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

The Courthouse Readings

Come join Alex Skovron and I at the Eltham Courthouse!

Hosted by Helen Lucas, Alex 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.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to do the happy dance, then write frantically for approximately 5 weeks.


Listening: Matthew Good Band – Weapon

Reading: London Review of Books, January 3rd, 2008

Moving Galleries Launch (+ photos)

Tim's poem is at the top. Michael de Valle's underneath.

On Tuesday I skived off work to make my merry way down to Flinders St. for the Moving Galleries launch. I bumped into a bunch of fellow poets, some who I’d not seen in a long time, some I only knew by name and reputation.

The project organisers and Lynn Kosky (State Minister for Transport and the Arts, a fortuitous combo of portfolios, no?) made with the speeches. I was pleased to hear this project will have funding to run bi-annually for the next three years.

Speeches over, we were shepherded down to Platform 14 to wander along the length of one of forty trains that will be bedecked in artwork and poetry. Naturally, every one went hunting for their part of the whole. Cameras were brandished as people posed beside their work (see right).

Detail of the promo poster.

You Melbournians who catch the train on a regular basis, keep an eye out for the Moving Galleries project. Lots of lovely stuff to read and look at. If you happen to see my work on your train, please comment here, I’d love to know who sees it and when! Everyone received a copy of their artwork (text or visual), mine is sitting coiled in its cardboard tube, waiting for a trip to the framers.

Reading: Ian McBryde – The Shade of Angels
Listening:
Joy Division – Love Will Tear Us Apart

Moving Galleries Launch

Looking forward to the launch of the Moving Galleries project for 2007/8. Appropriately enough, it will be taking place at Flinders St. Station.

Very tickled by the idea that I might see my work in a train while on my way to work. Hopefully I shall have photos to share as well!

Reading: Roger McGough – Collected Poems
Listening: Something For Kate – Pinstripe