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Red Rover Celebrates AWP Conference With Reading Roguery

By Maggie Hellwig in Arts & Entertainment on Feb 29, 2012 4:00PM

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From The Red Rover Reading Series Facebook Page.

If you were dismayed to find that the 2012 AWP Conference is sold out, you will be pleased that there's a bit of an overflow happening outside of the Hilton walls. The Red Rover Reading Series has alleviated us in the past with their playful attitude toward the written word. Curators Laura Goldstein and Jennifer Karmin are dedicated to conducting witty experiments with reading, and this week they are celebrating the Conference with over 100 writers reading from their work. Those of us outside of the Conference, or even those who need a breather, should be thoroughly entertained by their events happening on March 2nd-3rd.

The first night will begin at 7 p.m. with Dusie/Pussipo Reading, consisting of 15 talented poets. The lineup is as follows: Hugh Behm-Steinberg, Tamiko Beyer, Naomi Buck Palagi, Maria Damon, Carrie Etter, Jennifer Firestone, K. Lorraine Graham, Larkin Higgins, Megan Kaminski, John Pluecker, Chris Pusateri, Marthe Reed, Judy Roitman, Sarah Rosenthal, and Elisabeth Workman.

At 8:30pm the first of two experiments on Friday will begin, in which featured writers will read simultaneously in a single space. The Table X/Y Party will consist of writers from 32 different small presses, all reading at the same time in this "organized cacophony." The presses are from all over the U.S. and some even branch out further. The Lit Pub, hailing from Pennsylvania, is an independent publisher that specializes in the blending of genres within one book. Dusie Kollectiv is an online poetry journal based in Switzerland. The Ugly Duckling Presse began as a zine in the 1990s out of Brooklyn, and now has over 200 titles under its belt in various genres. These are only three out of many presses that will be represented. The second experiment, consisting of different writers from the same presses, will begin at 10pm. Not only will it be interesting, and no doubt a chaotic night, but attendees will get to see and experience a huge range of talent and creativity.

On Saturday, the craziness continues with Stop the Sentence- A Night of (Inter) Active Readings. There will be featured readings done by five different writers: Matthew Klane, Cara Benson, Michelle Naka Pierce, Ronaldo Wilson, and Tracie Morris. Meanwhile, performances and reading games continue. At 7:45, several writers such as Teresa Carmody and B.J. Love will be presenting their "AWP Show and Tell." At 8:45pm, writers will read other's work in "Other People's Poetry," and present a video in tribute to the poet and performer Akilah Oliver. These events will be followed by "Tag Team Reading," and, "Instant Reading," featuring more writers and some audience participation.

The outcome of a Red Rover event may never be set in stone, but the experiment always involves a cheerful and mischievous set-up.

The Red Rover Reading Series will hold its March 2-3 events in Wicker Park, at the Outer Space Studio, located at 1474 N. Milwaukee Ave, 3rd floor. There is a $2 suggested donation.