Waiting 4 the Bus

Waiting 4 the Bus
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Monday, December 5, 2016

Elizabeth Kerper is Waiting 4 the Bus to the Holidays



Monday, December 19 at 7 PM - 9 PM


Uncharted Books
2620 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60647


Elizabeth Kerper will be our fantastic feature at Waiting 4 the Bus. it's a magnificent present for all of you WEIRDOS out there.

the show is round robin so be prepared.
show is from 7-9pm
the show is about poetry
byob



Thursday, October 27, 2016

W4tB in November

Susanna Lang is our featured poet at a very special show.

It is the birthday of legendary guerrilla poet Lesley Heath Morrow. In honor of the occasion W4tB will forgo its usual format in favor of the POETRY WHEEL.
THE POETRY WHEEL is a poetic round robin in which each poet tries to connect their poem to the proceeding poem. connections can be complicated or simple, but all connections need to be explained.

that poem contains the word blue and this one is about the blues
that poem has a particular form and so does this one
that poem was about love or death, or anger or politics, or drunken yadda yadda.
all these connections are valid
donations to pay the feature performer will considered a lovely gesture




click for the event page on FaceBook

Friday, September 23, 2016

Waiting 4 the Bus in October








Monday, October 17 at 7 PM - 9 PM



Uncharted Books
2620 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60647


Our October show features Nicholas Souder and is our annual Spooky Stuff show. It's time to bring out all your Scary Monsters and Super Creep poems and explore te macabre.

the show is at Uncharted Books
the Show starts pretty much on time
the show is BYOB
the show is pretty chill
bring your own poems
bring poems you love
don't bring poems and choose from our variety of House Poems
or just show up and listen
the show is free, but we do ask for donations to pay our featured performer
check out the invite on FaceBook (it looks pretty much like this only you can reply and comment and maybe just be interested)

Sunday, August 28, 2016

The end of Summer, both Weirder and Cooler




THE WEIRD STUFF IN SEPTEMBER

SUPER SPECIAL
SEPT 17th

This dynamic competition is a means of testing ALL a poet's skills. Something that challenges them as both a writer and a performer as well as something that proves their ability with classic poetic forms and spontaneous inspiration. Waiting 4 the Bus has developed a genius system for finding the exceptionally talented and creative. The Poetry Pentathlon stands alone as a proper means for testing thepoet/performer. This is not a Poetry Slam – this is the glorious throw down known as the Poetry Pentathlon, a judged poetry reading where contestants compete in 5 events with points awarded on both writing ability and performance style. Warning: the only prizes awarded for the evening are pride and bragging rights; any trophies are gravy and should be considered as such

AND MORE AWESOMENESS
SEPT 19th

How do you close out the Summer of Weird? by committing TWO WRONGS. Stop in and check out the poetry of Adrienne Nadeau and Drgnflyy and see whassup?

showtime is 7-9pm
it's free (we do request donations for the feature performers)
BYOB
stop on in and share some poetry. It could be your poetry, someone else's poetry, or choose from our collection of "House Poems"
Waiting 4 the Bus Open Mic. the most chill open mic in the city.

Saturday, August 20, 2016

Waiting 4 the Bus to Thanksgiving, an Early Update

Announcement...I have an announcement. RE: November 21st (Waiting 4 the Bus to Thanksgiving) Our feature will be Susanna Lang and that's already special, but the Open Mic will be super special. In Honor of the birthday of Lesley Heath Morrow, we will be celebrating with a Poetry Wheel.
The Poetry Wheel is an interconnected round robin where a poem must somehow connect to the poem immediately prior. this connection can be in form, theme, style, etc.
Any connection will do. "that poem was about the Blues and this poem contains the word Blue" is enough of a connection to keep the Wheel of Poetry turning.
I warn you early because this exercise is not for the faint of heart or people who have only written 6 poems.
Write On, brothers and sisters, Write On

Monday, August 1, 2016

Waiting 4 the Bus with Kristin LaTour




Monday, August 15 at 7 PM - 9 PM

Uncharted Books
2620 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60647


Another returning hero to the Summer of Weird. Kristin La Tour is back to give you one F@9K!^^ good night of poetry. One of the original Weirdos.Kristin has been away from the Bus Stop for a little bit and we are excited to have her back.

bring your poems, bring poems by your favorite poets, read stuff.

BYOB
3 poems or
5 minutes
whichever comes first

Sunday, July 24, 2016

Still time to register for the Pentathlon





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Pentathlon Events 2016

Signature Piece - Bring your A game

Ekphrastic -An ekphrastic poem is a vivid description of a scene or, more commonly, a work of art. Through the imaginative act of narrating and reflecting on the “action” of a painting or sculpture, the poet may amplify and expand its meaning. register to see your art (everyone has the same pic/photo/painting)

Abecedarian - The abecedarian is an ancient poetic form guided by alphabetical order. Generally each line or stanza begins with the first letter of the alphabet and is followed by the successive letter, until the final letter is reached.

Rant-SELF EXPLANATORY

On the spot prompt - definition- but we're not telling you that till the day of (one of 8 provided choices to be defined or redefined) Definitions can be as simple as the entries of the Devil’s Dictionary ala Ambrose Bierce or something more conceptual and creative. Prompts are always open to the interpretation of the poet.



PENTATHLON ON FACEBOOK
https://www.facebook.com/PoetryPentathlon/
This dynamic competition is a means of testing ALL a poet's skills. Something that challenges them as both a writer and a performer as well as something that proves their ability with classic poetic forms and spontaneous inspiration. Waiting 4 the Bus has developed a genius system for finding the exceptionally talented and creative. The Poetry Pentathlon stands alone as a proper means for testing thepoet/performer. This is not a Poetry Slam – this is the glorious throw down known as the Poetry Pentathlon, a judged poetry reading where contestants compete in 5 events with points awarded on both writing ability and performance style. Warning: the only prizes awarded for the evening are pride and bragging rights; any trophies are gravy and should be considered as such




What you are competing for

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

WEIRDNESS EXPOSURE AND SELF-PROMOTION

This cynical age is sending poets to the same scrap heap as full service gas stations and penny candy. I have become nostalgic for the days when you needed exact change to buy something from a vending machine, make a telephone call or ride a bus, the days when pockets were for more than cell phones and credit cards. We the upholders of an ancient tradition have become living anachronisms, bards, and matchstick men. A collection of misfit kids standing on the corner, waiting for the bus with exact change in our pockets.
--David (Buddha 309) Hargarten, April 9, 2009.


As a general rule, poets are fringe dwellers.  Poets have opinions, Poets have a skewed view of the universe.  Non-poets (also generally) see poets as shiftless lazy daydreamers who accomplish nothing but navel gazing or they hold poets in awe for being able to explain life, love, truth, or other Platonic Forms.  Neither of those perceptions are true.

Poets are cynical, jaded, acerbic, opinionated, annoying, less than punctual, or more than punctual.  We don't understand, Life, Love, Truth, Beauty, or any of the other Platonic Forms.  That's why we keep writing about them.
The one thing that connects every poet in the universe is that they are WEIRD.

WEIRD in the same way that snowflakes are different, Weird in the way that individual cats have separate idiosyncrasies.  WEIRD in the way dogs attack invisible things and couches.

Poets come in varieties
there are
stage poets
page poets
academic poets
street poets
beat poets
form poets
function poets
free verse poets
pedants
hacks
purebreds
mutts
rhymers
anti-rhymers
context poets
subtext poets
and poets that want to burn grammar

BUT THEY ARE ALL FUCKIN' WEIRD
Are you a poet?
Are you haunted by words?
have you ever caught yourself free forming on public transportation
When I talk about the Weirdo Nation, I could be talking about you.

I would like to say a million more things about poetic misconceptions, but I will limit my comments to the basics.
 centering the text
does not make things
more
poetic

rhyming is not always a good thing

"finding your voice" sounds lame, but is absolutely necessary

listen to all feedback, even if it is negative.

experience and practice is the only way to write better poetry

There are some people who will never "GET" what you write

and finally

WEIRD IS SEXY
YOU SHOULD CHECK US OUT

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Esteban Colón returns to Waiting 4 the Bus



https://www.facebook.com/events/1015716368516568/?notif_t=plan_user_associated&notif_id=1466524486292075


Monday, July 18 at 7 PM - 9 PM
Uncharted Books2620 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60647

Details
One of the founders of W4tB returns to dazzle poetry lovers with rhythm, wit, and relevance from deep in the heart of the Summer of Love.

The world has been a dark place lately and it has made us cynical. I want this show to be about hope and the triumph of the spirit. It doesn't have to be hokey my poetic siblings, Some of the greatest masterpieces were built on a foundation of hope.

Like the song says "We all shine on". Let your poetic light shine on July 18th at 7pm.
read your poems
read other people's poems that make you smile
read a poem that moves you to change the world instead of wallow in it, from rants to sonnets, W4tB wants it all.

BYOB
,

Monday, May 30, 2016

W4tB Solstice 3 for All-June 20th (open mic)






W4tB Solstice 3 for All
Monday, June 20 at 7 PM - 9 PM

Uncharted Books
2620 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60647

Summer begins on
Monday, June 20, 2016
Waiting 4 the Bus will be celebrating with it's first ever "Solstice 3 for all"
features that night will include Bob Lawrence, Dana Jerman, and Buddha 309. We will also be revivint the tradition of the
POETRY POT LUCK.
EVERYONE CONTRIBUTES A POEM AND IT IS BLINDLY READ BY ANOTHER POET DURING THE OPEN MIC. IT IS AN ODD SHARING OF THE POETIC WEALTH THAT MAKES FOR INTERESTING INTERPRETATIONS.
Len Lundh will handle the MC chores for the evening.
get there on time because we're gonna mess with the format a little and you don't want to miss a second.

Monday, May 16, 2016

Registration open for the 2016 Poetry Pentathlon(closes August 16th)

Poetry Pentathlon 2016
Saturday, September 17th
The Book Cellar
4736 N. Lincoln Ave.



Pentathlon Events 2016


  • Signature Piece - Bring your A game
  • Ekphrastic -An ekphrastic poem is a vivid description of a scene or, more commonly, a work of art. Through the imaginative act of narrating and reflecting on the “action” of a painting or sculpture, the poet may amplify and expand its meaning. register to see your art (everyone has the same pic/photo/painting)
  • Abecedarian - The abecedarian is an ancient poetic form guided by alphabetical order. Generally each line or stanza begins with the first letter of the alphabet and is followed by the successive letter, until the final letter is reached.
  • Rant
  • On the spot prompt - definition- but we're not telling you that till the day of (one of 8 provided choices to be defined or redefined) Definitions can be as simple as the entries of the Devil’s Dictionary ala Ambrose Bierce or something more conceptual and creative. Prompts are always open to the interpretation of the poet.





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Registration closes August 16th 2016

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

May 16th at Waiting 4 the Bus

Welcome to Weirdo Wonderland. Our features this time around are the legendary Charlie Newman and the mythical Dave Abatangelo. It's gonna be epic.
There will also be puppets and chimes and an Open Mic. Time to get your Poetry on.

The show is On May 16th
7-9pm
Uncharted books
2620 N Milwaukee
BYO Booze, Bevarage, Chair and Poetry

Saturday, April 9, 2016

What is a Poetry Pentathlon



click below to register
http://w4tbbusdepot.blogspot.com/2016/05/registration-opens-today-may-16th-for.html

I know this is cliché...Once upon a time there lived a group of poets who had grown tired of the grand accolades and Huzzahs that were thrust upon performance poets who were quite excellent at the performance but not quite so grand at the poetry part .  Inversely we were saddened by the number of people who were quite good at the poetry but not so impressive when it came to the performance.

This cause much furor amongst the poets, who lived in a hollowed out tree in the forest of Dive Bars (I have to keep some of the fairy tale elements). One day the scribes of these tree living poets had a dream.  In this dream, poets were judged by what they wrote and how well it was communicated.  These judgments were made by participating in five poetic events and based upon both style and substance.  Thus was born the Poetry Pentathlon.

Currently the poets, who live in aforementioned hollow tree, are busy deciding events and choosing judges.  When this process is finished registration will open and a brand new Pentathlon winner will be chosen.  The process is long and arduous.  To win, one must have many talents,  Among these are creativity, spontaneity, and writing acumen.  Please stay tuned for further Pentathlon Announcements.

like the Poetry Pentathlon
https://www.facebook.com/PoetryPentathlon/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

Saturday, March 26, 2016

Announcing the Poetry Pentathlon for 2016



This dynamic competition is a means of testing ALL a poet's skills. Something that challenges them as both a writer and a performer as well as something that proves their ability with classic poetic forms and spontaneous inspiration. Waiting 4 the Bus has developed a genius system for finding the exceptionally talented and creative. The Poetry Pentathlon stands alone as a proper means for testing thepoet/performer. This is not a Poetry Slam – this is the glorious throw down known as the Poetry Pentathlon, a judged poetry reading where contestants compete in 5 events with points awarded on both writing ability and performance style. Warning: the only prizes awarded for the evening are pride and bragging rights; any trophies are gravy and should be considered as such




find the pentathlon on Facebook


Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Weirdo nation, Poetry nation, Dave Gecic and W4tB


Dave Gecic, the host of the Weirdest poetry show in Chicago comes to feature at the home of the Weirdos of W4tB. It's gonna be a dynamite way to celebrate National Poetry month.

Show starts at 7, try to show up early to sign in, open mic spots go fast. seating is also limited, you can bring your own chair. BYOB or coffee, or your personal choice of beverage.

https://www.facebook.com/events/211504232544637/211538272541233/

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Are you prepared for Poetry Bomb 2016




Okay Poetry People, the bomb is coming. You know the drill. This is an act of Guerrilla Poetry. Do it in a group or on your own. At 3:30pm on April 24th, go out in public and read some poetry, read it loud, draw a crowd, make people aware that Poetry is a living breathing art form. If you are looking for a bomb site let us know, if you are planning a bomb site let us know that too. We can help y'all find one another 
https://www.facebook.com/The-Poetry-Bomb-157587229451/

contact us at weirdowatch1@gmail.com

Okay Poetry People, the bomb is coming. You know the drill. This is an act of Guerrilla Poetry. Do it in a group or...
Posted by The Poetry Bomb on Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Saturday, February 20, 2016

What time does the next bus arrive? W4tB Monday, March 21st 7 PM - 9 PM

Uncharted Books
2620 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60647

It's springtime and W4tB brings you two superb artistic talents, its a special treat for folks who love the madness of words. Eileen Tull and Stephen Dvorak are gonna bring the thunder (as I like to say).
The rest of the Weirdos will join us for the open mic. it's three poems or 5 minutes, whichever comes first.

We have a tendency to go SRO so if you need to sit, bring a chair. I hope to see you soon and remember:
WEIRD IS SEXY
















The FaceBook event page
https://www.facebook.com/events/187650834933790/

Join The Weirdo nation
https://www.facebook.com/groups/waiting4thebus/

Bonus treat for Spring

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Mark your calendars for the February Waiting 4 the Bus



Monday, February 15
at 7 PM - 9 PM

Uncharted Books
2620 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60647

Okay, we survived the Comedy of Errors that was our January show, but now we are ready to come out strong in February and have the coolest show we can muster.

Come out and join us for the poetry of Jennifer Finstrom. The rest of the W4tB weirdos will be in attendance and we hope you join us for the Valentine Aftermath.

Remember the rules. you got 3 poems or 5 minutes, whichever comes first. Show starts as close to 7pm as the poetry time continuum allows and end promptly at 9pm.

Chairs fill up fast, so if you want to bring a camp chair or something feel free. Please no bar-co-loungers.
facebook invite
See you there, WEIRD IS SEXY!!

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Our sincerest apologies for Jan 18 at W4tB

Okay, so January 18th was our Disaster show.  Every once in a while there is a show that gets cursed by Murphy's law and what I like to call the Schleprock initiative.

Our feature called in sick.

We scramble to achieve a plan B

Upon arrival the bookstore is closed for the holiday.

Through miscommunication, clerical over sight, and general cock up. We are not on the bookstores calendar of events.

People are driving in from out of state to attend the show.

And it is colder that a well diggers ass outside.

Murphy's law states that what can go wrong will go wrong.

The Schlep-rock initiative adds "at the worst possible time" to the end of that.

I think we pulled through like troopers and  I hope to see you all again of February 15th.

Peace, love and an infinite number of monkeys, and remember "Weird is Sexy"

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Waiting4theBus in January

Uncharted books is closed for the holiday.  We were not informed until right now.  The show is off for the night.  I apologize for the inconvenience



Monday, January 18
at 7 PM - 9 PM
Uncharted Books
2620 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60647


Welcom to 2016. Waiting 4 the Bus is back and cooler than ever before. Chicago's most laid back literary open mic opens their season with Roberta Miles.

Join the Weirdo nation at Uncharted Books for stories and poems and such. We're at 2620 N. Milwaukee, Check the address and look for the chalkboard out front.
Showtime is from7-9 pm
you get 3 poems or 5 minutes whichever comes first.
signup upon arrival
do your best to be on time