Photo by James Hodges
Rupert Wondolowski
Frequently, literary performances are confined to coffee shops, libraries or the odd gallery so it’s refreshing to see an event where the words were given a stage and an interesting venue in which to breathe. Last Friday the 14 Karat Cabaret hosted the release party for one of Baltimore’s best literary magazines, The Shattered Wig Review. The event was hosted by the publication’s editor, Rupert Wondolowski.
Photo by James Hodges, story by Dylan Kinnett.
Photo by James Hodges
Ryan Walker featured in the current issue of Shattered Wig Review.
Shattered Wig has been around for a remarkably long time, judging from its issue number, 28, and the editorial, which alludes to a recent two year hiatus. As it turns out, the publication has been in print for 22 years. That’s an impressive run for an independent venture of any sort.
The first performer was R.M. O’Brien, an editor of the interactive literary magazine WORMS, which occurs monthly at the Bell Foundry. O’Brien’s stage presence is comfortable, casual and ideal for a first reading. His work is often an amusing and intelligent commentary on contemporary pop culture but he also reads the works of others. Tonight, he read a poem by Gregory Corso.
Photo by James Hodges, story by Dylan Kinnett.
Photo by James Hodges
Becky Hunter – “I like the venue. I come to whatever I can, here.”
The evening continued with a reading by Ryan Walker, whose untitled poetry is published in the new issue. He commanded the audience’s rapt attention with his playful series of stream-of-consciousness observations.
Photo by James Hodges, story by Dylan Kinnett.
Photo by James Hodges
Chris Toll
In the latest issue of Shattered Wig Review author Chris Toll describes a magical encounter between Edgar Allen Poe and Emily Dickinson, involving a time machine. Exploring this notion, by itself, is worth the price of admission.
Photo by James Hodges, story by Dylan Kinnett.
Photo by James Hodges
Justin Miller
There’s something uniquely independent about this publication. In an age when computerized desktop publishing has yet to reach the legal drinking age, the Shattered Wig Review holds true to a print sensibility that is rapidly fading. Its pages look and feel like those of a good ol’ zine, the kind we loved before blogs, with staples on the spine and strange drawings in the margins.
Also reading this evening was Emily Peterson Crespo who had been a regular performer at the now-defunct “Speak Your Piece” series in Mount Vernon. Her performance this evening was an intricate blend of poetry and prose with all of the deliberate diction of the former coupled with the scenic detail of the latter.
Photo by James Hodges, story by Dylan Kinnett.
Photo by James Hodges
Ed Foster of The Baltimore String Felons.
It wasn’t all words at the 14 Karat Cabaret during this event. The music began with a performance by former members of the band, Madagascar. The new band, called Nests took their current project out for a test drive for this, their first ever performance. The lineup retains much of the minimalist qualities of the original band though the new sound has more in common with contemporary ambient electronic music.
The evening concluded with musical a set by The Baltimore String Felons. The Felon Family are a unique group of contemporary folk musicians who are making a strong case for music made with hand tools.
Photo by James Hodges, story by Dylan Kinnett.
Photo by James Hodges
Geffery Sof’ Serve of The Baltimore String Felons.
Don’t let the DIY look of the publication mislead you. Here, you’ll find sophisticated literature, with allusions to the visual poets, surrealist, automatic writing and stunning poetic lines like Stephanie Barber’s “one conducts electricity or symphonies, big bands or / trains or themselves with restraint.” There is plenty of worthwhile reading material in here all for only six dollars.
The new issue, as well as a subscription, is available for purchase from Normal’s Books.. Full details are available on their website.
Photo by James Hodges, story by Dylan Kinnett.
Photo by James Hodges
This Friday, at 9 p.m. the 14 Karat Cabaret will host performances by Joseph Keckler, Ric Royer, Lisa Leaverton and short films by Ann Everton.
Photo by James Hodges, story by Dylan Kinnett.
