Upcoming Appearances
TBA
Hey
You! Yeah, you! You need a poet, novelist, wrestler, ex-bartender
for a reading? Contact me here e-mail and let's see if we can
set something up. Go ahead, contact any of the venues where I have read
for references--some might even say good things about me. And yes, like
your local electrician or plumber, I prefer not to work for free, so please be
kind.
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Hard at work
in upper west side of |
In the Books
2011
October 21st,
Friday, Labor Arts 2011: A Salute to Detroit Working Class Writers, Wayne State
University, McGregor Conference Center (on the Ferry Street Mall across from
the Law School on the North End of Campus), Detroit, MI 48202, 7:30 p.m. 313-557-7713. With Anca Vlasopolos, Mary Minock, Caroline
Maun, Amy Mattison, Melba Joyce Boyd, and Frankie the
K.
Many
thanks to M.L. for the invite and students Chris and Maddie
for coming out to support me. And Amy Mattison,—dang,
what a talent!
Sept. 18th,
Planet Ant Theater, 2357 Caniff,
Many
thanks to the amazing actors at Planet Ant for doing a staged reading of my one-act
play, “The Last Dime.” You really made me think about what I had
written and gave me a new way of seeing it--thank you!
2010
Nov. 2nd, Macomb Community College Poetry Fest, 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. (early show at the Main campus, late show at the South campus), with music legend Peter Lewis of Moby Grape and the amazing M.L.Liebler
2 p.m.: Center
Campus, P
6 p.m.: South
Campus, J
A
total gas, folks. Appeared with Peter Lewis of Moby
Grape and the always outstanding M.L.Liebler, the
Godfather of
Nov. 12th, Lyrical Vibe'z Experience, Manila Bay Cafe, 4731 Grand River Ave Detroit, MI 48208, 248-895-3154, 9 p.m. I will be backed by the amazing Frankie the K on keyboards and the multi-talented Matthew Brown on guitar.
Many thanks to Stephan Clay for the invite and Matthew, Frankie, and Bebop for the accompaniment. And Show Biz and Didier for the support!
October 15th,
2010 (Friday), Lawrence Street Gallery,
This was a real nice event--great thanks for Tonja Bagwell and John Juan Smolinski for having me, and thanks to the wonderful Show Biz Liz and former student Kristi for the support. And a grand time at the Rathskeller, where a nice quantity of October Fest beer and weiner snitzel bit the dust!
August 9th, 2010 (Monday)
Springfed Arts Contest Winners
Reading.
The Scarab Club, 217 Farnsworth,
What a night of
talent--some fantastic readers and a great time at the
August 3-5, National
Writing Project Writer's Retreat,
What a blast! I was guest instructor in fiction writing and got to share some of my favorite stuff: Raymond Carver, Bonnie Jo Campbell, John Edgar Wideman, Annie Proulx, Jhumpa Lahiri, and Tobias Wolff. To my utter delight, participants were lit up by flash fiction. Highlight? Strolling in late Wednesday evening and finding Kia, Maurya, and Cynthia lighting up the night with amazing three-part harmony renditions of Aretha, Patsy Cline, Billie, the Doors, you name it. Now that's what a damn retreat should be!
July 21st, 2010 (Wednesday)
Springfed Arts in the Park Reading with my daughter
Lea at Beatrice Buck Park (across from the Virgil H. Carr Cultural Arts Center in
the Paradise Valley neighborhood), 311 E. Grand River, Detroit, MI 48226,
(248-589-3913)
12 pm - 1:30 pm. Easy parking in the Opera House
parking structure.
What can I say? This was one of the most fulfilling readings I've ever done. Why? Because I got to share the mic with my daughter, Lea, who was tremendous. Special thanks to Larry, Conflitti, Jim, Laurita, Jake, JoJo, Kelly, and Tracey for the support, and, as always, to ML and John D. for the invite.
May 16th, 2010 (Sunday)
“Stand Up for Veterans” event at Karma Coffee Shop, 3015 Wayne Road (next to the Dairy Queen) in Wayne , MI 48184. 2-5 p.m.
Thanks to John Juan for the hook-up, and thanks to Lea and Natalie for the support.
March 25th, 2010 (Thursday)
What can I say--this was the greatest experience I've had doing a reading. My greatest thanks to Ela Rybicka, Randy, and everyone at Schoolcraft for making this such a fantastic event--your courtesy and generosity are greatly appreciated. Motown Burning the Pageturners bookclub's selection for March of 2010, and I am grateful.
2009
November 21st, 2009 (Saturday)
Maxell's Arts
and Treasures,
If you missed this, well, you
REALLY missed it. What a night: music, words, booze, laughs, good
friends. The
October 23rd, 2009 (Friday)
Book Beat Bookstore, 26010
It was nice to read with
award-winning poet Mark Nowak. Many thanks to Roland,
Olga, Rhoda,
September 25th, 2009 (Friday)
Ambassador Poetry Project Kick-Off, Grosse Pointe Arts Center, 16900 Kercheval, Grosse Pointe, MI, 7:00 p.m.
Many thanks to Lori May of the Ambassador Poetry Project and Mariela Griffor for inviting me back. A fantastic night of poetry and music--well done by all.
August 15th, 2009 (Saturday)
Detroit "Battle of the Hoods" with Chico Hernandez and Tim Jeffrey, Maxwell's Arts & Treasures, 32146 Industrial Road, Garden City MI 48135, 7 p.m.
What a great night. My
daughter Lea was there so it was special for me, and I must thank
August 1st, 2009 (Saturday)
Detroit Local
Authors Book Fair,
Great to see my publisher Heather
and to meet mayoral candidate Bob Allman, who took
time to speak with me about the film industry in
July 20th, 2009 (Monday)
Springfed Arts Metro
As always, a
great time and a great crowd on hand. Thanks to my
National Writing Project homies Mary and Kathleen and
my wrestling brothers Big Ed, Eddie, Alberto, Naira, and Jake. Z's
was a blast afterwards and we even made a pilgrimage to the hallowed
June 19th, 2009 (Friday)
Lawrence Street Gallery, 22620 Woodward Avenue, Suite A, Ferndale, MI 48220, http://lawrencestreetgallery.com/
A new venue for me but a lot of fun. And thanks to the lovely Tonja Bagwell and her daughter for going out afterwards and offering all the free therapy--you are awesome! And Chris and Yo-Yo, my former students, I appreciate the support.
May 29th, 2009 (Friday)
WORK/6 Roadshow, Grosse Pointe Arts Center, 16900 Kercheval, Grosse Pointe, MI, 7:00 p.m. with Mariela Griffor, James Semark, Wardell Montgomery, Brita Brookes, and Donna Vinstra, 586-469-8666 or visit www.detroitartistworkshop.com
Another nice time in GP. Thanks as always to my mentor Jabiya Dragonsun for assisting me (and helping me get ready with several Blue Moon before the show!). And thanks to former students Brian and Brandon for coming out and meeting at Marge's afterwards. You people are all sensational--thank you.
May 21st, 2009 (Thursday)
Grosse Pointe Marick Press Poet Follies. Ewald Branch Library in Grosse Pointe Park, 15175 East Jefferson, Grosse Pointe Park, MI 48230, 313-343-2071
Thank you to Matthew and Jabiya on the musical assist and greatest thanks to ML, Mary, Dawn, Show Biz, and all my students current and former for supporting me. And how 'bout them burgers at Marge's?!?
2008
Nov. 6th, 2008
Essence of Motown Literary Jam, Vanguard Center, 2785 E. Grand, Detroit, call 313-872-7831, 6-9 p.m.
Kind of a weird deal here. I was able to read, but I wasn't allowed to put my books on an empty table for people to purchase. Why? Hmmmm.
Oct. 22nd, 2008
Many thanks to Elaine Winkler, whom I met at the Walloon Writers' Retreat, for the invite, and many thanks to my students for showing up to support me.
Sept. 20-21, 2008
2008
We began inauspiciously, as I was given a vending space that was already taken when I arrived. The solution? Move the J out to the nether regions (affectionately known as the "8 Mile" of the festival) and then, when my peeps showed up, tell them I was in the old spot I was supposed to be in before being kicked out. Despite the confusion, a fine weekend, sunburn-inducing weather and plenty of familiar faces. And why don't the festival organizers listen? For two years I've asked for a little stage time to read some poetry, and for two straight years I've received absolutely no response. Just three minutes between the off-key Elvis impersonators and the balding Huey Lewis tribute bands, let the people, God forbid, hear some poetry. Might the senses respond to verse a little more favorably than they do to one more tone-deaf version of "It's Hip to Be Square?" C'mon, organizers, use some g-damn common sense at a festival supposedly dedicated to the senses.
Sept 13, 2008
5th Annual Motown Writers'
Literary Meet and Greet,
Nicely done by MWN guru Sylvia Hubbard. I had a chance to put faces with familiar names from the Motor City literary community and see Slam Nation star Jessica Care Moore share some words.
Aug. 2nd, 2008
Arise Literary Series at the
This all came about very quickly and I didn't even get to post a notice
before I actually read. A nice day in
June 11th, 2008
"
True story: I was spelunking at the sacred Grande Ballroom with my daughter, and this guy comes up to us in the alley and says, "I was here the night Janis Joplin tore down the house." We immediately engaged in a fantastic conversation, and then introduced ourselves. I mentioned that I had written a book, Motown Burning, that makes numerous references to the Grande, and he said, "You were just on NPR, weren't you? I heard your interview." Well, I have no idea what date the segment actually aired, but apparently it did, and many thanks to that kindly man in the alley for being so cordial.
June 8th, 2008
2008 Detroit Lit Fest, Sunday, June 8, Noon on the Bank of America Literary & Music Lounge Stage (located on Cass at Putnam between State & Science Halls and across from the Detroit Public library).
As always, a fun afternoon with a bit of
May 1st, 2008
First
Thursday at the Jazz Cafe,
The highlight for me was being able to unveil my new book, Stone+Fist+Brick+Bone. to so many old friends (Mary Cox, Show Biz Liz, Kathleen Lawson, Sweet Jane Kowalski, and former students--James, Matt, Leah, Kathy, Joe, Jeremy, et al., and my daughter Lea). Throw in several Sam Adams, and it's a good night. As always, greatest thanks to the amazing M.L. Liebler.
April 26th, 2008
I was able to present a unit I have developed on maintaining personal voice in research based writing, with an emphasis on readings related to the status of women in the world. A great honor to be amongst so many committed teachers of writing, and I never cease to learn about the craft and how to teach it when I am in such settings.
February 20th, 2008
It was fun to headline a gig and read from a broader section of the arsenal. Also, Steven Kowalski was sensational, once again proving to me that the connection between word and music is eternal.
February 9th, 2008
A good audience on a very slushy, bitter
2007
October 19
Resurrected
Voices Exposition.
This was an incredible event
featuring some immensely talented poets and musicians. I feel very fortunate
to have had the chance to read and meet so many gifted artists. The cause
was also extremely important: to commemorate the lives of the 7,000 plus
men and women buried on the grounds of
October 28
VOICES 2nd Annual Writers
Harvest. Greater
The highlight was meeting novelist Jan Worth, who has written Night Blind. She is a very gifted writer. Her reading was full of wit and voice--she's good!
November 25
"Wordz In Motion." Host Sheri Brooks. WHPR TV Channel 33 (Comcast Channels 20 & 71). 8:30 p.m.
My special thanks to host Sheri
Brooks for this great opportunity. Will
April 30th
Side-by-Side Teachers
Conference, Keynote Speaker.
It was great to be back amongst fellow teacher-writers discussing the craft. My thanks to Mary Cox, Kathleen Reddy-Butkovich, and Ron Sudol for having me back and allowing me to share my ideas on composition.
June 10th
Lit Fest on the Lawn 2007, Sunday, June 10
at Noon.
There's nothing like Downtown Detroit on a beautiful summer day...Paris ain't got nothing on the Motor City and Woodward Avenue! It was good to run into old friend Jabiya Dragonsun, who was sensational as always. The only downside was that I had to jet out early because of my son's high school graduation--hey, priorties!
June 22nd
Poet Follies. Grosse Pointe Artists
Association (1005
Many thanks to Mariela Griffor for the invite and for all the support from friends. An axiom of the writer emerges: write your ass off, read your heart out, it will happen.
July 26th
Eyes on Fire,
Commemorative Oral History of the '67
My thanks to Heather Buchanan-Gueringer for having me and the warm welcome of all those present. What could be more important to a Detroiter than remembering this catastrophic and transforming event? Those who forget the past.... (For photos of the event, visit http://pictures.aol.com/galleries/bartlessin).
August 13th
Poetry
at the Opera House Series. Held at
Is there anyone
working harder for
August 24th
The gods did not smile on this endeavor. After battling a torrential downpour and blockaded roads, the reading was delayed before a very small crowd was able to make it. Oh well. It was great to meet Canadian poet Daniel Kolos and to swap books with him.
September 22-23
Festival of the
Sense: A
Celebration of the Arts.
THANK YOU