new stuff in 2015...Rhyme the vote? (not about politics)

Hey kids, W4tB is going through some changes, and we want you to know that we're still gonna be around hosting the Open Mic and trying our best to bring you special projects.

One of the changes is that we're only going to be doing the open mic once a month.  we need your help on this one. 

Would it be easier for you to attend The Open Mic on 
the 1st Monday of the month or 
the 3rd Monday of the month.

just leave an answer in the comments.

We know the world is full of conflict and we at W4tB have tried not to go head to head with too many other Poetry shows.  Some things have been unavoidable. Your votes for a preferred Monday and continued patronage will be much appreciated.

Where the Weird Things Are!!-we got us new digs, kids!!!

Waiting 4 the Bus has a new home, a new time, and a new clock.
We are taking over the Poetry Bunker at Powells Books at 1218 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60607
7-9 pm
show up early to guarantee a spot in the open mic
Our first feature is
Jenene Ravesloot, Tom Roby IV and Lem Roby. That sounds like Omniphonic and that is super cool.

We do ask for a donation to pay our feature performers. Pay what you can.

Lem Roby, might be persuaded to accompany any reader who asks politely and has an Omniphonic decoder ring

Shameless self promotion

Say Aloha to poetry and performance art with "the Cafe Gallery" at Gallery Cabaret! See us at 2020 N. Oakley Ave. on Wednesday, September 24th from 9:00 - 11:00 P.M. for poetry, music and performance art. Come out on Wednesday, September 24th 2014 for our open mic with the Buddha 309 feature!!!

"read the fucking poem" A guide to poetry readings

J.J. Jameson (amazing Chicago Poet) used to yell "READ THE FUCKIN' POEM" from his seat in the audience.  It was the most honest thing ever yelled in a cafe/bar/bookstore ever.  The message of that one phrase can be broken down into parts, analyzed, refined and made more palatable, but nothing is ever gonna replace the power of "READ THE FUCKIN' POEM"

poetry etiquette 101

1-Kill the introductions.  There are exceptions to this rule, but we all can't be Will Rogers, Andy Griffith, or Bill Cosby.  Most folks do not have a flair for the amusing anecdote.  Most amusing anecdotes that end in the writing of a poem, are only amusing to the author of the poem. CUT THE INTRO!!!  Poems that need to be explained are, probably,  not very good poems.  A poem should speak for itself.  The audience is filled with writers, just like you, they understand the language of poetry, give them some credit.

2-Name Dropping.  Don't do it.  Don't mention who inspired what, or who your influences are.  No one cares who you carried to get here.  Poets are not stupid and can pick up on who influences your style.  Name dropping just makes you sound like a pretentious git who has no respect for the audience.(Name Dropping also includes listing every journal/magazine/website you have been published in)

3-Stay within your allotted time slot.  Going longer than your spot makes you look greedy and self important.  Your poetry IS NOT more important than the next guy's. and you would have had enough time for your poetry if you followed rule 1 and 2.

4-Plugs.  It is fine to plug an upcoming gig, but keep it short.  Remember plugs come out of your time slot.  If you are gonna plug long and loud, cut your set appropriately.  Sticking to the basics is best.  Place, date, time and end with "If you want more details, talk to me later"

5-Shut your face.  If you are not on stage, you should be quieter than a whisper.  Have respect for the poet on stage.  It is called an Open Mic for a reason.  anyone can participate, and whether you care for what they say or not, have some respect for the speaker.  Someone else may want to hear.

6-Try to stay for the whole show.  I know life is busy and people have "promises to keep and miles to go before they sleep", but ducking out on an open mic makes you look like a jackass.  The "read and run" is the most annoying thing someone can do at any open mic.  If people can stick around to hear you, you can stick around to hear them.

Sandy Marchetti/Marc Frazier (host Kristin LaTour) are Waiting 4 the Bus

Monday, September 15
FINAL SHOW AT JAKS
LOOKING FOR NEW DIGS

Welcome back to the Bus Stop kids,
Tonight we have a special double bill for you all
Sandy Marchetti and Marc Frazier take the stage for a super night of poetry
Our super guest host for the night is one of the Original W4tB Weirdos,Kristin LaTour

open Mic sign up is at 7:30pm
showtime is from 8-10pm
3 poems or 5 minutes

The rendezvous room at Jaks Tap 901 W Jackson, Chicago Il
the show is free
we do ask a donation for the feature performers
the beer is cold and varied
the food is exceptionally good
and the love, as always, is a weird & complicated mess

Rain Check...still wet

It is with heavy and rain soaked heart that we announce the cancellation of the Omniphonic fusion fest. We have been called on account of rain, loss of electricity, not wanting to mix electricity with flash floods and of course the hazards of driving in the rain. We want you all to know that we still love all y'all and you should stay tuned for announcements revealing our regrouping and, against the laws of nature and flying in the face of Karma,the return of the Omniphonic Fusion Festival.

Peace, Love, & an Infinite number of monkeys,

BDA309

W4tB stuff we like in August

Molly Malone's Literary Open Mic and Reading Series featuring  Angela Narciso Torres    Monday, August 11 7:30-9:30  7:00 open mic sign-up  $5 if you can  $3 if you can't Molly Malone's 7652 W. Madison Forest Park, IL (five blocks north of the Blue Line / DesPlaines Ave) Molly's Reading second Monday of every month mark your calendars,  September 8. "Like" us  Molly's Facebook Page  Great Food & Drink! About This Month's Featured Reader: Angela Narciso Torres's first book of poetry, Blood Orange, won the 2013 Willow Books Literature Award for Poetry. Her most recent work is available or forthcoming in Pirene's Fountain, Cimarron Review, Colorado Review, and Cream City Review. A graduate of Warren Wilson MFA Program for Writers and the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Angela has received fellowships from the Illinois Arts Council, Ragdale Foundation, and Midwest Writing Center. Born in Brooklyn and raised in Manila, she currently resides in Chicago, where she teaches poetry workshops and serves as a senior poetry editor for RHINO. Hosts Nina Corwin and Albert DeGenova invite you to theMolly Malone's Open Mic and Reading Series. Be part of one of the longest running and most highly respected open mics in the Chicago area. It also has the reputation for being one of the most welcoming venues in the city. The reading series was launched by River Oak Arts and Charlie Rossiter in 1998; Nina and Al have co-hosted since 2002. Each month's featured reader boasts a long list of publishing, editing, and/or teaching credits. And the "regulars" are all serious, accomplished writers as well. A night at Molly's Reading Series is to experience some of the best poetry being written in the Chicago area today.

Monday, August 18
at 7:30pm - 10:00pm

Wrapping up the Summer of Love at the Open Mic is our super special guest Kristin LaTour reading her cool ass poetry. Even cooler is that our guest host is none other than Este Stevie Colon


If you miss this show you are just plain foolish
Live from the rendezvous room at Jaks Tap 901 W Jackson
40 beers on tap
great food
free poetry*
sign up-7:30
showtime 8-10pm
*we request donations for the features

Omniphonic poetry music fusion fest at Bucktown Arts fest

Saturday, August 23

at 5:00pm - 7:00pm

W4tB presents the poetry and music fusion fest that sets the city on its ear. This year we are live from the Bucktown Arts Fest. 

This year we will continue to entertain and enlighten with the coolest acts in the city.

Primo Fine

Billy Tuggle

The Charlie Rossiter Experience

The Goods

The incredible Bob and Andy Bob Lawrence

and of course the founders of the feast...Omniphonic

Poetry Pentathlon 2014

This ain't your Daddy's Poetry War. This is how the ancient poets intended it. A battle of performance and writing skil

.

Friday, August 29
7:00pm - 9:00pm

Uncharted Books2620 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, Illinois 6064

The rant--self explanatory (we hope)

the Reverse Sonnet--(Shakespearean)The meter and line breaks are the same, the rhyming words are at the beginning of the line

Pot Luck--each contestant will present a poem of their own creation to the judges. This poem will be in a sealed envelope. This poem will be given to an opposing contestant to perform.the scoring for this round is different 1-5 points will be awarded to the performer1-5 points will be awarded to the author

Letter Poem--each contestant will present a poem of their own creation to the judges. This poem will be in a sealed envelope. This poem will be given to an opposing contestant to perform.the scoring for this round is different 1-5 points will be awarded to the performer1-5 points will be awarded to the author

On the spot Prompt---all contestants will be presented with a poetry prompt upon arriving at the Pentathlon Arena . A poem will be written based upon the prompt during the course of the evening and will be presented to the judges as the final event of the evening

Our contestants are
Bill Tarlin
Clara Berman
Gary Ketchum
Dina Stuart
Nora Leon
Peyton Stewart
Suzanne Sosnowski