loud is a monthly open mic for poetry and spoken word with a featured poet. This mic is hosted by Mary Panza and held at the Lark Tavern (453 Madison Ave., Albany) on the last Monday of each month. Sign-up for the open mic is 7:00pm, start time is 7:30pm.