San Francisco’s Queer Open Mic

Baruch writes…

Happy HomoDays. Get your Queers, your stockings your Rainbow Chanuka Candles and come to the Queer Open Mic Dec 16!

I am looking forward for this the last Queer Open Mic of 2011. Our features are Michael Alenyikov, author of Ivan and Misha and musical guest, the amazing Jason Brock. You can read more about them below but first I do have some news, the December 16th show, is not only the last Queer Open Mic of 2011 but also the last show we will have with Sarah Dopp as my co-host.

ABOUT THE FEATURES!

Michael Alenyikov’s short stories have appeared in Canada’s Descant (nominated for a 2007 Pushcart); The Georgia Review; New York Stories; Modern Words, The James White Review, and have been anthologized in Best Gay Stories, 2008 and Tartts Four: Incisive Fiction From Emerging Writers. His essays have appeared in The Gay & Lesbian Review. He was a MacDowell Fellow. Raised in New York City, Alenyikov has worked as a bookstore clerk, clinical psychologist, cab driver, and interactive media writer. He lives in San Francisco.

Jason Brock is a San Francisco singer, actor, emcee, podcaster and entertainer. He has shared the stage with many stars of theatre and music, including Diane Schuur, Paula West, Bruce Vilanch, Taylor mac, Deborah Gibson and more. Jason has performed all his life and began a professional entertainment career in small theatre and musical productions in Arizona. He eventually moved into ongoing shows at Martuni’s, Bubble Lounge and Rasselas. Jason has performed at the Rrazz Room, Ritz Carlton, Pier 39 and other venues in the bay area. He was recently in the film “Love is not Enough” and just finished playing the role of a demented flower girl in “The Lily’s Revenge” at the Magic Theatre. He co-hosts the podcast “The X-Gays” (about the X-Men). Jason’s performance skills have brought him recognition as a highly talented, interactive and improvisational artist.

as always
sign ups are at 7pm sharp
show starts at 7:30pm

love Baruch

Queer Open Mic featuring Michael Alenyikov, with musical guest Jason Brock
Friday, December 16
7pm sign-ups, show at 7:30
Modern Times Bookstore
2919 24th Street in San Francisco

Hello hello, my dearest Queer Open Mic community!

I adore you. You know that, right?

Month after month… from that fantastic year when I showed up religiously to perform at your microphone because I knew I had finally found my people… to those incredible and humbling three years as your organizer and co-host…. and after seeing you through not one but two location moves… and sitting in the front row with Baruch’s arm wrapped around me while you deliver poems so powerful that I know I won’t even be able to speak when it’s time for me to announce the next performer….

You fucking rock my world. You’ve been doing it for years.

And you’re all grown up now. You’ve matured into this strong and thriving community that spits out high quality work each month while consistently supporting anyone who walks through those bookstore doors; whether that means helping them with their writing, building their performance confidence, telling them they look fabulous in those boots, or holding them while they cry. You’ve embraced a queer identity that is inclusive and powerful. And it’s not queer as in “fuck you.” It’s queer as in “Fuck Yes.”

I am so proud of you. And so grateful to have been a part of this process.

And it is with all of that pride, and all of that gratitude, that I am choosing to now step aside. Baruch has already taken his place as an incredible organizer and host, and there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the event will continue to thrive under his leadership. I know this because he loves you in all the same ways that I do, but better.

Why am I stepping down? Put simply: because it’s time. I spent ten years as a performance poet, and while I love the scene, it’s not the direction I’m growing in anymore. I stopped performing several years ago and shifted my creative energy to community organizing. Hosting Queer Open Mic was the perfect project for me for awhile — it kept me connected to the performance scene while letting me focus on organizing — but after a few years, I became so far detached from the scene that it was no longer fair to the event for me to keep holding the position. It also stopped being the right fit for me. I need keep following my nose.

Let’s go chase our dreams and write postcards to each other when we find them. Queer Open Mic’s past hosts — Cindy Emch, Sherilyn Connelly, and Mollena Williams — all moved on to other wonderful creative pursuits when it was their time. Now it’s mine.

I’ll be at the December show to thank you all and to say goodbye in person, but Baruch will be the one at the front of the room. I am so very grateful to him for the ways he’s taken care of the event, and I’m excited to see how it will grow with him in the future.

You’re stars, all of you. Thank you for being my San Francisco.

Love,
Sarah Dopp
December 7, 2011

What, really, is there to be thankful for in November? Are we thankful for the commercialism of the Holiday Season creeping ever closer? Are we thankful that it’s suddenly getting dark at 4:00 pm? Are we thankful for the onrushing flood of unneeded calories, the extra strain on our wallets? Mostly Thanksgiving seems to serve as a bitter remembrance of just how poorly the early European settlers behaved to their rather more gracious native hosts.

There’s nothing so great about November, but that doesn’t mean that we should poo-poo Thanksgiving. Giving thanks is awesome. There IS a lot to be grateful for – in November, in May – any time of the year. Whether you’re thankful for your new dance class or for your best friend of 20 years, for the sudden availability of pumpkin muffins or for the optimism of the Occupy Movement, for biodiversity or size twelve platform shoes, there’s never a bad day to stand up and say it.

This Friday, November 18, a week early because a lot of us do give thanks together in big groups a week from Thursday, eat to much and then need to spend all Friday on the couch recovering, come on down to Queer Open Mic and tell us what you’re thankful for.

About Morgan:

Queer Open Mic Featuring Morgan
Friday, November 18
7pm sign-ups, show at 7:30
Modern Times Bookstore
2919 24th Street in San Francisco

The thing about Queer Open Mic falling on the fourth Friday of the month is that every October there’s really strong temptation to just talk about Halloween. That holiday really dominates the end of this month.

But who cares about it, y’know? What is so damn exciting about being something that you’re not for a little while? Yeah, we know all about liminal spaces and the value of spending time semi-anonymous, but frankly we think that who you are is a lot more exciting than who you aren ‘t.

Look at yourselves, you fabulous bunch of humans! Who you are is fantastic. No amount of costuming could possibly hope to match the diversity and pizazz of this community!

This Friday, come down to Queer Open Mic dressed as yourself, and share some personality. Our feature (return favorite Daphne Gottlieb) will certainly share hers.

Queer Open Mic with Daphne Gottlieb
San Francisco-based Performance Poet Daphne Gottlieb stitches together the ivory tower and the gutter just using her tongue. She is the author and editor of nine books, most recently the poetry book 15 Ways to Stay Alive as well as co-editor (with Lisa Kester) of Dear Dawn: Aileen Wuornos in her Own Words.? She is the editor of Fucking Daphne: Mostly True Stories and Fictions and Homewrecker: An Adultery Reader, as well as the author of the poetry books Kissing Dead Girls, Final Girl, Why Things Burn and Pelt, and as the graphic novel Jokes and the Unconscious with artist Diane DiMassa.

Queer Open Mic featuring Daphne Gottlieb!
Friday, October 28, 2011
7pm sign-ups, show at 7:30
Modern Times Bookstore
2919 24th Street in San Francisco

Do you ever get bored of always doing the same old thing?

Not because there’s anything wrong with it, not because you’ve ceased to adore it, but just cause you think maybe you’d like to change it up? Do you, inveterate Berkeley hippie-chick, ever just want to shave your legs and go to a posh, 3-fork restaurant in the City? Do you, dapper and bow-tied butch, ever lust just a little for a nice simple sundress? Do you, leather-daddy-extraordinaire, ever think you could really rock some boat shoes and polo shirt?

Do you ever long for a little more music in your life?

We knew you’d understand! We know that you can rock whoever or whatever you want to be on any given day, and we know you’ll be just as excited as we are about our chance to shake things up, when we tell you that this month we have two features for you! The fantastic, hilarious comedic stylings of Lynn Ruth Miller, and the musical grace of mandolin-toting Montana Rose!

We can have it all, all at once. Stop by and show us all the many, different things you can be.

About Lynn Ruth Miller
LYNN RUTH MILLER was dubbed the new Joan Rivers of Fringe Comedy. Now 77, she made it to Las Vegas in America’s Got Talent, 2008, won People’s Choice in 2009 Branson Comedy Festival, the finals in Bill Word’s Funniest Female Contest 2009 and semi-finals in the SF International Comedy Competition.

About Montana Rose
Urban hippie songstress, Montana Rose, brings passionate explosions of pleasure to your soul. A friend once said she’d be the lesbian love child of Liz Phair and Hazel Dickens. Her lyrics will snatch your attention as you find your head bobbing to melodies backed by Mandi (her mandolin). Always a treat when she is accompanied by local percussion talent, Rob Johnson. You may have also seen her on stage with Conspiracy of Venus, The Secrets, and/or Ladies of the House. Montana Rose is a San Francisco native who spent 10 formative years just outside of Paradise Valley in the Big Sky State.

Queer Open Mic featuring Lynn Ruth Miller & Montana Rose!
Friday, September 23, 2011
7pm sign-ups, show at 7:30
Modern Times Bookstore
2919 24th Street in San Francisco

Oh San Francisco. What were we complaining about? The need for an extra layer or two? The way knit hats are still fashionable in mid-Summer?

At least we still have the option of drinking our coffee hot. At least nobody has warned us to stay in-doors and avoid the risk of “heat-related injury.” As the country’s weather-map turns an angry fever-red, the Bay Area’s constant micro-climate, chilly by some standards, has become an oasis of livability.

In San Francisco, we expect to feel smug about our weather in January. Getting to do so in August is icing on the cake, really. But though our climate is constant, our citizens are less so. We have ups, and downs, and a lot of us – like this month’s feature – blew in from someplace far away, like the fog blows in from the bay (too much? we never know…)

Come down to Queer Open Mic this month, ye transplants, ye wanderers, ye inconstant companions, ye drama queens and drag queens, ye joyful and mad, and share your the stories of how life, unlike San Francisco’s weather, can really be all-the-fuck-over-the-place.

We’ll see you there.

About James Siegel

Queer Open Mic featuring James Siegel!
Friday, August 26, 2011
7pm sign-ups, show at 7:30
Modern Times Bookstore
2919 24th Street in San Francisco

Hey there San Francisco!

How’s that Summer coming? Got your woolly hats? Got your fingerless gloves and long, dashing scarves? Layering to the max?

Yeah, we hear you. “Coldest winter I ever spent” and all that (apocryphal, apparently. Twain never said it. We just go on remembering it because it happens to be true.). When the fog rolls in so fast you feel like it’s chasing you, and the wind that pushes it along makes it through every attempt at bundled-up style, Summer in San Francisco can be chilling to the point of defeat.

Don’t let it get you down, Oh brave Bay-Area Queers! Don’t let that fog seep into your bones and your brain and keep you from being the amazing, creative beasts that you are!

Put on your knee socks, your scarves and your jackets, and swing on over to Queer Open Mic! If you didn’t come last month, come on the double to check out the NEW Modern Times Bookstore, 2919 24th Street. (We LOVE it and they’re staying!) Bring your stories of warm days in January, or your tales of mystery in the July chill. Bring your open hearts and your clear bright minds, and listen to our Feature, Blythe Baldwin. She’s a Bay Area native just like you – perhaps she’s got some clues for keeping warm this Summer.

About Blythe Baldwin

Queer Open Mic featuring Blythe Baldwin!
Friday, July 22, 2011
7pm sign-ups, show at 7:30
Modern Times Bookstore
2919 24th Street in San Francisco

What’s that?

You’ve got to be kidding us. REALLY? It’s June already?!

Well sweet hot holy queertasticness you’re right! We know we’ve been busy, but how could we have missed JUNE coming to San Francisco? This is the month to embody your queerness and check out a whole city’s worth of glittering marching queers! Our very own Pride fest rolls into town on the 25th, and what better place to try out your outfit (may we suggest pairing the boa with the vest?) and get yourself psyched up for all that you love and admire, respect and identify with in the vast and voluptuous spectrum of Queerdom.

(Plus also, this would be a great opportunity to check out our beloved Modern Times Bookstore‘s new digs – that’s right! They’re back on their feet and kindly hosting us once more, in their new spot at 2919 24th Street, San Francisco.)

We’re pleased to welcome back Michael Montlack in his second (!) QOM feature – and with a publications list like his, we just know he’ll be the perfect person to kick off a fabulous evening of true queer poetry.

About Michael Montlack
Michael Montlack is the author of the poetry collection Cool Limbo (NYQ Books, 2011) and the editor of the Lambda-nominated essay anthology My Diva: 65 Gay Men on the Women Who Inspire Them (University of Wisconsin Press, 2009). He also has had three poetry chapbooks: Cover Charge (Winner of the 2007 Gertrude Chapbook Competition); Girls, Girls, Girls (Pudding House, 2008); and The Slip (Poets Wear Prada, 2009). His work has appeared in Cimarron Review, Court Green, Swink, Columbia Poetry Review, 5 AM, Poet Lore, Gay and Lesbian Review, Bloom, and other journals. He has been awarded residencies at Soul Mountain Retreat (CT), Ucross (WY), Lambda Literary Foundation (CA) and VCCA (VA). He splits his time between San Francisco and New York City, where he acts as an Associate Editor for Mudfish and teaches for Berkeley College. He earned an MFA at New School, an MA from San Francisco State and a BA from Hofstra University, all in Creative Writing. He can be reached at mikemont17@hotmail.com.

Queer Open Mic featuring Michael Montlack!
Friday, June 24, 2011
7pm sign-ups, show at 7:30
Modern Times Bookstore
2919 24th Street in San Francisco

Hey hey, it’s May – and everything is topsy-turvy!

We’ve bid goodbye to our former home at 888 Valencia as our beloved Modern Times bookstore changes locations — and of course, we’re traveling too! This month (and, we think, this month only) we’ve been taken in by the amazing Borderlands Cafe, at 870 Valencia Street.

Not only are we at a brand new (temporary) location this month, but also we’re on a brand new (temporary) day. This month we’ll be on the 3rd Friday, May 20th, rather than our usual 4th Friday event time.

Can you handle the changes?!

Of course you can. Very probably you are a master of handling change. You’ve weathered the storms. You’ve come out on top. You could probably teach us a thing or two!

In fact, please do! Come on down to the Borderlands this month, and tell us about your change. And while you’re there, listen to our feature tell her story, radical pedagogy and all.

About Liz Green
Liz Green is a writer, performer, and educator based in Oakland, California. As a performance poet, she has featured at slams, special showcases and workshops in middle schools, high schools, colleges and open mics across the country. She was on two national slam teams: San Francisco in 2004 and Berkeley in 2005. As a playwright and writer/performer, she has had her work produced at multiple local and national theater festivals. She received her BA from Vassar College and her MFA from Mills College in Creative Writing. She was a 2010 Lambda Literary Foundation Emerging Voices Fellow in Fiction. She was accepted into the Tin House Writing Workshop in Fiction for 2011 where she will continue to work on her novel, The Ella Verse.

Queer Open Mic featuring Liz Green!
Friday, May 20, 2011
7pm sign-ups, show at 7:30
Borderlands Cafe
870 Valencia Street in San Francisco