March comes in like Dev Patel and goes out like Rael

Posted by Jeff on Feb 28th, 2021 in News | 0 comments

Remember the Summer of George?
Looks like March may be the Month of Jeff. Hopefully it’ll go better for me than that summer went for George Costanza. But it’s not just egotism that’s motivating this proclamation. It’s because I’ve got a bunch of events going on this month… in four different countries, thanks to Zoom.

1) March 2: Interview on ThatChannel.com
This Tuesday, fellow Toronto poet Ivy Reiss is interviewing me live on http://www.ThatChannel.com. The likely topic will be the international Zoom poetry community, although I’m still waiting for confirmation on that.

This will be the second time Ivy interviews me live on Internet TV. Here’s the first time, two years ago. I expected more anger and controversy from this topic, but it didn’t surface. Maybe I should have been angrier or something:

2) March 12: They Call Me Mitch
I’ll be the feature at this weekly San Francisco spoken-word series, which has picked up a wide international following over the last several months on Zoom. There’s an open mic too.

3) March 14: Run Your Tongue
For months, host Rob Reeves has made me the unofficial headliner at this Kettering, England semimonthly poetry series, slotting me at the end of the first set with extra time. Now, I’m getting a full feature set. There’s an open mic too.

4) March 19: Nowt But Verse
British poet Hannah Stone interviews me and lets me perform a few pieces in this event hosted by the Leeds Library in Leeds, England. A free event, but donations to the Library are encouraged.

5) March 25: Globalisation anthology launch
My poem “ZoomMobile” is included in the upcoming anthology Globalisation: The Sphere Keeps Spinning, based in Sydney (but with contributions from all over the world). The editor, Kelly Van Nelson, hosts the Making Magic Happen Press monthly open-mic night as a launch for the book.

There’s also supposed to be a launch event for another anthology I’m being published in, but I’m still waiting for confirmation on the date. I may update this post when I know. In case anybody’s actually reading this.

For links and other information, check the right sidebar. I can’t do everything, you know.

Also, remember that Valentine’s Day show I did a couple of weeks ago? If you missed it, you can watch it here. Lots of interesting performers from all over the world:

Be kind and stuff.

In the mood for art? Simply because it’s not near you?

Posted by Jeff on Feb 7th, 2021 in News | 0 comments

Got nothing to do on Valentine’s Day?
(That’s not a comment on your love life or your sexual prowess. That’s an honest question. Because if the answer is “Why, my schedule is free, good sir,” then I have a fun suggestion. Do keep reading.)

Because you can attend St. Valentine’s Day Mascara.
This is going to be the biggest international Valentine-themed poetry event ever. Well, the biggest one that I’ve ever heard of, anyway. And I’m one of many performers – mostly poets, but also some music and performance art.

Like I said, this is truly an international event – a co-production of Poetry in the Brew (Nashville), Like a Blot from the Blue (Scotland), and Eye Publish Ewe (San Francisco), with poets from the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Ireland, Australia, Mexico, and more. Zoom has made this gathering possible.

The lineup includes Christine Hall, Tish Camp, Edith Blackbird, Kelly Van Nelson, Skylar J. Wynter and others. Many of us made short videos to promote the thing. Here’s mine:

The link to the Facebook event page is on the listing on the right sidebar. The event will broadcast on Facebook Live.

Also: Ad Lib Talent Night happens again on February 19. Link to come on right sidebar.

Now, GO, my son.

The Wordsmith podcast is up. Come visit me in Australia.

Posted by Jeff on Jan 21st, 2021 in News | 0 comments

I’ve mentioned in a couple of past posts that I was interviewed for an Australian poetry podcast called Wordsmith. You didn’t think I’d lie about something like that, did you?

Well, burn and drown your suspicions in castor oil, my friends, because the episode is now live.
Here’s the Spotify link.

If you’re not a fan of Spotify, fear not – it’s also on Anchor:

Bestselling Australian poet (yes, you read that right – down under, apparently, poetry books can become bestsellers) Kelly Van Nelson interviews me and allows me to perform a few pieces: “Like Poem”, “An Ode to the Moon”, “Kids Write Jokes: A Found Poem” and one that I don’t do often, “Online Public Shamer”.
I rarely read the last one because it’s a controversial take on cancel cul—I mean, online shami—I mean, Twittermobbi—okay, FINE, “accountability”.

In the meantime, keep your ears peeled and your eyes flaked for some Zoom events I’m involved in. Tomorrow is another Ad Lib Talent show (celebrating host Damon Lum’s birthday), and there’s more stuff coming in the next three or four months.

And congratulations to America’s new leader, President NotTrump.

Bye now.

There’s more of gravy than of grave about you, whatever you are

Posted by Jeff on Dec 21st, 2020 in News | 0 comments

Just a quick note that I’ve been featured in this week’s episode of the Poets and Muses poetry podcast. Imogen Arate interviews me about my poem “Wilfred Owen’s Off-Day”, and then we talk about her poem “I Bought the 18″ ”.

The interview was recorded from a Skype call, and my side came out scratchy for some reason. Just imagine you’re listening to it on a phonograph in 1925. Listen to it here:

I mentioned a couple of posts ago that I was also interviewed for the new Australian podcast Wordsmith. The podcast has begun, but I don’t know yet when my episode is being aired. I’ll be sure to bug you about it when I know.

Also, Ad Lib’s Got Talent is happening again soon… twice. Once on New Year’s Eve, and again for Damon Lum’s birthday. Zoom links to come, via the right sidebar.

Now look at doggies.

Merry Xmas, you beautiful old Building & Loan.

Three events and a wacky story

Posted by Jeff on Dec 12th, 2020 in News | 0 comments

Hi visitors. If you exist.

Here’s what I’m doing over the next few weeks:

1) Runcible Spoon
Tomorrow afternoon, I’m featuring in this Zoom poetry series based in Leeds, England, with three other features and an open mic.

2) It’s a Wonderful Life
Next Saturday, I’m playing Mr. Potter in this live Zoom reading of the script of the Christmas staple, with a bunch of local actors. And I promise to pay fifty cents on the dollar for all holders of Bailey Building & Loan shares.

3) Ad Lib’s Got Talent
Another one of these things. But this time, it’s a special New Year’s Eve show.

Check the listings on the right sidebar for more info.
There should be links with Zoom info closer to the dates.

Also, I posted a new short story on my Wattpad site:
“Filmmakers’ Heaven”
I’ve been revising this one on and off for more than two years. It’s still far from a final draft, I’m sure, but it’s such a fun concept that I enjoy sharing it, and it seems to amuse people.

Holly Happidays.