Upcoming Appearances
Sept. 20-21, 2008
2008 Clinton Township Festival of the Senses, Clinton-Macomb Public Library (corner of Romeo-Plank and Canal in Clinton Township),all day
I'm back for a second year. This year, I will have copies of my new book of poems, Stone+Fist+Brick+Bone, so come on out and support the J.
Hey You! Yeah, you! You need a poet, novelist, wrestler, ex-bartender for a reading? Contact me at johnjeffire.com@domainsbyproxy.com and let's see if we can set something up. Go ahead, contact any of the venues where I have read for references--some might even say some good things about me. And yes, like your local electrician or plumber, I can't work for free, so please be kind and don't ask me to.
|
Hard at work in upper west side of Manhattan, '07. Photo by Lea Jeffire; treatment by Erich Focht. |
In the Books
2008
Aug. 2nd, 2008
Arise Literary Series at the Detroit Public Library, 2:30 p.m.
This all came about very quickly and I didn't even get to post a notice before I actually read. A nice day in Detroit and good to see my publisher Heather Buchannan again. Supposedly I will be doing a gig at the Jazz and Java Series, so I'll keep you posted.
June 11th, 2008
"Detroit Today" with host Craig Fahle on WDET/National Public Radio, 101.9 FM, Detroit. 10 a.m. - 12 noon (I have about a 15 interview sometime in the two hour slot).
True story: I was spelunking at the sacred Grande Ballroom with my daughter, and this guy comes up to us in the alley and says, "I was here the night Janis Joplin tore down the house." We immediately engaged in a fantastic conversation, and then introduced ourselves. I mentioned that I had written a book, Motown Burning, that makes numerous references to the Grande, and he said, "You were just on NPR, weren't you? I heard your interview." Well, I have no idea what date the segment actually aired, but apparently it did, and many thanks to that kindly man in the alley for being so cordial.
June 8th, 2008
2008 Detroit Lit Fest, Sunday, June 8, Noon on the Bank of America Literary & Music Lounge Stage (located on Cass at Putnam between State & Science Halls and across from the Detroit Public library).
As always, a fun afternoon with a bit of Motor City ale thrown in for good measure.
May 1st, 2008
First Thursday at the Jazz Cafe, Detroit Music Hall, 350 Madison, Detroit. 7 p.m. With Steven and the Reelers, Fluent, and Aran.
The highlight for me was being able to unveil my new book, Stone+Fist+Brick+Bone. to so many old friends (Mary Cox, Show Biz Liz, Kathleen Lawson, Sweet Jane Kowalski, and former students--James, Matt, Leah, Kathy, Joe, Jeremy, et al., and my daughter Lea). Throw in several Sam Adams, and it's a good night. As always, greatest thanks to the amazing M.L. Liebler.
April 26th, 2008
Macomb Intermediate School District, National Writing Project Side-by-Side Conference, Clinton Township, MI
I was able to present a unit I have developed on maintaining personal voice in research based writing, with an emphasis on readings related to the status of women in the world. A great honor to be amongst so many committed teachers of writing, and I never cease to learn about the craft and how to teach it when I am in such settings.
February 20th, 2008
Oakland University Poetry Jam, OU Honors College, Rochester, MI. With musical guests Steven and the Reelers. 3:30-5:00 p.m.
It was fun to headline a gig and read from a broader section of the arsenal. Also, Steven Kowalski was sensational, once again proving to me that the connection between word and music is eternal.
February 9th, 2008
Berkley Beanery. 28557 Woodward Avenue, Berkley, MI 48072. Call 248-336-9930. 2-4 p.m.
A good audience on a very slushy, bitter Michigan afternoon. Great to see the Godfather of Detroit poetry, M.L.Liebler, on hand to support local poets, and thanks to my student Biggie Smalls, Lyndsey, and the Old Shamrock for showing up.
2007
October 19
Resurrected Voices Exposition. Wayne County Community College's Ray Mix Auditorium. 7:30 p.m.
This was an incredible event featuring some immensely talented poets and musicians. I feel very fortunate to have had the chance to read and meet so many gifted artists. The cause was also extremely important: to commemorate the lives of the 7,000 plus men and women buried on the grounds of Eloise Hospital, the old mental institution. Without poets, these people and their stories would be forgotten and their graves paved over to make way for a shopping mall. My greatest thanks to those who so graciously invited me.
October 28
VOICES 2nd Annual Writers Harvest. Greater Flint Arts Council (downtown Flint). Flint, MI. 1-7 p.m.
The highlight was meeting novelist Jan Worth, who has written Night Blind. She is a very gifted writer. Her reading was full of wit and voice--she's good!
November 25
"Wordz In Motion." Host Sheri Brooks. WHPR TV Channel 33 (Comcast Channels 20 & 71). 8:30 p.m.
My special thanks to host Sheri Brooks for this great opportunity. Will Detroit support its artists? Let's see.
April 30th
Side-by-Side Teachers Conference, Keynote Speaker. Oakland University.
It was great to be back amongst fellow teacher-writers discussing the craft. My thanks to Mary Cox, Kathleen Reddy-Butkovich, and Ron Sudol for having me back and allowing me to share my ideas on composition.
June 10th
Lit Fest on the Lawn 2007, Sunday, June 10 at Noon. Detroit Festival of the Arts.
There's nothing like Downtown Detroit on a beautiful summer day...Paris ain't got nothing on the Motor City and Woodward Avenue! It was good to run into old friend Jabiya Dragonsun, who was sensational as always. The only downside was that I had to jet out early because of my son's high school graduation--hey, priorties!
June 22nd
Poet Follies. Grosse Pointe Artists Association (1005 Maryland, Grosse Pointe Park, MI 48230). 6:30 p.m.
Many thanks to Mariela Griffor for the invite and for all the support from friends. An axiom of the writer emerges: write your ass off, read your heart out, it will happen.
July 26th
Eyes on Fire, Commemorative Oral History of the '67 Detroit Riot. Wayne State University Adamany Library. 6-8 p.m. With Heather Buchanan-Gueringer of the Aquarius Press.
My thanks to Heather Buchanan-Gueringer for having me and the warm welcome of all those present. What could be more important to a Detroiter than remembering this catastrophic and transforming event? Those who forget the past.... (For photos of the event, visit http://pictures.aol.com/galleries/bartlessin).
August 13th
Poetry at the Opera House Series. Held at Detroit's historic Scarab Club. 217 Farnsworth at John R Avenue. With Carol Was, Karen Williams, and Mindy LePere. 7-9 p.m.
Is there anyone working harder for Detroit poetry than M.L. Liebler? My thanks to M.L. and Conflitti, Susan, Show Biz Liz, James, Jeremy, Danielle, my daughter Lea, and of course my wife Tracey for attending a reading on our 24th wedding anniversary (yeah, not a great move on my part--it's a guy thing) and everyone else for coming out to the historic Scarab Club. Reading outdoors was fun and the weather was fantastic.
August 24th
Plymouth Book Cellar & Cafe. 840 W. Ann Arbor Trail, Plymouth, MI. 734-455-2704. Blushing Sky Writer's Playground Series. With Canadian author Daniel Kolos. 7-9 p.m.
The gods did not smile on this endeavor. After battling a torrential downpour and blockaded roads, the reading was delayed before a very small crowd was able to make it. Oh well. It was great to meet Canadian poet Daniel Kolos and to swap books with him.
September 22-23
THANK YOU CLINTON TOWNSHIP! It was a great weekend--beautiful weather, many friends stopping by, and plenty of book sales! As the esteemed Terminator once said, "I'll be bock!"