You knew it was coming. ChicagoPoetry.com is "entertaining its options" and is going to "take back" Bucktown with a massive poetry invasion. And YOU are invited to read your best poetry at The Poetry Cram #3. Join 2004 Juried Reading winner Kristy Bowen, Weeds host Gregorio Gomez, host of The Cafe Charlie Newman, Author of the new Fractal Edge Press title "I Am Spam" Larry O. Dean, J. J. Jameson, Kwame Pitts, Scott DeKatch, Lane Falcon, Michael Brownstein, Frank Matagrano, Maggie Rubin, Tasha Johnson, Crystal, about 30 other poets, including your host C. J. Laity, for what could be the final event of our controversial 2004 season. All poets are invited, regardless of style, to read their best two poems. To reserve your spot in the poetry invasion of Bucktown, please RSVP at chicagopoetry (at) chicagopoetry.com

Chicago Poetry Cram #3, Wednesday, October 6, 8 PM until Midnight, Gallery Cabaret, 2020 N. Oakley.

---

OPEN CALL FOR POETS

WHAT: THE CHICAGO POETRY CRAM #3: INVASION OF BUCKTOWN

WHEN: Wednesday, October 6, 2004, 8 PM

WHERE: At the Gallery Cabaret, 2020 N. Oakley, right in the heart of Bucktown

ATTENTION: POETS PLAN MAJOR POETRY PARTY TO "TAKE BACK" BUCKTOWN

This is an open call for poets who would like to read in what could possibly be the final poetry event of ChicagoPoetry.com's 2004 Season.

We shattered the record with 39 poets at the last Poetry Cram at the Cafe. But we fear the Cafe can not hold more than that, so, as we attempt to break the record once again, we will take the classiest poets in Chicago straight to the heart of Bucktown, and then some.

That's right, this UNCENSORED (Adults Only) Poetry Cram will be held two blocks away from the Bucktown Arts Fest space, at one of Bucktown's oldest establishments, the legendary GALLERY CABARET performance art bar.

The Gallery Cabaret has a long history of hosting poetry events. As a matter of fact, back in the old day, Gregorio Gomez hosted a regular Wednesday night gig there which was always jam packed with people. The owner of The Gallery Cabaret, one of Bucktown's oldest taverns, a place that has survived the rampant gentrification of the neighborhood over the years, has invited ChicagoPoetry.com to host The Poetry Cram III in Bucktown. "We love the Letter eX poets," says Ken, the owner, "and we welcome the them back to Bucktown." So, here we go!

Gallery Cabaret has a great sound system, too!

Since this may be the final ChicagoPoetry.com event of the 2004 season, we would like to invite ALL poets who are on this list to come do two poems for the Poetry Cram III, and to help us break the record of 39 poets reading in one evening. All poets will be allowed to do at least TWO poems. Class, sass, brass, crass, we don't give a hoot, we respect your diversity!!! We are inviting poets of all styles to join in, to make the evening one of variety. It will be a great event for poets to meet each other, and the drinks are cheap too (whoo whoo). Help the poets take back Bucktown! It is going to be one WILD AND CRAZY TIME.

ChicagoPoetry.com has had a very successful 2004 Season, including The Sex Show at ACME Artworks, Chicago Poetry Uncensored at Guild Complex, Chicago Poetry Showcase at Printers Row Book Fair, two Poetry Crams at The Cafe, The Chicago Poetry Fest, and now: THE POETRY CRAM #3: INVASION OF BUCKTOWN. Our shows have been reported about in The Sun Times, in The Chicago Reader, in New City, in The Chicago Tribune, Inside Publications, Third Coast Press, on IndyMedia.com, and so on. We enjoy putting poets in the spotlight. And we appreciate the poets. That's why we're THROWING YOU A BIG FRIGGIN' POETRY PARTY. And did we mention, we are taking back Bucktown!!!

That's right, the poets are invading Bucktown. We are looking for literary poets, slam poets, street poets, rap poets, poets who don't fit into any genre whatsoever. This will be an evening during which we unite. We are taking back Bucktown in a big way.

We are also looking for a BAND to play a special midnight set for the poets. Do you have a band? Do you have a group of hip hop artists? Would you like to do the midnight set? Contact me. We'll talk.

That's right, this is going to be a HUGE event. In order to break the previous poetry cram record, I have reserved The Gallery Cabaret until 1 AM. Prepare to Cram poetry until midnight.

Okay, are you sold? Do you want to help ChicagoPoetry.com invade Bucktown? Do you want to come celebrate the closing of the ChicagoPoetry.com 2004 performance season? Do you want to read your best two poems in The Poetry Cram III?

REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE. IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU RESERVE YOUR SPOT IN THE POETRY CRAM IN ADVANCE. ALL FEATURED ARTISTS WILL BE GIVEN SPECIAL ATTENTION AT CHICAGOPOETRY.COM.