
The line up last night included: Dee Horne, Mike Stanyer, Lisa Dickson, Kevin Hutchings, Brenda Koller, Jay Lewyn, Ann Tiffany, Jeremy Stewart, Rob Budde, Adam Pottle, Tonia Mills, Justin Foster, Ken Belford, Si Transken, Lynda Williams and Bud Baldry whose short reading from Chapter 11 of his novel-in-eternal-progress about the life of a skinny insurance salesman was delightfully funny. Ken and Si are always uplifting. Appreciated Si's poetic tribute to the unsung and underpaid women of the social services world and Ken's encounter with a grizzly, so remarkable for being an ordinary run-in between beings who share a world - or in this case a tent. Always have a soft spot for Robert Budde's "Poem" poems, about how a poem would contend with the world as a character in everyday situations. The "poem" poems, as this series is known, highlight how bizzare so-called normal experience is, in the face of "poem"'s inquisitive, meaning-conscious efforts to interact. Jennifer Lott, my daughter, attended and remarked to me afterwards about Adam Pottle's story of securing a Barbie doll to photograph for the cover of his chapbook. Missed Dee, Lisa and Mike's readings because I have to run off to do a driving chore for family. Maybe next time! Came back in time to catch Kevin Hutchings' last William Blake song on the guitar. Always had the image of Blake as a dry, bible-thumping type for some reason so hearing about his musical side and some of the Blake quotes Jeremy Stewart favors, has been an education on that front. Kevin reminded us it is Blake's 250th anniversary this year and there are celebrations all over the world to commemorate his life and work.
Labels: Dee Horne, reading, UNBC