Where Vivid Narratives Live

At times courage is bold and loud

Or it’s hidden within the crowd

When a crisis occurs

And another defers

The courageous makes us proud

For the Courage roulette, Sylvie was our show mascot–a first for us!

The show was hosted by Blaxploitation leading lady, Foxy Brown.

This is what happens when the host gives her camera to an audience member. Although he was a poet, he didn’t want to get up on stage. Jokes on this guy now…he’s on the blog!

For our second anniversary, we had a record number of featured artists at 11, 3 of whom were first-timers. Thom the World Poet gifted everyone shades, which explains why we look oh-so-cool in our group shot.

Magic Jack ATX challenged the childhood myth of stepping on the cracks that breaks his mama’s back.

El Guapo used vivid imagery about the courage to love another.

Birdman 313 showed the courage it took to maintain inner peace.

Louise Richardson recounted the life and bravery of red man, her father.

Lila McCall revealed the strength while supporting someone ill.

Carondelet Dember, for her first time speaking publicly, courageously shared her repressed memories of childhood.

Courtney Jones spoke of how strong women with challenging backgrounds transitioned into butterflies.

Sangye O’Mara, dressed in military fatigues, detailed a moving narrative about love and courage of a married couple in the armed forces immersed in the horrors of war.

Daniel Davila divulged a quixotic battle fought for his dream girl.

Teresa Y. Roberson articulated how a privileged jerk would not successfully push a strong woman aside.

Thom the World Poet, accompanied by Magic Jack ATX, graced his courageous medley on the stage.

David Young AKA Ben Franklin started the open mic.

Sangye O’Mara

Dianna Simmons

Birdman 313

Courtney Jones

Louise Richardson

Magic Jack ATX & Sylvie

Thom the World Poet

Battling the latest conflict

Pulling out the newest trick

Come what may

Keep evil at bay

Triumphing is slick

The Rouletters originally thought they could take the group shot with the kayak in the picture, but the photography pros said there was too much sunlight in the background.

We then took a “classic” group shot by in front of the bar, proving once again we have superb survival adaptability!

The host drew her costume inspiration from Rambo, Peace Corps and her father’s dog tag.

Birdman’s survival story started with having to rent a car to get to the roulette. Then, he told his challenge with love, which began during his childhood.

Sangye O’Mara shared the makings of a true survivor, being thankful to be alive and sane.

Lila McCall divulged the big secret about survival–we don’t survive! Yet when we live life to the fullest, we don’t care about death.

Laurie Loew demonstrated her survival skills when she nearly lost everything, but transformed her life to be a successful social entrepreneur who gives back to the community.

Allyson Whipple created a poetry documentary, in five parts, about her best friend’s battle with cancer.

Thom the World Poet read the titles of each of Allyson’s poems from the audience.

Josh Matimore spun a tale about surviving the seasons of a fatal attraction.

Daniel Davila performed a one-man skit that captured his sister’s survival story through the lens of humor.

Teresa Y. Roberson read an edited excerpt from her Peace Corps experience, adjusting to life in Tanzania within the first two weeks.

Thom the World Poet, accompanied by Daniel Davila on clarinet, performed an improvisation about survival.

During intermission, rouletter Jack, looking very literary, smoked a cigar.

Thom the World Poet & Daniel Davila started the open mic.

Bernette

Zaka

Donna Dechen Birdwell

Ben

Erin

Birdman 313

Sangye O’Mara

Daniel Davila

Jaime Torres

Josh Matimore

Allyson Whipple

Carondelet Dember

From the bottom of our hearts,

we thank our audience, who came out in record numbers, to hear us spin our survival stories!

The host challenges everyone to think, write and share “Visionary Ideas” for the September 14th roulette!

Can you see what I see

Or is it just me

My active imagination

A preoccupation

Challenge what can be

This roulette was like Ted Talks meets poetry!

The hostess was a global leader from the future: female, brown-skinned and English speaker (majority of the world is female, people of color and speak English as their 1st, 2nd or 3rd language).

Milton Villeda, multi-instrumentalist and engineer, gave a demonstration of his latest invention, The M!ltone, which controlled various aspects of different musical instruments and lighting with a wave of the hand.

Joe Slawter brought awareness and activism about the sex trafficking of women, acknowledging that the average man’s demand is the main problem.

Scott Lipton talked about how EdTech Action addressed the broken educational system.

Magic Jack ATX, who worked on the railroads for 35 years, informed the crowd that Austin is way behind other cities in public transportation and needs rail options.

Sarah Kennon’s rant proved that most teenagers do not live the shallow life as portrayed by the media.

Donna Dechen Birdwell read the opening chapter of her futuristic fiction, The Way of the Serpent.

Lila McCall shared a poem about the gift of special vision.

Josh Matimore gave a retro look of a visionary gangster who used to work for Al Capone.

Teresa Y. Roberson stated her list of 10 future global demands, starting with 51% of all leadership roles being held by women.

Thom the World Poet waxed optimism when other people plan for the future since they’re confident there will be a future!

Louise Richardson started the open mic.

Jon Van Lowe

Sangye O’Mara

Kevin Velasco

Michelle

Michael Kennon

Josh Matimore

Thom the World PoetSarah Kennon

Thom the World Poet

We thank our audience for staying an hour later than usual for this visionary show!

Next roulette will be Sunday, October 12th with the theme “Cocktail Napkin Stories.”

Find temporary relief

By suspending your belief

The tales grow longer

When the alcohol’s stronger

The storyteller’s a thief

The Rouletters took advantage of the wonderful ambient temperature for the traditional group photo.

In addition, they promoted poetry even more by holding poems in their hands.

The host, dressed as a cocktail waitress, carried pens, blank napkins, a woven basket and a cornucopia. For this month, everyone present had an opportunity to be a poet–a cocktail napkin poet, that is. Everyone wrote a title on a blank napkin and put it in the green basket. Then, they chose a different title from the green basket to develop into a poem. The poems went into the cornucopia.

Magic Jack ATX, who had previously stated that he’d never written a cocktail napkin tale, changed that status before the show! He spun a cautionary tale about drinking.

Birdman 313 read his pithy alcohol slogans.

Jaime Torres recited the most rambling cocktail napkin tale for a sober man.

Lila McCall recounted a spooky cowboy ghost story with a bar setting.

Daniel Davila, who told jokes using a Ronald Reagan accent, followed by his mother’s accent, settled on a good ol’ country boy accent when he told a tale that pulled the audience’s leg.

Teresa Y. Roberson shared her latest sex research during midnight drinks. Topic: what turned men off from performing cunnilingus.

Thom with his cocktail napkin tales medley crew of Magic Jack ATX and Daniel Davila retold how the original cocktail napkin poet innocently stumbled upon our venue among other drinking-inspired tales.

After the intermission, the lovely rouletter assistants, Daniel, Jack and Thom, read the spontaneous cocktail napkin poems that were created during the show.

Donna Dechen Birdwell, Sangye O’Mara and David each read a poem, inspired by one of Birdwell’s poems.

Louise Richardson

Kirby Mason

Geovani Zambrana

Birdman 313

Zora Ellis

Kevin Velasco

Here are the 22 cocktail napkin pearls of wisdom poems:

Mama knows best

On that you can rest

Advice is free

Upon delivery

Wisdom lines her nest

For this roulette, the usual host went back to 1969 and brought back her 29-year old mother to host!

She recommended the hot toddy for any seasonal cold one may have been suffering during the show.

Then she told the audience about how she was living in Okinawa in 1969, where the humidity was so high, she chose to wear wigs rather than continue its battle with her natural hair.

Thom the World Poet brought a “Best in Show” award for the best open mic performance.

As usual, once they took the group picture, the show promptly started.

They took another group picture during intermission when all the rouletters had finally arrived.

Birdman 313 kicked off the show, reciting a list of Mom Wisdoms. We all liked #4: “A hard head makes for a soft ass.”

Magic Jack ATX added a personalized prequel to his mother’s favorite poem, which praises mothers and sons.

Donna Dechen Birdwell told the person drama and politics behind mothers and daughters.

Lila McCall wrote a book of Momisms for her straight-A daughter when she first left for college so she would know what to do while on her own and not have to move back home!

Teresa Y. Roberson shared her mother’s and grandmother’s home remedies for the most common ailments.

Thom the World Poet, accompanied by Magic Jack ATX, chanted some of the wisdoms his mother shared with him over the decades such as “Make sure you have more in-come than out go” and “You’re big enough and ugly enough to look after yourself!”

Before the intermission, the host invited audience members to get a medicinal hot toddy for themselves. Then, the open mic ensued with the following poets:

Sarah Kennon

Birdman 313

Donna Dechen Birdwell

Thom the World Poet accompanied by Magic Jack ATX

Magic Jack ATX accompanied by Thom the World Poet

Michael Kennon

Sarah Kennon won the open mic with her powerful poem, “Hi, my name is…”, which took a stand against the derogatory comments men have hurled her way.

The difference between us and them

Increasingly grows very slim

We both bleed

We both need

Cultural exchange is a gem

The Rouletters gathered together for the most spectacular and last time in 2014 for “International Flavor.”

Not only did they have a record number of artists (15), but they also had two artists, Cathrin Gordon and Donna Dechen Birdwell, who set up video technology before the show.

A pretty gutsy move for Gordon for her first time on the roulette!

Host, Teresa Y. Roberson, sported her international look with a Canadian tuque, Jordanian vest, Goodwill shirt and shorts, Peruvian socks, and discount hiking boots purchased in Denver.

Geovani Zambrana brought some international spice and romance to start the show.

Birdman 313 reminisced about the romantic side of Paris at night.

Special guest, Patricia Fiske, first read her own poem “Queenie” as an introduction to Sue Littleton’s poem about the Egyptian goddess, Isis.

Then Fiske brought her own regality, reading about her racy past in New York. 

Allyson Whipple captured the vivid moments from her international travels, especially Vienna.

Tina Posner unfolded a story of love, Madagascar and a stray puppy.

Birdwell brought her hi-tech TV and displayed a video about her travels around Nepal and showed people doing “Korwa.”

Roberson read about the 21-year international reaction to her locks.

David Fried read an excerpt from “Seamen on the Poop Deck,” which took place on his ship, The Raging Queen.

Roberson couldn’t resist taking a picture during intermission with another artist who finally outdid her own costume!

Sarah Kennon provided the historical and poignant international background of contemporary American events.

Stephanie Webb explored racial stereotypes within our ethnic melting pot in “Acting Race.”

Lila McCall gave us the timeline of her international travels.

Sam Patteson shared his food adventures and cultural mishaps in Japan.

Gordon ladled out some cultural soup along with thematic video images.

Magic Jack ATX shared his nostalgic memories of Dublin.

He then sang an original traveling song with DJ Cabrini-Green accompanying him on his Moroccan drum.

Michael Kennon fiddled an Irish and a Scottish song.

Then the Kennon siblings sang a translated Gaelic song, followed by another mostly in Gaelic.

Join the Austin Writers Roulette on January 11th for their “Redemption” show!

No need to fear                    Leave past transgressions behind

Just ‘cause it’s a new year     To yourself and others be kind

This is your clean slate         Only the present has potential

So why hesitate?                  For new activity experimental

The Austin Writers Roulette kicked off its 2015 season with “Redemption.”

Proving once again great creative minds think alike, both Thom the World Poet and Teresa Y. Roberson sported their winter white. He wanted to symbolize winter weather and she wanted to symbolize a holy person.

Roberson’s younger cousin, Veronica redeemed herself by visiting again since last year.

Poet, Cathrin Gordon, dressed in the opposite manner, as a little devil. Roberson couldn’t resist showing off her black boots as well.

Poet Jonathan Lowell redeemed himself by attending once again. His only other visit to the roulette occurred January 2014.

The various roads to redemption correspond to the individual.

Nonetheless, we can all appreciate a delicious mimosa, the theme drink! Note how poet Allyson Whipple has what she called a “Whipple Mimosa,” meaning all champagne and no OJ.

Birdman 313 talked about a song of redemption to the moon.

Whipple, who was raised Catholic and in the Midwest, proved there was redemption and humor in apologizing to everything and everyone.

Lowell had unwittingly submitted to this roulette when he shared his latest book of poetry with the organizer. Being a good sport, Lowell read three unusual redemption poems from the perspective of a whale, a birdcage and a snow globe. 

Lila McCall discovered it’s never too late to redeem one’s self, even on New Year’s Eve.

Cathrin Gordon found redemption, freedom and her voice from her childhood.

Daniel Davila, in a pseudo-North Carolinian accent, related the hate crime he survived and danced his way to redemption while remembering a “thin blue ribbon of sky.”

Teresa Y. Roberson advised everyone to issue “redemption coupons” in order to clear their conscious and move on.

Thom the World Poet gave an offstage delivery about redemption, accompanied by Davila and Ron Kewin.

The audience was invited to sign up for the open mic.

Ron Kewin, accompanied by Davila, started the open mic.

Allyson Whipple

At this point, audience member, Jesse, whispered to the organizer, “I don’t like thinking while I’m drinking!”

Birdman 313

Veronica Hunte

Daniel Davila, accompanied by Kerwin.

M. Alexis

Capoeira teacher, CW AKA “Rastinha,” invited the audience to stand up and do the basic capoeira move, the jinga.

Thom the World Poet, accompanied by Davila, ended the show by saying, “Welcome to yourself.”

Please join the Austin Writers Roulette Sunday, February 8th for “Bad Date Night.”

How did we get here?

Is all the blame on beer?

You were sane when we met

But now the drama’s set

You’re not really my type

 I don’t believe the hype

Let’s go it alone

Delete my data off your phone

The Rouletters got together to talk about their worst dates ever!

In order to sweeten the experience, a cornucopia of donated goodies were on hand.

A gal’s and guy’s bagful of goodies were up for grabs for the best story of evening.

Audience members received adult-themed lollipops, lubricant and a vibrating cockring.

A description for the cornucopia of goodies was printed out so the audience could make an informed choice.

Chairs were decorated with giveaway stickers and calling cards.

About five men asked the host if she were a real nurse. Then all stated they would feign illness if so.

The theme drink was a “flaming asshole,” which the host announced was the only way one could actually enjoy such a condition!

Magic Jack ATX relived the classic blind date bad date.

He even brought a box of cookies to share with fellow poets.

Birdman 313 revisited the classic Facebook bad date with a woman even bigger than he.

Daniel Davila recounted the three out of nine lives of a dating cat.

Lila McCall shared her frat boy blind date story, which started out with a simple question: “How bad could it be?” Pretty bad, as it turned out!

Allyson Whipple told the audience about coitus interruptus when a guy’s parents suddenly appear.

Host Teresa Y. Roberson suggested for men to avoid another boring Valentine’s Day bad date by scheduling a vasectomy.

Thom the World Poet, accompanied by Magic Jack ATX and Daniel Davila, recited a series of entertaining missed love connections. One rejection went like this: “I don’t know you.” “I don’t know myself either.”

After Thom the World Poet left the stage, the music segued into an original Magic Jack ATX love song jazzy composition, “It’ll Come to You.”

Audience members were invited during the intermission to sign up for the open mic.

Ron

Jason

Jacob

Allyson

Daniel w/ Magic Jack 

Birdman 313

Mackenzie

Thom the World Poet w/Magic Jack ATX & Daniel Davila

McKenzie won the gal’s adult bag with her spoken word about how having a single bad date may have prevented her from having bad long-term relationships.

Thom the World Poet won the guy’s adult bag through his usual bedazzling improvisation with musicians.

I know we disagree                     Using our imagination

We’re different, you & me         Being in the other’s situation

Each with our own objective     A new lesson can be learned

Seeing our own perspective     A broader horizon earned

The Rouletters stepped out in shoes that expressed who they were–at least for this event.

For the first time in the history of the Austin Writers Roulette, they posed for the group picture with just their shoes.

Their most dramatic pose came reflected in a mirror they’ve ignored for the past two years.

Their most rockstar bartender agreed to show off her footwear, comfy sneakers with bold yellow stripes, reminiscent of lightning bolts.  Very apt for her enthusiastic running around.

The theme drink for the event was a Cuba libre.

The host, Teresa Y. Roberson, welcomed everyone to Daylight Savings Day, International Women’s Day and the show.

Stephanie Webb, the inspiration for this month’s theme, wore her purple/pink sneakers, indicative of her triathlete training. She told us about the road she’s walked as a Christian, liberal, descendant of slaves and mixed heritage.

Mackenzie wore her cream stilettos. She shared a story about her husband’s painful journey in her shoes when a bigot “congratulated” him for having a mixed-race family.

Teresa Y. Roberson’s Bootzilla-inspired footwear symbolized a unity of colorful feathers,  representing the differences among all people. She shared the last time she put her foot in her mouth.

Donna Dechen Birdwell sported her daughter’s 7th grade shoes. She talked about how she’s been wearing them for 17 years, but for the last 10, her daughter has been teaching her how to walk in her footsteps.

“I’m wearing falsies!” David Young happily proclaimed about his strap-on buckles. He shared a shoe poem, which celebrated a lifetime of wearing comfortable men’s shoes and being in no danger of wearing stilettos.

Thom the World Poet, who claimed to have never owned a new pair of shoes, always walks in another’s shoes. 

During Thom’s performance, the audience clapped and stomped.

This evening would not have been complete without a picture of the International Women who participated.

The biggest fan of the host’s boots was a English bulldog named Lilly.

The host dodged most of Lilly’s playful efforts, yet puppies are persistent.

Working together with Lilly’s dad, the host managed to rescue the costume so Roberson could continue hosting the open mic.

Fleeting happiness                       This high emotion won’t last

Loving everything as is                            Stability’s fading fast

Blind with joy of today                This part of life is like a recess

Reality’s hidden away               Break’s over; pick up the pieces

The Fool hosted this show!

The Austin Writers Roulette gathered once again–this time to discuss the many facets of Fools’ Paradise.

Prior to the show, The Fool couldn’t help posing with one unsuspecting venue patron before enlisting him and his friends to move furniture.

Since the lovely bartender, Vivian, had colorful hair, she joined the fools and volunteered patron in the pre show pictures.

First-time rouletters, Amber Andersen and Laura Bruce also got to take a pre show picture with The Fool.

Donna Dechen Birdwell arrived with her “Belize Paradise” bag.

Kicking off the show, Birdman 313 described how fools fall in love.

Amber Andersen recounted a drunken fools’ paradise.

John Kojak told of an escape from an abusive fools’ paradise.

Daniel Davila answered the age-old question why fools fall in love.

Laura Bruce explored the emotional side of paradise.

Donna Dechen Birdwell embraced something better than a fools’ paradise.

Lila McCall warned us about the impending Paradise Lost with disappearing freshwater.

Mackenzie demonstrated the grass is not always greener on the other side of paradise.

Stephanie Webb detailed the foolish state of being seen through other people’s myopic vision.

Teresa Y. Roberson enlightened the audience about how to enter fools’ paradise through credit card overextension.

A brief fools’ photoshoot broke out!

Thom the World Poet, accompanied by DJ Cabrini Green and Daniel Davila, incorporated all the previous poets’ facets of paradise along with an audience shout out to weave in “angels.”

Then, the open mic began.

Jeffery Hollie

Trevor

Tim Tealer

Jonathan Lowell

Jason

Birdman 313

David Lester Young

Roger

Patricia Fiske

Neal

Lila McCall

John Kojak

Christina M. Jackson

Daniel Davila

Brian

Stefani

Thom the World Poet

Big “Thank You” to the record-making audience who attended the culminating show of the Austin International Poetry Festival!