Showdown in O-Town 2009
After my UCF gig in Orlando on July 22, I am staying another day to perform at the Orlando Team Fundraiser, “Showdown in O-Town.” I have never been to a Florida poetry slam. It’s about damn time.
This show sounds like a great time! I am excited!
Here are all of the details for the show sent to me by the one and only Mr. J. Bradley:
Thursday, July 23 at The Cameo Theatre (located in the old Cruises Only building – 1013 E. Colonial Drive), Team Orlando 2009 will face off against three other teams packed with amazing poets in a National Poetry Slam style bout where, after four rounds, one team will win the first ever Showdown in O-Town. Our teams are so far:
Team Orlando 2009: Shawn Welcome, Curtis Meyer, Ronin, MyVerse, Alex Ruiz – the most talented team Orlando will ever throw at the National Poetry Slam thus far. This is an amazing mix of accomplished poets and hungry newcomers who will rock your faces off with their poetic might.
Team Slamazon: Kendra Corrie, Dani O., Veronica Smith, Holly Riggs – this team features both winners of the 2009 Fringe Poetry Smackdown (who both won with 30s), a 2009 Smackdown runner up, and a poetic leviathan emerging from the depths. This team is fierce. They will destroy you with their verse, then wear your skin like a pelt.
Team Payback: Tod Caviness, Trevor Fraiser, Tam Tam the Sandwich Man, Alex Vega – all these poets were part of the Broken Speech Post-Season and they seek vengenance on Team Orlando for denying them from representing the City Beautiful.
Team Pandemonium : Chaz Yorick, Lilly, Michael Sloan, Zachary Kluckman – this team is the ultimate wildcard. We can only speculate the mayhem this mysterious group can cause.
Kicking off the night will be Mighty Mike McGee, the only poet to hold the individual National Poetry Slam and World Poetry Slam titles.
These teams will face Team Orlando at the Showdown in O-Town in an epic bout never seen before in the City Beautiful…until now.
Wanna hear the best part? You can see this National Poetry Slam bout for just $5. $5 to see amazing poetry. $5 to get your face rocked so far off, you can put it on a wall as a trophy to tell your grandchildren about that time poetry rocked your face off on this night. For your $5, you not only get to witness awesome poetry but get your name thrown in the hat for a door prize: a $25 gift card to Urban Think, Orlando’s only independent book store. All proceeds go to Team Orlando 2009.
The Showdown in O-Town is proudly sponsored by Stardust Video & Coffee, our home venue, Park Ave CDs, Seven Sisters Coffee, and Urban Think.
This entry was written by , posted on 16 July, 2009 at 10:46 AM, filed under Travel and tagged florida, live performance, orlando, Performance Poetry and Spoken Word, poetry, spoken word, summer, sweetness, Team Orlando 2009, university of central florida. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.
Back In The U.S.A.
HOMIES
So here I am, sitting in Providence, Rhode Island, ready for the GotPoetry Live! open mic to get under way. I am not surprised by how homesick I was for the U.S., Worcester and my house/bed. I was entirely surprised by how jet-lagged I was when I got home. 23 straight hours of flying, then waiting, flying, then waiting, another flight, then a bus, then a commuter rail. Having Tony Brown or Bill MacMillan pick me up at the train station in Worcester is always a good feeling. A sure sign that I am home and can smoke in the car.
I got home on Friday and spent a beautiful weekend trying to not sleep until 18:00. Last night, I fell asleep at 00:30 and woke up at 07:30. I am doing well, however, I am not in the mood to write about the tour just yet. But I am in a very, very writey mood. I have a number of new poems coming out of my huge noggin.
TECH SHIT
I just found a program called bbMetaBlog for BlackBerry bloggers to post from their mobile device. This is also a test. I have been looking for an app that will allow me to post to my WordPress-based site from my BB. If it works, all of MikeMcGee.net, Facebook and Twitter will be automated/accessible from my phone. Work, dammit!
EDIT: I gave up on bbMetaBlog, there’s some sort of miscommunication between my phone and the app, and there is NO clear online help for trouble shooting. It won’t work for me. But alas, I just discovered WordPress’s own BlackBerry blogging beta-ware. Lemme see…
http://blackberry.wordpress.org
If you’re reading this: SUCCESS!
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Word to the nerd.
This entry was written by , posted on 7 July, 2009 at 4:48 PM, filed under Personal Updates, Travel, Writing. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.
Europe: Day 1
Caught Amtrak yesterday morning from Boston to Newark International Airport. Waited for a few hours for my evening Air India flight. $280 one-way to Frankfurt.
The flight was quite rickety, a bit Greyhound-y in odor and decor, but I anticipated that much. I did not anticipate the complimentary and quite satisfying chicken dinner with steamed veggies. Air India: Not Great… Not Horrible… Cheap Enough To Go Again.
Blazed through German customs and baggage claim to meet my father and step-mother on the outside. Immediately picked up a German pay-as-you-go mobile phone. $10 for the phone. $20 in minutes. Should last throughout the Germany portion of this trip.
Ate lunch with my family at home. Looked up train schedules. Connected by text with Derrick Brown. Smoked too much with my dad. Talked un-enough. Joked around with everyone. Relearned some German history and language. Then ate delicious schnitzel and fried potatoes for dinner.
Must get some sleep in order to meet up with Derrick in Bern, Switzerland tomorrow. Today was restful. I made it here with a hitch, bump or serious delay.
So far, so awesome.
Here’s where we’ll be:
Cafe Kairo
June 11th
9pm
address: cafe kairo, dammweg 43, 3013 bern, switzerland
web: www.cafe-kairo.ch
KO’s Event
June 12th
7PM
(Landsberg Germany, more info to come)
Poetry Dead or Alive Show
June 13th
Theater am Schwanhof: Am Schwanhof 68-72, 35037 Marburg
Door Cover: 6 EURO
Age: 17+
Time: 20.00 o clock (24 hour clock)
June 14
Substanz poetry slam with ko and rayl, munich
Munich SUBSTANZ (Ruppertstr. 28, U3/U6 Poccistr.)
June 14
8PM
studio der schaubuhne
kurfurstendamm 153 10709 berlin
eintritt 13 euro, erm 8 euro
karten 030.890023
www.schabuehne.de
June 17
Poetry Slam Mainz
Venue: KUZ, Dagobertstraße 20b | 55116 Mainz
7:30pm
all ages
June 18
Late Night Special
VENUE: LOMO, Ballplatz 2, Mainz
COVER: 5-7 EUROS
18+
Paul Hoffman’s Show
June 19th
7:00pm
VENUE: Schulterblatt 73, 20357 Hamburg, Germany
18+
June 20th
Word Life
8PM
Cafe Euro, 72 John Street, Sheffield
18+
Cover: £5 on the door
The Waiting Room
June 21
7:30pm
Station Road, Eaglescliffe, Stockton on Tees, (TS16 0BU)
UK
6 euros
June 22nd
AMSTERDAM SHOW
House show (TBA)
all ages
Glastonbury Festival
June 24th-26th
Glastonbury Festival
Worthy Farm, Nr. Pilton, Southwest
Cost: £175 (Festival ticket price)
“Glastonbury Festival is the largest greenfield music and
performing arts festival in the world and a template for all
the festivals that have come after it. The difference is
that Glastonbury has all the best aspects of being at a
Festival in one astonishing bundle.” (Glastonbury Festivals
Website). One of those aspects that sets Glastonbury apart
from other festivals is Poetry&Words. We will be there on
all three days, bringing you some absolutely fantabulous
poets – rappers, comic poets, spoken word artists .. the
weird, the wise and the wonderful … all will be here. Come
along and see us in the Theatre and Circus fields if you
want to be moved, entertained or just find a cool spot to
chill out in for a while!
http://www.myspace.com/glastonburypoetry
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Word to the nerd.
This entry was written by , posted on 10 June, 2009 at 2:20 PM, filed under Travel, Writing and tagged derrick brown, germany, tour, train, Travel. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.
This Monday: My 33rd Birthday Party
Can you be in Silicon Valley on Monday night? Do you want to make some hang?
You should come to my
33rd Birthday Bon Voyage ExSlamaGanza Party
Monday, January 12, 2009 7:00pm until 11:00pm
MACLA, 510 S. First Street, Downtown San José, CA 95113
(We may move it to another spot later.)
On January 12, 2009, I will turn 33 years old. This number has always been special to me. This is also around the 10 year mark of my affiliation with the San José Poetry Slam.
For the first time ever, my birthday and the slam night coincide. While I have moved to Massachusetts, I am coming home from Worcester to be in San José for this particular night.
I want everyone I love and like to be there, and that’s a handy portion of Silicon Valley and the Bay Area. This is your chance to be a part of a great poetry slam, ring in my new year, and to wish me a fond farewell, as I will take up my first residence in 4 years, now on the East Coast.
I will supply pizza and some drinks. Feel free to bring a dish or party things. If you really want to get me a gift, make it very small, as I will have to pack it in with my luggage. I do like coffee, posters, orange things, and neat, small home items. You are a gift to me, so your presence will be presents enough.
Please do not bring alcohol of any sort. If there is to be any, the slam or I will provide it, possibly for purchase.
If you really want to help, then make a donation to the San José Poetry Slam, and/or bring snacks and food for others to eat. The slam normally charges $6.00 to get in, so I still want them to make some money.
Let’s have a real celebration! True merriment and entertainment.
What we could use are various food dishes. Easy to eat and share, and non-alcoholic beverages.
The San José Poetry Slam is held every 2nd and 4th Monday each month at MACLA’s theater.
The doors open at 7:00pm, and the slam starts at 8:30pm. Feel free to sign up and roast me if you want! I would adore that.
I will be hosting and performing at some point.
510 S. First Street, between William and Reed, in Downtown San José. Free parking after 6:00pm.
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=MACLA%2C+510+S.+First+Street&hl=en
This day means so much to me, as does finally moving into my own space, albeit very far away from Silicon Valley. This could be a good reason to come visit, and an even better reason to join my email list, or stay in touch via the internet.
I am in a good place, and seeing you there would make this all so much better. This may be my last slam in San José for some time, so please try to make it out.
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Thirty-third to the nerd.
This entry was written by , posted on 9 January, 2009 at 1:28 PM, filed under Personal Updates, Podcast, Travel, Uncategorized and tagged 2009, 33 years old, birthday, bon voyage, family, friends, January 12, monday, moving, party, san josé poetry slam, Worcester-Massachusetts. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.
Dressed Up In Worcester
I love my west coast. I adore it. I am enamored by it. But lately I have really been feeling the east coast.
After five years of solid touring, I’ve finally stumbled upon the ability to write and edit on the road.
Now that I have found this ability, I wish to settle a little.
This fall has brought me to Worcester/Boston area quite a bit. I have stayed with the MacMillan’s several times since September. I adore them. I adore the Worcester scene. I love having access to Boston, Manchester and even New York deserves this mix.
I asked javabill to keep his ear to the ground for available housing. He seems to have found a place that is right up my alley. I’m hoping to go see it this weekend. I’ve told my mother of the potential to move to Massachusetts, and she seems to understand. Her son is a rambling, verbal vagabond.
This is not set in stone, but so far, I cannot find any reason not to give it a shot. I love Massachusetts. It is as California as I can get on the right side of the U.S. map. I am tired and I need a couple of breaks. For me to make such a move, I’d have to do it right and really commit to it for at least a little while. I’ll know very soon. I may need some help in this settling down phase. The idea is so new and so refreshing. I am welcoming it with and open face, arms and brain. My heart is the biggest winner in this.
My ties to California are the people. The ones I’ve grown up with, but they are all either moving or growing up, starting families or just doing their thing. My time there is always just a visit anyway, on my way elsewhere. I will always go back to see everyone, but I think I need this for me. I feel a little selfish, but nobody needs me back home as much as I need to move on to something at least a little different. A quality change of pace.
I haven’t had my own roof, bed or privacy in over three years. It’s about time. I hope this works out. I hope I like the place. I hope I can do it. I hope it likes me.
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Word to the nerd.
This entry was written by , posted on 5 December, 2008 at 5:20 PM, filed under Personal Updates, Travel and tagged hiatus-ish, moving, settling, Worcester-Massachusetts. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.
Worcester and Manch Vegas
I am at home with the MacMillans in Worcester. Man-alive! I love these guys so much. It’s amazing how much bigger Lib is every time I come through! I think he will be taller than me in a couple years. Everyone out grows me – vertically. Whoa. I met him when he was five! I am currently lounging with cats. An 80+ pound clowder of felines.
Went to Bobby Gibbs’s show last night. So good. He puts on one of my favorite open mics. Worcester has one of my favorite scenes and groups of people. Warm, tough and lovers of quality work.
Boston Cantab’s April Ranger was the feature and her work is extraordinary. Had us old slammers laughing and ohh-ing throughout her set. She’s stunning and fun. Funningly sweet.
Oh, Worcester! Were Boston to attack you in an act of war, you’d eventually fall, but only to the numbers, and never before their spouses and mates had dirty, wicked sex with you first. You’re James Coburn. You’re Steve McQueen. You’re that guy laughing at the sermon in church. You’re mint and cherry. You smoke a pipe, holmes. You’re sending your son to college and all he packed for clothes were your original new wave t-shirts and your dad’s slacks and kilt. You’re a neutrino. I like you. Just so you know.
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Tonight: Manchester, New Hampshire’s poetry series at The Bridge Cafe. I love those guys too.
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I miss my Philly and Boise ladies: Jane, Amy, Cheryl, Janelle, Tara, Kristen and Isaac (by default). Isaac = Sexy Fluids.
Jane and Amy of Philly are the best reason to be in Pennsylvania. Cheryl,Janelle, Tara, Kristen and Isaac make up an extraordinary Boise, Idaho scene. You guys are family. I love you all dearly.
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I’m going to be at Central Michigan University next week, near Lansing. If you’re in the area, lemme know.
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Amazing Artist: James Jean –––> http://www.jamesjean.com
(Thanks to reneemarie.vox.com for introducing me to him. Her site is also pretty sweet.)
Here’s a sample of James Jean’s work:
James Jean's "Maze"
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Word to the nerd.
2008: Doing it!
This entry was written by , posted on 19 September, 2008 at 9:28 AM, filed under Personal Updates, Travel and tagged april ranger, james jean, manchester, renee marie, Worcester-Massachusetts. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.
Chicago, Illinois and The Q
I will be in Chicago from August 26 through September 2.
During that week, I will be performing on 8/27 with Robbie Q at Vincennes University in Indiana. Then Bradley University on 8/28. I will chill in Chicago for a few days. Robbie just booked me to do a workshop and performance at Young Chicago Authors on September 2. Then we’ll head to Macomb, Illinois for a show at W. Illinois University.
I think this visit may include a trip to the Shannon Maney/Roy Magnuson Household.
So yeah! Chicago!
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Word to the nerd.
2008: Doing it!
This entry was written by , posted on 12 August, 2008 at 6:23 PM, filed under Travel and tagged authors, bradley university, chicago, illinois, macomb, robbie q, vincennes university, western illinois university, young. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.
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