Good morning, Poets! Just a year ago, John Hawk recruited me as the Apal media liaison. A month later, I sent e-mail notice of an Apal reading to a handful of poets. Thus, the newsletter was born. By the 5th week, I'd received the entire e-mail list (250+) from the publicity director of a non-profit organization. It seemed there was a need for a centralized map of Austin poetry, delivered directly to e-mailboxes. To accommodate visiting poets with a schedule of events surrounding and during the '98 Austin International Poetry Festival, the need expanded. And has continued to grow, along with the mailing list, which now exceeds 750, into 5 countries. The poets' guide now lists a dozen organizations or independent venues. The popularity of featured poetry themes is evidenced by the increasing # of poems received weekly. The newsletter knows no geographical boundaries or limitations. On it's 1st birthday, in 4 weeks, the newsletter will take a new name: Map of Austin Poetry (or MAP). Until then, keep watching for the APAL newsletter each Monday. And support local poets, whether in Austin, Australia, or any venue in between. TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Austin Poets Guide II. Featured poetry III. Books/Chapbooks/Spoken Word CD's IV. Calls for Submissons V. Announcements I. AUSTIN POETS GUIDE - Calendar of upcoming readings. All events are free unless otherwise noted. Some venues take up a tip collection for featured poets. If you like 'em, drop a dollar in the jar! 1. Monday, October 5 - Poetry reading at Southwestern University, Georgetown. 8 pm. Sponsored by SOAL, featuring the poets of Cornerstone: Scott Wiggerman, emcee; David Meischen; Cindy Huyser; Dennis Ciscel; Meera Sundrum; Jack Brannon; Patrick Collins; Rick Garcia; George Klawitter; Chinwe Odeluga. For more information contact Scott Wiggerman at wigg119_at_flash.net 2. Tuesday, Oct. 6 - Ruta Maya Coffee House, 4th & Lavaca. Once again voted the "Place To Hear Poetry" in the Austin Chronicle's 1998 Best of Austin Readers Poll. APAL open mic, sign up at 6:30 p.m. Co-hosted by Sara Sutterfield Winn and Mark Maslow. Featured poet: Sonya Feher. Reading poets are invited to bring their chapbooks to display and sell. fmi contact maslow_at_flash.net 3. Tuesday, October 6 - Central Texas Live Poets Society hosts open read at Barry's Coffee House, 517 N. 3rd in Temple. 7 p.m. Featured poet: Patricia Fiske. fmi contact mgreene_at_sage.net 4. Tuesday, Oct. 6 - Electric Lounge, 302 Bowie. Austin's weekly Slam. Voted by a show of hands from the audience, the best place in Austin to Slam. Sign up at 8:30 p.m. Compete for $50. Ernie Cline hosts. Admission $2 (or $3). fmi call 476-FUSE. 5. Wednesday, Oct. 7 - Movements Gallery, 211 E. 6th St. BYOB: Blast Your Own Breath, 9 p.m. Tammy Gomez hosts. fmi contact tejana.tongue_at_mail.utexas.edu 6. Thursday, Oct 8- Saturday, Oct 10 - Movements Gallery, 211 E. 6th St. Flame Failure Productions presents Tales of Terror, Edgar Allen Poe horror stories adapted and directed for the theatre by Dan Bonfitto. Works include "The Tell- Tale Heart", "The Premature Burial", "The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar", "The Masque of the Red Death", and "The Cask of Amontillado" . fmi call 469-1745. 7. Thursday, Oct. 8 - Barnes & Noble Arboretum, hosted by John Berry, with a round robin open mic. 7:30-10 p.m. fmi call 837-8693. 8 . Saturday, Oct. 10 - Fiesta Gardens at noon. Coming Out Day. Poetry by Marie Fleischmann, Rich Perin, more. 9. Saturday, Oct. 10 - Saturday Night Live Poetry at Quackenbush's, 2120 Guadalupe. APAL open mic sign up at 7:30 pm. Featured poet: Eric Fredlund, releasing his new book "Wanker Down". fmi contact buddydog_at_texas.net 10. Monday, Oct. 12 - Patio of Jovita's Restaurant, 1619 South First St. from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Red Salmon Arts, focusing on the literary heritage of historically marginalized peoples, provides a space for emerging writers/artist as well as published writers from inside and outside of Austin; hosting on-going poetry series, "Southside Poetic Action Series" open mike reading. Fmi contact Resistencia Bookstore, 416-8885 11. Tuesday, Oct 13 - Ruta Maya Coffee House, 4th & Lavaca. Apal open mic sign up 6:30 p.m. Sara Sutterfield Winn and Mark Maslow host. Featured poet: Clint McCown. Reading poets are invited to bring their chapbooks to display and sell. fmi contact maslow_at_flash.net 12. Tuesday, Oct. 13 - One World in Temple (1615 Canyon Creek) - Central Texas Live Poetry Society open mic - no feature. fmi e mail mgreene_at_sage.net 13. Tuesday, Oct. 13 - Electric Lounge, 302 Bowie. The famous, popular cutting edge Slam. $50 to winner. $2 admission. Sign up by 8:30 p.m. Sonya Feher hosts this week. fmi call 476-FUSE. 14. Wednesday, Oct 14 - Movements Gallery, 211 E. 6th St. BYOB: Blast Your Own Breath, 9 p.m. Tammy Gomez hosts. fmi contact tejana.tongue_at_mail.utexas.edu 15. Thursday, Oct. 15 - Ebony Sun Java House, 1209 E. 11th, Ste. C. East Side Black & White poetry, open mic sign up 7:30 p.m. Hosted by Stazja. This month's feature is Marla Fulgham, who just completed a run at Hyde Park Theater in Debra Orr's play "Mothers, Daughters, and Society". See Marla's poem in featured poetry section, below. fmi call 472-8875 or 346-7773. 16. Thursday, Oct. 15- Saturday Oct. 17 - Movements Gallery, 211 E. 6th St. Flame Failure Productions presents Tales of Terror, Edgar Allen Poe horror stories adapted and directed for the theatre by Dan Bonfitto. Works include "The Tell-Tale Heart", "The Premature Burial", "The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar", "The Masque of the Red Death", and "The Cask of Amontillado" . fmi call 469-1745. 17. Saturday, Oct. 17 - Austin Poetry Society monthly meeting at Howson Library, 2500 Exposition. 10 a.m. Open to the public. Guest speakers. fmi contact gemartt_at_mail.utexas.edu 18. Saturday, Oct. 17 - Saturday Night Live Poetry at Quackenbush's, 2120 Guadalupe. On the smoking porch, Apal open mic sign up 7:30 p.m. Hosted by John Hawk or Diane Fleming. fmi contact buddydog_at_texas.net II. Featured Poetry This week's theme: Southern Louisiana (that includes New Orleans) Next week's theme (Issue 49): Gumbo (couldn't leave the theme without sampling the gumbo) Following week's theme (Issue 50) : Sonnets Thanks to all who have generously offered their poetry for publication in the newsletter. I'm very proud of this week's selections. Hope you enjoy. 1. From Jimmy Smith of So. Cal. aka Blind Lemon. He been singing da blues so long, y'all send Blind Lemon some good energy, ya hear? FAT TUESDAY Highway Ten, west Biloxi where happiness finds Lubbock (in the rear view mirror) rain drenched highway Spanish moss crawling with those little red bugs that get in your socks and start construction on a new piggley wiggley I start watching for big muddy cross one river, then another and another and someone finally tells me these are all mother river down here take a walk on the wild side to Bourbon St, which smells, oddly enough just like bourbon Fat Tuesday fire hoses sweeping up the stoned leftovers from Cajun carnival ju ju beads and feathers all heading down stream participants staggering to escape the rush of water the hangover blindness of the Mardi Gras big chiefs diminished till next year and Highway Ten only an offramp away where I find happiness like Lubbock in the rear veiw mirror 2. From Claibie Walsh of Alabama, who wrote: "I lived for a time in New Orleans (ten years, to be exact). Often, I would go down in the bayou country along the marshes and rivers and spend time painting, hunting or fishing with the Cajuns. I also was the Chairman of the Fine Arts Competition for the Lousiana Carvers and Collectors Guild's Gulf South Championships. I met many old and "new" carvers. This is about that time." The Cajun Decoy Carver His hands were as dark and scarred As the wood he shaped with an oyster shell The shadows of his fine-lined face fell over his work as he carved He worked smoothly, lovingly working the wood to his will. His gnarled fingers telling of experiences in the marshes, rivers, bayous and bays that had seen the rise and fall of "de nutria, de crawfish, de shrimps dats were "so big n preetty", Cher." He talked to the "chill-ren" as he continued molding the outline of the waterfowl, never looking up, never missing a draw to peel "jes a leetle mo wood off de shap" "You gots to poll eet lak dis, yous see. Eeasy lak, you can't digs too deep, cos' you'll pock de wood" The curly heads sat all around him, spellbound, all looking up like he was the Pied Piper. Some sat close, by his side Taking in every move, every word, learning as he had learned. Not only hearing about "de decoys heah" but the ways, rules and rituals of heritage. How to tell where "de cot-feesh, he lay" How to read fresh sign, how to know when to jump up, and when to lay still, how to stand and paddle a pirouge with only one leg, how to create a duck call from a piece of bamboo and use it to entice them in to set their wings, how to shoot "dat dere dock!" He kept them there in awe For the better part of the afternoon. I wondered if someone in a classroom would ever be able to do the same. His name was Shue, Shue, from Des Allemands but I called him "Teacher" © Claiborne Schley Walsh 3. From Marla Fulgham of Austin, who features at Ebony Sun Java House's East Side Black & White poetry on Thursday, Oct. 15: Nobody Care in N'Awlins OOOOOH it be hot like the gumbo I eat at lunch. At the little café in the quarter. Tables big enough for a crayfish paradise. Only room to dance and swing my spicy hips. And don't Nobody Care. I be partying like I never party before. 'Cause drinks is 24-24. Blues music blaring from over there. Jazz man playing his Sax in a chair, in the middle of the street. And don't Nobody Care. 'Cause we all feeling the spirit of the Crescent City. I get tipsy as the Zydeco fills my bones. Making me prance down Bourbon Street with everybody. And don't nobody know anybody. So don't Nobody Care. Creole Materie she stands on her lace balcony. Sprinkling her voodoo down on us. But it's all good spirits, so we don't fuss. And we do a Mojo down to the banks of the bayou. And don't Nobody Care. The ghost of the plantations sang a song of grace, that only their ancestors could hear. And my eyes filled with haunting tears. This used to be my playhouse. I had brought my spirits home. And I wasn't going no where 'Cause don't Nobody Care in N'awlins. (Mardi Gras '95) © 1995 Marla Fulgham 4. And finally, the inimitable Susan B. A. Somers-Willett, veteran Austin Slam Team member and one of the finest poets in town. OPHELIA'S TECHNICOLOR G-STRING: AN URBAN MYTHOLOGY The air tonight is thick as curry; like every night this summer I could cut it with my wine glass, spray it with mace. Over and over it would heal together like a wound, follow my click and pace of heels down Contes Street, St. Anne's, Bourbon. Oh Hamlet, if you could see me now as I pump and swagger across that stage, cape dripping to the floor—me in three-inch heels and a technicolor g-string— you would not wish me in a convent. They've made me a queen here, married me off to a quarter bag and a pint of gin. The old men tend bark and splatter, rabid at each table. I think they stay up all night just to spite the moon. They bring their diseased mouths to the French Market in the morning, sell creole tomatoes to tourists who don't know what they are. Each bald head shines plump and red. It seems like so long ago that I modeled for those legs outside of Big Daddy's— the ones over the door that swing in, out, in, out— the sculptor made me painted as Mardi Gras. I thought you might recognize them if you ever passed with the boys, parading from Abbey to Tavern, or think them royal feet in need of slippers. Someday I expect to find you here, sitting at the table between the first and second rows, fingering bones or something worse. And in the end you will throw me a columbine, light me a Marlboro and take me to a 24-7 where jukebox light quivers, makes us as thin as ghosts. For now, I will dance for the fat man who sits in your place and sweats his love for me at 3 a.m. because only he knows I am Horatio in drag. © 1993, Susan B.A. Somers-Willett III. Chapbooks/Books/CD's chap*book (noun) First appeared 1798 : a small book containing ballads, poems, tales, or tracts it was so called because it was hawked by 'chapmen' - or peddlers. The word 'chap' comes from a ME and/or OE word meaning 'cheap.' 1. BOOK ANNOUNCEMENT from Mark Jones: "Leaves on the Altar of Time", my 1996 chapbook of poetry, is now available by mail order. "Leaves" contains the best of 10 years of work. To order your copy (autographed by request, of course) send a cheque for $6.00 US along with your mailing address to M. W. Jones, P.O. Box 92394, Austin, TX 78709-2394. 2. "Fixing a Hole -- Poems and other assorted Mishugas" by Jimmy Smith. $8.00 Twenty five poems and shorts and two short stories. "Planet Gofarb" - when thier sun dies they come looking for a new one, and stop off here for a party. "History of Music" - from bone pounders to puff daddy, more than you wanted to know. rebbecca pub. Las vegas Nev. To order, contact: rjgeezer_at_aol.com 3. "Velvet Dreams" by San Francisco poet Renaldo Manuel Ricketts a/k/a "Goxando". His humor, sensuality and craftsmanship make for a delightful combination. "I was born in the Republic of Panama. My family moved to the United States when I was ten years old. Upon arriving, I discovered that no one understood my "brand "of English, so I embarked on learning "Ameribonics" and the various dialects spoken in this land...Since this is the first book I've written, I decided to practice the old craft of bookbinding. What did I know about binding books? About as much as I knew about the English language when I came into contact with "Americanese." $30 plus $3 shipping and handling. Details for ordering are online at: http://members.aol.com/PBragg1420/Goxando/VelvetDreams.htm IV. Calls for Submissions 1. Analecta is the official journal of literature and art for UT at Austin. For over 24 years Analecta has been acting as a national venue where aspiring student authors and artists can have their work viewed by a large audience. The writing contest has already begun! Submissions must be delivered to Fac 17 or postmarked by October 23. For more information, contact the Liberal Arts Council office at: (512) 471-6563. 2. Windfall Light - a new quarterly literary magazine - is looking for poetry fiction personal/literary essays Buys first or second North American Serial Rights All contributions must be typed. Submit one copy with contributor's name address and phone number. (SASE if reply desired) Windfall Light PO Box 155 Lexington, OK 73051-0155 3. Hi Stazja- I was wondering if you could do me a big favor and possibly run an announcement in your next newsletter for Aftertaste Magazine. We're once again looking for poetry submissions to print. All submissions and/or questions may be forwarded to either Dianaek_at_aol.com or Aftertaste_at_afterthoughtent.com. (www.afterthoughtent.com) Many thanks, Diana _at_ Aftertaste V. Announcements: 1. Oops! I goofed last week, gave you the wrong url for Bowerbird's website AND misspelled Princess Daphodil's name. Here is the correct address: http://members.aol.com/bowerbird/main.html 2. At 2 p.m., Sunday, October 11, Albert Huffstickler, past Poet Laureate of Texas, will be honored with a dedication of a park bench. You are invited to attend the dedication at 43rd St. in Hyde Park (just west of the intersection of 43rd and Duval St.) 2. Texas Nafas, the 30 minute public access poetry program produced by Farid Mohammadi, is changing time slot and channel. Beginning Saturday, October 10, Texas Nafas will air at 10 p.m. on Channel 16. Brazilian poets will be featured in the October programming. Check tv listings for Channel 10 special airings of two one-hour programs featuring the cutting edge performance poetry at Waterloo Ice House during 1998 Austin International Poetry Festival. 3. Raul Salinas of Resistencia Bookstore and Red Salmon Press was voted "Best of Austin 1998 Readers Poll - Poet" in the Austin Chronicle, which ran this: "Raul Salinas is one of the most well respecte Chicano poets and activists in the country. He has inspired countless young men and women of the barrio to take up poetry in defense of their community. His Resistencia Bookstore and Red Salmon Press endeavors are monuments to the extraordinary energy and commitment he brings to the people's struggle for justice and freedom. He is a true poet of the people." Red Salmon Arts hosts poetry at Jovita's Restaurant the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month, 7:30-9:30 p.m. 4. Winner of last week's Slam at the Electric Lounge: Clebo Rainey! who split his winnings with 2nd Place Sara Sutterfield Winn. 5. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 17.30 GMT, Friday 02 October 1998 BRADFORD WRITERS' NETWORK - USA TOUR 1999 Flushed with the success of their recent involvement in the Bradford Festival and riding high on the reception received at their regular monthly performance events, Bradford Writer's Network are to undertake a tour of The United States of America. Six Poets will be flying to New England to perform at various events at the beginning of April '99 moving on to the prestigious Austin International Poetry Festival (AIPF), Texas which commences on April 15th '99. The group consists of a selection of poets, writers and performers [Bruce Barnes, Howard Frost, Alex Krysinski, Ruth Malkin, Bob Maycock and Ian Reed] who each bring their own very special points of view and styles of performance. AIPF is a long established and respected event in literary circles having played host to such luminaries as Robert Bly, performance poet Wammo who appears in the film "SlamNation" and rap-poets such as MC Jabber. 6. From Alex Krysinski, member of the Bradford Writers Network: "A quick note to everyone helping to get this Yorkshire - Austin gig together, on both sides of the ocean, you all know who you are. This really is a joint venture in every sense of the word. We need lots of magic ( And advanced publicity) to transport 6 people over the ocean. Keep the info coming. I am now buried under a pile of e mail, but I am very informed. Our compilation CD and book, will be ready in a couple of weeks and winging its way to AIPF 99, so that Austin can get a taste of us. A really big *THANK YOU* for your energy, input and information. Your support is needed and appreciated. We will make this happen. Lots of love to all. Alex xxx" 7. It's out... the October FINAL ISSUE! of Next... Magazine: A Guide to So. Cal. Poetry Events. Publisher/Editor G. Murray Thomas and the writing staff have been most generous to the Austin poetry scene, with reviews, announcements and features on such events as SXSW, Austin International Poetry Festival, and the 1998 National Poetry Slam. Wow! Look at this! In the final issue, Victor D. Infante's article "New Movies SLAM Poetry into the Public Eye" includes a photo of 1996 Team Austin: Phil West, Danny Solis, Wammo & Hillary Thomas, from SlamNation. And in Mike Cluff's interview with Larry Jaffe, "unofficial ambassador for the area to such places as Austin", poet Jaffe comments: "In Austin...poets at large run the venues, and there is planning and promotion..." "Thanks for all the work, Next..." doesn't cut it. In his "Editor's Note -- Final Issue of Next... -- Why", Murray announces that he will continue to put out the calendar in some form and encourages poetry hosts to subscribe and post the calendar in their venues. You can get it in the mail every month, $10 per year (12 months), checks payable to Next Magazine, mail to Box 13019, Long Beach, Ca. 90803. Hey, Murray, thanks for all the work, and are the t-shirts still available? I want one. 8. And finally, a message from Walker, one of Apal's co-founders: "It's going good. I'm getting ready to move back to Alabama and try to finish school at the University of Alabama. should be moving at the end of December. Hope to continue to get the newsletter there. It's so good to hear that something you've created endures. Yay APAL! Anyone seen Hawk recently? Does he have email anymore? Tell him Walker still loves him. Hahaheheh! Hope everyone is doing well! Thanks Stazja!" Welcome to all new subscribers. Anyone wanting off the mailing list, e me. Have a great week. Much love, Stazja