Jack McCarthy Last Night

[scottwoods]

So we had Jack McCarthy feature last night.

What can I possibly say about Jack that most of you who know him and his work haven't said before?  Probably nothing.  What I can offer are a couple of anecdotes, a link, and an observation.

Anecdote 1: When I MCed the very first Rookie Open Mic at NPS (2002, Minneapolis), the audience was filled with

Comments

[louiserobertson]

Jack McCarthy was amazing to watch in person. It was a privilege to meet him. Thanks.

[scottwoods]

He is! It's so not what you expect, and then it's twice as awesome.

[chaptal]

He was very attentive to everyone's work last night. He bent down concentrating when he signed his book, trying to remember my name, which he did. A very cool guy.

You've brought in some great poets this year Scott. Thank you.

[scottwoods]

You're welcome!

When we go through the seasons I just try to keep in mind what might have helped me be a better poet sooner, and then I try to make those kinds of nights happen.

[chaptal]

Well it gave me something to think about, in a good way. He inspired many others in that room last night.

[january_embers]

Um.

Tony Brown is from Worcester. :P

[scottwoods]

That's what I meant!

[succulentpoet]

I'm normally someone who memorizes my poems. But I hadn't performed in almost six months, and I had some new stuff, so I did two brand new pieces (one that I finished about ten minutes before the show started) off the page at our last slam and won.

Made me think of you, and laugh.

[stefan11]

ED Mabrey says that not every poem calls for memorization and recommends to memorize only th stuff that needs it; e.g., because it involves lots of movement. I decided to take this lesson to hear.

(BTW, I saw him doing extremely well at a very prestigeous slam, while still reading from the page. So, Ihave a reason to think he klnows what he is talking about.)

[scottwoods]

As a person who memorizes nothing, I'm not sure what that means, but okay.

[stefan11]

Suppose I haev a poem about dog's playing, or playing with dogs. It would involve lots of movement and gestures. So, it would be a kind of poem that I wopuld like to have memorized, so I free my body to move.

Otherwise, maybe there is no need for memorizing.

[anonymous]

I was truly mesmorized by his poems and I bought merchandise. I can honestly say, I am so glad I didnt miss his feature!

[doniellemonique]

that was me!