Hey Chicago Poets, You've spoken, and I've heard. I've received dozens of emails expressing a desire to get the energy in the poetry scene flowing again next year. Thank you for your commitment; you have mine as well. Today the hit counter at ChicagoPoetry.com says we've received 947,797 pages viewed since December of 2004. That's since we launched the version three site. We should be hitting a million after the holidays, so you know what that means, poetry party time!! I'm flying to Arkansas next week to see my ma, so I'll be off the radar for a few days. Got some gossip for you, though. Here's the thing. If you're on this list you're one of about a thousand people still getting the poetry gossip, stuff that those who go into the site (but are not on the list) don't see. Just tell 'em you heard it through the grapevine. Next year I'll start posting this stuff at the site again, but for now its simply less time consuming and more efficient to send it to the hardcore poets who are on the list. More Nine Lives stuff is on the way, don't sweat it. ;<)) --CJ ==================================================== MARY FONS' SLAMMIN' FUTURE: LESS SLAM MORE FUTURIST According to a letter she emailed around, "Tennessee" Mary is retiring from the poetry slam" although she compares it to "P. Diddy" retiring every couple of years. Mary Fons has been cast in Neo-Futurist's Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind so she's "taking a hiatus from the Chicago poetry slam scene." "It's been a good ride, but I've decided to expand my horizons and take some new risks," Fons says. Fons also plans to record some of her work for YouTube. ======================================== UNITY IN OAK PARK An Open Mic for Poets, Musicians, Storytellers & Other Performers! 3rd Saturday Coffeehouse: An Open Mic at Unity Temple in Oak Park Sponsored by The Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation Mark Your Calendar! It's always the 3rd Saturday of the month at Unity Temple's Unity House, 875 Lake Street, in Downtown Oak Park THIS MONTH'S FEATURE: Saturday, November 18, 2006 Natural Bob & Micky Holdsworth 3rd Saturday Coffeehouse welcomes the return of Natural Bob & Micky Holdsworth on Saturday, November 18th for an evening of original songs and modern ballads, merged with traditional fiddle tunes and a sense of humor. Natural Bob is a guitarist who plays styles as diverse as jazz, bluegrass, new wave, country-rock and fiddle. He is joined by wife Micky on bass and guitar. Their folk/rock sound, with a mix of acoustic guitar, mandolin, bass, and fine-tuned harmonies, reflects the influences of the Beatles, the Byrds and the San Francisco bands of the late sixties. Their latest CD, "Stuck in the 60s...cooler near the lake" will be available. Join us for some innovative originals and great covers from the duo that helped us kick off our first Coffeehouse more than two years ago! Join us at Unity Temple, 875 Lake Street, Oak Park--7:30 pm sign up; 8 pm Open Mic; 9 pm featured performer. Open Mic limited to 5 minutes--Charlie Rossiter host. We are acoustic; wheelchair accessible. Donation $3-$5. For more info call 708-660-9376. UPCOMING FEATURES: December 16th -- Gingi Lahera & Mike Allemana warm us up with the heat of Brazilian jazz! January 20 -- the poetry and fiction of Patricia McMillen and friends DIRECTIONS: >From Chicago take the I-290 exit at Austin, go north to Lake and west to Kenilworth. From the West take the I-290 exit at Harlem Ave, go north to Lake and east to Kenilworth. With the el, exit the Green Line at Oak Park Ave, go north to Lake Ave; west to Kenilworth Parking--there's lots of street parking. Also a village lot at Oak Park & North Blvd., and another at Lake Street & Forest. Need more info: 708-660-9376. We hope you can join us, and please forward this note to interested others ============================================ NEW VENUE Here at Chicago Chocolate Cafe we have an Open Mic every Wednesday! Its Free cover, with Hot chocolates to all Poets!!! We are located at 847 w. Randolph, Halsted & Randolph, Chicago, IL. Chocolate Cafe hosted by Don Edwards --- sign up at 7:00 starts at 7:30 till' 312-738 –0888 ============================================ Sundown Lounge, the weekly music and spoken word podzine produced by Chicago Saloon Poet / LA Podcaster Larry Winfield, is putting out the call for submissions for the "All-Chicago" show, with an airdate planned for the Xmas / New Year's season. Larry seeks bands and musicians who play rock, blues, jazz, punk, and hip hop who'd like to be featured. Also seeking poets and spoken word artists. Sundown Lounge plays an extremely eclectic global mix of podsafe music and poetry, but you should listen to a couple shows to hear for yourself. The show URL is http://www.larrywinfield.com/sundownlounge.htm Send an email if interested, with either a link or an attachment to your song or poem (MP3, Ogg Vorbis or AIFF). CDs can be mailed to me at: 121 E 5th St., Su. 302, Los Angeles, CA 90013. ================================================== THE BUDDHA SPEAKS It's an open mic for poets, singer/songwriters, and storytellers Waiting 4 The Bus with Buddha309 Jaks Tap (the green room) from 7:30-10pm 901 W. Jackson 60607 FIRST AND THIRD MONDAY OF THE MONTH Jaks Tap is Chicago's premier multi-tap restaurant and bar featuring forty (40) draught beers, great food, award winning ribs and friendly neighborhood atmosphere. UPCOMING FEATURES DEC 4- NATTY CHRIS GALLINARI DEC 18- ESTEBAN COLON ============================================ http://chicagopoetry.com