from Lenadams Dorris mailto://vegas@well.com (I would have sent this to the poets and authors I know on the WELL via email, but didn't want to get put on the spam list...) ***CALLING ALL POETS AND AUTHORS!*** Coming to Las Vegas? *Want* to come to Las Vegas? Can't imagine turning your Vegas vacation into an artistic experience? Well, Enigma Garden Cafe in Las Vegas, Nevada (owned by Lenadams Dorris, vegas@well.com) is sponsoring the second WordBridge Series of readings by artists from all over the world. The series exists because it is a better way to promote the readings by various authors than doing it on a per-event basis, and gives word-lovers a chance to plan their attendance well in advance. The series, which ran occasionally during 1997, has hosted such authors as Justin Chang, Beth Lisick, Jeff McDaniel, Carl Hanni, Peter Marin, Tarin Towers, Bruce Isaacson, and group readings by the contributors to the Red Rock Review. Enigma also hosted the Allen Ginsberg Memorial Flower Power Pow Wow, a reading and remembrance in honor of the late poet. Readings occur on Fridays, twice a month, at 8 pm. There is the possibility of grant funding for airfare for interested authors, although it has not yet be procured. Unfortunately, there is no honorarium involved, but it is a fine chance to share your art with a hungry and appreciative audience. This is a great opportunity for authors on book tours or general reading tours, to add Las Vegas to their agenda. Readings are held in the garden courtyard of the Enigma (in the unlikely event of inclement weather, readings will beheld inside the gallery.) Recent events have been standing-room only, with as many as 175 attendees. The Enigma is a coffeehouse/cafe/gallery/performance space that opened in 1993 in downtown Las Vegas' Gateway District, the emerging arts and cultural center of the city. It is a complex of three historic buildings and a garden filled with art and flowers, and is open 24 hours a day from March to November, and 7 am to midnight seven days during the winter. Deadline for booking slots for the first quarter of 1998 is the end of December 1997. Deadline for the second quarter is Feb. 15, 1998. For more information, send email to Lenadams Dorris at lenadams@radiant.org, or write him at Enigma Garden Cafe, 918 South Fourth Street, Las Vegas, Nevada 89101. The phone number is 702.386.0999. ***WordBridge Schedule (as of 11/20/97)*** First Quarter Jan 30 Red Rock Review group reading Feb 13 open Feb 27 Poet Claudia Keelan Mar 13 open Apr 3 Poet Dayvid Figler & Friends Apr 17 open Second Quarter May 1 Novelist Michael Ventura May 15, 29 open Jun 12, 26 open Jul 10, 31 open

Found a Wammo CD in San Diego! Brought back memories of the Electric Lounge

What is Wammo?

Whammo is a spoken word (sorta poet) from Austin. He also plays with the Asylum Street Spankers (Guy Forsythe's OTHER band). Funny guy. Saw him a gazillion times with the Spankers and twice or thrice at the Electric Lounge for a couple poetry slams.

Hello, poets. Austin International Poetry Festival '98 is still registratering poets for the festival, April 1-5. Register by Feb. 15 to guarantee a scheduled programming spot. You can register online at www.hyperweb.com/aipf Venues include Austin Community College Rio Grande Campus, Book People, Waterloo Ice House, Quackenbush's (midnight to dawn open mic Sat. April 4), DiverseArts Little Gallery and two slams at the Electric Lounge. stazja@aol.com