Creative Potpourri—A blend of Annapolis poetry, music, and food
By Diane Cohen
What do E.E. Cummings, Emily Dickinson, and Robert Frost have in common? The Poetry Foundation, publisher of Poetry magazine, lists them as three of the 10 most popular poets. Maryland has its own share of well-known poets—Adrienne Rich and Edgar Allan Poe are two of many. Michael Glaser is Maryland’s current poet laureate. Lucille Clifton and Linda Pastan are former Maryland poets laureate. Although none is yet as famous as these poets, Annapolis and Anne Arundel County have an abundance of local talent.
Thanks to Cliff Lynn and Rocky Jones, cohosts of area poetry readings, you can hear local poets on their way to fame. Lynn and Jones started organizing poetry nights “by knocking on doors” back in January of 2005. “These businesses that open up their hearts to the poets are promoting appreciation of art and free speech,” explains Lynn. “I feel the point of poetry is to try to get folks to look at everyday things and events a little differently,” he adds. Jones notes, “You can be sure you are among people who are passionate about the written word, and you’ll hear clever work, not just from the featured poets but from the open reading participants.”
While April is National Poetry Month (and the observance of Shakespeare’s birthday is on April 23), area poets celebrate poetry every month. April became National Poetry Month when the New York-based Academy of American Poets sought to increase “the visibility, presence, and accessibility of poetry in our culture.” “The Academy wished to bring attention to and appreciation of contemporary poetry and its writers to revitalize this lost art.” Then President Clinton issued a proclamation on April 1, 1996, declaring April as National Poetry Month.
Think back to a brisk winter night last February. Picture about 50 listeners huddled around Formica tables in a cozy room with hardwood floors and tangerine and lime-green walls. At this night of poetry readings, which showcased 13 local poets, participants at b.b. Bistro in West Annapolis received welcome respite from the season of shivering winter blues. The night also included drumming, storytelling, and singing.
Each person brings to and takes away from poetry something different. Featured poet Damian Jones says, “Poetry doesn’t live until it is read aloud. I love to be surprised by the variety of artists who come for open mic: musicians, writers, and readers of famous works. It’s a grand mix.” Poetry readings, for Annapolis newcomer Barbara Holcomb, are about comradeship. “It no longer matters if I read or not. What matters is being there with a group of soulful wanderers who have landed, for a night, to hear each other’s hearts beating.”
Max Ochs, a longtime Severna Park poet and musician, has hosted several local venues for music and poetry himself. These days you can find him performing while others host. To him, “It doesn’t matter how terrible a poet anybody is, one and all are all made to feel so appreciated and welcome and unthreatened that it brings out the best in everyone.”
In many venues poetry readings are intermixed with sets of acoustic music. The line between poems and songs is often blurred. On an open mic night you may hear a preponderance of music or poetry, depending on the mood of the evening. The night I went to Café Matisse, on Westgate Circle, there was only music. “I saw the sign and thought, ‘Why not?’” said first-time performer Carl Butler when asked what brought him to sing that night. Ryan Abbott, who “usually plays lead guitar with a group” saved his favorite song, “Born to Run,” until the end of his set. Last, but not least, guitarist Daniel Clark did an “improv” song composed of “thoughts and experiences about the day they had,” called out to him by audience members.
You can bring the kids and get them back home in time to finish their homework and go to bed for school the next day. Café owner Matisse Gilson did just that. After loads of giggles, a song each at the mike, and two rounds of “Happy Birthday,” daughters Kalie and Rylie, who were celebrating their birthdays that week, went home shortly before the end of the show.
If you are looking for words with which to express yourself or just a creative, fun evening out, participate in one of the local poetry readings or open mic nights. You’ll be glad you did.
Diane Cohen is a freelance writer in Arlington, Virginia. Spread the Word: Where to Find Poetry & Open Mic Nights
Zu Coffee
934 Bay Ridge Road, Annapolis
(410) 990-0731
www.zucoffee.comRegularly on the fourth Friday of the month.
b.b. Bistro
112A Annapolis Street, Annapolis
(410) 990-4646
www.bbbistroannapolis.comRegularly on the second Friday of the month.
Café Matisse
200 Westgate Circle, Annapolis
(443) 482-9611
www.cafematisse.usOpen mic nights regularly each Wednesday.
333 Coffeehouse
333 Dubois Road, Annapolis
Contact Jane Meneely: (443) 786-0463
fsgw.org/333