August 5th: Jamaica Way Books & Gifts With Samantha Milowsky and Lynne Sticklor

For a brief, shining moment, I was a host for a second venue at this local book store (which, by the time you read this, may have already closed its doors). I was looking forward to a venue I could host in walking distance from my apartment. Sadly, this one is know more. I take pride in knowing I was part of the last hurrahs not just as a host but as a feature a few months before. I'm also glad I was able to not only give Lynne Sticklor another co-feature but give new friend Samantha Milowsky her first.

Here's some shots.

Hotshot poet April Penn at work. One of the few

poets that will finish this year's 365 challenge

Jack Scully, with the next book from the late Mike Amado

The audience.

The Open Mike

The Features

Esther at Jamaicaway Books & Gifts

was pivotal in letting me do this gig.

Michael Monroe consulting his 365/365 poems

Mignon Ariel King as her usual hammy self for the camera

Janet Cormier gave me my first Jamaicaway

reading when she was host

Samantha's broadsides

Samantha goes first

Local artist David Marshall

Lynne Sticklor is up and rarin' to go

Bassist Ethan Mackler

I'll miss the bookstore's cafe too.

Poet and fictionist Timothy Gager

Poet/activist Laura Kiesel

Afterwards, we were hungry for ice cream--some more than others

Not that I am looking for more work, but I would like to do a gig in Jamaica Plain again. There's been some talk about doing a reading in another location down the street from me. You'll know when I do.