Chris Clow brings his spoken work to the Black-Eyed Susan for a holiday flare

Submitted

“A poem takes on fresh life when it’s delivered in the voice of its maker.”  

                                                            poet David Groff

For those who’ve never attended a poetry event, it might seem quiet, dry, polite, and rather unexciting.  Well, the “SPOKEN WORD” poetry events at Black-Eyed Susan Acoustic Café are nothing like that.

Many of the poets and poetry lovers who attend these bi-monthly gatherings have become friends, and they support one another and laugh together as friends would. Guests have sung, played instruments of their own making, and performed poems for one another on topics ranging from the weather to family to ghosts…  

For the December 21st event, which coincides with the winter solstice, the theme is “Solstice, or Christmas”.  Host Christopher Clow of Angelica, NY sets the stage at 7:00 p.m. with a poem or two of his own on the topic. Others listen attentively, and then may discuss their reactions to a particular poem, or a phrase, or how that reading affected them. It is highly interactive and unpredictable – one never knows who is going to surprise the room with a lively, spirited reading or recitation that is more like performance art than simple poetry.   

Poets and poetry-lovers of all ages and levels of experience are invited to read or recite their own work, or the work of an admired poet. As readers arrive and sign in, Mr. Clow will read a few poems to get things started. Each poet may initially read up to five pieces (approximately 5-10 minutes total per poet), or more if time permits.

Chris Clow is a graduate of Stony Brook University with a BA in English and a minor in Studio Art. His poems have appeared in North Atlantic Review, Moons Road, and World of Poetry.  He has been the featured poet at the Screening Room in Buffalo and the Poets’ Theater in Hornell.  He has organized poetry competitions (slams) across the Southern Tier region and last year, the Allegany Arts Association awarded him top honors during their annual slam.  Chris has been a freelance journalist for the Cuba Patriot & Free Press and a guest instructor of Medieval and Elizabethan drama at Humble Pie Performing Arts School in Bradford, PA.  He resides in Angelica and works as an Adult Services caseworker for the Allegany Department of Social Services. 

Black-Eyed Susan Acoustic Café at 22 W. Main St in Angelica serves lunch Monday through Saturday and dinner with live music every Saturday evening. Located at 22 West Main Street in Angelica’s Park Circle National Historic District, the café seats 90 and is fully handicap-accessible, making it a perfect place for business meetings, showers, private dinners and other events. Menus and music schedules are posted on-line. For more information call 585-466-3399 or visit www.black-eyed-susan.com.