Lana Hechtman Ayers welcomes everyone to the SoulFood Poetry Party.
Yes, we had cake!
Cake is one way to get people to come to a poetry reading, but I think we would have had a great crowd without it!
Lana starts to cut the cake.
You know you want some!
Please, take one!
Fortunately, we had enough cake for everyone, with a bit left over.
Okay, time for Band of Poets to take the stage. Lana introduces (left to right) Jed Myers, David Rizzi, and John Burgess.
You can learn more about Band of Poets at http://bandofpoets.net/.
Getting into a groove . . .
We had a great crowd!
Band of Poets mixes selections of original music with poetry to create a unique performance experience.
Michael Schein.
Taylor serving up drinks.
Hmmm, blurry.
Better. Such are the vicissitudes of a point-and-shoot camera . . .
There we go.
Hmmm . . .
David Rizzi.
Julian Priester joins the band on double bass.
Julian Priester and Jed Myers.
John Burgess and Julian Priester.
John Burgess.
Joanie Stangland.
Nashira Priester.
SoulFood always has a great exhibit by a local artist (on the wall in the background).
Band of Poets backs up Michael Schein as he reads his poems.
Carol Levin.
Lana Hechtman Ayers.
Lana Hechtman Ayers. What a warm and inclusive MC she is!
Christopher Jarmick takes the stage.
Christopher Jarmick.
Julene Tripp Weaver.
Michael Dylan Welch is joined on stage by his kids Sarah and Thomas.
Michael Dylan Welch, Sarah Welch (age 3), and Thomas Welch (age 5).
Michael, Sarah, and Thomas Welch.
Sarah recites the two long words she knows: antidisestablishmentarianism . . . and supercalifragilisticexpialidocious-tarianism. Her very first spoken-word public performance!
Joannie Kervran Stangeland has the band back her up when she reads some of her poems.
Joannie Kervran Stangeland.
Rick Smith.
Linda Thompson.
Jim Teeters.
Michael Dylan Welch.
Brendan McBreen.
Gerald McBreen.
Go Taylor!
Taylor works at SoulFood serving drinks.
Michail Kyril, with Taylor on guitar.
Michail Kyril.
