Literary Mama Blog: May 2005 Archives




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Literary Mama About Us Submissions Contact Privacy Policy Literary Mama Bookshop Literary Mama Gear Powered by Movable Type 3.16	Literary Mama Blog « April 2005 \| Main \| June 2005 » May 31, 2005 Mother Writers in History Did you know that the first poet published in English in America--male or female--was a mother writer? Anne Bradstreet (ca. 1612/13-1672) raised eight children while also writing the poetry that was published in her book The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America (1650). Bradstreet wrote on many subjects, including her life as a mother and grandmother in Puritan America. You can read all her writing in a John Harvard Library edition titled the Works of Anne Bradstreet. You can also read about her life and work in the new biography by Charlotte Gordon titled Mistress Bradstreet: The Untold Life of America's First Poet (2005). And, finally, you can also check out some of her poetry and a short biography at www.annebradstreet.com Posted by ahudock at 12:35 PM \| Comments (0) May 27, 2005 Mother Talk Report Asha Dornfest reports on the most recent Mother Talk event in Portland: About 35 women filled the house, and the conversation was lively from the get go. This is Portland –- a small town in the guise of a city –- so many of the guests were connected. . . About 45 minutes later everyone crowded into chairs and onto the floor for more focused discussion. Our guest speakers were Jennifer Lauck and Ariel Gore. . . . Jennifer brought passion and power to the talk, Ariel was saucy and full of self-deprecating humor. Everyone enjoyed hearing them both; once the conversation got started it kept rolling with its own momentum. Also, Jennifer Lauck reports on the LA Mother Talk event with Hope Edelman and on the Mother Talks she and I did with Jennifer Margulis in Portland and Seattle last month. Posted by Andi at 05:11 PM \| Comments (0) Meet the Author Today was "Meet the Author" day at Emi's school, and the kindergarten parents were treated to hearing all the kids read from books they'd written over the past few months. The kids had to write both fiction and nonfiction, and many of the books were thinly disguised memoirs ("Once there was a princess named... Emi"). Emi had a four-book deal, evidently -- she wrote "The Number Book," "The Rainbow Rock," "The One Fashion Girl Who Got New Clothes," and "The Princess Who Wanted a Cat." The kids sat at tables and had their author bios on display (my favorite was Emi's friend Riley's, which said "Riley enjoys exercising and eating sweets. The exercising makes him a little bit stronger and the sweets make him a little bit weaker." I want that in my next author bio!) and took questions from the audience -- it was really cute. Most of the kids' books were the usual third-person "Once upon a time there was a girl/boy who was a princess in a castle/liked to kill monsters," but I think my favorite story was a three-page, first-person "ghost story" from a six-year-old boy. Now I know there's some controversy over first-person, present-tense narration, but this one really worked for me. It was called "The Ghost," and it went like this: "(Page One) I am a ghost. (Page Two) You might think that I am made up. (Page Three) But I am not." Awesome! Many of the kids dedicated their books to "all my friends and family" (nice), "mommy and daddy, who love me" (also nice), or "mommy and daddy, who I love very much" (can't get much nicer than that). Three of Emi's books bore dedications to Nate, which was very sweet, considering that she spends most of her time annoyed that he exists. And the end of her bio said that her next book might be about princesses. So we have that to look forward to. The kids were very excited about being "real authors" and presenting their work publicly. It was kind of timely, since I was just commiserating with Miriam yesterday about touring and bookstore readings and how hit-and-miss they can be, and whether or not they actually help sell books anyway. Really, to make this kindergarten "Meet the Author" day more true to life, like an actual bookstore reading, next year they should have only two parents show up, and there should be at least one homeless schizophrenic asking questions about governmental tracking devices. Posted by Andi at 04:30 PM \| Comments (0) May 23, 2005 A conversation with Miriam Peskowitz My Literary Mama interview with Miriam Peskowitz is up and running. Miriam, who writes a blog called Playground Revolution, is not only smart and interesting, but she's also a Philly mama, so I've been lucky enough to meet her in person for coffee, commiseration, and general hanging out. We'll be doing a Philadelphia Mother Talk event featuring Miriam soon. In the meantime, head on over to the Q & A. Here's a sampling: AB: Why is it always framed as Mommy Wars and not Parent Wars? Why are any of these issues specifically women's problems? Isn't limiting the focus and excluding fathers in fact preventing us from ever making any real headway in the work vs. family debate? MP: Several months after my daughter was born, I took my first two days away and went to New Orleans -- breast pump in hand! There, I met my old friend, Tom; he's one of the stay-at-home dads I write about in the book. At the time, he had recently left his high level job with the Seattle public schools to become a stay at home dad of two elementary age kids. I was struggling with what to do with my own career, and how to reconcile my real desires to slow down and be with my daughter with my fear that the professions are too rigid, and I would never have interesting work again. Tom's way of talking about his life made a big impression on me. He was so clear about his decision to parent. So, when I sat down to write the book, it was important to me to include fathers. Part of the problem right now is that a relatively conservative cultural climate has reinstated the traditional idea that parenting is primarily mother's work. That makes it harder for mothers, and harder for fathers who want to parent. In contrast, we can all thank gay fathers everywhere for leading the way in showing how active fatherhood is part and parcel of being a man, and dispelling myths of how men can't parent. I want all dads to talk about their lives with the same adjectives we mothers use. I'd love to hear a dad talk about himself as a "working dad," to combine an identity of work and parenting the way most mothers do. I want to see a Working Father magazine that provides tips to fathers about how to do their chores while working full-time, saving time for self, negotiating paid family leave and arranging part-time work, complete with fashion, health, and beauty tips. I want to read stories that begin with, "When I began my marketing presentation, I didn't realize I had baby spit up on my Helmut Lang suit and tie. . ." I want to see "How He Does It" features, "100 Best Companies for Working Dads" survey results, and, especially, the annual "Raising a Ruckus" award for fathers. We'll have come a long way when there's a dad version of Working Mother. We also need more fathers actively engaged in negotiating with bosses over family issues, in part because they have more social power. A lawyer friend of mine recounts being in the courtroom at 5 p.m. when the judge announced that the session would be extended. She and the other women attorneys all looked at each other -- they didn't even need to mouth the words, "How the hell am I going to pick up my kids on time?" A male attorney in the courtroom raised his hand and asked the judge to call a 10-minute break so he could make childcare arrangements. The judge agreed, and the relief in the room was palpable. My friend swears that had a woman asked, the judge would have declined, and they would have suffered prestige loss, too. Posted by Andi at 07:31 PM \| Comments (0) May 04, 2005 Mamapalooza This Mother's Day, Sunday, May 8, I'll be taking part in the New York City MAMAPALOOZA, doing a reading at the Bowery Poetry Club along with Ayun Halliday and Catherine Newman. (Info: 3 to 6 p.m., 308 Bowery, NYC 212-614-0505, $5 door). Mamapalooza was founded four years ago by Joy Rose of the band Housewives on Prozac and promises to be a month-long celebration of creativity and motherhood in eight US cities. Here's the official spiel; full New York City Mamapalooza events listing below the jump: This May, in cities across America, Moms are stepping out and onto the stage: The Fourth Annual MAMAPALOOZA presents singer-songwriters, rockers, poets, craftspeople and comics laughing, singing and stomping their way out of the kitchen and into your hearts. Eight cities and counting, the Women of MAMAPALOOZA are poised to celebrate new ways of incorporating creativity and song into one of the more challenging jobs women face: The role of mother. Founded by Joy Rose of Housewives On Prozac, MAMAPALOOZA 2005 promises to be the largest presentation of the Mom-Rock movement in America and was recently featured in Child Magazine, PEOPLE, Ladies Home Journal, Daily News, Wall St, Journal, Chicago Tribune, USA Today, London Times, CNN, Good Morning America, FOX News, and NPR to name a few. With alliances in New York, Nashville, Washington DC, Detroit, San Francisco, Ft. Lauderdale, Chicago and Dallas The Women Of MAMAPALOOZA are taking to stages, poetry jams and concert halls, forging new ways of thinking, being, celebrating and defining what it is to be an artist and mother in the 21st Century. Backed up by the hard rocking Housewives On Prozac (NYC), Mydols (Detroit), Candy Band (Detroit), Frump (Dallas), Tiffany Petrossi (Rockin’ Moms), Emily Lord (San Fran), MomsOnThe Edge (DC), Sue Fabisch (Nashville), Vickie Raye (Ft Lauderdale) and Kim Char Meredith (Chicago) -- a wide array of talented mothers and others are singing songs that reflect every musical genre, from pop to punk to folk. MotherLode Trio (Folk), Black Flamingo (Punk), Golda Solomon (Poetry and Jazz), Alana Free (Spoken Word), Nancy Lombardo (Comedy), The Mothers (England), Jessica Feder Birnbaum (Children’s Events), Jamie Callan (Literary Events), Alyson Palmer (BETTY) are just a few of the women to participate in this year’s events, running from May 1st to May 25th. SPONSORS include: Sam Ash, Luna Bars, Avon, New York Parks Dept, Phebe’s, and media sponsors Chick Chat Radio. New York City MAMAPALOOZA 2005 EVENTS! Sunday May 8th @ 3-6 PM BOWERY POETRY CLUB, NYC MAMAPALOOZA Literary Reading, hosted by Jamie Callan presents notable authors with contemporary musings on motherhood, art and creativity. 308 Bowery, NYC 212-614-0505 $5 door *Partnering with PHEBE’S Restaurant (359Bowery 212-358-1902) for 1/2 off one meal with MAMAPALOOZA Literary coupon during May Sunday May 15th 2-4 PM TONIC 107 Norfolk St. www.tonicnyc.com $10 Adults/ Kids Free Moms/kids event will feature talented Moms and kids performing together: comedy, song, verse, sing alongs. A family friendly event for all ages. Sassi and Liam Keegan doing mother and son comedy routine, Lisa Ludwig….. Thursday May 19th @ 6-8 PM CORNELIA ST. CAFÉ w 29 Cornelia Street, NYC 212-989-9319 www.corneliastreetcafe.com $13 Urban Jazz and Words A night of dynamic poetry, backed by music and movement. Hosted by Golda Solomon "medicine woman of jazz" & Monique Avakian; Cheryl Boyce Taylor, The Lynn Skinner Duo, Alana Free, Dorothy Saracino, Deborah Maier, Irene Maher, Pamela Sklar, Electric Wolf. www.corneliastreetcafe.com Thursday May 19th @ 7-11 PM ARLENE’S GROCERY 95 Stanton St 212-995-1652 www.arlene-grocery.com $10 Welcoming all NEW MAMAS to the stage for MAMAPALOOZA performances; A night of wild, wonderful women playing music ranging from rock, jazz, folk and blues -- Hosted by Joy Rose and Nora Burn, featuring: The Catholic Girls, Mary Perna,Deb Ferrara, Leah Archibald, Faith, Alice Marie, Lisa Martin, Jenny Bruce, Linda Carney-Goodrich, Kathleen Pemble, Lynda Kraar, Jenna Torres, Fold (Canada), Catherine Moon, Warfield Suite, Carol Lester, E J Serrano, Mad Jones Family Band, Cindy Anderson, Lisa Jane Lipkin, Batya Diamond, Marie Taziki, Barbara Singer, Alison Byers, JEN/ed Saturday May 21 @ Noon-4 Riverside Park So. @ 68th St. FREE MAMAPALOOZA 2005 – RIVERSIDE PARK SOUTH Outdoor Concert (Free) Sponsored by The New York Parks Dept. Bring your strollers and your friends. This afternoon of folk, rock, and mom-inspired crafts is a gathering for all ages. Featuring BETTY, Candy Band, Housewives On Prozac, Liz Queler, MotherLode Trio, Jenny Bruce, Momsense, Jane Getter Band, Sassi The Clown & Artisans….. RIVERSIDE PARK SOUTH PIER PLAZA Directions: Enter Riverside Park South at w. 72nd St. or w. 68th St. Follow the stairs or ramps down to the water and you'll spot the pier at w. 68th St. Walking, biking and strolling only - no car access. Park on Riverside Drive. Subway to w. 72nd St. Don't forget your sun protection! For further information, www.riversideparkfund.org. Sat. May 21, 4 -6 pm MAMAPALOOZA MADNESS The LAUGH LOUNGE NYC- 151 Essex St. 212-614-2500 $10 cover 2 drinks min. www.laughloungenyc.com “MOMEDY COMEDY” Mom’s who rock your world with laughter! Hosted by comedy mom greats Nancy Lombardo & Barbara Singer. More mad cap moms include Sassi Keegan, Maureen Marren, Jill Shely, Rita Ashdale, Emmy Gay, Carla Johnston, Ella Veres….. And more! “Kid tested, mother approved comedy!” Sunday May 22nd 1-3pm PHEBE’s MAMAPALOOZA Brunch W/Candy Band 359 Bowery, NYC 212-358-1902 Reservations recommended www.phebesnyc.com Use your Bowery Literary MAMAPALOOZA brunch coupons 1/2 off one meal with MAMAPALOOZA Literary coupon during the May Wednesday May 25th 7PM –Midnight THE CUTTING ROOM – NYC; Where it all started! 4th Annual ALL STAR MAMAPALOOZA FEST 19 West 24th St. NYC 212-691-1900 $20 cover charge www.thecuttingroomnyc.com Tickets available at Smarttix.com Together on one stage for the first time, celebrity Mom-Stars of the Mom Rock movement, rock the house with music that’s changed the face of American Motherhood with the sound of today’s all new ‘Domestically themed grunge, rock, punk, folk, pop sound”. As seen on Good Morning America, Child Magazine, USA Today, LONDON Times and PEOPLE -- Joy Rose hosts the evening's events featuring The Mothers (England), Housewives On Prozac New York, Westchester), The Mydols (Detroit), Frump (Dallas), Placenta (Oakland), Tina deVaron (NYC), MotherLode Trio (New York), Tiffany Petrossi (San Jose), Emily Lord (San Fransisco), Mrs. Robinson (Bronxville), Sue Fabisch (Nashville), Black Flamingo (NYC), MomsOnTheEdge (Washington DC), Alyson Palmer (NYC), Shavonne Conroy (Westchester), Pilley & Ilas Dress (Brooklyn), Aellyn Vallis (Washington DC), Nancy Lombardo (NYC), JEN/ed (NYC).... An evening of Rock an' Roll and comedy. Magazine giveaways, raffles, Luna Bars, CDs and makeup and more!! Posted by Andi at 04:14 PM \| Comments (1)	News Currently Reading