nature of the muse – audrey di mola

are you ready, brothers & sisters?!

mashups

tis the season for thanks and i’m grateful for new opportunities to STRETCHHH those creative muscles, especially as the fall & winter set in. don’t let your heart go cold! the photo above is from the first ever MASHUPS performance (an interdisciplinary experiment of artists collaborating on the spot!) at queens council on the arts which was a night i will NEVER forget- MASSIVE love to my collaborators & the audience we vibed with <3

nature of the muse

TONIGHT! 11/12 7:30-9:30pm
NATURE OF THE MUSE reading & live writing show
by the FIRE in the carriage house at LIC Bar @ 45-58 vernon blvd in LIC
[facebook invite] *flyer by gianna ligammari!
feat: writers yi wu, tippy rex, sydney hartlove nichols, timothy bell & steven licardi with special musical guests janna pelle & luca difabio!
called ‘one of the most exciting literary events in the city’ by BORO mag, 5 writers will share their previously written work and then write LIVE from random prompts written by YOU, the audience! plus fantastic musical guests. ignite your MUSE with us!

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NEXT WEEK! 11/18 8:30-10:30pm
THE RISE OF NEON REBEL/ a gathering of creatives
Q.E.D. a place to show & tell @ 27-16 23rd ave in astoria
[facebook invite]
my BFF & fellow rebel artist nick neon is returning from korea after 7 years and we’re formally kicking off our NEON REBEL collective of wild hearts making their own luck, supporting each other, and changing the world with their work and art. BE A PART OF THIS!! we’ll be partying at Q.E.D., sharing, inspiring, discussing, presenting, plotting future projects, and enjoying special guest speakers: sam from good.clean.fun, kenny from road to greatness, valerie from naked in alaska & monica from museum of impact PLUS music from spells & curses and other shenanigans!

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if you are constantly dreaming of ‘somewhere else’ – FIND that somewhere else. i promise it’s out there. because when you take steps in the direction of those things or places that bring you joy, you realize it was never about locating that somewhere else on a map. it was about FINDING YOURSELF and thus unlocking one of the most precious gifts of all- being at home everywhere. with all people, all things. wandering, far and wide- it doesn’t matter. you realize you’re not running away from anything, like they said you were. you are endlessly seeking because you are seeking yourself endlessly and perfectly reflected in all things. yes, this is the journey that never stops. why should it? you find yourself- your true self- over and over again, in doing the things you really love. in daring yourself, shattering the ego, doing the work, taking the chances, pushing the edges. REALITY IS MALLEABLE, PEOPLE. and the more you purely push and investigate your mystery, the more you’ll see the rules bend until you forget what rules were in the first place…

‘ordinary life does not interest me’ ..

are you coming with? ;)

NATURE OF THE MUSE – 3/26/15!

natureofthemuse_fixed
Flyer by GiAnna Ligammari // art !

iiiit’s that time again, for one more time this year! as you may or may not know, this show is MY BABY! you can find out more about it HERE, but it’s best to experience the magic & mischief LIVE!

NATURE OF THE MUSE reading & live writing show

Thurs March 26th 7:30-9:30pm
by the FIRE at LIC Bar 45-58 Vernon Blvd
(come thru the bar to the carriage house in the back!)

Five readers will present their previously written works and THEN write LIVE from random prompts written by YOU, the audience!

COME REVEL IN THE UNEXPECTED!

Featuring:
Jennifer Faylor
Richard Jeffrey Newman
Crystal Rivera
Billy Conahan
Armando Chapelliquen

With special musical guests:
Samantha Leon
Providence

NO COVER! BUY A DRINK! WRITE A PROMPT!
MAKE THE WRITERS SWEAT ;)
Hosted & roasted by yours truly, Audrey Dimola
Thanks always to Gus Rodriguez for giving this event a home! <3

RSVP ON FACEBOOK!

come out & PLAY

don't let your heart go cold icicles

every single day is one step closer to spring ;) got some fun stuff coming up for you in MARCH & APRIL!

** Queens Lit in Action! with Audrey Dimola at Queens Council on the Arts 3/6/15 [I NFO]

with funding from Poets & Writers, i’ll be using the Queens Council on the Arts “3rd Space” for a new event i conceptualized called QUEENS LIT IN ACTION – it’s a straight-up solo reading PLUS some kind of audience engagement activity (that’s the ACTION! part) like a writing exercise, discussion, presentation, collab, panel, etc. i’m kicking it off with networking, readings from TRAVERSALS & new work, AND writing exercises/discussion involving wildness & nostalgia based on the interdisciplinary show i’m working on right now, THE WILD PAPERS**. please come! & look out for future variations of this event at QCA ;)

** hosting (one of the longest running Queens reading series, my O.G.!!) Boundless Tales Reading Series at Astoria Bookshop 3/12/15 [INFO]

** my Nature of the Muse reading & live writing show returns to the fireside carriage house at LIC Bar! – 3/26/15 readers will present their previously written works and THEN write LIVE from random prompts written by YOU, the audience! did i mention it’s by the FIRE?! [INFO]

** featured Community Poet at the Fringe Verses Open Mic & Poetry presentation at LaGuardia Performing Arts Center for Rough Draft Festival 3/31/15 [INFO]

** NEW SERIES! very excited to be one of the Featured Readers at the DEBUT of the monthly LIC Reading Series in the carriage house at LIC Bar! 4/14/15 [INFO]

** i’m also on a brand new adventure as one of 24 participating local artists in Jeanne Van Heeswijk’s “Public Faculty no. 9” at Queens Museum – May 2015 [INFO]

ALSO…

audrey dimola compass project

COMPASS PROJECT IS BACK!
the guerrilla sticker poetry project i started back in 2012 is on again! look out for ’em & let me know if you want some, especially if you live out of state & want to stick ’em up around YOU! i’ve sent ’em out to jersey, missouri, michigan, canada, south korea & more, and i’m very happy to say they’ll be appearing at MelimeL Digital Art Design‘s 2015 Women Empowerment event next month! more info on the project & tons of fotos are HERE.

& OF COURSE..
“I am on page 60, and am completely blown away! I’m a reader, and writer of poetry too, and I must say, your words have captured some of my deepest emotions in regards to past loves. I feel so connected to your writing… very few can tug at my heart with their words, but you’ve managed to do that… this is a true gift. Moments I feel like I’m reading Neruda, one of my favorite poets. I’m utterly moved. Thank you, TRAVERSALS is truly a precious, one of a kind gift that you generously shared with the world.” -t.m. bella, writer & poet
signed copies of my newest collection of poetry and prose, TRAVERSALS, are available directly from me via PAYPAL, at the Astoria Bookshop & also at Q.E.D.: A Place to Show & Tell in astoria! support yer local biz!

NOT TO MENTION…
QUEENS LIT is ALIVE & KICKIN’ & don’t let ANYONE tell you otherwise ;) check out this list of QUEENS LIT RESOURCES for ways to get involved!

we only have this life. this moment. to see through these eyes, feel with these hands, create with this mind, love with this heart. remember – even in the grit, the sorrow, the bewilderment, the ache. this is what we’ve got. it doesn’t have to be perfect. or in the right key. or fit for mass consumption. but as long as it’s yours, and you made it with HEART – you help the collective fire to burn another day.

(thnx forever&ever for adventuring with me)

c’mon let’s go,

**PS: THE WILD PAPERS is going to be my baby for awhile.. it’s a multidisciplinary show/experience involving themes of wildness, nostalgia, childhood, peter pan, wonder, resiliency, etc. it’s something i’ve been wanting to do since the beginning of last year and everything i do is going to tie back to it.. including, hopefully, going on a cross-country tour with my best friend, nick neon, and his forthcoming feature film. DREAMS.

wyvern

PPS: two of my prose pieces were published in WYVERN LIT’s latest issue, “i study your details” and “all i can do now.” YES! seriously, wyvern is amazing. such a wonderful process & editor!

NATURE OF THE MUSE – 1/29/15!

natureofthemuse2015flier
Thank you to Jeanne Marie for the flyer!

Audrey Dimola’s NATURE OF THE MUSE reading & LIVE writing event returns to the fireside carriage house at LIC Bar!

Four readers will present their previously written works and THEN write LIVE from random prompts written by YOU, the audience!

COME REVEL IN THE UNEXPECTED ;D

Thursday, January 29th, 2015 – 7:30-9:30pm
at LIC Bar
45-58 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City, Queens
in the back in the carriage house (go outside through the courtyard!)

Featuring:
Valerie G. Keane
Marc Montfleury
Kevin Marquez
Roya Marsh

With special musical guests:
Jeanne Marie Boes
Geoff Ong

JOIN US! NO COVER! HANG BY THE FIRE! BUY A DRINK! WRITE A PROMPT!

MAKE THE WRITERS SWEATTTTT! ;)

Thanks always to Gus Rodriguez for giving this event a home!

RSVP ON FACEBOOK!

***This event is nuts. And my first baby. The VERY FIRST show I ever curated and hosted on my own, back in 2013. Everyone freaks out beforehand (including me) but then knocks it out of the PARK. It’s a testament to how INSANELY TALENTED my friends & comrades are, and also to what happens when you give yourself over to the unexpected.. At the last Nature of the Muse, my amazing friend and co-collaborator Tyler Rivenbark actually wrote A SONG based on a prompt. In like 5 or so minutes! A SONG!!!! This is what I mean.. You NEVER know what will happen at Nature of the Muse ;) Check out more info and the resulting work from past events: January 2013, April 2013, and January 2014.

Pause.

Just a moment to say…

Hello, everyone. New friends, old friends. My loves and cherished family. My Nana coming to me in dreams at night. Every stranger changed by a smile, with hand outstretched and face lit by enthusiasm. Hello, Queens crusaders like me fighting the good fight, and hello to all creators creating at every moment. All lovers of words and art and life, taking step by step. Everyone who has to be brave. Everyone who has to leave their comfort zone. Everyone who is standing on the ledge waiting to take the leap into exhilarating uncertainty.

This swirling soul in my chest, kinetic and wide-awake. It’s the rest of me that can’t keep up..

I feel blessed for it all. For this chance.

The Queens Literary Town Hall is one of my proudest moments – I could not be more ecstatic about and grateful for the participants, attendees, presentations, and performances.. I will never forget the energy in the room, the sheer joy watching people being able to connect with each other for the first time – to further their projects, their businesses, their passions. There is so much more to come, from all of us..! My good friend and journalist/videographer Cesar put together a great multimedia piece with some photos and videos, and It’s Queens Magazine is featuring my photos and article about the event this month! My brother and I are also editing a video piece, to come soon.

Tonight was ever-lovely artist Priscilla Stadler‘s opening reception for FAVORS at SPACE Gallery in Dutch Kills. I was one of two readers (so great to finally meet Elisa from El Paper!), and I was so happy to stand onstage amidst the springy green FAVORS spirals, each carrying a message of handwritten good deeds. FAVORS is meant to “challenge the people of Queens, NYC and beyond to smash the stereotype that New Yorkers are cutthroat, competitive egoists by doing favors for friends, family and strangers”! I’ve always loved the concept, and so to commemorate I read some poems included in the next iteration of my guerrilla poetry sticker project, the Compass Project – which I will hopefully be expanding (and printing from something other than my home printer..!) SOON. Suggestions are welcome!

There is much to be thankful for in this season of giving but I maintain that gratitude is for everyday. New paths are opening up and I am doing my best to walk them with grace. Feel your sadness, but let it slip through your fingers. The sorrow will leave, the memories will remain.. I remember.

See you out there – I feel so blessed to have done a reading, event, or performance every month in 2013! Not counting my birthday month of August.. I guess we all need a break sometimes ;) Wrap the year up with an exciting collaboration between myself, some amazing poets, and Queens-based new music ensemble thingNY at Aurora Gallery in Astoria – poets and music! Mash-up! Improv! The return of my “Nature of the Muse” reading/on-the-spot creation series in a new guise (..it’s a shifty one ;))! Can’t wait – more deets to come.

And I will leave you with some words, from me.

Thank you for reading, seeing, being, doing, creating, living, loving – you.

Infinite –

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Trajectories: words and music / collab with thingNY – 12/12/13 [Facebook]

INSPIRATION:

But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world
determined to do
the only thing you could do –
determined to save
the only life you could save.
– Mary Oliver, excerpt from “The Journey”

OUT OF MY HEAD & HEART:

here i am. and i can see the light catching the near-invisible threads between all these things that i do. you just have to move with the current. embrace instead of resist. no, it’s not perfect. yes, i am still looking. but that’s okay. this is my life. i want to be endlessly challenged, always moving, constantly creating. that is what we are meant for.. step back and you’ll see it. you don’t have to fixate as hard as you do. let the things that move you to tears, to grand sweeping emotions – be the things that actually matter. love. beauty. awe. ache. i am thankful to be here.. because finally i am walking in my own shoes. finally i am seeing the signs. finally i know it is a process. everything has a purpose. i am meant to take risks and make mistakes. and it’s okay. it IS okay and it will BE okay. i went from a few months ago feeling nothing in a way i hadn’t in a very, very long time – now i am here. i am not afraid anymore, i am not afraid. because life goes on and on and on and it is beautiful and terrible and shocking and perfect and harmonious and discordant and magical and a downright, absolute mess. but that’s what we’re here for. that’s the purpose. that’s it. if we did everything right, we wouldn’t LEARN. we wouldn’t have any richness or DEPTH of experience. it’s what we’re here for. that’s it. that’s it. and so i will be – the mischievous little goat breaking fences. peter in neverland. the restless sailor always voyaging. the little girl in fairy tales. and on and on and on. i believe, i wish, i hope, i love. and i will go harder, brighter, bolder, louder. because this is who i am. and there is no other way for me to be.

Recently

There are depths inside you too infinite to explain. When you need a reminder.. Look up. @audreyleopard on Instagram

Hello, hello out there! A little update from the road thus far..

I’ve added some new work to the site including performance videos and poems published, and everything is now organized into two categories: Poetry & Performance for poetry, prose, singing, creative projects and the like, and Articles & Media for journalism, blog posts, photos, and etc.

And away we go!

* I’m now part of the co-hosting team for Astoria’s Boundless Tales Reading Series! We just sent out an open call for writers with some interesting themes for each month – if you’re a writer/performer please check it out and submit your work! The next reading, which is also the last one of the season, is on June 20th at Waltz-Astoria and I’ll be hosting.

* Queens’ own Newtown Literary Journal is launching issue #2 at Odradeks in Kew Gardens (home of the rebooted REZ Reading Series) on June 6th. My prose piece “requiem (soon to be),” a written moment of silence for an LIC building on the chopping block, is published in it – thanks so much! Come on out and support QUEENS LIT! More info on their FB.

* I was really excited to be a part of some amazing events over the past few months..

** The second edition of my Nature of the Muse reading and live writing event was truly wonderful – I couldn’t be happier with the way it turned out and was FLOORED yet again with the talent of the featured artists! THANK YOU all so much. And thanks to my lovely pal Paul I also got to sing for the finale ;)

** Reading at Oh, Bernice! was a huge highlight – I got to perform some new work including a piece crafted with some classic tunes, which meant a lot to me. My parents were also there, and I remembered the last time I performed at Cafe Marlene – it was the second reading I did back in 2011, and the first time they saw me read after getting back into performing. Coming full circle and finally getting to read and sing a hybrid piece – I was absolutely floating that night..

** After reconnecting with her at Nature of the Muse, I was so excited to be invited by the incredible M. Leona Godin to perform at her new WITH SPECIAL GUEST series at The Delancey. She really thinks outside the box and is a ridiculously entertaining host – at the beginning of this month I read my work for her show accompanied by fantastic singer/cellist (and total sweetheart) Calum Ingram, who played to my words, totally improv! LOVED IT.

Yoga warriors on the beach in Coney Island with instructor Dina Ivas

** Later on in the month, the weather wasn’t exactly on our side, but it was a testament to good vibes and good friends that Lola Star and I’s Coney Island Oasis still went on – we did misty yoga on the beach with teacher Dina Ivas, heard some music and poetry, and shared snacks. SO grateful for all the attendees who didn’t let the chill spoil their fun!

** And – last week.. I got to faux-officiate a wedding! Ever-lovely Sammy Davis referred me to the folks at The Not Wedding, which is a bridal show alternative in the form of a big, fake wedding with vendors, food, music, dancing, and more. This was the very first NYC Not Wedding and I had such a blast performing spoken word for this real couple’s ceremony. They were just shy of their actual one year wedding anniversary and used it as a kind of vow renewal – all beautiful, kick-ass people I am so glad to have met!

Faux officiating, REAL LOVE at The Not Wedding – Instagram by @dolcedreamsevents

Currently – plotting out my next course.. I cannot wait to experiment with more forms of performing and collaborate with my beautiful friends. And hey, if you have a project you’d like to work on, if you want some poetry at your event or a fun MC – let me know!!

Stay tuned for the next Nature of the Muse later this summer, and updates on my next book. :) Just in case you’d like to check out my first book, Decisions We Make While We Dream, it’s still on sale right HERE! Earlier this month we passed the one year anniversary since I released it, in memory of my beloved Nana. Time sure does fly..

But – here we go. Flying right along with it..

Crawling out of the dark into an infinite summer –

National Poetry Month ’13!

Long Island City garden, @audreyleopard on Instagram

National Poetry Month! It’s here again.. It’s been a beautiful time of writing, productivity, and connections. I am excited and grateful for what these next months will bring.

“NATURE OF THE MUSE” is THIS THURSDAY! Thank you again to all the local media outlets who have been so, so kind to help promote – Newtown Literary Journal generously ran this piece they recently invited me to post on their great and growing blog, and BORO Mag featured it online and on their FB, calling it “one of the most exciting literary events in the city” (!!!) – but you can come on down and find out for yourself ;)

Newtown Literary is also throwing a fantastic fundraiser/series of local writing events called QUEENS WRITES! It’s next weekend, April 13th and 14th and if you’re a writer or literary person you should BE THERE! More info here. They’re also publishing my piece, “requiem (soon to be)” in their Spring/Summer ’13 issue!! EXCITED!

Cristian Zink of The Queens Ink by Liz Nieves

My longtime friend/collaborator Liz Nieves (of glitter unicorn photo fame) & I recently launched a webzine called GLITTER & DOOM featuring photos and interviews with everyday creatives + special content to come! Check it out!

Local arts collective Mission to (dit)MARS made me their Featured Artist and ran a great little interview! Check it out here. I also had the true pleasure of attending the inaugural event in their Launch Pad Reading Series for playwrights – Courtney Lauria’s “Bridges & Boundaries” really struck me. It was poignant, timely, funny – well-written, acted, and directed. Loved the concept and looking forward to more! Check out their website for info.

AND MORE EVENTS THIS MONTH! APRIL 18 I’ll be hosting @ Boundless Tales Reading Series in Astoria and on APRIL 20 I’ll be reading @ Oh, Bernice! Reading Series in Sunnyside. YES!

You never know where life will lead you next… @audreyleopard on Instagram

Infinite love & gratitude always!

See you ’round town-

XO a.

PS: I am also overflowing with joy and gratitude for my beautiful mom who had an amazing opportunity to present the work she does at the NEWLIFE EXPO, America’s largest mind, body & spirit expo, last month. If you need some good vibes or energy blockages removed (and much more) – please talk with her or check out her upcoming event on APRIL 26. So beyond proud.

Nature of the Muse, April 4th edition!

Audrey Dimola presents:

the second edition of
NATURE OF THE MUSE
a reading & live writing event

Thursday, April 4th
doors @ 7:30pm (event is 1hr & a half)
FIRESIDE at LIC Bar‘s carriage house!

Celebrate the end of winter and invoke spirits of warmth for spring!

What makes us write? What is the nature of inspiration? These are themes we play with in “NATURE OF THE MUSE.” At this cozy fireside literary event, you’ll be treated to two sides of each local Queens writer’s talent: their previously written poetry and prose, but ALSO what they can churn out on the spot – yes, live writing!

You, the audience, will have the opportunity to contribute a writing prompt to the pool – each writer will receive a random prompt and have to write from it on the spot (as you would at a writing workshop), and present to the audience at the end.

You write the prompts, they write a piece – amusement ensues… JOIN US!

Featuring:
Aida Zilelian-Silak
Joe Yoga
Tim Fredrick
Greg Kirkorian

+ special guests
Siobhan O’Loughlin
Tam Lin/Paul Weinfield

+ music
+ more

hosted by Audrey Dimola
and with much thanks to Gus Rodriguez!

No cover – 1 drink minimum

**if you like the idea of multi-disciplinary collaboration, creative improvisation, or reading/performing your work in general at a future ‘Nature of the Muse’ event please email audrey.dimola@gmail.com (not limited to writers either – musicians, playwrights, actors, etc!)

FB INVITE

Words for spring and summer…

STAY WILD – one shot from the “world as notebook” series – more here

Ladies & gents!

Been a long winter (doesn’t it always seem that way…?) but I am ready for spring and summer in full force.

You must not fear, hold back, count or be a miser with your thoughts and feelings. It is also true that creation comes from an overflow, so you have to learn to intake, to imbibe, to nourish yourself and not be afraid of fullness. The fullness is like a tidal wave which then carries you, sweeps you into experience and into writing. Permit yourself to flow and overflow, allow for the rise in temperature, all the expansions and intensifications. Something is always born of excess: great art was born of great terrors, great loneliness, great inhibitions, instabilities, and it always balances them. – Anaïs Nin

And so – thus! Here are some wonderful things I would be so honored to see any of your beautiful presences at in the coming months…

Reading at REZ Reading Series, March 7 – So happy to be reading at the re-launch of this Kew Gardens series! Here’s their Facebook page and a new article about the history of the series and plans for the future.

(APRIL IS NATIONAL POETRY MONTH!)

NATURE OF THE MUSE, April 4 – My reading and live writing event RETURNS! Celebrate the end of winter and invoke spirits of warmth for spring, one more time by the fire at LIC Bar – can’t wait! Featuring local writers: Aida Zilelian-Silak, Tim Fredrick, Joe Yoga, and Greg Kirkorian with special guests Siobhan O’Loughlin and Tam Lin/Paul Weinfield, music & more! 7:30pm, more details here.

Hosting at Boundless Tales Reading Series, April 18 – One of my favorite things to do ;) I hosted for Boundless‘ founder Aida twice last summer and am reprising the role – my participation in this series has led to so many amazing friends, opportunities, and connections and I am forever grateful and thankful to be a part of it!

Reading at Oh, Bernice!, April 20 – Another relatively new reading series in Queens – Oh, Bernice mixes it up and has a great following! Further details soon (general info is here), but I’m excited to be reading for them in April.

Coney Island Oasis event, May 11 – New frontiers! Designer/gift shop maven/Coney Island royalty Miss Lola Star and I are teaming up to bring an oasis to the Coney Island beach this summer! All free – featuring a yoga class taught by the amazing Dina Ivas (who has just embarked on an adventure in fitness fashion blogging!), spoken word, music – and a vegetarian potluck! All on the beach to kick off the summer in one of my all-time favorite places in NYC. More deets to come!

Hosting at Boundless Tales Reading Series, June 20 – AGAIN! :)

Reading at NYC Poetry Festival, July 27/28 – And speaking of.. I am so, so HONORED to be reading at the Poetry Society of New York’s NYC Poetry Festival (!!!!!!) on Governor’s Island thanks to Boundless Tales! Aiming to rep Queens and make ’em proud!

I PROMISE there will be more surprises in between in the coming months.

Don’t let anyone impose their limits on you. Be free, be you. Create in the spirit of love and bask in the warmth of possibility…

With gratitude always,

XO a.

Nature of the Muse – exciting, inspiring, just the beginning

Fireside with booker/musician/curator Gus Rodriguez & musical guest Ace Elijah

it is true that because of my doubts and anxieties i only believe in fire. […] life. fire. being myself on fire i set others on fire. never death. fire and life. –anaïs nin

Well, ladies and gents – we did it. I am so thrilled with the debut of “Nature of the Muse”!

THANK YOU to my wonderful and talented writers, Gus for encouraging me and giving the event a home, Ace for playing your gorgeous tunes, everyone who supported me and promoted the event, and of course the fantastic audience who wrote prompts, soaked in the atmosphere, laughed a lot, and packed the house (!!!) that night.

You can view the full program HERE.

There are so many moments frozen in my memory – all the laughter, my parents in the front row, making a toast to “fire and life” right before we began, on and on.. I am so grateful. And we are doing it AGAIN!

SAVE THE DATE! The next Nature of the Muse will be Thursday, April 4th @ 7:30pm, same place by the fire at LIC Bar! Squeezing one more toasty reading in before the Spring – more details to come! But first…

Lovely NZ/UK blogger and LIC transplant Eric Hathaway interviewed me and then wrote a great review of the show, complete with sound clips of all performers – please check it out HERE on his blog, Sometime in Long Island City! Here again is also the great piece Jeanmarie Evelly did for DNAinfo.com right before the event. Thank you both!

And – HERE ARE THE PROMPT POEMS!

Everyone in the audience wrote a random writing prompt on a slip of paper and I tossed them all into a bag. Then while one writer got up to read their previously written work, another writer took a random prompt and went downstairs to write. Each writer ended up having 10 mins or less to write, and then had to present their work to the audience at the end of the event, no matter what it was or what it sounded like. Quite a fun and sometimes unnerving experiment – thank you all for being so brave! ;)

MORE! »»

Jan 27 fireside reading & live writing event, hosted by me!

Flyer by my amazing pal Mike Else!

I’m so excited to finally say this is a reality!

I’m throwing (and hosting) my first literary event which features reading AND live writing from all Queens writers… Did I mention it’s by the FIRE?! Literally – in the amazing, cozy carriage house at the back of LIC Bar, which has a lovely stone fireplace!

Here we go!

Audrey Dimola presents:

Nature of the Muse
a reading & live writing event

Sunday, January 27th
doors @ 6:30pm (event is 1hr & a half)
FIRESIDE at LIC Bar’s carriage house!

and now featuring special musical guest ACE ELIJAH!

At this cozy (indoor) fireside literary event, you’ll be treated to two sides of each local Queens writer’s talent: their traditional/polished poetry and prose work, but ALSO what they can churn out on the spot – yes, live writing!

You, the audience, will have the opportunity to contribute a writing prompt to the pool – each writer will receive a random prompt and have to write from it on the spot (as you would at a writing workshop), and present to the audience at the end.

Sound fun? Join us!

Featuring:
Michael Stahl
Sweta Srivastava Vikram
Carrie Noel
Michael Alpiner

hosted by Audrey Dimola
(who will also be doing a prompt, to be fair!)

and with much thanks to Gus Rodriguez!

No cover – 1 drink minimum

PLEASE ALSO BE AWARE OF THE 7 TRAIN NOT RUNNING ON WEEKENDS BETWEEN QUEENSBORO PLAZA & TIMES SQUARE – PLAN ACCORDINGLY WITH MTA’S TRIP PLANNER!

RSVP ON FB HERE!

I’d also like to take this opportunity to say how absolutely GRATEFUL I am to have gotten so much love and support for this event – thank you to everyone who is planning on attending, spreading the word, and of course writing articles! Please take a look, like them on FB, join their mailing lists, and get your local news from them: BORO, We Heart Astoria, LIC Spot, LIC Partnership, Discover Queens (who generously posted on Yelp and QueensNYC), as well as Eric Hathaway (forthcoming!) and Jeanmarie Evelly of DNAinfo.com who both interviewed me. Jeanmarie’s article, “Queens improv literary event to put local writers on the spot” (!!!) is HERE. THANK YOU!