Jan Figurski, the musician/poet we all so enjoyed at the Oct. 2nd event, will reprise his role as musician Jan 2nd (Thursday), prior to  featured poet Carrie Lee Connel's reading. 

In October, Figurski sang his own compositions, played acoustic guitar and blew an incredible blues harmonica, accompanied on piano by Geoff Johnson and on drums by Kevin Heslop.  

In January, from 6:30 to 7:00 and again during the intermission, Jan will perform solo.  Pure, acoustic Jan Figurski. 

Figurski has one published recording: Screen Door Slam, Live at the Tostal. He currently plays mandolin, guitar, and harmonica, and has sung with a variety of acoustic roots groups, including Paper Moon, and Love Child. 

Interview with Jan Figurski leading up to his Oct. 2013 featured reading.
Biography relating to Figurski's poetic career

Biography of Carrie Lee Connel, Jan. 2nd Featured Poet

THE EVENT

WHERE: The Mykonos Restaurant at 572 Adelaide St. North, London, Ontario. The restaurant has a large, covered terrace just behind the main restaurant, which comfortably holds 60 poetry lovers. Mediterranean food and drinks are available. Overflow parking is available across the side street and in the large lot one block north, in front of Trad’s Furniture.

WHEN: Thursday, January 2nd. Most of our events are held on the first Wednesday of the month, but this time that is New Years Day, a holiday. 

LIVE MUSIC: Jan Figurski will perform, beginning at 6:30 as well as later during the event.

FEATURED POET: Carrie Lee Connel will begin reading shortly after 7:00, followed by a Q&A.

OPEN MIC: Following the featured poet, there is about 1.5 hours of open mic. Each open mic poet has five minutes to read (which is about two good pages of poetry, but it should be timed at home). Those who want to read will write their names in a spot of their choosing on a list at the book table at the back. They will also be asked to check 'yes' if they don't mind being photographed and videotaped during their reading. (Note: First come, first served. There are fifteen spots.)

RAFFLE PRIZES: Anyone who donates to London Open Mic Poetry Night receives a ticket for a raffle prize, three of which will be picked. The prizes consist of poetry books donated by Brick Books and The Ontario Poetry Society. Donations are our only source of income. We still haven't paid off our initial debt.

 by Andreas Gripp 
The Harmonia Press Spring Book Launch will take place at Landon Library (downstairs in the Martha Bishop Room), 167 Wortley Rd., on Wednesday May 22nd, 2013 starting at 7:00pm. There will be live music as well as readings from three new books of poetry from a trio of London writers. Afterwards, people are invited to relax at the Wortley Roadhouse for drinks. The books will be available for sale at the launch and they’re also available online at http://harmoniapress.blogspot.ca/p/book-orders.html 
 
The participants:
 
Dorothy Nielsen (“The Persephone Papers”) is a professor of literature and writing at King’s University College. She is also a spiritual director in private practice in London. Her poems have been published in The Fiddlehead, The Dalhousie Review,  Christianity and Literature, and in Ted Goodden’s Perpetual Illuminations  stained  glass  at  Landon library.  This is her first book of poetry.   
 
Carrie Lee Connel (“A Day in Pieces”) has had her poetry published in The Toronto Quarterly, Canadian Stories, and Symposium. Her short fiction has appeared in several magazines including Shadowfeast and Writtle. She has recently completed a Masters of Library and Information Science Degree at Western University. She lives in London and this is her first collection of poems.
 
Andreas Gripp (“The Breakfast of Birds”) has worked with books for 25 years. His poems have appeared in a variety of small press anthologies and literary magazines including Ascent Aspirations, Literary Review of Canada, Carousel, Arborealis, and Quern: An Anthology of Contemporary Poets. This is his 16th book of poetry. He lives in London. 
 
Paterson Hodgson is the lead singer of the London band So Young. She has also performed and recorded solo acoustic work and is a former member of Olenka and the Autumn  Lovers. 
 
Roxanne Andrighetti is a London singer/songwriter with world and folk influences. Accompanying her is accomplished and versatile London musician Charles Innis.