Spoken Word & Music Series
Announcing a New Monthly
Arts Series at Manchester Community College
www.mcc.commnet.edu
"The Mishi-maya-gat Spoken Word & Music Series"
[Mishi-maya-gat is the Algonquian term for “Great Trail System,” a network of foot paths created by the native tribes of Connecticut. Within this system of trails, a “Great Path” connected one region with another. The site of the MCC campus is along one of these great paths, and thus, the naming of Great Path as the street leading to campus. It is in this spirit of historical and cultural significance that the arts series also takes its name.]
Featuring Live Music, a Spoken Word Open Mic, a Featured Poet/Writer, and Refreshments.
The series will be held on the 2nd Thursday of the month from 6-8:30 p.m. in the Fireside Commons.
All events are free and open to the public and MCC students, staff & faculty.
Those wishing to participate in the Spoken Word Open Mic may sign up for a brief time slot upon arrival. Poems and short prose pieces are welcomed.
Sponsored by the MCC Foundation.
Hosted by Stephen Campiglio.
About Our Next Performers - March 15, 2007
Please note: this event is a 3rd Thursday exception to the regular 2nd Thursday schedule
Poetry by Elizabeth Thomas
Elizabeth Thomas is a published poet and the author of Full Circle (Hanover Press), who designs and teaches writing programs at schools and organizations throughout the U.S. These programs promote literacy and the power of both written and spoken word. An outstanding advocate of youth in the arts, she started UpWords Poetry, an organization dedicated to programs for young writers. She is an organizer and coach of the CT National Youth Poetry Slam team and hosts a website for young writers and teachers at www.upwordspoetry.com. She also teaches poetry and computer classes in MCC’s credit-free program.
"The Telling"
---for my son, Kevin
Hold onto 16 as long as you can,
changes come around real soon
make us women and men.
- John Cougar
They’re watching a Bonanza rerun on TV.
My father, sprawled on the couch,
my mother across her favorite chair –
feet dangling like a little girl.
I hold tight to the sides of a wooden chair
pulled from the kitchen,
rocking forward, then back
forward, back.
My ears ring
like the school bell between classes
and I wonder if I should study
for my English exam
tomorrow,
but the smoke from my father’s cigarette
pillows my head
and I want to sink,
slumber like Sleeping Beauty,
believe in happy endings.
I’d like a cigarette too, thank you
but the nurse at the clinic
says I should quit.
My heart feels like a somersault gone bad
and my hands will never be warm again.
I feel stupid.
When I finally speak
my mother turns toward me and says,
“What? Wait for the commercial.”
My chair is straight-backed –
I slouch and pull in.
“Don’t worry about it,” I say.
Placing hands on my stomach
I gently probe,
not feeling
anything.
--
With Music By: Chris D'Amato
Chris D'Amato , aka Smokin' Opey, has been playing blues guitar professionally for the past 20 years. He is equally adept in acoustic or electric band settings, and is at home playing many styles of blues and slide guitar, from electric swing to Chicago blues, Piedmont and Delta blues, with a mix of jazz, psychedelia, and soul. Not one to rest on a single style, Chris is always searching for musical fluidity. Besides leading his own bands, Chris is an in-demand sideman on the Connecticut blues scene, performing regularly with Dan Stevens and others. He has also toured nationally with L.A. Jones and the Blues Messengers, and Debbie Davies. Chris has performed or shared bills with many great blues musicians, including Albert Collins, Pinetop Perkins, Jaimo, Eddie Shaw, Big Time Sarah, Buddy Guy, Roomful of Blues, Ronnie Earl, Derek Trucks, Johnny Winter, Edgar Winter, John Mayall, Government Mule, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, and the Marshall Tucker Band.
Upcoming Performers
April 12, 2007
Featured Poet: KEN CORMIER, a Ph.D. candidate in English at the University of Connecticut, is the author of Balance Act: Poems & Stories, as well as musical and spoken word recordings. He also edits The Lumberyard Journal, UConn’s radio and online literary journal.
With Music by: SHORT PUNKS IN LOVE, a husband and wife duo playing original rock and who have a recently released CD on their own label, will be coming in from Chicago for this exclusive engagement.
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