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A PLACE WHERE POETS CAN SHOW IT
Steve Morse, The Boston Globe, May 8, 1997
WHEN IT'S LEE KIDD'S turn at the microphone, he gets right to the point. "We all need a place," he says, "where busting out systematically can happen every week." He calls this "coffeehouse consciousness" and, moments later, has the entire room chanting the phrase like a mantra.
Welcome to Naked City (SQUAWK) Coffeehouse, an offbeat but supportive setting where music and poetry come together on Thursday nights (now at Harvard Epworth Church, 1555 Mass. Ave., Harvard Sq. Cambridge.) This place is unique in that both poets and musicians are encouraged to participate, while at other places they are often kept separate.
If you're looking for alternative entertainment, then the Naked City Coffeehouse is a revelation. Jessa opened the evening by inviting all comers to the mike. Thus began one of the most supportive nights I've ever encountered. Kidd, the emcee for the night, blows blues harmonica and shares Beat-style poems such as "I'm Too Old to Be Elvis Presley, So I Guess I'll Have to Be Sigmund Freud." Kidd is one of the "Squawk Squad," a group of poets and musicians who trace their allegiance to The Beats and The Fugs, and who host the Naked City Coffeehouse each Thursday. They share their own art, but also invite visitors to the mike and schedule featured guests, such as The Wolf Hour Poets.
In the open-mike set, when talented duo Chalk Circle played a couple of songs with a beguiling, Cat Stevens-like tone, but had sound difficulties, it didn't matter. "You guys sounded great," musician, Dennis Pearne said from the back of the room. "Can we do another song?" the Chalk Circle pianist asked. Of course, the crowd nodded.
After his encouraging words Pearne sang two spellbinding cover tunes: Leonard Cohen's "I'm Your Man" and Iris DeMent's "Keep Me God." Other Squawk Squad members (the name comes from Squawk Magazine) followed.
Poet Mick Cusimano, also known as the Professor of Surrealism (and publisher of Underground Surrealist Magazine) recited a lively piece called "The Glasnost Shuffle."
Poet Kitty Marrs then entered dramatically. Known as "The Misanthropologist," says "an embittered girl is like a melody," had the room laughing at her wonderfully jaded impersonation of an aloof William Burroughs.
Featured performers, The Wolf Hour Poets were a delight. They consisted of Joan Sullivan, Bluefisher, John Brennan, Diana Rootnik, and Sparrowhawk discoursing on the universe in tenderly hopeful style. They'll also be featured at the weekly Stone Soup Poets' night at T.T. The Bear's Place on May 19th.
- STEVE MORSE