On October 30, 2022, I will be part of Evie Ivy’s “Dance of the Word” event at 353 West 48 Street in Manhattan, NYC. It is from 6 to 8pm. I will likely be reading short slices of memoir. Evie’s show includes poetry, prose, music, and belly dancing.
It will be Halloween Eve, and costumes are welcome. I love when things are welcome but not mandatory. It makes me want to do it.
On another note, if you are holiday shopping and looking for something unisex and unique, and if you are interested in this XL Hanes shirt, contact me at mindyinthebronx@gmail.com
Though it is the 16th year of the BOOG City Festival, this will be my first time being a part of it. It is over four days/eves. I will be reading on the 3rd evening — Monday, September 19th. It will be in Freddy’s Bar and Backroom, 627 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. The reading is from 6-9pm. My slot is 8pm. Aside from poets reading, there will also be musicians playing and singing.
Though the trip from the Bronx to Brooklyn is long, it was SOOOOO worth it. I had a great time. First of all, Evie Ivy is a beautiful person and a welcoming host. She had asked me, when she invited me to feature, who I’d like to have as co-features. I was thrilled to have that choice. I told her that two of my favorites were Ron Kolm and Robert Gibbons. She sounded delighted and booked them. I was glad they were available.
Evie begins with the open mic-ers which turned out great for me since I was running late. The reading takes place in a back room, often used for catered banquets for special occasions, of a bar/restaurant at 4307 18th Avenue in Brooklyn, NY. Good food; reasonable prices. Makes me feel at home.
Though I missed the early readers, I really enjoyed the open mic-ers I did get to hear. Most read poetry, some recited without reading, and a few provided music.
After a short break, it was time for the features. Ron Kolm, a well-published poet, read first. He has worked in NYC bookstores most of his adult life. His poems are often riveting stories about those experiences. His style so conversational, I love it.
Robert Gibbons is an award-winning poet, and his performances are often beautifully musical. This was no exception. I was happy listening to him.
Then I was introduced. The audience made me feel warmly welcomed before I even began. I knew some of them but not others. My poems range from sad to angry to hilarious. The audience was amazingly responsive, and I feel so appreciative. There were times the laughter in the room was so loud, I had to wait to continue. I hope I get this at a comedy show. (Besides writing poetry, I write memoir, perform my comedy, and act.)
I left the event on a natural high. Here are some photos:
Ron Kolm, Mindy Matijasevic, Robert Gibbons,and, behind us, our lovely host Evie Ivy
Robert Gibbons, me, Ron Kolm
I am grateful for the whole experience. When I need a ‘happy place’ to go to in my head, this is my latest one. Thanks, Evie.
If you are in NYC, and this appeals to you, come on over. Evie Ivy is the warm and wonderful host of this long-running reading series. It includes an open mic, so bring something to share if you desire.
On Wed., June 29, 7pm, at the long running, Green Pavilion Poetry Event our featured readers will be MINDY MATIJASEVIC, ROBERT GIBBONS and RON KOLM. I had asked Mindy who she’d like to read with, and I was delighted. The Green Pavilion restaurant is at 4307-18th Avenue in Brooklyn. Nearby is the 18th Avenue station of the F train. $6.50 min. to rest. (the menu is inexpensive and varied) and a $4 suggested donation. I’m looking forward to this wonderful trio of poets. — Evie Ivy
r. to l.:
Ron Kolm is a contributing editor of Sensitive Skin. Ron is the author of Divine Comedy, Suburban Ambush, A Change in the Weather, Welcome to the Barbecue and Swimming in the Shallow End. He’s had work in And Then, Brownstone Poets, Maintenant, Live Mag!, Local Knowledge, NYC From the Inside, The Opiate, the Poets of Queens anthology, The Red Wheelbarrow, The Silver Tongued Devil Anthology and The Café Review. Ron’s papers were purchased by the New York University Library.
Robert Anthony Gibbons’s first collection, “Close to the Tree,” was published by Three Rooms Press (2012). His chapbook, “Flight,” was published by Poets Wear Prada (2019). “You Almost Home, Boy,” was put out by Harlequin Creatures (2019) with Brooklyn based artist, Amy Williams, “Some Little Words,” was published by 440 Gallery, Brooklyn (2021). He’s also been published in anthologies and poetry journals throughout the years, not to mention a fine drummer!
Mindy Matijasevic, a Bronx gal, writes poetry, memoir, and her stand-up comedy material. Her poem, “Feeling Love from the Universe” appeared in First Literary Review–East (November 2021). Recently, her poem “With Women and Children on the Street” has been included in George Wallace’s anthology, NYC FROM THE INSIDE. She’s glad to be featuring with two of her favorites – Ron Kolm and Robert Gibbons.
For those who wanted to catch the ten-minute reading but couldn’t, here it is. Thanks to George Wallace, Thomas Fucaloro, and Great Weather for Media for the opportunity and support. Thanks to those who attended for their interest.
Great Weather for Media brings you 10-Minute ZOOM Features. No open mic. No pageantry. Nothing to sell, we just want to amplify voices. Just 10 minutes of some amazing poetry. We will do this every Wednesday from 7:30-7:40pm
Mindy Matijasevic, a lifetime New Yorker, specifically a Bronx gal, writes poetry, memoir, and her comedy material. She is a two-time recipient of a B.R.I.O. (Bronx Recognizes Its Own) Award from the Bronx Council on the Arts – once for nonfiction literature, and once for poetry. Her work has appeared in many print and on-line journals, most recently Home Planet News Online Issue 8.
To watch directly on zoom, you must register for this event and you will be sent the link. This event will also be live-streamed to the great weather for MEDIA Facebook page. This ten-minute reading starts at 7:30 pm, New York time.
My feel-good moment of the day was an email from Home Planet News letting me know that my slice of memoir “Not S’posed to Win” is accepted for publication. I’ll share the link when I get it. I wrote it to read at one of Kathryn Adisman’s events, What Were the Sixties Really Like? It was well received. I am unsure how it will come across from the page, but I am glad it will be in print. Thank you, Frank Murphy, editor of Home Planet News.
I spent Labor Day afternoon enjoying and participating in this festival: Poetry on a Caribbean Breeze. Curator Heather Archibald told us everyone was Caribbean for the day. There was calypso music, workshops, featured readers, open mic, and snacks. I was all set to join the haiku workshop, but then I saw lots of art supplies on another table for Comic Poetry. I got seduced by the crayons and colored pencils. I had no idea what Comic Poetry meant. It had to do with drawing frames a comic strip would have with words, but it had nothing to do with comedy. I like new creative experiences. I do believe a certain part of the brain needs stimulation from time to time in order to get juiced up to create whatever one creates – poetry, music, comedy, dance, visual art, etc.
I’m the one with purple paper.
I also read three poems at the open mic. They were all serious, but the third one made women crack up. It was a wonderful way to conclude. I felt good about that for days. And to think, I almost didn’t go.
get your poem on 