Sunday, July 21, 2013
Friday, July 19, 2013
"Jack" in Fiction 365
Published on ---> Fiction365
Today's Story by Susan Marie
Jack
I greeted the day curled up in the back seat. Spending the night in my car was not what I had in mind when I agreed to take this job. It was only supposed to be for two nights. It is now going on day five.
Damn her, I thought.
It was still dark outside. I lit a smoke and cranked down the window whistling some Dylan tune. I saw lights on in a window up the street. Hopping into the front, easing into the driver’s seat, I cursed her for leaving me in this town.
Then I saw the note. It was lying on the dash, her usual manila envelope with thick, black scroll on the front, my name, what she liked to call me: Toni. I tore it open, thinking how much I loved and hated this woman.
Toni, my love,
Get something to eat, wait for my call.
Love,
Jezelle
There was a twenty-dollar bill inside, crisp and pure. Like Jezelle. I snatched the smokes and headed up the street to Bobby’s.
Nobody stared at me when I strolled into the diner. A good sign. I could really use a drink, I thought. There were five people that I could see, not counting who might be in the kitchen or getting their jollies in the john. Two men in the back booth, an old man at the counter, and a girl in her teens. She looked new. You could tell by the way she sat all hunched over looking cold. She held her cigarette as if she were posing for a picture. I had to laugh. That was me three years ago. I felt sorry for her.
When I turned my gaze from the girl, behind the counter stood Bobby. God, how I had missed her. She smiled. I headed for the bathroom. I took off my coat, gave my face a quick rinse and stared straight ahead.
Nothing scarier than staring into your own eyes.
When I came out, Bobby already had my coffee ready, black, as usual, and a plate of toast. I pushed the plate away and sipped the coffee. The elderly man mumbled to God. Egg yolk dripped down his stubbly chin. I turned away, focusing on the two men.
This is how bad it’s gotten. Two men in a diner, a twenty-dollar bill and a half pack of smokes. So this is where it ends. I couldn’t even drink my coffee thinking of the grimy hands that would soon be groping my breasts.
Bobby nodded. It was time. I choked down the cup and took a shot from the pint in my coat. Nothin’ like ole’ Jack to give you a hug when you need it.
I sat down next to the blond guy and whispered,
“Hi, I’m Toni. Jezelle sent me.”
They both grinned and the mulatto slid in next to me. Bobby quickly pulled down the shades. I wanted to scream.
The white guy rubbed my thigh and I closed my eyes.
I thought of Jezelle. I always thought of Jezelle. And at this moment, it was her lips upon mine, her hands on my body and my eyes searching for her, once again, in the darkness of Bobby’s diner.
——-
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Thursday, July 18, 2013
every waking thought
every waking thought
is the flight of a monarch
before each bud that blooms
she gathers
from both hemispheres
left and right,
like her wings
birthed twins,
where every waking thought
begins
- as a first breath
- and the last gasp
where dreams become life
beneath the cloak of midnight
gaining momentum
churning vortexes
of hurricanes
such raw passion
complicated
never simple
a thought
is the genesis of energy
the subconscious of the artist, insane,
writing words such as this
solely to prevent the skull
from bursting,
spewing bits of memories
and rivers of tears, endless
that never run dry
a place where angels reside
sitting upon clouds
of sentences
the most holy poets -
sending telegraphs
to the chosen.
© Susan Marie 2013
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
IDENTITY : A Group Show Presented by MAIN (ST)UDIOS
BUFFALO, NY – JULY 12, 2013, 6-9PM
MAIN (ST)UDIOS downtown art center presents a group show conceptualized by resident artist John Dunklemann and curated by resident artist Trinton “TrinityHawk” Garrett around the concept of identity. Work from several different artists of many different mediums will be exhibited.
Reception is FREE and open to the public with open mic on the Identity theme and special performance featuring energetic and emotional spoken word art from Pure Ink Poetry and unique refreshments provided by Mixology.
Featuring work by Brigid Jaipaul-Valenza, Cari Feltz-Abdo, Heidi Lynn Farrell Brown, Kathryn Eulella Shiver, and Katt Dunsmore, Paul Rybarczyk, and Trinton “TrinityHawk” Garrett .
Show runs from 07/05-07/18/13.
MAIN (ST)UDIOS is located at 515 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14203. Open hours are Tue-Friday 11AM-5PM and Wednesdays until 8PM.
More information --> www.mainstudiosbuffalo.com
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Western New York Musician Shares Concert Stage with Icon Joan Baez
Published on:
Hired
in late 2011 as a personal assistant and guitar tech to folk music icon -->
Joan Baez, local singer, songwriter, guitarist and bandleader --> Grace Stumberg is now living a musician's dream.
Within
days of the start of Baez's current US tour, Stumberg was invited to sing
harmony on a few songs in the music legend's set and on June 28, she began --> Baez's concert in Lowell, MA with a well received 6
song solo acoustic set of her own original songs, largely drawn from 2 CDS [2010 "To Whom It May Concern" and 2012 "Affect"] both found here --> Grace Stumberg Music
Stumberg returns home for a series of performances with the --> Grace Stumberg Band around Western New York during July, and then heads out again with Baez's August tour of
Australia & New Zealand.
Stumberg is a 2007
graduate of Buffalo's Performing Arts High School, Villa Maria College
and --> Music is Art's "Music in Action" mentoring program led by
producer/manager --> Bob James and --> Robby Takac of the Goo Goo Dolls.
Photo Copyright © Chuck Alaimo 2013
Copyright © Grace Stumberg 2013
© 2013 Joan C. Baez/Diamonds & Rust Productions
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Creative Writing Workshops II & III with Susan Marie @ Main Studios
You only need to bring your imagination. This is not your typical creative writing workshop. This is all about the creative process as a whole, reaching into yourself, finding what is in there, and bringing that out to the world.
All workshops are virtual [live & recorded due to timezone] and in Buffalo, NY at Main Studios --> http://mainstudiosbuffalo.com/
INFO:
Buffalo Workshop: $25 per workshop, discounted price for all: http://mainstudiosbuffalo.com/
Virtual Workshop : $15 for all 3 workshops, info here : http://mainstudiosbuffalo.com/
DATES: Workshop #1 occurred June 26. You can still access that virtually.
II. July 31, 6-8/9PM : Creative Writing II: Expanding on the Creative Process also with guest speaker Ken Feltges, writer in residence, Mount St, Mary's. [educator and performance artist --> http://www.mt-st-marys.org/
Ken will center his presentation on the poetry of everyday life, how the ordinary can become extraordinary when viewed through a poetic lens. To illustrate this, he will read selected poems from his book, "BEFORE THINGS CHANGE" and have a Q/A session after. Ken will also have his book and CD for sale, which I definitely suggest getting. If you have never had the pleasure [or even if you have] hearing Ken perform, this is the time.
III. August 21st, 6-8/9PM: Creative Writing III: Reading & Recording Your Work and Publishing Tips/Suggestions also with guest speaker Janna Willoughby-Lohr aka MC Vendetta, performance artist, musician, educator -->http://www.facebook.com/paperc
Janna will be speaking about the art of delivery, emphasizing on diction, clarity and inflection, mainly getting to the meat of the poem/work and slicing it open on stage. Janna has been writing poetry since she was 5, and performing since age 12. Janna is a Grand Slam finalist 2005-2008 Nickel City Poetry Slam and member of the 2006 Nickel City Slam team at the National Poetry Slam. She is also an editor and layout artist for Earth's Daughters literary magazine, the longest running women's publication in the country.
DETAILS:
There are countless free things for all attending to be listed. You will end [if you wish] with a spoken publishing credit, recorded, archived and promoted by me. If you attend the last workshop only, please be prepared to have a piece to [perform, read, sing?] then record. I will assign during June & July to prepare for August. Your final recording is 100% up to you. Virtual attendees will need to record this and send me the mp3 or wav file.
Sponsors:
1. Jim Petretta : http://www.
2. Perry Nicholas: www.perrynicholas.com
3. Jennifer Campbell : http://www.pw.org/content/jenn
4. Randy Rumley: https://www.facebook.com/randy
5. Loren Keller: http://eres.medaille.edu/libra
6. Ken Feltges: http://www.mt-st-marys.org/
7. Just Buffalo Literary Center/Barbara Cole: http://www.justbuffalo.org/
8. Poets & Writers.Org: http://www.pw.org/
9. Theresa Wyatt: http://www.sevencirclepress.
10. Big Marker : https://www.bigmarker.com/abou
11. Susan Marie [my ebook/book of poetry/prose "knots'] http://susanmariepr.blogspot.
12. Janna Willoughby-Lohr aka MC Vendetta : http://www.facebook.
13. Think Twice Radio: Recording/Editing/Archiving of Spoken Word : http://www.thinktwiceradio.
14. Hany Ghoraba/Delizon Publishers : http://www.delizonpublishers.
15. Publish America: http://www.publishamerica.com/
16. MAIN(ST)UDIOS :[Erica Eichelkraut-Zilbauer] http://mainstudiosbuffalo.com/
17. Delizon Publishers: http://www.delizonpublishers.com/
18. Ken Fried : http://www.sambodhawellness.com/
MORE TO COME!
Sunday, June 23, 2013
promise yourself this
On Audio --> here
promise yourself this
no matter how utterly
hurtful
something may feel
when words are hurled
towards you
even direct
and sometimes
on purpose
like a tornado
an earthquake
like Mother Nature
breaking, finally
when all the dark chasms of this Earth
break open
and the plates of this planet
you were born onto
crash into one another
birthing explosions of molten lava
that spread upon your heart
molding an ashen sculpture
and the beasts that exist in the void
such evil winged creatures
begin flying above you
as your spirit lie
breathless, exhausted, wasted
and the last atoms
that are left
create
a
nuclear
reaction
promise yourself this
that if one chooses
or does not even know
that they are releasing
all of their insecurities
angers
hatreds
confusions
afflictions
desires
passions
and eventually
all of their love
upon your very soul
please, promise yourself this
just
simply
forgive.
© Susan Marie
Thursday, June 13, 2013
the perfect poem
the perfect poem
is without words
it is heard within the cries of lovers
legs entwined
like trees
limbs reaching roots
climbing vines
towards heaven
it is the sun dappled dawn
rich and vibrant
like cheeks rising
as apples, ripe
it is the laughter of children
encrypted within chalk lines on sidewalks
where no words are spoken
and no language exists
it is the heart, racing
through atriums and ventricles
pumping blood to breath
so your eyes
show laughter
through your tears after rainfall
the perfect poem
is you
perfect,
poem
it is the presence of love
and the breath of angels.
is without words
it is heard within the cries of lovers
legs entwined
like trees
limbs reaching roots
climbing vines
towards heaven
it is the sun dappled dawn
rich and vibrant
like cheeks rising
as apples, ripe
it is the laughter of children
encrypted within chalk lines on sidewalks
where no words are spoken
and no language exists
it is the heart, racing
through atriums and ventricles
pumping blood to breath
so your eyes
show laughter
through your tears after rainfall
the perfect poem
is you
perfect,
poem
it is the presence of love
and the breath of angels.
© Susan Marie
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Creative Writing I, II & III Workshops with Susan Marie [Buffalo & Virtual]
Published On:
WGRZ CH 2 News
The News Tribe
Buffalo Place
Poets & Writers.Org
Just Buffalo Literary Center
WGRZ
Geared Towards Teens, Young Adults, and Adults
WGRZ CH 2 News
The News Tribe
Buffalo Place
Poets & Writers.Org
Just Buffalo Literary Center
WGRZ
Geared Towards Teens, Young Adults, and Adults
You only need to bring your imagination. This is not your typical creative writing workshop. This is all about the creative process as a whole, reaching into yourself, finding what is in there, and bringing that out to the world.
All 3 workshops are virtual [live & recorded due to timezone] and in Buffalo, NY at Main Studios --> http://mainstudiosbuffalo.com/
INFO:
Buffalo Workshop: $25 per workshop, discounted price for all 3: http://mainstudiosbuffalo.com/
Virtual Workshop : $15 for all 3 workshops, info here : http://mainstudiosbuffalo.com/
DATES:
I: June 26th, 6-8/9PM : Creative Writing I : Intro: Breaking Creative Writing Barriers also with guest speaker Jim Petretta on Storytelling
Jim will talk about a few things he learned about storytelling from his mentor, Prof. Max Westler, St. Mary's College, South Bend (Sister to Notre Dame), read a short excerpt from his book, hold a Q/A session, and offer the Kindle versions of his book for any interested persons --> http://www.
II. July 31, 6-8/9PM : Creative Writing II: Expanding on the Creative Process also with guest speaker Ken Feltges, writer in residence, Mount St, Mary's. [educator and performance artist --> http://www.mt-st-marys.org/
Ken will center his presentation on the poetry of everyday life, how the ordinary can become extraordinary when viewed through a poetic lens. To illustrate this, he will read selected poems from his book, "BEFORE THINGS CHANGE" and have a Q/A session after. Ken will also have his book and CD for sale, which I definitely suggest getting. If you have never had the pleasure [or even if you have] hearing Ken perform, this is the time.
III. August 21st, 6-8/9PM: Creative Writing III: Reading & Recording Your Work and Publishing Tips/Suggestions also with guest speaker Janna Willoughby-Lohr aka MC Vendetta, performance artist, musician, educator --> http://www.facebook.com/paperc
Janna will be speaking about the art of delivery, emphasizing on diction, clarity and inflection, mainly getting to the meat of the poem/work and slicing it open on stage. Janna has been writing poetry since she was 5, and performing since age 12. Janna is a Grand Slam finalist 2005-2008 Nickel City Poetry Slam and member of the 2006 Nickel City Slam team at the National Poetry Slam. She is also an editor and layout artist for Earth's Daughters literary magazine, the longest running women's publication in the country.
DETAILS:
There are countless free things for all attending to be listed. You will end [if you wish] with a spoken publishing credit, recorded, archived and promoted by me. If you attend the last workshop only, please be prepared to have a piece to [perform, read, sing?] then record. I will assign during June & July to prepare for August. Your final recording is 100% up to you. Virtual attendees will need to record this and send me the mp3 or wav file.
Sponsors:
1. Jim Petretta : http://www.
2. Perry Nicholas: www.perrynicholas.com
3. Jennifer Campbell : http://www.pw.org/content/jenn
4. Randy Rumley: https://www.facebook.com/randy
5. Loren Keller: http://eres.medaille.edu/libra
6. Ken Feltges: http://www.mt-st-marys.org/
7. Just Buffalo Literary Center/Barbara Cole: http://www.justbuffalo.org/
8. Poets & Writers.Org: http://www.pw.org/
9. Theresa Wyatt: http://www.sevencirclepress.
10. Big Marker : https://www.bigmarker.com/abou
11. Susan Marie [my ebook/book of poetry/prose "knots'] http://susanmariepr.blogspot.
12. Janna Willoughby-Lohr aka MC Vendetta.http://www.facebook.
13. Think Twice Radio: Recording/Editing/Archiving of Spoken Word : http://www.thinktwiceradio.
14. Hany Ghoraba/Delizon Publishers : http://www.delizonpublishers.
15. Publish America: http://www.publishamerica.com/
16. MAIN(ST)UDIOS :[Erica Eichelkraut-Zilbauer] http://mainstudiosbuffalo.com/
17. Delizon Publishers: http://www.delizonpublishers.com/
18. Ken Fried : http://www.sambodhawellness.com/
MORE TO COME!
Friday, May 31, 2013
MAIN(ST)UDIOS Summer Relaunch Party June 6th with Workshops
Creative Writing I, II & III with Susan Marie and guest speakers can be found --> HERE
MAIN(ST)UDIOS is a downtown gallery & art center focused on offering affordable studio and gallery space to Buffalo artists as well as creative programs and educational events to the general public.
MSS is located in the 500 block of Main Street and is working hard to infuse creative life back to the area. The gallery is responsible for painting the 500 block colorful benches and the building boasts downtown's two newest murals.
MSS hosts numerous events such as gallery openings, workshops, yoga classes, drum circles, poetry readings, fashion shows on both nights & weekends to keep people in the city and is now taking yet another step to improve the block by adding a small art market & bringing a bit of retail back to Main Street.
MAIN(ST)UDIOS will be hosting a summer relaunch party on June 6th to announce & celebrate the summer line-up for the gallery & classes. Join MSS for an evening mixer for Buffalo's creative community.
They will be showcasing our recent changes, announcing their summer schedule, workshop line-up & upcoming gallery events as well as opening the new second floor arts market!
Don't miss this FREE event, open to the public, with live music, cold drinks, appetizers & a BIG bonus...The first 50 guests will receive a free swag bag! Come celebrate the new changes & be a part of our efforts to revitalize the 500 Block of Main Street while mingling with Buffalo's creative minds over summer cocktails.
Summer Programing Includes :
WORKSHOPS
06/26 : Creative Writing Part I : Susan Marie
07/10 : Suminagashi, Japanese Paper Marbling : Danielle Myers
07/17 : Breakdancing; Intro to Culture & Movement : Stacy VanBlarcom
07/24 : 3-D Collage with Natural Materials : Marissa Lehner
07/31 : Creative Writing II : Susan Marie
08/07 : Basic Bookbinding : Danielle Myers
08/14 : Homemade Art Supplies : Shannon Rose
08/21 : Creative Writing III : Susan Marie
08/28 : Photography, Studio Lighting : Erica Eichelkraut
09/04 : Recycled Art & Creative Repurposing : Sara Lusky Dinatale
FIGURE DRAWING SESSIONS
Every Other Thursday : 07/11, 07/25, 08/01, 08/15, 08/29
Instructed figure drawing classes with various themes each session. All skill-level students are welcome; desserts and refreshments included in the class fee. Presented by Living Masterpieces.
Read more & sign up online --> HERE
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