Revised Sage Books Frenchtown Schedule

Due to the holidays, and all the conflicting schedules, the regular open mic poetry readings at Sage Book Frenchtown will be cancelled until Jan 18th, 2012 - the third Wednesday in January.

After that, the schedule will resume a third Wednesday of the month regular event. It's free, open to the public, coffee and snacks are provided, and the setting it quite intimate. It's a great play to practice your poetry reading skills or try out something new you've written on a positive and upbeat crowd.

Hope to see you in January.

Until Next Time...
In Holiday Survival  Mode,
Michael

Two new poems at tonight's Coffeehouse

I will be reading two brand new poems at tonight's SCC Coffeehouse at St. Charles Community College. "My Wife Married a Mutant" and "Jane, Jane, Jane" are both experimental poems for me, so tonight should be interesting.

In case you don't know about the Coffeehouse - four times per semester year, St. Charles Community College hosts an open mic event for poets and musicians. Starts at 7 p.m., goes until we're done. Coffee and snacks are provided.

Until Next Time...
Experimentingly Yours,
Michael

Reminder of Upcoming Events

Just a quick reminder for those Cheesy readers who still check here from time to time.

The Storm Country Anthology Release Party and Signing is coming up this Sunday, Nov. 13 from 7-9:30 p.m. at the Regional Arts Commission, 6128 Delmar Blvd. It is free and open to the public, and sponsored by the Graduate Writers Association in partnership with the Missouri Writers Guild.

Then on Wednesday, Nov. 16, from 7-9 p.m., SageBooks Frenchtown will be hosting Open Mic Poetry Reading. This event takes place the first and third Wednesday of every month, and I can speak from personal experience when I say the first night was a blast. It is also free and open to the public, and in a very cozy atmosphere in the heart of Frenchtown, St. Charles.

Until next time,
Prepping more poems,
Michael

Storm Country Anthology

Not sure what to do with your Sunday night? Not in the mood to watch the Patriots and the Jets? Then on Sunday, Nov. 13, you should go out to the release party and book signing for the Storm Country Anthology.

The Graduate Writers Association in partnership with the Missouri Writers Guild will be presenting this free and open to the public event at the Regional Art Commission of St. Louis (6128 Delmar Blvd.).

Scheduled to read are: Elaine Viets, Linda Austin, Lynn Obermoeller, Linda O'Connell, Donna Volkenannt, Anene Tressler-Hauschultz, Kelli Allen, and more.

Party starts at 7 p.m., and unless you're a Tom Brady or Mark Sanchez fan, we expect you to be there.

New Events at Sage Books Frenchtown

Starting November 2, 2011, Sage Books Frenchtown, St. Charles, MO, will be hosting open mic poetry readings.

The tentative schedule is to be the first and third Wednesday of every month, and it'll be free and open to the public. Coffee and treats will be provided. Keep in mind, though, that poetry and its various forms is going to be the primary focus. Flash fiction, prose poetry, etc., are all acceptable. Musicians won't be turned away, but since two other local places offer open mics for musicians, this one wants to give poets a more regular forum than other places do.

No need to RSVP, just show up and be ready to read.

Dates until the end of the year are:
Nov. 2
Nov. 16
Dec. 7
Dec. 21

Until Next Time...
Expressively Yours,
Michael

Local poets reading at Dressel's

Unfortunately, due to a prior commitment with the Foundry Art Centre Book Club, I will be unable to attend the "Poems, Prose, and Pints" event held at Dressel's, 419 North Euclid, in the Central West End. Local poet (and my Facebook friend) Tony Renner will be reading there tomorrow evening, as well as Billy Foster, Pat Piety, Jason Dockery, Dawn Dupler, Sarah Kuntz Jones, and Stef Russell.

Admission is free, the readings begin at 7:00 p.m., and music will be provided by Kevin Renick.

If you're in that area (thereby NOT attending my event), be sure to stop by and support this group of poets.

Until Next Time...
Supportively,
Michael

SCC Coffeehouse Open Mic Night dates

I have the dates for this academic year's SCC Coffeehouse Open Mic Night:

• Thursday, Sept. 29, 2011
• Friday, Dec. 2, 2011
• Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012
• Friday, April 13, 2012

These events are open to the public, non-students, soon-to-be students, and anyone else who can stand behind a microphone and perform for about five to seven minutes. I'll add reminders as the dates approach, and if you want more info, check out the official site.

Until Next Time...
Keeping the coffee coming,
Michael

Sex on the Moon

Sometimes I hold off buying a book on the off chance that I may be given an opportunity to review it, therefore receiving a free copy. This time Doubleday/Random House was kind enough to oblige me, and today when I came home from work, "Sex on the Moon" by Ben Mezrich was waiting for me.

Known for his books "The Accidental Billionaires" (which became the movie "The Social Network") and "Bringing Down the House" (which became the movie "21"), Mezrich now reveals the tale of three individuals who conspire to steal moon rocks from the heart of NASA's most secure laboratory. It promises to be every bit of an equal to his previous books, and is already generating a fair amount of media buzz.

As soon as I finish the Foundry Art Centre's selection for September ("Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet"), which should only take about a week, I'll read Mezrich's novel and hope to have the review posted before the end of August.

Until Next Time...

Lunarly Yours,

Michael

Open Mic Updates

I found a new place for Open Mic Nights in Manchester, MO.

Stone Spiral Coffee & Curios hosts open mic nights every Wednesday from 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. I may be checking it out soon, and I'll report back here.

* * * *

In the meantime, Beatniks, in New Town St. Charles closed their doors July 1, 2011, leaving only Picasso's Coffee as the open mic location in St. Charles county on Thursday nights.

Keep watching here though, as I learn of (or plan) other open mic events on the west side of the Missouri River, I'll post 'em here.

Until Next Time...

Spiraling,

Michael

New Book Club

I've started a new book club at the Foundry Art Centre in St. Charles, MO, and our first meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 2, 2011 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Ameristar Gallery. We'll be discussing "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett.

We'll then begin meeting regularly on the first Tuesday of every month. At our September 6, we'll discuss "Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet" by Jamie Ford, and at the October 4 meeting, we'll discuss "The Imperfectionists" by Tom Rachman.

You can RSVP to me, or just show up.

And if you need a copy of any of these books, Main Street Books on Historic Main Street in St. Charles, Missouri, is offering 10% off any of these titles if you mention that you'll be attending.

Phoebe's Secret Admirer

My peom "Phoebe's Secret Admirer" has been printed in the MidRivers Review 2011 Annual literary publication.

Copies can be purchased at independent book stores and art facilities in the St. Charles, Mo, area, including the St. Charles Community College.

Until Next Time...

Keep Writing,

Michael

Made the Rounds

Spent the last couple of weeks digging up any Open Mic spots in St. Charles county, and have only found Picasso's and Beatniks, which tend to draw almost 100% musical acts.

Picasso's had a wider variety of talent, from bluegrass to reggae, but was very crowded and sometimes it was difficult to hear the performance over the sound of the espresso machine.

Beatniks on the other hand, afforded great acoustics, but the talent was limited to mostly older cover tunes done acoustically, but still creatively.

May have to venture out, see what I can organize...

Until Next Time...
Still Searching,
Michael

Beatniks and Picasso's

Thursdays in St. Charles County is where you should go if you want to experience open mic events.

For those who like the Historic St. Charles District, Picasso's Coffeehouse is the place to go. Thursday evenings starting at 7:30 p.m. is Open Mic night. You can even buy a tee-shirt.

If New Town is more your place, then visit Beatnik's. Open Mic Night every Thursday there as well.

You may find yourself having to alternate between the two places to catch the best area poets and solo performances. This Thursday, I'll be visiting Picasso's. Don't plan to read anything, though, unless they run of those of us crazy enough to bare our souls through a microphone.

Until Next Time...

Thursday'ing It,

Michael

Poets at the Station - Schwartz

The "Poets at the Station" poetry reading series will feature Howard Schwatrz tomorrow, Tuesday, May 3, 2011, at 7 p.m. at the Kirkwood Train Station, Argonne Ave and Kirkwood Rd.

The event is open to the public, and admission is free.

For more information, call (314)-965-7100, or surf over to www.kirkwoodareaarts.org.

Book Review: Strength Training Anatomy Workout

I considered myself extremely lucky when I found out that I was going to have a chance to review "The Strength Training Anatomy Workout" by Frederic Delavier. Yes, maybe I approached it from a biased point of view, but at the same time, that same bias and high expectation could have left me disappointed if this book had done nothing short of astounding me.

I am not disappointed.

Just the opposite.

I love this book as much, if maybe not more, than the previous companion "Strength Training Anatomy." I proudly use and display both books in my health library.

The diagrams are clear and detailed, educational and enlightening. The text is straight-forward and easy to understand. Most of all, the entire package is professional and full of practical and user-friendly knowledge. Each exercise has detailed explanations and diagrams showing exactly which muscles are worked, with examples that take into account real-world limitations and situations. This book also includes workout routines that can be followed precisely, or modified to fit your personal goals and lifestyles.

This book (along with its companion) speaks for itself. You will not regret owning it.

Poets at the Station

The "Poets at the Station" poetry reading series will feature David Clewell this Tuesday, April 26, 2011, at 7 p.m. at the Kirkwood Train Station, Argonne Ave and Kirkwood Rd.

The event is open to the public, and admission is free.

For more information, call (314)-965-7100, or surf over to www.kirkwoodareaarts.org.

"Upgrading The Illusion"

Poet Philip Gounis will be discussing, then later signing, his poetry chapbook "Upgrading The Illusion" at The Archive (3213 Cherokee Street, St. Louis) at 7 pm. on Monday, April 25, 2011.

Admission is free, and music will also serve as part of the evening's entertainment. Beer and wine will be available for a small suggested donation.

Further information can be found at saintlouisprojects.org.

River Styx at Duff's Poetry Reading

Tonight Duff's Restaurant (392 North Euclid, St. Louis) will be hosting a River Styx poetry reading event featuring Cornelius Eady and Michelle Boisseau.

There will be a cover charge of $5 at the door, $4 for River Styx members, students, or seniors. For more information http://www.riverstyx.org/events/index.php

SCC Coffeehouse Open-Mic Night

I'll be reading my poems "Phoebe's Secret Lover (The Hawthorne Reader)", "Ode to Jupiter", and "Pleiades Told" at the St. Charles Community College Coffeehouse Open-Mic Night event this Friday, April 15. Performances will be in the Social Science building in the lobby outside the auditorium and will run from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Hope to see some familiar faces.

I'm Alive

I'm still here, been ultra busy lately, but haven't stopped thinking about this place.

Here is the most recent review I've done (for a book that was promised me last fall but didn't arrive until mid-February). It was worth the weight though. I gave it four out of five stars.

"If you’re a news junkie then this book is perfect for you.

It is a first-rate account of a journalistic institution as it adapts to survive in the 21st century as our major sources of news switch from physical print to 24-hour online access. The easy to read narrative keeps the reader interested and moves with a good flowing pace. The author tells the story of the Washington Post and some of the great events it has covered without bogging down to low into the details, but giving just enough so that the reader can remember the rest while the story of the paper is told.

Kindred clearly likes the unique individuals he chooses to highlight in this narrative, and that fondness comes through in many funny and endearing anecdotes of life in the newsroom. The kind of stories that makes former journalists (like myself) long to return to those days when things were changing so rapidly everyday was a new adventure.

Don’t pass this one up."

Until next time...
Promising to be back soon,
Michael

Brain Candy

I've been reading so much serious stuff lately that I need a little cheese or brain candy to give the ol' grey cells a break.

I always know that's the case when my rate of reading begins to slow, and I start looking at that stack of Star Trek and Star Wars books I have packed in a box.

So since I'm currently watching episodes of Deep Space Nine Season One while I walk on the treadmill, I'm in a Star Trek kind of mood. But I've read all my DSN novels. I could read the new Enterprise ones I picked up, but...I did just land Voyager Season Three fairly inexpensively and I do have some of those around here unread, so I decided to start with the earliest one I haven't read.

I'm only a few pages into it, but I immediately noticed the change in tone, narration, and overall style difference from Charlotte Bronte's "Jane Eyre." It truly is a whole 'nother universe.

But then again, that's exactly what I need right now.

Until Next Time...
Engage,
Michael

I've Got a New Microphone...

Testing, testing, 1, 2, 3...Is this thing on? Good.

Now just as important... Is there anyone left out there still listening? No? That's okay, I don't think anyone ever was.

Well, anyway, just in case someone is listening, I thought I'd share that I was recently asked to MC the "Poetry Out Loud" event to be held in February at the St. Charles Foundry Art Centre in St. Charles, Missouri.

I don't have a lot of details yet,other than it's (obviously) funded by the National Endowment of the Arts and The Poetry Foundation, and will be judged by some local top name poets, but the more I learn about it and the closer we get to the event, the more information I'll provide here.

In the meantime, Cheesy Readers, don't go anywhere, I promise to be back soon.

Until Next Time,
Poetically Yours (I wish)...
Michael