Jan Figurski will be the featured reader on Oct. 2nd at London Open Mic Poetry Night. He has already made a name for himself on our open mic stage, not only because of the quality of his poetry but also his great delivery and stage presence.
Jan Figurski grew up in Ottawa. He received a degree in English literature in 1975 from Carleton University. His first job after graduation was as a character actor; he played the role of the ghost of Robert Service in Dawson City in the Yukon. After living for a few years in British Columbia, Jan came to London to get a Master’s degree and has called London home ever since. He has two children, 4 grandchildren, and has recently retired after 30 years practice as a professional librarian.
Jan’s poetry has been called “witty and wise” (George Johnston), “energetic and striking” (Carol Off), and “very moving” (Gay Allison). He has written 3 books of poetry: Windows (1978), the Stevensdaughter Poems (1985), and Heavy Seasoning & Heavenly Bodies (1985). His poems have been published in numerous literary journals including Waves, Pieran Spring, and Poetry Toronto. Two of his poems have been published in fine art limited editions: Mental Calendars (1981) and Erotograms in A-Major ( 2002). From 1979-81 he was the editor of Eclipse: A Journal of Living Poetry and Ideas. He was also the editor of Fossils by James Reaney Sr. (1993) and The Choice of Valentines, by Thomas Nashe (2000).
In addition to his poetry, Jan is a musician. He has played in a number of London bands and his work has been recorded on 6 CDs.
Stay tuned for a batch of Jan’s poems and an interview.
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: October 2nd, the first Wednesday of the month, as with most of our events.
LIVE MUSIC opens each event, at least by 6:30. There is also an intermission with live music and usually more music at the end of the event. This month we have a surprise, to be announced soon.
THE FEATURED POET Jan Figurski begins 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, ending about 9:00 pm. Each poet has five minutes (which is about two good pages of poetry, but it should be timed at home). NOTE: FOR THE FIRST TIME, WE WILL NOT BE SELECTING NAMES AT RANDOM, BUT, AS IS TRADITIONAL AT MOST POETRY OPEN MICS, POETS WILL WRITE THEIR NAMES IN A SPOT OF THEIR CHOOSING ON A LIST AT THE DOOR. They will also be asked for their email addresses and whether or not we can photograph and videotape them reading.
RAFFLE PRIZES: Anyone who donates to London Open Mic Poetry Night receives a ticket for a raffle prize, three of which will be picked after the intermission. 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.
EBOOK ANTHOLOGY: Our annual ebook is an anthology of the poets who have read during the year, including both the featured poets, with one or two poems by each, and the open mic readers, with from one to a few, depending on length, from each of those who wish to participate, no matter how many times they read. The ebook will then be available on Amazon at the end of the season, at a few dollars each, used to help offset expenses. If anyone gives us more than several poems, we will select from them. All poems that are included must have been read at the events during the season. The ebook will include a short biography (up to seven lines) of each poet. This must be included with the poems. We may also add a photo of the poet reading at the event. This hasn’t been decided yet. To keep transcription errors from creeping into the poems, the preferred way to get them to us is by email. Those who don’t use email can give us a copy at the events. A cautionary note: Some poets may not want certain poems to be included in the ebook because it would make them unacceptable for later publication in certain poetry journals. Erik Martinez Richards will edit and publish the anthology. His email address is erikf1944@hotmail.com
Jan’s poetry has been called “witty and wise” (George Johnston), “energetic and striking” (Carol Off), and “very moving” (Gay Allison). He has written 3 books of poetry: Windows (1978), the Stevensdaughter Poems (1985), and Heavy Seasoning & Heavenly Bodies (1985). His poems have been published in numerous literary journals including Waves, Pieran Spring, and Poetry Toronto. Two of his poems have been published in fine art limited editions: Mental Calendars (1981) and Erotograms in A-Major ( 2002). From 1979-81 he was the editor of Eclipse: A Journal of Living Poetry and Ideas. He was also the editor of Fossils by James Reaney Sr. (1993) and The Choice of Valentines, by Thomas Nashe (2000).
In addition to his poetry, Jan is a musician. He has played in a number of London bands and his work has been recorded on 6 CDs.
Stay tuned for a batch of Jan’s poems and an interview.
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: October 2nd, the first Wednesday of the month, as with most of our events.
LIVE MUSIC opens each event, at least by 6:30. There is also an intermission with live music and usually more music at the end of the event. This month we have a surprise, to be announced soon.
THE FEATURED POET Jan Figurski begins 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, ending about 9:00 pm. Each poet has five minutes (which is about two good pages of poetry, but it should be timed at home). NOTE: FOR THE FIRST TIME, WE WILL NOT BE SELECTING NAMES AT RANDOM, BUT, AS IS TRADITIONAL AT MOST POETRY OPEN MICS, POETS WILL WRITE THEIR NAMES IN A SPOT OF THEIR CHOOSING ON A LIST AT THE DOOR. They will also be asked for their email addresses and whether or not we can photograph and videotape them reading.
RAFFLE PRIZES: Anyone who donates to London Open Mic Poetry Night receives a ticket for a raffle prize, three of which will be picked after the intermission. 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.
EBOOK ANTHOLOGY: Our annual ebook is an anthology of the poets who have read during the year, including both the featured poets, with one or two poems by each, and the open mic readers, with from one to a few, depending on length, from each of those who wish to participate, no matter how many times they read. The ebook will then be available on Amazon at the end of the season, at a few dollars each, used to help offset expenses. If anyone gives us more than several poems, we will select from them. All poems that are included must have been read at the events during the season. The ebook will include a short biography (up to seven lines) of each poet. This must be included with the poems. We may also add a photo of the poet reading at the event. This hasn’t been decided yet. To keep transcription errors from creeping into the poems, the preferred way to get them to us is by email. Those who don’t use email can give us a copy at the events. A cautionary note: Some poets may not want certain poems to be included in the ebook because it would make them unacceptable for later publication in certain poetry journals. Erik Martinez Richards will edit and publish the anthology. His email address is erikf1944@hotmail.com
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