WAYE: A Poetry Reading Series is back at Sure Things on Wednesday, July 30th with featured poet Arthur Russell.
OUR FEATURE
This month, we are thrilled to welcome the one and only Arthur Russell to our humble Jersey City stage. Arthur describes his poetry as horse-faced, self-righteous, and dour: one long, tuneless lament, befitting of his name––Arthur––which is, according to the poet, a horse-faced, self-righteous, dour, and mostly lamentable name; a name for uncles, not heroes.
Arthur is one of the editors of The Red Wheelbarrow Anthology Issue 18, which is coming out this October. He is the winner of the 2024 Rattle Poetry Prize, the 2021 Allen Ginsberg Poetry Prize, (second place), and the 2023 Fractured Lit Flash Fiction Prize. His poem “After Midnight” was longlisted for the Palette Poetry Love and Eros prize. He also won the 2023 Rattle Chapbook Prize for his chapbook AT THE CAR WASH, available for sale after the reading for just six bucks. (Only six bucks? He’s practically giving it away!) Arthur lives in Nutley, where he practices law.
FOR THE OPEN
Sign-up for our open mic sessions begins at 7:30 PM. Once you arrive at Sure Things (561 Palisade Avenue), please print your name on the list, which has an initial cap of 15 poets who will each poet will have 5 minutes to showcase their work. (Basically, one to three pieces of short to moderate length, including any prep, prologues, and plugs.) IF THE LIST IS FULL, we'll bump the cap to 20 so more poets can be heard; in that case, each poet will recite one poem to ensure we are be done by 10 PM. (It is a school night, after all.)
Again, be sure to arrive at 7:30 PM to secure a spot on the list, since it does fill up quickly; and please keep in mind that the list will be set out no earlier than 7:30.
Also, this is a poetry reading series and open mic, which means spoken word, slam, performance poetry, short prose pieces, and similar forms of poetic expression are welcome. As much as we love music, musical accompaniment, and comedy, this is not the venue for these forms of expression.
SOME QUICK SHOPKEEPING
First, the shop is small and seating is limited. If you want/need a seat, please arrive early to claim one; otherwise, it's standing room only.
Second, there's a $5 CASH ONLY cover, 100% of which goes directly to our feature. Again, this is CASH ONLY; no Venmo, Cash App, Zelle or other forms of electronic payment will be accepted at the door, so please bring some paper money with you.
Lastly, you are encouraged to mask at your own comfort level and, if you're not feeling well on this night, consider sitting this one out.
As always, We Appreciate Your Enthusiasm and look forward to seeing you all on the 30th!
Also check out other Arts events in Jersey City, Literary Art events in Jersey City.
