Bumbershoot, “A Word Bath”
FRIDAY Most of the rest of the afternoon and evening featured Native American writers on Salmon rights, particularly NW/Nisqually tribe activist Billy Frank, Jr. Lee Maracle, poet-activist from Canada, blew everyone away; so did Elizabeth Woody, from Oregon.
An Open Mike hosted by the 20-year-old Red Sky Poetry Theatre was another highlight, especially the understated and excellent Tim Lander from British Columbia, and local folksinger Jim Page debuting as a reader of poetry. A psychotic woman read a piece so sexually graphic and just plain bad that the room cleared, and we all went to see if we could catch the last bit of Jonathan Richman.
Michelle Tea and Sini Anderson reunited for a Sister Spit revue with two more of the original touring Spit poets, Marci Blackman and Beth Lisick (they actually said "Lipstick" in the program), plus Inga Muscio, author of Cunt (Seal Press, 1998). 250 people appeared from nowhere on Friday afternoon to yell and scream and then disappeared as soon as the women finished. Sini says she's working with Alan Kaufman on a possible Outlaw Bible poets tour and VH1 video thang for later next year, and Michelle is touring with the high priestesses of dyke film, writing and music: Shar Rednour, Sash Sunday, and Jackie Strano. Look for the Wasted Motel Tour in a city near you.
250 people appeared from nowhere
the 20-year-old Red Sky Poetry Theatre
