[New-Poetry] Rogue panel at AWP conference

[Anny Ballardini]

Thanks for this. And send over more news if you have some time!

On Mon, Feb 16, 2009 at 4:45 AM, David Graham <grahamd at ripon.edu> wrote:

> I am just back from Chicago, where I ingested millions of new words by many
> poets at the AWP annual conference.
> Thought I would report on the most interesting panel I've ever attended.
>  It was billed as Chicago Poetry Slam, and was to have featured the inventor
> of the slam, Marc Smith, along with several others.
>
> None of the promised panelists showed up.  I don't know why, though I heard
> a number of rumors later.
>
> The room was packed, and everyone stayed for 10, 15, 20 minutes into the
> nonexistent event.  Finally a gentleman named C. J. Laity stood up and asked
> if anyone wanted to read a poem.  As it happens, several did.  Pretty soon
> there was an absolutely unplanned poetry slam occurring.  Mr. Laity
> performed as M.C., ushered readers up and led the applause after they read,
> etc.  He began calling it the Illegal Panel, the Anti-Slam, etc.  Things got
> more and more riotous.  Almost nobody left the room, and there were many
> readers, in a wide range of styles.
>
> At one point someone from the next room came over and complained that our
> room was too raucous, which it was.
>
> As at any open mic, the quality of the offerings and performances varied,
> but I can't say it was any more uneven than the average sponsored event I've
> attended over many years.
>
> It was easily the most interesting AWP event I've ever seen, and I walked
> out feeling just great.
>
> No, I did not read anything myself--which is what everyone asks me when I
> tell the story.  I just relished it.
>
>  Read more about this event and see some photos here:
>
>
> http://chicagopoetry.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1221
>
>
>
>
>
> ========================================
> David Graham
> grahamd at ripon.edu
>
> Home Page:
> http://web.mac.com/drjazz
>
> Poetry Library:
> http://web.mac.com/drjazz/iWeb/Site/DGPoLibrary.html
> ==========================================
>
>
>
>
>
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-- 
Anny Ballardini
http://annyballardini.blogspot.com/
http://www.fieralingue.it/modules.php?name=poetshome
http://www.moriapoetry.com/ebooks.html
I Tell You: One must still have chaos in one to give birth to a dancing
star!
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