Red Lobster

Now I knew of David McLauchlan’s tireless work behind the camera, and his marvellous record of the Melbourne poetry scene that airs on Channel 31 on Thursday nights. For one thing, it’s hard to miss a chap with a proper TV camera asking you to sign release forms after you’ve read.

However, it took a conversation with a colleague at work who saw me on the show (I can’t get Ch. 31 where I live), followed with more talking to fellow poets to discover that not only does the show have a website, but the website has video! He recently put up the Candy Stripes gig that I was part of and you can see it there, along with a bunch of others, some of which include me and a plethora of other magnificent poets.

Red Lobster. Channel 31, Thursdays at 11:30pm or see the website!!

Reading:Cultural Amnesia” – Clive James
Listening:Strategy” – Something For Kate

Candy Stripes @ The Candy Bar

Tim Hamilton reading at Candy Stripes
Tim Hamilton reading at Candy Stripes

Well, I had an excellent evening being part of a great performance at the Candy Bar on last Thursday night. Anthony O’Sullivan (of Spinning Room fame) was an excellent host as per usual, presiding over an enthusiastic turnout.

I was grateful to find that I was opening as it meant I would be less stressed and could enjoy the show in its entirety. This was handy as, apart from Josephine, I had seen little to no of my co-stars previously, knowing them only by reputation, and was able to enjoy their work with fresh ears.

The set list for me was: If Poetry, Mokita, Ballard Days, Eulogy for the Cassette, Eulogy for the Polaroid, Tomorrow’s Ghosts, Concerto in B-Flat for Piano and Phlegm and I finished with XXI – The World

If the night made anything clear to me, it was that I really need to learn how to perform without my notes! Apart from seeing some marvellous performances being done by people who were free of having to look at paper every couple of seconds, it felt a lot better being able to concentrate purely on what I was saying without having to read at the same time.

Photos of the night were taken by Michael Reynolds, who has kindly shared them to the world on this link.

Overload this year produced something of a record for me. Five gigs in one week I think is something of a record in the decade-and-a-bit that I’ve been attending and reading in open stage gigs. By the time Sunday’s closing event rolled around, I was too tired to attend. Hats off the Overload organising committee for bringing in festival number seven!

Carmen Main, Ian McBryde and Jennifer Harrison @ Spinning Room

A well attended night in Prahran saw the Spinning Room play host to three of Melbourne’s finest poets performing.

Recent returnee from abroad, Carmen Main opened the feature half of the evening, effortlessly demonstrating how she won this spot in a competition held a few months prior.

Jennifer Harrison and Ian McBryde read in tandem for what was to be a joint feature, taking turns with a fluidity that gave the feel of a single poem read in alternating parts. Columbine’s voice mixing with the whispers of an innamorato (perhaps Harlequin?). Masks, make-up and antique books added some lovely theatrical elements to their already wonderful performance.

Reading:Cultural Amnesia” – Clive James
Listening:Transmission” – Joy Division

Tim Hamilton @ Candy Stripes

Candy Stripes, part of the 7th Overload Festival
Candy Stripes, part of the 7th Overload Poetry Festival

I will be performing at Candy Stripes, a one-off gig as part of the Melbourne poetry festival, Overload. Along with me will be Josephine Rowe, Benezra, Jess Friedmann and Felix Nobis!

What: Candy Stripes
Who: Tim Hamilton, Jess Friedmann, Josephine Rowe, Felix Nobis & Benezra with your most marvellous MC, Mr. Anthony O’Sullivan.
Where: Candy Bar, 162 Greville St., Prahran
When: 8-10pm, Thursday 7th August, 2008.
How: much? $10 ($7 concession) entry.
Why: I’m featuring! My fellow features are made entirely of awesome! We’re reading in a really good place! It’s part of the Melbourne Showcase series for the Overload Melbourne Poetry Festival!!

Poetry at the Dan O’Connell

Had a marvellous gig on Saturday afternoon, thanks to everyone who showed. Had a rather good turn up, forced myself to read things that I usually don’t, aired a couple of relatively new poems. In short, I pretty much did everything I hope to for a feature gig. New stuff, fresh old stuff, entertain the crowd.

Tim Hamilton @ The Dan O’Connell

Hello all,

Hmm, it has been a while since I posted last hasn’t it?

Never fear, I’m announcing a new feature gig!

Where : The Dan O’Connell, Cnr. Princes and Canning Sts. Carlton
When : 2pm, Saturday 28th June, 2008

I’m going to be making more noises about this later in the month, hope to see you there!

In the mean time, check out the Dan this week, Kevin Brophy will be the feature!

Rosanne Bersten @ The Spinning Room

Another marvellous feature by Rosanne Bersten at the Spinning Room poetry gig last night. Her poems gave a preview of her upcoming California vignettes series and went through a series of works on people in her life. It also reminded me of how well she can switch between free and structured verse.

The night was also notable for the really rather impressive collection of new poets appearing in the open mic section. At least two new poets who I hope to see more of, one getting a callback.

For my part, I think I did OK, I’m more comfortable reading the revised version of Tomorrow’s Ghosts now, Ballard Days still feels a little unbalanced, though I’m not sure why. Either way, I think it needs a little more tweaking.

Reminder for Courthouse Reading

Hosted by Helen Lucas, Alex Skovron and I will be featuring in the magnificent stone acoustics of the Eltham Courthouse.

When: Thursday, 21st February, 7:30 for an 8pm start.
Where: Eltham Courthouse, 728 Main Rd, Eltham (near the corner of Brougham St., about center in the map)
What: $5 entry, open mic, free tea, wine, coffee, biscuits and door prize.

Hope to see as many of you there as possible!

Reading: City Lights Pocket Poets Anthology (ed. Lawrence Ferlinghetti)
Listening: Ani Difranco – Wish I May