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06.27.08

This update features poems from Robert Archambeau, Jon Curley, Norman Finkelstein, Matthew Henriksen, Eric Hoffman, Philip Jenks, Amanda Nadelberg, Peter O'Leary, Gregory Ott, Chuck Stebelton, Shannon Tharp, John Tipton, & Jamie Townsend; & prose from Michael Henson & Tyrone Williams. We've also got photographs from Cary Conover &Beth Cook, & other images by Derrick Buisch & Sarah Conner. The picks are provided by Jeff Clark & Matthew Henriksen.

In other news, as some of you already know, we've recently published a broadside of a poem by Joseph Massey. It's a lovely piece of poetry & printing. Buy one today.

Shouting, shouting: Franklins; Stillwaters; Indy; (version); JCNJ; NJNY; E.,D., & T.; Magpies; A./A. (Mazel Tov!); MBJNY; APLNY; KDS/AJM; PBNY; CBQC; EL/JP!; z./S.; Syl; local talent; & you.

 

02.17.08

This update brings poems from Robert Archambeau, Dan Beachy-Quick, Claire Becker, Joel Bettridge, Norman Finkelstein, Gina Myers, Peter O'Leary, Michael Prasil, Pam Rehm, Kate Schapira, & Chuck Stebelton; & prose from Joseph Bradshaw & Chris Zinger. We've also got photographs from Cary Conover & picks from Jesse Pires & myself.

In other news, as some of you already know, we've released a one-sided, clear vinyl 12" EP gathering one song each from 4 Twin Cities bands. For the technologically encumbered, it's also available via iTunes & Amazon MP3 download. The bands are Story of the Sea, The Million (my band; I play drums), Hail, Architect, & Self-Evident. Not only do I encourage you to pick up a copy one way or another, I'm guessing that, unless your rock music aversion is running high these days, you're likely to enjoy at least of the bands.

Thanks to all of the contributors for their patience during the delay-a-thon that led up to this update.

Shout, shouter, shoutest: JCNJ; PBNY; NJNY; z./S.; Syl, E.,D., & T.; Magpies (happy birthday, again, Cal!); A./A.; (version); MBJNY; APLNY; KDS/AJM; Gurldogg; Henriksens; JMCA; CBQC; Miles Wm. Wickard (welcome home!); EL/JP!; BT & E; KBTSNY (Mazel Tov!); Stillwaters; Franklins; Team Indy; Local Talents; & you.

 

09.19.07

Delights abound: poems from Jon Curley, Tom Fisher, Roberto Harrison, Joseph Massey & Jess Mynes, Amanda Nadelberg, Peter O'Leary, Gregory J. Ott, John Phillips, Christopher Rizzo, Cindy Savett, Kate Schapira, Mark Scroggins, Melissa Severin, Shannon Tharp, & Jen Tynes; prose from John Phillips, Bronwen Tate (prose-poems), & Tyrone Williams.

Additionally, we've got a PDF chapbook by the illustrious Sandra Simonds & much to my pleasure, a PDF edition of Philip Jenks’ The Elms Left Elm Street, a chapbook first published by my own Plane Buckt Press way back in 1994. Joseph Bradshaw brought this revival to bear & generously contributed an introductory essay.

Furthermore, there's photos from Cary Conover & paintings by Derrick Buisch over at the images page, & the picks this round are mine.

Other news: CultSoc contributor Norman Finkelstein's Passing Over is now available from Marsh Hawk Press. It's a wonderful collection of poems written before his monumental Track (& the trilogy-completing Columns & Powers). Go buy it.

I should also mention that this update marks the CultSoc’s 6th Anniversary. Not as convenient a milestone as those divisible by 5s but a nice one just the same.

Shoutistration: Local Talent; NJNY; Team Indy; Syl; A./A.; PBNY; Belmont!; z./S.; (version)!; Magpies; JBOR; JDUK; E./J.P. (Mazel Tov!); Franklins; happy birthday, JMCA; CBQC; Berwyns; Team WPBC; Chicago; Stillwaters (happy birthday, M.!) & you.

 

05.14.07

This update is late (I apologize) & (relatively) gigantic: poems from Dan Beachy-Quick, Jon Curley, Norman Finkelstein, Graham Foust, Michael Heller, Janet Holmes, Justin Marks, Joseph Massey, Gina Myers & Dustin Williamson, Jess Mynes, John Phillips, Michael Prasil, Christopher Rizzo, Shannon Tharp, & Aaron Tieger. In prose we've got Joseph Bradshaw's review of Joseph Massey's Property Line, Robert Arachambeau & Sarah Conner, & Jeremy Biles on William Blake. Images are from Cary Conover & Drew Kunz, & Stacy Szymaszek & Drew Kunz provide the Picks.

So, really, just dive right in.

Also, as you may or may not know, Joel Bettridge's THAT ABRUPT HERE is now available for purchase. Buy one, please.

Furthermore, this website is now searchable via the link up in the toolbar. If you have any improvement-suggestions, etc., drop me a line via the contact page.

Shouting on & on: NJNY; PBNY; KBTSNY; The Wiselephants; Syl; A./A.; Belmont!; S./z.; (version)!; Magpies; Stillwaters (hosts & team); JBOR; JDUK; Franklins; Local Talent; CBQC; & you.



01.04.07

Such an update! Poems from Jon Curley, Norman Finkelstein, Devin Johnston, Burt Kimmelman, Kate Ledger, Joseph Massey, Jason Ian Moriber, Robert Murphy, Peter O'Leary, Michael Prasil, Pam Rehm, Mark Scroggins, Jason Stumpf, Stacy Szymaszek, & Shannon Tharp. Prose this round comes from Tyrone Williams & Amanda Nadelberg reviews Jen Tynes' The End of Rude Handles.

Picks come courtesy of Pam Rehm & Peter O'Leary.

So get in there!

Shoutably: NJNY; A./A.; PBNY (redux!); The Wiselephants; Syl; E./D.; S./z.; (version); Stillwaters; Franklinians; Local Talent; Team(s) NYC ; CBQC; The Magpies; & you.

Happy new year & thanks again.


09.12.06

So here we are: 5 years old.There's not much to say about it except that I'd like to thank all of our contributors & supporters for their contributions & support. We've made a good number of friends since we started this Society, published a handful of things, moved across the country 2.5 times, & felt privileged through it all to be able to produce this website. Thanks for stopping by.

This update is, in this editor's estimation, enormous : we've got reviews of Norman Finkelstein & Peter O'Leary by Jon Curley; poems from Dan Beachy-Quick, Norman Finkelstein, Graham Foust, Aaron McCollough, Robert Murphy, John Phillips, Nate Pritts, Sun Yung Shin, Sam Ward, & Tyrone Williams; prose from Michael Heller; photographs from Paul Biedrzycki, Cary Conover, & Carlyle V. Smith; picks from Graham Foust & Sam Ward. We've also got our first online chapbook, a PDF republication of Joseph Massey's Minima St.

In other news , Jen Tynes has a short reveiw of Pam Rehm's Saving Bonds (& work by Jess Mynes & Joshua Marie Wilkinson as well) over at H_ngm_n; Andrew Edwards & Jon Curley have fired up Tempest Press (check the blog, too); & Norman Finkelstein,Dan Beachy-Quick, & Zach Barocas will be reading at Magers and Quinn on 09.24.06 (you can get the scoop at our events page). If I forgot anything, drop me a line.

The Shoutist shouts shout-outs: PBLA; NJNY; Team Tramp; Team (version); Jason/Sheila/Ella; The McKendrees; J./J./C.; Teams Cinci ; Elizabeth & Drew (Mazel Tov!); Gravy; Aisha; Johnny K.; Marshall Barker Johnson; z./S.; Syl; Jaime & Joel (Mazel Tov!) ; Mojo/K. (Mazel Tov?); The Hopbohm; Monika & Tom (homeward!); Katie & Dan (Mazel Tov!); Honeydew; the Mullens; Hayes; Nichole; Sonia; CBQuebec; The Kid & Blair; & you.

Thanks again.


06.18.06

For all practical purposes, it's summer here at CultSoc headquarters but the heat brings no slowing of activity. We've drummed up a first-rate selection of poems & prose for your pleasured perusal: Joel Bettridge, Norman Finkelstein, Michael Heller, Joseph Massey (who also provided this update's picks), Michael Prasil, & Philip Jenks are back to welcome new contributors Burt Kimmelman, Robert Murphy, James Robinson, & Tyrone Williams. Now, that's a society.

In other news, Michael Heller's got a wonderful new chapbook out from Dos Madres which collects writing from the 1960s. They've also got chaps by CultSoc contributors Norman, Finkelstein, Peter O'Leary, Robert Murphy, & Tyrone Williams.

Quemadura has published 2A, an oblique & penetrating collaboration by Geoffrey G. O'Brien & Jeff Clark.

Ken Jacobs' Star Spangled to Death is now available on DVD. You can order it here. You can read a 2003 CultSoc interview with Ken here.

Do some shopping/beat the heat.

Shouting shouted shouts: NJNY; PBLA; The Wiselephants; C./S./A. (good luck in Manahatta); Team Franqulin; Hopbohm; Team Stillwater; A./A.; Team (version); Mike & Jane; Teams Cinci; The Bros. O'Leary; J./J./C.; Team I.J.; Team Tramp; Hayes; Honeydew Felon; Gibble; Alpo; Johnny K.; Marshall Barker Johnson; Bill Mike; Seth F.; Team Mesa; Mojo/K.; Mark Sparkle; Gravy; Graham & Amy & Merle; Devin & Amanda & Hazel; & you.

Thanks again.


05.15.06

The CultSoc is proud to take part in Erika Howsare & Jen Tynes' Don't You Have a Map?, a sort of epistolary exchange appearing at various websites & blogs. We're hosting No. 6 here & encourage you to connect w/the previous five installments.

Our next full update will feature work from Burt Kimmelman, Robert Murphy,Michael Prasil, Tyrone Williams, & more.

A single shout (for once), to Anne & Alex, wishing them all the loving best. Truly.

03.29.06

Among the pleasures of being an aggregate quarterly is that it gives time for contributors to gather their goods. While putting this update together, I thought it might be best to hold a few things back as insurance, sleeved aces for the summer update. But my enthusiasm got the best of me & so this update's a full serving: poems from Joel Bettridge, Derek Coyle, Norman Finkelstein, Graham Foust, Michael Heller, Peter O'Leary, Pam Rehm, Mark Scroggins, & Sam Ward. Cary Conover even made it back, his eye as skillfully attuned as ever.

Really, it's a lot of wonderful stuff. Don't forget to check out the publications page either.

Quick mention should be made of the recent publications of Peter O'Leary's Depth Theology & Jen Tynes' The End of Rude Handles, both of which are delightful & unique, & both of which should join the works of our other contributors on your shelves & in your hearts. The publishers of these works can be found on our links page.

Shout, shout: Alex & Anne (Mazel Tov!); NJNY; Teams Cinci + KBNY (can't thank you enough); Team Coreopsis; Team Stillwater (welcome home, M.); Team Fitschen; J./J./C.; Joe (OTR); Jen & Conan (Mazel Tov!); Halloween, Alaska; Team I.J.; Team Tramp; Team (version); PBNY (where'd you go?); J./S./E.; Hopbohm; Honeydew Felon; Team Franqulin; Hayes; Gibble; Mojo/K.; Gravy; Mark Sparkle; the Chef; & you.

Thanks again.

12.30.05

This year marked our arrival at The Cultural Society's sixth postal addres in its third United State in just over four years. All I can say is that it pleases me to have finally joined the mighty ranks of the Great Midwest. Though, you know, I kind of miss Brooklyn. One must keep one's eye on the present & to the future, however, & it is with this in mind that I'm extra-pleased to report that we've got a rather full poetry-plate for you this last update of 2005, including some terrific new (to this Society) faces: Elena Alexander, Graham Foust, Philip Jenks, Pura López-Colomé, Joseph Massey, Mark Scroggins, Jason Stumpf, & Jen Tynes. It's quite a line-up. We've also (thanks to code hijacked from the always-helpful PBNY) added some videos to our repetoire. If you're interested in submitting video or film work, please contact us before sending it. You can do so by clicking here.

In other news, Mark Scroggins gave honorable & favorable mention to AMONG OTHER THINGS at his blog (http://kulturindustrie.blogspot.com) back on 12.20.05. We'll keep you abreast of any further favorable reviews as they appear. Thanks, in all events, to those of you who've lent their support, encouragement, & praise.

If the above remarks are mysterious to you, let me be of some assistance: Zach Barocas' first book of poems is now available from this very Society. It's called AMONG OTHER THINGS & you can find it at our publications page.

So much shouting: NJNY, Team Lunalux, Mpls, Joe, Jen, Team Stillwater, Team I.J., Anne & Alex (Mazel Tov!), Team TLA, Mojo the Cinematic & K., Mike & Jane, Teams Magpie & Marshagnello (expansion!), Team (version), KBNY, Jason/Sheila/Ella, Teams Cinci, Team Mesa, Team Tramp, The Chef, & you.

Thanks again.

11.14.05

This is actually a sort of half-update to let you know that AMONG OTHER THINGS, the first collection of poems by Zach Barocas, is now available. You can buy one without delay at our (truly) improved publications page. Either way, I encourage you, as both author & publisher, to buy your copies now.

There'll be a real update in the next couple of weeks featuring Graham Foust, Joseph Massey, Mark Scroggins, & more. Meantime, feel free to reacquaint & delight yourselves with your existing Cultural Society favorites.

Extended birthday wishes & shouts go out to Jon Curley.

Thanks.

09.20.05

Well, we've officially been doing this for four years; whatever such a duration might or might not mean, I'd like to thank all of you for sticking/coming around. Hopefully we'll continue to bring you texts & images you enjoy.

On which subject, we've got poems from newcomers Derek Coyle & David Hickman; a few from Pura López-Colomé (translated from the Spanish by Jason Stumpf); & still more poems from stalwarts Michael Heller & Peter O'Leary. There's a prose piece by Jon Curley on Ronald Johnson & photos from Norman Finkelstein & Cary Conover. Did I mention the links page? Take note this time of Charlene Rule's scratchvideo.tv. It's a hoot. You can find it in the moving/non-moving pictures section.

Shouting, Shouting: Zoë & Stuart (Mazel Tov!); PBNY, hangin' ten; JP & E Philly; The Hop-bomb; Magpies/Channelists; Team O'Leary (expansion!); Mojo the Cinematic; Team Do'Doherty; Scraggs; NJNY; Team (version); Team TrampHouse/TrampGal; & you.

06.12.05

We've got some very exciting material for you this update: poems from Norman Finkelstein, newcomer Faye George, Joseph Massey, & Jen Tynes; photographs from Barney Kulok; & the usual assortment of picks & kicks.

So dig in!

Shouting: Team (version) NYC (+ Kristina & Kate); PBNY; NJNY; JP & E Philly; Team IJ; Syl; The Hop-bomb; Magpies/Channelers; & you.



03.16.05

Is there any excuse for my newfound level of update-delay? There is, dear readers, not.
Hands to the heavens, I thank you & this round's contributors thusly for your inexhaustible patience & support.

This update features poems from Jon Curley, Norman Finkelstein, Peter O'Leary, & CultSoc newcomer Jen Tynes; I provided the picks myself.

Power to the People: Team Magpie Cage, Team (version), The I.J., The Wiselephants, NJNY, Team Colorbar, Leona K. Barocas, & you.

Thanks again.



11.27.04

My goodness it's been awhile since the last update.

Your humble editor & his loving wife have returned to NYC, a move that has not only seemed the most natural & wonderful such thing, but one that left the CultSoc in a state of relative disarray. But we're settled (more or less) & therefore have a terrfic update for you.

This round brings poems from Philip Jenks, Joseph Massey, & Michael Prasil; & images from Beth Cook. The Picks are courtesy of Kimberley & me.

Shouts, etc.: the McKendrees of Middle TN, Nena of the North, P.B.N.Y.(Make some noise, y'all!), Team Kaboom, Team (version), & you.

Thanks.



08.10.04

We've got for you this update: poems from Eric Elshtain, Joseph Massey, & Pam Rehm; prose from Michael Heller; a final Postcard & Picks from Peter O'Leary; photographic bodily variations from Cary Conover; to say nothing — or little — of the new links page. What more could you ask for to better cool these doggest days? Little, precious little, methinks.

Shouts, etc.: My Mom, Teams, Fams, M.S./B.P. Chicago, C.N.U.K., P.B.N.Y.(Come on, y'all!), D./d., Kings County, Those Imminently on the Road from Frisco Home, & you.

Thanks.


06.16.04

Poems by John Martone, Joseph Massey, & Pam Rehm; the continuing saga of Peter O'Leary's European stay (including some fineness on CultSoc favorite Márton Koppány in Postcard 8); photos from Cary Conover; picks courtesy of Philly's finest, Jesse Pires: the man said, "Please, please, please let me get what I want." The CultSoc replied, "Here you go."

Shouts, etc.: The Teams, The Fams, Vacationers/Movers/Shakers, the McKendrees & their truck, Aaron/Carolyn/David (Mazel Tov), E. Do/D.O'D. (Mazel Tov), K.K.N.C., C.N.U.K., P.B.N.Y., Channels, D.F. Tuscon (where'd you go?), & you.

Much thanks.


05.10.04

There's a bounty of new material here for you this update. On the prose front, we've got Peter O'Leary's Budapest Postcard & excerpts from Norman Finkelstein's notes for his monumental Track; poems this round come from Pam Rehm & Stacy Szymaszek; & Drew Kunz has contributed both picks & a watercolor. What more could you want?

Off you go!

Shouts to: The Teams, The Fams, J.P., the Ypsilantis, the Fitschens, & you.

Thanks again.

04.10.04

We've got two more Postcards from CultSoc man-about-Europe Peter O'Leary for you: this time it's Venice & Prague. Peter's Budapest report is coming soon, as well as work from Norman Finkelstein, Pam Rehm, & more.

Travel safely.

Thanks.

03.23.04

Things're pretty smooth here @ CultSoc HQ, & the material's looking pretty good. In addition to more poems from Jon Curley & Dan Featherston, we've got some terrific photos from Cary Conover, picks from Devin Johnston, another postcard from Peter O'Leary, & finally, after a year of trying to pull it together, an interview with filmmaker Ken Jacobs.

So, you know, get in there.

Shouts, etc.: The Teams, J.P., P.B., The Cave Creek Alliance for the Perpetuation of the Arts, & you.

Thanks.

03.06.04

We've posted the second of Peter O'Leary's Vienna Postcards. It's just like being there, kind of, but without the jet-lag. Next week we'll have the Ken Jacobs interview, Peter's next installment, & more.

Quick/short shout to Penelope & Bruce.

Thanks.

02.12.04

Finally, a real update! The dust has at last settled enough to get some new work up here for you. This round brings photographs from Cary Conover, & poems from Jon Curley, new contributor Dan Featherston, & Peter O'Leary. The Ken Jacobs & Norman Finkelstein pieces will be posted soon.

We'll be running a travelogue by Peter O'Leary — photos & observations from Vienna & Budapest. Aside from the usual updates, Peter's dispatches will be appearing on a near-weekly basis.

There's a selection of Cary Conover photographs from Kimberley's & my wedding. You can take a look by clicking here.

Note, too, that this update's picks come courtesy of one Jon Curley.

So there you go.

How'd the middle get so good? MN, IL, TN — thank you.


01.17.04

Okay, then: your editor & his co-publishing wife are finally settled in their new digs. I apologize for the lapse but am pleased to report that we've not only a fine selection of material for the next update (Ken Jacobs, Peter O'Leary, Norman Finkelstein, & more) but a new & improved/streamlined site for you to peruse.

So anyway, there'll be a real update in February. Thanks for sticking around.

Thanks, Praises, & Shouts to the Teams Interstate, Internationale, Yurkiewicz, Barocas, Scheibe, East, West, & Midwest.

Fight the power.


08.01.03

In addition to some work from our regular contributors, we've got some new blood this round: poems from Patrick Pritchett, & Jonathan Witte; & photographs from Paul Biedrzycki, Cary Conover, & Stephen Maine.

If I can pull it together, there'll be a mid-month posting of an interview with avant-garde filmmaker Ken Jacobs, too. Knock wood....

In other news, your humble editor & his blushing bride will be relocating this September. A reliance on the kindness of family-to-be might be leaving us w/o convenient internet access, in which case I will be reachable via email but perhaps unable to update this website. The worst case scenario will have new material for you in November. If you have any questions, feel free to drop me a line.

Thanks, Praises, & Shouts to Team NYC (winding down), Jason & Sheila, the Wise Elephants, Team Scheibe, Teams Barocas, Teams Yurkiewicz, Team Internationale, & the Midwestern Alliance (IL, MI, MN, et al.).


06.01.03

This update brings work from Cary Conover, Jon Curley, Drew Kunz, Paul Naylor, & Stephen K. Reeder. Texts & images from newcomers & familiar contributors alike.

So dig in, feast your eyes, & don't forget to read out loud once in a while.

Shouts to the usual Teams & thanks to the same.


04.01.03

War, war, war. Right now there appears to be precious little else going on & therefore not much to say in this small space. Let it suffice to simply fill you in: we've got photographs from Cary Conover & Christine Cody; & poems from Peter O'Leary & Stacy Szymaszek. Note also the note from O'Leary regarding his "Kontakion".

In other news: Mark Scroggins' collection of poems entitled Anarchy is currently available from Spuyten Duyvil. Need more info on/from the poet? look no further than his essay (in two parts) on poetics which was posted here last November & December.

David Grubbs finally got his Blue Chopticks website up & running. Take a stroll through the (post-)modernist soundscape: downloads, descriptions, & tour dates await you.

Shouts & Love: Teams Local, Interstate, & International.


02.01.03

Here we are in a new year & I wonder if that noted tick of the clock is cause for celebration or distress. However you handle new years, I trust this update will soothe or amplify, depending on your need.

We've got poems from Devin Johnston, & Stacy Szymaszek; & weather-centered images from CultSoc Eye-on-the-citizenry Cary Conover.

Please note, too, our new, relatively highfalutin publications page.

Shouts & Thanks: Teams Scheibe & Yurkiewicz for fun in the sun; The Midwest for poets; & all our local talent for continued support.


12.17.02

Where does the time go? A month ago I thought I was going to have an early update for you all; but alas, my ducks scattered from their tidy row & I'm coming up a bit behind schedule. Could I be more sorry? Probably, but it would do little good.

This update contains poems from Joel Felix & new Cultural Societist Stacy Szymaszek; prose from Peter O'Leary & Mark Scroggins (part 2 of his Fragmentary Poetics); & more photos from both Cary Conover & Jason Ian Moriber.

There's also a couple of new links on the cleaned-up links page for you to check out. So make sure the boss isn't looking or put the kids to bed & dig in.

Shouts: The Midwestern Poetic Alliances, The First String, & Teams Yurkiewicz & Scheibe. Happy Holidays.


11.04.02

As we near a season associated with — if not defined by — gift-giving, let's not forget the practicality & joy of Cultural Society publications. Cheap, attractive, & ready-to-use right out of the bag, they are gifts that truly keep on giving.

Of more immediate interest, we have this update photographs from Cary Conover & Jason Ian Moriber; poems by Philip Jenks, Devin Johnston, & Peter O'Leary; & the first part of a terrific essay by Mark Scroggins.

This update's shouts got out to Teams Yurkiewicz & Scheibe, & The First String.

10.04.02

Apologies to anyone whose Culturally Societal activity was interrupted last month. We changed hosts & consequently found ourselves in a virtual abyss for a week or so. But we're back. Breathe easy.

This round we have for you poems by Joel Bettridge, & Jon Curley. Cary Conover returns with images of people in apparently various states of distress wearing glasses. Marvelous.

A special shout & support goes out to Team Yurkiewicz; a Mazel Tov to Cheri, Victor, & Rafael; & a bon voyage to N.J. & Hazel for their push westward.

The First String, too, gets theirs.

09.01.02

What can I say? Frankly, I'm not sure I thought we'd be doing this for more than a couple of months; but as luck would have it, we are, & though there have been shifts in emphasis, time restrictions, etc., I'm pleased to say that we've accomplished even more than we'd anticipated. So if you're sitting next to someone else who knows about us, step away from your computer & share a high five. At least a high five.

As for the news: Pam Rehm's Saving Bonds is finally available. You can get order info from our publications page.

This update contains Peter O'Leary's review of Norman Finkelstein's Columns, poems from Joel Bettridge & Graham Foust, & a photograph from Christine Cody.

That's about it.

Thanks again to all of you for making our first a year a wonderful one.

07.24.02

This update brings photos by Szu Burgess & Cary Conover, poems by Joel Bettridge, & Part Two of Michael Heller's Aspects of Poetics.

Delight!

Thanks & Praises & Shouts to the First String, again & still.

06.23.02

Well, another month has passed & so arrives another update. This one contains poems by new contributor Joel Bettridge, & Jason Ian Moriber. We've also got part one of an extended prose piece by Michael Heller & photographs from Cary Conover.

Other news is that (I know, I know) we should have Pam Rehm's chapbook by the end of August. Really, I swear. Having been delayed at every turn, we have enlisted the aid of the generous professionals at Purgatory Pie Press to get the thing finished properly.

Thanks? Shouts? I direct them thusly: to the Teams, local & otherwise, & you.

06.09.02

The Cultural Society extends a hearty Mazel Tov to Esther O'Leary & her parents, Michael & Una. It looks to this editor as though last year was one for boys & this one is a year for the girls. Balance, dear readers, is the name of the game.

L'Chaim.

06.06.02

There's going to be a bit of revamping here, mostly behind the scenes, so if you notice that our website lacks the galvanized uniformity you've come to recognize as our trademark, it's just that I'm doing a little fine-tuning.

Congratulations to Emma Gaddis for joining the rest of us on this planet. Pax Vobiscum.

Thanks.

05.23.02

First, I need to thank the contributors to our publications for their patience & understanding. We have, at last, & through no fault of the poets, Minisides Nos. 4 (corrected), 5, & 6 (for the unaware, that's Les Murray, John Tipton, & Paul Muldoon respectively), & Pam Rehm's chapbook will be going to the bindery next week.

Secondly, we have for you this update poems from new contributors Michael Heller & Mark Scroggins, prose from Zach Barocas, & photographs from both Cultural Society Man-in the-Street Cary Conover & the ever-luminous Jason Ian Moriber. I hasten to add that if you like what you see from the latter image-makers, you can investigate further at their websites, which are conveniently listed on our links page.

I've got a wealth of material on deck so keep an eye peeled for a mid-month update.

Shouts, Thanks, & Vigorous Praise: The First String, Alex & Amy & Little E., Team Ripe, & Jenni/Lunalux.

05.02.02

It saddens me to have to issue a Gaffs & Blunders report, & on Kimberley's birthday no less. Alas...

Les Murray brought it to our attention that a word was omitted from the body of his poem "A Study of the Nude" (Miniside No 4). Thankfully, the error was caught before the Miniside was properly distributed. The poem is being reprinted correctly as you read this. Our sincerest apologies go out to Mr. Murray & our sincerest thanks to the indefatigable Jenni Undis/Lunalux.

Due to a messy offset printshop, Pam Rehm's "Saving Bonds" has been delayed. Our apologies to Pam & anyone who has inquired about the chapbook's availability.

So now you should take a look at the bounty of texts & images that await you.
Click on.

Thanks.

04.22.02

This round brings more photographs from both Szu Burgess & Cary Conover, & poems from new contributor Graham Foust & Cultural Society kingpin Philip Jenks.

Pam Rehm's Saving Bonds chapbook & a Minisde of John Tiptons "color of snow" will be on hand in the next couple weeks. Go to the publications page for more & new info.

That's about it for now.

The Cultural Society extends particular love & thanks to the Johnsons;
as for the rest of the First String, the usual remarks apply.

Thanks.

03.28.02

This update provides poems by Tom Fisher, prose by Eric Hynes, & photographs by Szu Burgess, Cary Conover, & Beth Cook.

There's also been some shaping up of the links page & a look to the future on the publications page.

Dig in.

Special shouts go out to Team Ripe; usual shouts go out to the First String & the Friends of the Cultural Society.

Thanks again.

03.02.02

As promised, we've got a sleuth of delights for you this update: photographs by Szu Burgess, paintings by Andrew Edwards, more poems from John Tipton (whose work will grace Miniside No 5), & a couple of poems by Tom Fisher.

We're looking good, if I may say so myself.

Miniside No 4 is now available. It's a marvelous poem by Les Murray. In keeping w/our new operative, it can be purchased via mail order or online through PayPal. Don't be the last kid on your block to have the Bard of Bunyah on your shelf.

Thanks & love go out to the First String. Additional gratitude goes out to Friends of the Cultural Society for their continued support.

Thanks.

02.18.02

The Cultural Society is especially pleased to have an excerpt from Norman Finkelstein's Track for you in this update. It's coming out in a book from Spuyten Duyvill this month & marks the second such installment of N.F.'s long poem.

We've also got new photographs from Christine Cody & Stephen Reeder.

The March update will feature poems by John Tipton & Tom Fisher, photos by Szu Burgess, paintings by Andrew Edwards, & maybe more. Our 4th Miniside should be back from the printer by then, too. It's a poem by Les Murray, no less.

We're pretty excited about all of it, frankly, & hope you find something to like as well.

Shouts go out, as usual, to the First String.

Thanks again.

02.11.02

The Cultural Society's publications can now be purchased online through PayPal. There is the minor matter of setting up an account with them but it takes very little time. Check out the publications page & do a little impulse shopping. You'll feel better, & we'll feel better too.

Thanks again.

02.01.02

This month's update brings new poems from John Tipton, a review of Philip Jenks' On the Cave You Live In by Jon Curley, & photography made by Beth Cook.

On the publishing front, the third Miniside (Devin Johnston's "Cat") is back from the benevolent environs of Lunalux & available for purchase. Click here for the calendar of upcoming/forthcoming publications.

David Grubbs' Act One, Scene One will be available this month. We've got a short explanatory note & an almost equally short q & a with David if you need more to go on.

Enduring gratitude & love goes out to the First String.

Thanks.

01.14.02

There's some new material to be found at the images page. As anticipated, we've got photographs from Kevin Bradbury, Jay Cox, & Szu Burgess.

We also have a special treat: Ronald Johnson's "Hurrah for Euphony," an essay he wrote that constitutes a sort of ars poetica for the younger generation. We're pleased to note that this marks the first appearance of the work in its entirety. Peter O'Leary provides some introductory remarks.

There have also been some new/recent additions to the links page, so, you know, take a look.

Thanks.

01.01.02

We've got new poems this month from Philip Jenks, Devin Johnston, & Peter O'Leary. New images from Kevin Bradbury, Szu Burgess, & Jay Cox, should be posted by mid-month.

Our third Miniside will be a poem by Devin Johnston. We'll have them in hand in a couple of weeks.

Best wishes to all of you in the new year & a special heartfelt thanks the First String & our contributors & supporters, past, present, & future.

12.10.01

It's time for the (roughly) mid-month images update. This round finds new contributors Kevin Bradbury & Patrick Whalen offering up photos & a drawing respectively. So take a look.

the Cultural Society extends its continued well-wishes to the First String, especially the Johnsons & L.J.

Thanks.

12.01.01

There's much activity here at the Cultural Society. This update features more Szu Burgess photos; poems by Alicia Cohen, Joel Felix, Philip Jenks, Devin Johnston, & Pam Rehm; prose by Peter O'Leary; & a short interview with David Grubbs.

Our second Miniside is now available. It's a poem by Philip Jenks & is once again a Sargasso Group/Lunalux co-production. If you need any letterpress work done, be sure to keep Lunalux in mind.

Slowly but surely, the Minisides will hopefully be making their way into an elite group of retail establishments. We'll be keeping a list of where they can be procured on the Miniside page. In the meantime, we still have to sell them mail-order.

The First String: Sargasso Group, L.J., the Johnsons, Team 39-64, & the Interstate Home Team.

11.13.01

We've got some photos by Szu Burgess at the images page. This update features three views of the 9.11.01 terrorist demolition's aftermath. We'll be posting more of them in December.

You'll also find two more photographs made by Beth Cook. Light abounds.

Miniside No 2 has been shipped to the printer's. It will be a poem by Philip Jenks & should be available December 1st.

You can also keep an eye peeled for a short q & a with composer/musician David Grubbs &, of course, the usual variety & quality of material you've come to expect from the Cultural Society.

11.01.01

Our first miniside, an otherwise unavailable poem by Peter O'Leary, is now available. Click here for a full rundown. Along similar lines, we have a review of Peter's book, Watchfulness, from Jon Curley. You'll find it at the texts page.

We've also got a flurry of new images & texts from Christine Cody, Jon Curley, David Grubbs, Philip Jenks, & Stephen K. Reeder.

Thanks & praises go out to Jenni/Lunalux for help with the miniside & even more so Kimberley/Sargasso Group for same, L.J., A.J., A.P., Team 39-64, & the Interstate Home Team.

10.11.01

The sample images from Beth Cook's Circumstamtial Evidence (see the 10.01.01 update) are now viewable at the images page.

The other news is that the Cultural Society's Miniside No. 1 should be back from the printer's around the 20th of this month. Order information will be made available accordingly, though if you've got an itch, feel free to contact me.

Thanks again.

10.01.01

The Cultural Society is throwing its (small) hat into the publishing ring. A poem by Peter O'Leary will be the first in a series of small broadsides which will be letterpressed in single editions of 200 copies. Check back here in a couple of weeks for more information.

Beth Cook is taking orders for hand-bound copies of Circumstantial Evidence, a 175 page b&w photocopied volume that originally accompanied an installation of the same name. For more information, you can contact Beth directly. Excerpts from the book will be posted at the images page very soon.

Peter O'Leary's collection of poems entitled Watchfulness is now available from Spuyten Duyvil.

The Cultural Society is an attempt, however small, at community. The artists here are mostly my friends, some of whom I had lost touch with or track of, & some of whom are new. In any case, my work with this website & other related activities has afforded me a chance to establish contact with a group of people at a time when the vagaries & delights of jobs, relocations, marriages, deaths, newborns, etc. have made such contact difficult or impossible. As I said last month, feel free to drop a line via the contact link.

I extend my gratitude to everyone who's come by to see what's happening here at the Cultural Society. In light of recent events, it seems to me an especially good time to get acquainted with new works — regardless of medium or format — whose aims are productive, communicative, & illuminating.

Well-wishes go out to The Kid, R.J.A., Jr. (thanks), Team 39-64, & the Interstate Home Team.

9.01.01