Hollow Earth Reading

I just got back last night from an extended visit to Utah.  The purpose for going back to Utah was two fold. The first was a reunion of sorts for my wife's circle of friends, and the second was my reading at the Hollow Earth Conspiracy launch on Saturday.  I am here no to give a report on the latter, though both events were a lot of fun.

The evening was filled with visual art, performance art, and music.  A lot of people came to see what was going on in the two rooms which were set up for the event.  Alternating between rooms, different performances by musicians, dancers, actors, and performance artists were taking place all of the time.  One room featured the art of Ike Bushman and a sculpture of ice blocks acting as counterweights to each other.  The other room featured photography by Jason Jensen.

I went on at 9 pm, and I was very pleased with the response I was given to my poems.  I started off by reading a short poem by Dave Lee which celebrates the idea of friendship and collaboration.  I then read poems of mine which were inspired by other poets or other genres of art.  I read for about 25 minutes and had a really good time.  The audience laughed where I hoped they would laugh, and I think for the most part they stayed with me and all of my poems.

I really did experience a buzz.  It was the first reading I have done in five years, and I have to say I did better than I thought I was going to do considering the length of time it has been since my last reading.

What's better is that I actually got to see an old friend from high school.  He showed up as a guest of one of the coordinators and I saw him and got really excited.  We talked for a while and then mingled, talked some more before and after my reading, and then he wrote a very flattering note on my Facebook profile.

After my reading came some really great music by a band called, Death by Deathray.  I really got a kick out of their music and I am looking forward to getting some for my permanent collection.

I have to tell you the entire evening was a great success, and I was able to met some pretty great people.  I hope I can have another chance to read for them because I would love it.