Comments on: May events http://www.julianfleetwood.com/2009/05/10/may-events/ yr honourable servant Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:00:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: jools http://www.julianfleetwood.com/2009/05/10/may-events/comment-page-1/#comment-270 jools Sun, 31 May 2009 03:37:59 +0000 http://www.traversepoetry.org/?p=284#comment-270 Thanks for your comments Malcolm. It seems like your main problem with the night was the music from Julia Johnson. I'm sorry you didn't enjoy her performance. In the three or so years that I've been running poetry slams in Canberra, music has always been a key component. There have been a few slams without a band (such as when a visiting poet has featured) but generally there is always some sort of musical interlude. In all honesty I think this is the first time someone has objected to the idea of including music in the slam. From what audiences tell me, they really appreciate musos and the variety they bring to the evening. Also, from a purely organisational point of view, a couple of 10-20 minute musical sets provide a welcome break from 40-odd minutes of solid spoken word. True, people do see a band playing as a signal to move rooms and start conversations etc. but that's the nature of Canberra (probably all) audiences. I've found with Canberra audiences it's almost expected that any public entertainment will include some kind of music. As to Julia's music. Of course you're entitled to your own opinion, but I think you'd have a hard time trying to find someone else who was there on Friday night who would describe her as 'amateur'. In fact, after she played a similar set at our Queanbeyan poetry slam in February this year and I can remember lots of people praising her work. Thanks once again for your comments - I've taken note and I will bear them in mind when planning future slams. However, for the reasons I've given here, there will continue to be bands at future slams. Thanks for your comments Malcolm. It seems like your main problem with the night was the music from Julia Johnson. I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy her performance. In the three or so years that I’ve been running poetry slams in Canberra, music has always been a key component. There have been a few slams without a band (such as when a visiting poet has featured) but generally there is always some sort of musical interlude. In all honesty I think this is the first time someone has objected to the idea of including music in the slam. From what audiences tell me, they really appreciate musos and the variety they bring to the evening.

Also, from a purely organisational point of view, a couple of 10-20 minute musical sets provide a welcome break from 40-odd minutes of solid spoken word. True, people do see a band playing as a signal to move rooms and start conversations etc. but that’s the nature of Canberra (probably all) audiences. I’ve found with Canberra audiences it’s almost expected that any public entertainment will include some kind of music.

As to Julia’s music. Of course you’re entitled to your own opinion, but I think you’d have a hard time trying to find someone else who was there on Friday night who would describe her as ‘amateur’. In fact, after she played a similar set at our Queanbeyan poetry slam in February this year and I can remember lots of people praising her work.

Thanks once again for your comments – I’ve taken note and I will bear them in mind when planning future slams. However, for the reasons I’ve given here, there will continue to be bands at future slams.

]]> By: Malcolm Miller http://www.julianfleetwood.com/2009/05/10/may-events/comment-page-1/#comment-267 Malcolm Miller Fri, 29 May 2009 22:48:19 +0000 http://www.traversepoetry.org/?p=284#comment-267 I give the Poetry Slam at The Front the following marks out of 5. February, 4.5; March 3.5: April 2.5; May 1.0! Why this dreadful decline? The Slam is supposed to be for literate people with a passion for poetry, written, read, or as listeners. The addition to the mix of amateur musos, no matter how eager they are for an audience, has done nothing. Last night, May 29, it resulted in people going to the gallery room and talking non-stop. The 'girls only' night was a failure in my opinion. I heard only three of the female poets I'd come to see and hear, with a huge interlude of 'music' that went on for 25 minutes. Eventually I went home in disgust. There were a couple of excellent poems - but not a night of performance poetry that I'd come for! If you want to attract numbers of poetry lovers, you'll have to do better! I give the Poetry Slam at The Front the following marks out of 5. February, 4.5; March 3.5: April 2.5; May 1.0! Why this dreadful decline? The Slam is supposed to be for literate people with a passion for poetry, written, read, or as listeners. The addition to the mix of amateur musos, no matter how eager they are for an audience, has done nothing. Last night, May 29, it resulted in people going to the gallery room and talking non-stop. The ‘girls only’ night was a failure in my opinion. I heard only three of the female poets I’d come to see and hear, with a huge interlude of ‘music’ that went on for 25 minutes. Eventually I went home in disgust. There were a couple of excellent poems – but not a night of performance poetry that I’d come for! If you want to attract numbers of poetry lovers, you’ll have to do better!

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