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.

I’m in a podcast Down Under. Where verses flow and words thunder.

Posted by Jeff on Nov 6th, 2020 in News | 0 comments

Gonna make this as quick as I can, as I’ve got a lot I want to do this weekend, and I know you’re all distracted by the election silliness down south…

1) Wordsmith Podcast Launch
I was recently interviewed for Wordsmith, an upcoming poetry podcast series in Sydney, Australia. Date of the episode to come. If you can’t wait until then (and you’re cool with waking up at four in the morning), I’ll be at the Zoom series launch event this Sunday. Featuring Kelly Van Nelson and Miriam Hechtman; other guests include my friend Special K and many others.

2) Ad Lib’s Got Talent
Another one of these. The usual gang of idiots, including me. Blah blah blah.

3) Runcible Spoon
Another Zoom gig in the U.K., next month. More details closer to the date.

More info and links on the right sidebar. Do your thing.

By the way, did you read my Digital Journal article about the Zoom poetry phenomenon?
No? Well, here it is.

Bye now. Happy November.

Radio Plays the Poetry Stars?

Posted by Jeff on Oct 13th, 2020 in News | 0 comments

As further evidence of my bold assertion in the previous entry that October is the Month of Jeff, here’s a quick note to let you know that I’m going to be on the radio tomorrow.

British radio, that is.
I’ll be reading two silly poems – “Adequate Man” and “How to Make Money in Poetry” – in Under the Evening Light, which airs on Severn FM in Gloucester, England. (My readings are pre-recorded.) If you’ve been following my Zoom exploits over the past couple of months, I’m sure you’ve already heard these two pieces about ten times each now. If you haven’t, though, then they’ll be new to you.

Other readers: Scott Coe, Clive Oseman, Gary Huskisson and Simon Alderwick.
Lucia Daramus hosts the program. 2:00-3:00 Eastern Standard Time.

“But Jeff,” you say, “I’m in Toronto. How can I listen in if the station is all the way over there? My radio isn’t that powerful. Nobody’s is. You’ve got a lot of explaining to do, Sonny-me-boy.”
Fortunately, you can hear the show online at this link.

Also, a reminder that I’m doing these two events on October 30:

Afternoon: Pic n Mix
A U.K. event, which will feature other spoken-word artists and an open mic.

Evening: Ad Lib’s Got Talent – Zoom Edition
The usual gang of idiots is back, for this talent night that happens at Toronto’s Arts and Letters Club during normal times.

Info on the above events in the right sidebar. Click back for updated links.

Oh! And I just posted a new work-in-progress story on Wattpad.com.
It’s called “Pencil”. It’s about a young man who almost loses his prized writing tool. And some other stuff happens.

Now? Time for a cartoon.

October is the Month of Jeff

Posted by Jeff on Sep 30th, 2020 in News | 0 comments

Remember the Summer of George?

That was from a Seinfeld episode. The Summer of George didn’t go so well for Mr. Costanza. But I’m unofficially declaring October to be the Month of Jeff, and I’m hoping to have better luck.
(That is, if a fictional character who temporarily attracted Marisa Tomei and slept with many other beautiful women who should have been out of his league can be said to be unlucky.)

Anyway.

October is the Month of Jeff because I have three Zoom spoken-word gigs:

1) October 6: Oooh Beehive’s Barrel of Laughs

A lot of people say poetry and comedy shouldn’t mix. A lot of snooty, arrogant people, that is, who probably don’t get out enough. Well, Oooh Beehive sets out to prove these horrible people wrong. This Swindon, England-based night also features U.K. star Robert Garnham and the series’ usual hosts Clive Oseman and Nick Lovell, plus a limited open mic.

To register for the Zoom meeting, get a free e-ticket here.

2) October 30 (afternoon): Pic n Mix
Another U.K. series, which will feature other spoken-word artists and a bigger open mic.

3) October 30 (evening): Ad Lib’s Got Talent – Zoom Edition
The usual gang of idiots is back, for this talent night that happens at Toronto’s Arts and Letters Club during normal times.

That’s right. I’m doing two gigs in one day – on both sides of the Atlantic.
I’m pulling a Phil Collins at Live Aid.

Info on the above events in the right sidebar. Click back for updated links. (That is, if anybody actually visits this bloody website.)

Another reason October is the Month of Jeff is that I’ve recently been interviewed for an Australian poetry podcast series, which is going live near the end of the month. Not sure of the date of my episode yet. Will let you know.

Now, a song about a cowboy who won’t come do his census.

Happy fall, fall boys.