Diane's Right, But Still
Been meaning to update on the Austin Slam-Off, but haven't. Now I am.
First, it was at The Long Center, which is this giant performance complex that's been in the works for YEARS AND YEARS, and finally opened just two weeks before the slammers took the stage. So thanks to Mike Henry and crew for making this happen. Biggest and best performance venue for slam in Austin ... ever.
As for the poetry ...
Well, let me start by thanking Minister (Brian) once again. If you remember, he gave up a spot in the Slam-Off, which allowed me to sneak in in the final spot. Without him, I wouldn't be on the team this year.
Let me also apologize to the audience for having to sit through the two poems I did that night. Sure, I performed them well, but I should, considering I've been performing them for FUCKING SEVEN YEARS NOW. To be fair, I did update the "Bolo Tie" piece for this Slam-Off, but it was still "Bolo Tie" at the end of the day. And the "Texas Poem"? Yeah, same old, same old.
I was conflicted about all of this. On the one hand, I wanted to win, and on a night full of great poets/poems, I wasn't confident in my "newer" work to get me on the team. On the other hand, artistic integrity would seem to suggest that I man up and try something at least SLIGHTLY new, right? On the other hand, The Rolling Stones still perform "Satisfaction" at almost all of their concerts, so what's the big fucking deal? On the other hand ... Bolo Tie? Seriously?
Big props to all the poets who competed that night. I was especially impressed by Rob C, Danny, and Erin Livingston---all of whom did newer work and did it well. (Erin took the high score of the night, and were it not for her shitty draw (she went first and last), I'm sure she would've made the team.) And to Lacey, for showing up just a few months ago, winning an assload of slams, and performing admirably on what, I'm guessing, was the largest stage of her young performance career.
But seriously, everyone was good. Nobody fucked up. Not once.
So Team Sausage it is again --- me, Danny, Tony, Chris, and DaShade. I've been on a team with all of these guys at least once, some three times now. I'm the grizzled veteran of the group, but really, we're all pretty grizzled.
The good news? We have some group pieces locked-and-loaded from last year (one that was performed and several that weren't). Plus, we have a couple of quality group pieces in the wings based on new work from my fine, fellow team members.
The bad news? Seriously? These guys? Again? Sheesh.
Where're the females? Where're the newbies? Where're the Asians?
Oh... wait...
But Austin has a trick up its sleeve, America. We roll deep this year. You'll see. In Madison, you'll see.
First, it was at The Long Center, which is this giant performance complex that's been in the works for YEARS AND YEARS, and finally opened just two weeks before the slammers took the stage. So thanks to Mike Henry and crew for making this happen. Biggest and best performance venue for slam in Austin ... ever.
As for the poetry ...
Well, let me start by thanking Minister (Brian) once again. If you remember, he gave up a spot in the Slam-Off, which allowed me to sneak in in the final spot. Without him, I wouldn't be on the team this year.
Let me also apologize to the audience for having to sit through the two poems I did that night. Sure, I performed them well, but I should, considering I've been performing them for FUCKING SEVEN YEARS NOW. To be fair, I did update the "Bolo Tie" piece for this Slam-Off, but it was still "Bolo Tie" at the end of the day. And the "Texas Poem"? Yeah, same old, same old.
I was conflicted about all of this. On the one hand, I wanted to win, and on a night full of great poets/poems, I wasn't confident in my "newer" work to get me on the team. On the other hand, artistic integrity would seem to suggest that I man up and try something at least SLIGHTLY new, right? On the other hand, The Rolling Stones still perform "Satisfaction" at almost all of their concerts, so what's the big fucking deal? On the other hand ... Bolo Tie? Seriously?
Big props to all the poets who competed that night. I was especially impressed by Rob C, Danny, and Erin Livingston---all of whom did newer work and did it well. (Erin took the high score of the night, and were it not for her shitty draw (she went first and last), I'm sure she would've made the team.) And to Lacey, for showing up just a few months ago, winning an assload of slams, and performing admirably on what, I'm guessing, was the largest stage of her young performance career.
But seriously, everyone was good. Nobody fucked up. Not once.
So Team Sausage it is again --- me, Danny, Tony, Chris, and DaShade. I've been on a team with all of these guys at least once, some three times now. I'm the grizzled veteran of the group, but really, we're all pretty grizzled.
The good news? We have some group pieces locked-and-loaded from last year (one that was performed and several that weren't). Plus, we have a couple of quality group pieces in the wings based on new work from my fine, fellow team members.
The bad news? Seriously? These guys? Again? Sheesh.
Where're the females? Where're the newbies? Where're the Asians?
Oh... wait...
But Austin has a trick up its sleeve, America. We roll deep this year. You'll see. In Madison, you'll see.