Category Archives: mechanics and logistics

using text vs voice in videopoems

Posted on October 16, 2011 by

[cross-posted from Very Like A Whale because I think it's relevant to the Voice Alpha ethos] I wrote this a few weeks ago with the first text-only videopoem I made: I remembered that in Tom Konyves’ videopoetry manifesto, he categorized videopoems … Continue reading →

Posted in internet performance, mechanics and logistics, poem-as-text, poem-as-voice, videopoems | Leave a comment

poetry readings & copyright – best practices

Posted on January 31, 2011 by

Thanks to Dave Bonta for sharing this link. Much of interest, and this bit in particular for those who like to or are thinking of reading other people’s poems (definitely a best practice in itself!) at poetry readings: 7. LITERARY … Continue reading →

Posted in mechanics and logistics, other people's poems | 8 Comments

Recording Technology Advice Needed for the Not-Quite-Neophyte

Posted on January 19, 2011 by

Once upon a time, I could work with all types of technology, both old and new. I had a Sony Walkman, but I also knew how to thread the seemingly ancient reel-to-reel tape player in the college radio studio. In … Continue reading →

Posted in mechanics and logistics | 11 Comments

Make Your Poetry Reading More Like a Festive Party than a Forced Eating of Rutabagas

Posted on December 13, 2010 by

I must be honest:  I never thought much about what to bring with me to a poetry reading until last April.  Don’t get me wrong—I did the obvious things.  I checked to make sure I had enough poems to read … Continue reading →

Posted in live performance, mechanics and logistics | 6 Comments

10 Things I Learned About Giving Poetry Readings

Posted on December 2, 2010 by

Some excellent advice from Susan Rich at The Alchemist’s Kitchen. Thanks, Susan! 1. People like to laugh. I wanted my friends and family to have a good time. Since many of my poems deal with heartbreak and aging, this is … Continue reading →

Posted in live performance, mechanics and logistics, tip: do this! | 7 Comments

Serendipity–Report on a Reading

Posted on November 26, 2010 by

This past Sunday three of us with poetry chapbooks read to a warm, receptive audience in the community room of the public library.  Here are some things that made the reading work very well: –A microphone –Refreshments: cookies, fruit, pastries, … Continue reading →

Posted in live performance, mechanics and logistics, reading-as-performance | 9 Comments

Live poetry news from Edinburgh

Posted on November 26, 2010 by

UK poet Rob Mackenzie wonders whether it’s time to wind down the successful poetry reading series he started in Edinburgh three years ago. Logistics considerations are part of the equation, and Rob compares Edinburgh to London in this regard. What … Continue reading →

Posted in live performance, mechanics and logistics | Leave a comment

learning from open mics

Posted on November 24, 2010 by

I didn’t start reading my poems in front of other people until June 2009 when some of my work had been selected for a local reading series. I had no idea what I was doing, except that I was terrified. … Continue reading →

Posted in live performance, mechanics and logistics, reading-as-performance, tip: do this! | 23 Comments

Bringing the text to a poetry reading

Posted on November 19, 2010 by

In a recent post, Nic asked whether a poetry reader should make eye contact with the audience. One way to complicate this issue is to give audience members the text of the poems and let them read along as they … Continue reading →

Posted in live performance, mechanics and logistics, poem-as-text, poem-as-voice | 24 Comments