Columbia College Poet's Collective

Poetry Gladiators Video

2009-10-06T08:06:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Hideaki for getting this ready. More will be on the way.
Check out Chris Williams reading here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CI1fpG3izEA

Begining the New Semester (with great news!)

2009-09-30T09:34:00.000-07:00

As we dust off our collective cobwebs and warm up for the rest of the semester, I figured it would be a good idea to post a general meeting time/ place.

It seems as though Fridays at 4pm on the 5^th floor of the Congress Building is a good time and location for most. If this causes problems for anyone, let me know and maybe we can find another spot.

Also, it’s time to think about the Gladiator Reading Series. I’ll do a bit of leg work to see if filling out some paper work can get us a spot on campus. If not, we may be able to continue having the readings at Villains, but I need to talk with the manager.

Finally, I want to throw a big shout out to Mykhiel for winning The National Poetry Review’s Laureate Prize for her poem “Southhampton turned Suffer into Suffolk.” You’re amazing and we love you.

2009-08-07T10:48:00.000-07:00

Hey Team!

Hope y'all are having a wonderful summer! I've started a new project at http://curiocity-io.blogspot.com/ if anyone's interested in following. After so many years of blogging on Livejournal, I'm finding this interface & FAQ a bit non-intuitive, but I'm starting to get the hang of it. :-)

xoxoxo,
-Iz

Next Reading and Upcoming Videos

2009-05-16T10:28:00.000-07:00

Hideaki is almost through with the videos from the last reading (joy!), and they will be posted soon.

In other news, we have a reading coming up:
So be sure to come!

Also, we should start thinking about Collective meeting times over the summer as well as Collective meeting places. Let me know what day(s)/ time(s) will be best.
Happy End of the Semester,
Kristin

Recap

2009-04-20T21:49:00.000-07:00

Hey Team,
Here's a recap of what we decided in today's meeting:

Complete ASAP--
1. Send Chris a poem for Poem in Your Pocket Day
2. Females-- get your submission to Burdock
[EDIT]
3. Think of a name for the Villain's reading series. Are we calling it "Gladiators"?

For next Monday (27th) Remember to bring for poem in your pocket day--
1. A White T-shirt
2. Any puffy paint you have around
3. Any mustaches you have lying around

***Next Reading is scheduled for May 20th and will feature Me (damn pinkie swearing...), Kyle Miner, and Becca Klaver. Chris and Stevie will MC. Chris will make posters on time, and I'm sure we can do some fun posters on the side. People like variety.

Laters,
Kristin

Next Reading

2009-04-07T21:04:00.000-07:00

"Gone With the Wind" Movie and Poetry Marathon

2009-04-06T10:08:00.001-07:00

Now that we have finally met up for the movie watching fest, let's take those notes and turn them into poems. I hope we can all get at least three out of the movie. And if someone doesn't write a poem titled: "Ponies: Not a Good Toy", than I don't think we can call ourselves poets.

I hope we can get the poems written, edited, and put in a chapbook in time for April 30th (poem in your pocket day). Best gift ever for our friends and mentors.
Out,
Kristin

Next Gladiators Reading

2009-03-31T16:58:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to let you know Jenny is in for the 3rd reader for the next reading at Villains. So the list is gonna be:
Hafizah Geter
Chris Williams
Jenny Boully

As a reminder, the reading will be April 8th, 10pm.
Would anyone like to volunteer to make the poster/ help Chris make a poster?
Spread the word, spread the word.

With Cheer,
Kristin

Reminder

2009-03-15T07:59:00.001-07:00

Hey all,
Just a reminder we are meeting tomorrow at 5:30 in the conference room (or whenever the MFA Town Hall Meeting is over with). Bring Poems. Bring ideas for Poem in your Pocket Day (April 30th).
Sunday morning coffee,
Kristin

Poster.

2009-03-10T23:31:00.000-07:00

I know I already announced it, but here's the poster.

Thanks Chris.

News News and Good News

2009-03-05T21:09:00.000-08:00

First off, we have an official location and time for the next month: The conference room in the English dept. at 5:30 on Mondays.
*This will continue throughout the month of March at least, so there won't be anymore confusion.

Second news, the reading at Villains is happening. Yippee!! In case you didn't see the list serv message (or ignored it you-- canker blossoms), here's the info:

Columbia College Poet's Collective is organizing a reading at Villains!!!

When: next Wednesday the 11th from 10-11pm
Where: 649 S. Clark St. (a few blocks from the Congress building)
Who: Columbia College Poet's Collective

I realize this is short notice, but if you or a friend are interested in reading, please e-mail me at kristin.ravel@gmail.com.

This is the beginning of what I hope will be a monthly series, so help us out by spreading the word to all your friends whether they are associated with Columbia College or not.

For more information about Columbia College Poet's Collective ask to be a part of our blog:
http://columbiacollegepoetscollective.blogspot.com/

Villains Reading

2009-02-26T06:32:00.000-08:00

Hey all, a bit of good news.
Chris, Kyle, and I were galavanting at Villains after workshop and the manager got to talking with us (you know, he sees us there just about every wed....). Anyway, he found out we were poets and offered his bar as space to have a reading during a weekday.
I'm super excited, I think we should have a reading of the poems that have been workshopped so far in Poet's Collective. I figured a Wednesday or Thursday night after our workshops would be best (9:30pm). Let me know what you think cause I'm gonna call him tomorrow and get something arranged either March 11th or 12th.
Also, the "Gone with the Wind" poetry craziness is going to be rescheduled for March 14th. I'll post later when and where.
C-ya Cool Cats,
Kristin

PS: Next meeting is Monday March 2nd 5th floor Congress Building (5:30pm)

Now that We aren't All Dying of Influenza

2009-02-20T20:48:00.000-08:00

Our next meeting will be Monday at 5:30ish in the E. Congress Building 5th floor. Bring poems, t-shirt ideas, etc. Also, I wanted to remind everyone to keep Saturday Night, March 7th open for the Gone With the Wind poetry marathon. We can talk more about this later.
Hugs,
Kristin

MEATing

2009-02-15T17:38:00.000-08:00

What a good crew we are (and poor Izzy and Kyle with the sickness :( ). I hope you both get better soon!
For those of us in decent health, and whatever free alcohol was given away during AWP does NOT count as a reason for poor health, I will see you tomorrow around 5pm on the 5th floor of the 33 E Congress building.
Bring a poem.

Love and more love,
Kristin

AWP and Poetried Out?

2009-02-15T11:55:00.000-08:00

Hey team,
I was thinking about Monday's meeting and also how everyone was "poetried out" by Saturday after AWP. How many would still be up for a meeting and how many would like a break? Let me know so we can think about it (I personally wouldn't mind a break or at least waiting until Friday for the meeting).
So long for now,
Kristin

Monday Night Meetings?

2009-02-08T17:48:00.001-08:00

I believe Monday night was the night that seemed to work best for everyone, so we are going to continue having meetings then unless we run into any problems.
Anyway, here's the full info on our next meeting--

Where: Dolly's Apartment- 5860 N Kenmore Apt 801 (red line Thorndale stop)
When: Monday Feb. 8th at 7:30pm

If you have any problems getting there, call Dolly at 414-559-5676 or me at 586-747-2598.
Bring a poem you want to share or have workshopped!

Go Tony Go

2009-02-06T17:43:00.000-08:00

Esteemed Colleagues,

Tony is reading on Friday at St. Mark's Cultural Center (off the Damen Blue Line stop) at 7 pee em. You should come to that.

Conan the Barbarian is crushing enemies, driving them before his sword, and hearing the lamentations of their kin at our apartment (1636 N. Talman 2R) following the reading. You should come to that, too.

Did I mention that there will be not one, but two (2) (II) movies featuring the riddle of steel in all its perplexing glory? Enticing.

Please see the attached flyer for more pulsating details.

Questions, concerns, prayers to Crom can be directed to this email address or twofoureight sevenohone sevenfivesixfive.

Please forward this to interested parties I may have neglected. All are welcome to share in the wisdom of the Cimmerian.

Crom!
Chris

Next Meeting and Elbowing Off the Stage

2009-02-01T20:50:00.000-08:00

Everyone who can make it come to my place 1636 N. Talman Ave. (a walk from the Western Blue line) for a poet's collective meeting tomorrow at 6pm. Bring in whatever you're working on, and we can talk about the semester's plans.

Afterward, we can head over to the Elbowing off the Stage Reading, which is within walking distance from my apartment (7:30).

Hope everyone's semester is off to a good start!

New Semester and Finally...

2009-01-28T14:23:00.000-08:00

So it's happening. Finally. On Friday the 30th we, as Columbia College Poet's Collective (plus whatever tag-along friends?) will celebrate the birth of Kyle.
There will be video games, wine, and poetry.
Come one, come all!
When: 9pm (come earlier if you want)
Where: 7238 Franklin St, Forest Park, IL 60130

Another Update

2009-01-24T12:41:00.000-08:00

We aren't celebrating Kyle's party till next week, so for everyone who told me you couldn't make it, no worries. So Friday night, the 30th.

Anyone who would like to meet after Pegeen's and have a Poet's Collective meeting, we can still do that at Kyle's (his place isn't too far from her house on the blue line).

Sorry this took so long to get out. I'll see a few of you at Pegeen's.

-Stin

Kyle's Birthday Party!!!

2009-01-16T20:09:00.000-08:00

Okay, so after the meeting with the Poet's Collective, we have decided that Saturday the 24th, after Pegeen's Party, we will celebrate Kyle's Birthday.
It will be video game/ Nintendo themed party, so bring a costume. And come ready to play games!
If you wear the costumes to Pegeen's party too, you will get extra brownie points from Izzy and Me and Kyle who will be wearing our costumes to her syllabus and wine thing.
Mark this on your calendar because it will be super, super, super fun and a great way to start the semester!

Next Meeting

2009-01-10T19:52:00.000-08:00

So Mykhiel was kind enough to host a dinner/ meeting at her house last Wednesday night (loads of fun, thanks again!), and I was thinking about having a brunch at my place on Wed. early afternoon (11am ish?) My place is about a 10 minute walk from Western Blue line. Would that work for everyone? If not, please let me know. I know that afternoons are easier for both Mykhiel and Hideaki.

Also, at the meeting I was hoping we could write and revise a few collaborative poems to submit to Qarrtsiluni. (http://qarrtsiluni.com/2008/12/01/call-for-submissions-mutating-the-signature./ )
They are due the 15th and the editors would like notes as evidence of collaborative revision.

Last in news, Kyle's b-day is coming up in a couple weeks, and guess what? It's gonna be a Nintendo costume party. So get costume's ready. Also, e-mail me back about what date would work best for everyone: Friday the 23rd (the Friday before Pegeen's party) or Friday the 30th (Friday after the first week of class).

Barrel of Monkeys

2009-01-05T10:03:00.000-08:00

So there is this comedy act called "That's Weird, Grandma" written by kids and performed by adults. I'm going to it tonight, and it should be a lot of fun. Tickets are $10 and its at 8pm at the neo-futurists theater. Here's the web-site: http://www.barrelofmonkeys.org/performances/.
Come if you want. And call Kyle for any questions cause my phone is gone.

Meetings Begin!

2009-01-03T11:04:00.000-08:00

Hey Guys and Gals,

For those of you who are in Chicago. Poet's Collective meetings are about to begin. I was thinking Wed. the 7th at 6:30pm would be a good time (like our normal workshop), and we can meet at Villians. If that is a problem for anyone who wants in on the meeting let me know because I'm sure we can change the time.

Bring:
booze dollars
a poem to workshop on the spot
a poem to pass around for take-home comments (to return the next week)
any good news about publishing/ chapbooks/ awp nonsense

C-ya Tigers,

Stin

Prompt-o-ramma

2008-12-27T12:57:00.000-08:00

Good People,

Playing around with Stumbleupon today and hit this website. It has nine billion things to try as far as writing prompts go.

http://www.languageisavirus.com/

Here's the text I got from using the cut up machine.

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Happy Holidays and hopes to hear from peoples soon!!

Todd

Group Poem and Beginning Feedback

2008-12-16T19:32:00.001-08:00

So here is the group poem we all wrote wed. after the last workshop-- in case you were interested in viewing it under more ummm... aware circumstances. Also, like Stevie has already done (Go Stevie!), I strongly encourage you all to post a poem on the blog once in awhile, so we can get some feedback started. You can e-mail feedback rather than directly posting it if that makes you feel more comfortable.
Hope everyone is enjoying their break!

A Last Workshop

Pile of man or boss sincerity
cut man, lamp man, wiley man,
80's movies taste like cherry coke
move about cut the flake
of marshmallows.
If I leave now, will the robots get me?
If I feed the dragon of nightmare street corners
will the liver of Prometheus
hunt me into the next railed romance.
Back to pressure on the cheekbones and the brow
I'm not talking about a headache.
Green is envy, your horn is also green.
I bring nothing to the table.
Control philanthropy, lisp,
the truck of carp in ginger ale
from the bathroom, this rhetoric reappears with
a vengeance
into spilled ink, an octopus turning
into octonut. Don't ask
octopussy willow lowrider redneck
elbow sucker vehemence, a bowel
the volunteers crumbled under
the sales load
this machine love
brain wrinkles
dig this, sucka
inside is folding over
cuckolded series of kiwi stamina
in son
Nixon's last grasp-- a
sexed up leaf blower
overriding all the
napping motha fuckas!

My poem to be workshopped.

2008-12-16T10:48:00.001-08:00

Hey guys.

I hope the holiday is treating you well. I even hope you're trying new things--soft shoe, acid, buggary--whatever moves you. Now, I know this may be early, but I just wrote a new poem and I would like to hear some feedback. Please be gentle and accurate or tear me to shit--it's up to you. Oh and happy holidays.

Passiflora Incarnata

I crack me up. You doused
in every flavor I know. Skin,
skin and fingers and a sweater
belt. Exhibit white, purple,
a hen’s egg. Your finger curls
up like a star and I believe
it. Because that’s what stars do.
Beckon and create and
lick the air for liars. Maybe
I think better of this shape.
Or just maybe. You moan
soft sometimes and I
know what it means—pop,
Maypop. This surprise
is forthcoming, told—sugary
substance has inlay. My
thumb is alternate, a steady
holding. You loused
with other common names.
I have glands on my blade.
Jealous for the arrangement.

-Stevie

Tonight's Party Canceled

2008-12-06T12:51:00.000-08:00

Hey Poets,

My deepest apologies in canceling tonight's party at my pad. It

seems I cannot shirk this fever and it would be flat out ridiculous

for me to assume I could fight through it in order to host. Thanks

in advance for at least having planned on attending, and further

apologies for taking away the David Bowie slot only to return it

to him in the later years, a different style at lash and lock.

Cheers, Flynn

Plans Have Changed and Happy B-Day Flynn

2008-12-04T11:47:00.000-08:00

Okay, so we were gonna go to the David Bowie Musical on Saturday, until I found out that it's Flynn's B-Day Party. So cancel Bowie, go to Flynn's (e-mail him or me to get directions).

I've got all the paperwork done, I just have to turn it in. This means next semester we'll have funding and connections with other artist we didn't have before.

Next Friday (12th) a group of us are going to Milwaukee for the Burdock reading at Woodland Pattern (http://www.woodlandpattern.org/). Both Dolly and I will be reading a short poem. Send me a message if you would like to tag along.
BTW: Woodland Pattern = Amazing Bookstore.

Last thing: I know a lot of people will be around Chicago during break and a lot of them wanted a weekly workshop. Please let me know what day/ time will work best for you so we can get this workshop going (and organize a reading for January).

Oh, and fill in anyone about the Poet's Collective who doesn't know already.

Mission #1 and Field Trip #1

2008-11-26T12:26:00.000-08:00

As part of the Poet's Collective. We're gonna have missions, and we're gonna have field trips. Oh, and don't ever feel obligated to do everything. We're all super busy all the time, and this is just a way to centralize the fun.

Mission: Write a poem involving Turkey. Write it as a response to this post by Monday, December 1st.

Field Trip: So Kyle and I went to the New Millennium Theatre for The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Musical, and it was amazing. They do all these crazy plays, and the next one is The David Bowie Hepzikat Velvet Flarney Solstice Spectacular…Live From Space!.

It's showing Saturday, December 6th at 10:30 p.m. at National Pastime Theater (4139 N. Broadway). Tickets are $15, but I'm looking into getting half-priced tickets. Oh, here's a link: http://www.nmtchicago.org/Bowie2.htm (at least check out the trailer).

Mark it on your calendar if you're interested, and I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Constitution and More News

2008-11-25T14:07:00.000-08:00

Hafizah and Dolly both volunteered to be SOC Reps, and the Constitution is finished. Here's what it says:

Constitution of Poet‘s Collective of Columbia College Chicago

Preamble

We, the members of Poet‘s Collective, establish this constitution to fully explicate our intentions.

Article I. Note

The title of our organization is Poet‘s Collective, and will be known as Poet‘s Collective for the duration of its existence.

Article II. Purpose

Poet’s Collective is a weekly meeting established in order to share, write, and create poetry.

Article III. Membership

Section A. Membership

There are only active members. Active members are fully authorized to participate in all activities Poet’s Collective may conceive.

Section B. Membership Qualifications

1. Membership in Poet’s Collective shall not be discriminatory on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, familial status, height, marital status, national orgin, political persuasion, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status or weight.

2. At the time of initiation, each prospective member must be within Student Organization guidelines.

Section C. Selection of Members

1. Executive board members may nominate new members.

2. After attending one meeting, members will be accepted via verbal confirmation.

Poet's Collective of Columbia College Chicago is strongly and actively committed to increasing diversity and providing equal opportunity within its community.

Section D. Voting Privileges

1. All members of Poet’s Collective have an equal vote. If the matter is divided the Executive Board will make the final decision.

Section E. Termination of Membership

1. Members may quit at anytime for any reason.

2. The Executive Board may terminate membership for conduct that violates respect toward fellow members or to the respectful conduction of meetings.

Article IV. Officers

Section A. Elected Officers

Poet’s Collective will have a president who will direct the meetings. The president will be present and preside at all meetings, oversee the management of the entire group as a whole, and will have the power to appoint, based upon applications, members executive committee.

Poet’s Collective will have a vice president. The vice president will preside over any

meetings when the president is not present and will succeed the president after he or she has graduated and/or moved on from Poet’s Collective.

An elected secretary will take notes at meetings, will be entrusted with the paperwork of each meeting, and will keep in his or her possession submissions and any other paperwork relevant to Poet’s Collective.

An elected treasurer will oversee donations, money, advertising, and any capital from the university.

Section B. General Members

All active Poet’s Collective members shall contribute in all Poet’s Collective activities

Section C. Qualifications for holding office

1. All elected officers must be currently enrolled in Columbia College Chicago's MFA Poetry Program

2. All active members that are on social or disciplinary probation are prohibited from holding any office- elected or appointed.

Section D. Selection of Officers

1. Elections usually take place in September and January.

2. Voting procedures: Election will be orchestrated by the President. Only Columbia College MFA Poetry students can run for office. The current members of Poet’s Collective will elect the members of the Executive Board.

3. Officers assume office the next meeting after they are appointed.

4. Officers will be in office until the conclusion of the current semester.

Section E. Filling Vacancies

1. When there is a vacancy in an Executive Board seat, Executive Board members will vote for an active member to fill the vacant seat.

Section F. Recall of Officers

1. Officers maybe removed due to failure to perform assignments, excessive absence or disorderly conduct.

2. Officers will be impeached when three-fourths of membership has elected to dismiss the officer.

Article V. Advisor

The President of Poet’s Collective will select the advisor.

Article VI. Operations

1. All members of Poet’s Collective are eligible to vote for members of the executive board.

2. Meeting times will be decided on a semester-by-semester basis.

3. Members will be notified in changes in meetings via telephone, email, and face to face

contact.

4. Quorum: Poet’s Collective must have four members to stay active.

Article VII. Budget and Finance

In the event Poet’s Collective seeks funds, a budget will be created to allocate said funds. The Treasurer shall be in charge of the budget and will present it at each meeting or when asked.
In the case of disbursement, all funds shall be given to the Poetry Center of Chicago

Article VIII. Amendments

In order to maintain flexibility, amendments to the constitution will be allowed. The officers will vote on the amendment, with a two-thirds (2/3) majority rule determining whether or not the constitution will be amended.

Article IX. Registration Renewal

Registration renewal will be in September immediately after the election period. The president will be responsible for supervising the registration process. Poet’s Collective will apply for registration, then, on an annual basis.

Getting Started

2008-11-25T09:51:00.000-08:00

Yippee! We have a blog now. So feel free to post poems, share stories, let us know about social events, whatever here.

Here is a list of the current roles:
President- Kristin Ravel
Vice President- Chris Williams
Treasurer- Kyle Miner
Secretary- Hideaki Noguchi
Advisor- Tony Trigilio

Big thanks to everyone who agreed to get in on the madness.

We still need to decide who is going to be SOC reps. There is room to put two reps down, so they can take turns going to the meetings or go together and keep each other company. The meetings are the 1st Wed. of every month at 5pm. We can use the same people who have positions in the organization as SOC reps, but I figured it may be best to spread out the positions so we can build everyone's fancy resumes.
*Let me know if you would like this position by this Saturday! I wanna finish up the forms in time to turn them in on Monday.

Last bit of info: I need 15 people to sign and give their oasis number who are interested in being involved in the group, so I'll bring the sheet to workshop.

Later Gators