Where Vivid Narratives Live

The host symbolically took her place in the Black Woman Network.

In honor of Mother’s Day, ABE LOUISE YOUNG concluded a writers’ workshop before the roulette began.

The rouletters touched upon different aspects of minding another’s business.

LIABLEWRITER witnessed, as a voyeur, another’s relationship.

ALLISON JONES weighed the benefits of knowing too much versus being blissfully uninformed.

KELLY J pondered parallel versions of herself on a road more or less traveled.

CARRIE ANN PAULO wished to be in another’s head, then back out again!

STEPHANIE ELISE FRENO shared how supporting LGBTQ rights is everybody’s business.

BRENNAN UTLEY told us about what happened when an insomniac just tried to mind his own business.

SPENCER MIRABAL showed how to tend to love ones as a bother and son.

TERESA Y. ROBERSON shed light on the original Internet: The Black Woman Network.

THOM THE WORLD POET minded everyone’s business in the universe of poetry, storytelling and truth-telling.

OPEN MIC

Click on the link below to view the performances of the following open mic artists: DONNA DECHEN BIRDWELL, STEPHANIE ELISE FRENO, KELLY J, BRIAN GROSZ, LIABLEWRITER, SAM TREVINO, BRENNAN UTLEY, RG HOOK, & THOM THE WORLD POET.

DONNA DECHEN BIRDWELL

STEPHANIE ELISE FRENO

KELLY CARA

BRIAN GROSZ

LIABLEWRITER

HOPE RUIZ

SAM TREVINO

BRENNAN UTLEY

RG HOOK

NICOLE CORTICHIATO

THOM THE WORLD POET

The Rouletters started the Never-Ending Tomorrow with a photoshoot that had more cameras than usual, which was prophetic since they had a near standing-room only audience. 

Ms. Sandman hosted the event.

NICOLE CORTICHIATO checked off her list of never-ending things, explained among several poems. 

HALEY CAMPBELL detailed the never-ending challenges of health care.

STEPHANIE ELISE FRENO gave us a snapshot of her never-ending transitioning journey.

RG HOOK told about the never-ending battle to save her husband’s life.

TERESA Y ROBERSON amused the crowd with her on-going adventures with insomnia, technological upgrades, and lists of checklists.

THOM THE WORLD POET shined a light on the never-ending wheel of prescription drugs, deadens jobs and everything in between.

OPEN MIC

Click on the link to see the performances of the following open mic artists: BIRDMAN 313, URSULA PIKE, BRIAN GROSZ, LIABLEWRITER, KELLY J, RG HOOK, PYKASU KOUBE, ROBERT PORTER & THOM THE WORLD POET.

BIRDMAN 313

URSULA PIKE

BRIAN GROSZ

LIABLEWRITER

KELLY J

RG HOOK

PYKASU KOUBE

ROBERT PORTER

THOM THE WORLD POET

This month’s collection of Austin Writers Roulette books included the host’s first novel, Tribe of One.

The Rouletters came out to share mostly cat adventures.

RG HOOK shared her road trip adventures with a cat through the Mojave desert.

STEPHANIE ELISE FRENO sang about transitioning from a man into a woman.

TERESA Y. ROBERSON told about the challenges of hustling like a dog during the day and partying like a cat at night while middle aged.

THOM THE WORLD POET contrasted the differences between dogs and cats, loyal and independent, respectively.

OPEN MIC ARTISTS

Click on the link below to see the performances of the following open mic artists: STEPHANIE ELISE FRENO, BRIAN GROSZ, RG HOOK, HOPE RUIZ, ELLEN BRAVERMAN & THOM THE WORLD POET.

STEPHANIE ELISE FRENO

BRIAN GROSZ

RG HOOK

HOPE RUIZ

ELLEN BRAVERMAN

THOM THE WORLD POET

All the “Reasons” books reflected the variety of ways the Rouletters interpreted the theme.

Both long-time and new Rouletters came out for this show…even more than who were on time for the group photo.

RG HOOK stated why one should fall in love.

SPENCER MIRABAL gave advice to his future children about how to fly.

MITCHELL COHEN explored life exploration.

STEPHANIE ELISE FRENO shared significant events and people in her life.

TERESA Y. ROBERSON enumerated the reasons not to be poor.

THOM THE WORLD POET accompanied by musicians REBECCA ASHE and DANIEL DAVILA intertwined his spoken word reasons with the clarinet and acoustic guitar.

OPEN MIC

Click on the link below to view the performances of the following open mic artists: STEPHANIE ELISE FRENO, SPENCER MIRABAL, DANIEL DAVILA, BRIAN GROSZ, RG HOOK, MASON MCCLAY, REBECCA ASHE, ELLEN BRAVERMAN, HOPE RUIZ, LIABLEWRITER, RENEE AMOS, THOM THE WORLD POET, REBECCA ASHE & DANIEL DAVILA

STEPHANIE ELISE FRENO

SPENCER MIRABAL

DANIEL DAVILA accompanied by REBECCA ASHE

BRIAN GROSZ

RG HOOK

MASON MCCLAY

REBECCA ASHE accompanied by DANIEL DAVILA

ELLEN BRAVERMAN

HOPE RUIZ

LIABLEWRITER

RENEE AMOS

THOM THE WORLD POET accompanied by musicians REBECCA ASHE and DANIEL DAVILA

REBECCA ASHE & DANIEL DAVILA

The host may have been out of tune, but definitely not out of time…

Especially for 10 shillings and 6 pence!

The Rouletters harmonized through their discordant narratives.

SPENCER MIRABAL read a trilogy of out of tune poems.

STEPHANIE ELISE FRENO shared questions from the heart.

SHLOMI HARIF spun a discordant tale of two Stevies.

HOPE RUIZ fought against the grain of the dominant narrative.

TERESA Y. ROBERSON discussed a myriad of discordant experiences, including her most recent: complimenting White people on their tans.

INVISIBLE THOM embraced reclaiming the sacred and harmonizing with nature.

OPEN MIC

Click on the link below to enjoy the performances of the following open mic artists: STEPHANIE ELISE FRENO, SPENCER MIRABAL, URSULA PIKE, BRIAN GROSZ, JIM TENNY RENEE AMOS, HOPE RUIZ, SAM TREVINO, MASON MCCLAY, MIKE MATTHEWS, NICOLE METTS, MAX PERRY, & INVISIBLE THOM 

STEPHANIE ELISE FRENO

SPENCER MIRABAL

URSULA PIKE

BRIAN GROSZ

JIM TENNY

RENEE AMOS

HOPE RUIZ

SAM TREVINO

MASON MCCLAY

MIKE MATTHEWS

NICOLE METTS

MAX PERRY

INVISIBLE THOM

An alien hosted this month’s Austin Writers Roulette.

The Rouletters didn’t seem to mind, though.

LARRY MAYFIELD detailed two different worlds he didn’t want to live in here on Earth.

RG HOOK shared visitation dreams from her husband.

JOSH DAVIS told about his journey to the astral plane.

TERESA Y. ROBERSON fantasized about alien technology defying The Second Law of Thermodynamics to right the world.

THOM THE WORLD POET stated his experience with a new-age guru, then led the audience in a read-a-long chant about saving the Earth.

OPEN MIC

Click on the link below to see the performances of the following open mic artists: LARRY MAYFIELD, STEPHANIE ELISE FRENO, BIRDMAN 313, KATE O’CONNOR, LIABLEWRITER, ELLEN BRAVERMAN, RG HOOK, & THOM THE WORLD POET accompanied by LARRY MAYFIELD on flute

LARRY MAYFIELD

STEPHANIE ELISE FRENO

BIRDMAN 313

SCHNACK

KATE O’CONNOR

LIABLEWRITER

ELLEN BRAVERMAN

RG HOOK

THOM THE WORLD POET accompanied by LARRY MAYFIELD on flute.

Lady Liberty hosted the Roulette on Veterans Day 2018.

Two Rouletters had served in the Armed Forces: JIM TENNY in the Navy and STEPHANIE ELISE FRENO in the Air Force.

Although the host dressed in costume, JIM TENNY wore his actual uniform from more than 20 years ago.

The Rouletters gathered on this patriotic holiday to share their gratitude narratives.

URSULA PIKE was grateful for the life hack demonstrated by her dog, Hercules.

HOPE RUIZ led the way for the Self Evolution Revolution.

STEPHANIE WEBB expressed gratitude for not being alone in the struggle.

STEPHANIE ELISE FRENO documented her transitioning journey with gratitude for everyone who’s helped her along the way.

JIM TENNY witnessed self-evident truths that all men are created equal.

TEREA Y. ROBERSON expounded upon what it meant to be a part of We the American People, inclusively.

THOM THE WORLD POET praised the veterans in his family and worldwide…and the people who supported Global Peace.

OPEN MIC

Click on the link to view the performances of the following artists:  STEPHANIE ELISE FRENO, JIM TENNY, SPENCER MIRABAL, VALERIE KLIEWER, LYNN HERRICK, HOPE RUIZ, BRIAN GROSZ, JOE BRUNDIDGE, THOM THE WORLD POET

STEPHANIE ELISE FRENO

JIM TENNY

SPENCER MIRABAL

VALERIE KLIEWER

LYNN HERRICK

HOPE RUIZ

BRIAN GROSZ

JOE BRUNDIDGE

THOM THE WORLD POET

The Seasonal Butterfly hosted this last Roulette of 2018.

The Rouletters gathered around and performed to a packed room.

LARRY MAYFIELD showed that the end of childhood innocence started the appreciation of family traditions.

URSULA PIKE reminisced about an end-of-the-year gift exchange.

ASA MORRIS turned the corner for a better life, but still dealt with his past.

HOPE RUIZ delved into the romance of beginning again.

JIM TENNY moved past remorse to forgiveness.

STEPHANIE ELISE FRENO shared the things she had to give up in order to embrace the woman she’s become.

BRENNAN UTLEY told an alliterative story about acceptance.

TERESA Y. ROBERSON recounted her series of career transformations.

THOM THE WORLD POET, accompanied by DANIEL DAVILA on clarinet, spoke about past lives and reincarnations while bringing continuous sunshine to whichever self he was.

OPEN MIC

Click on the link to view the performances of the following open mic artists: STEPHANIE ELISE FRENO, COLLEEN SAFFRON, BIRDMAN 313, JIM TENNY, ELLEN BRAVERMAN, KATI TAYLOR, BRENNAN UTLEY, HOPE RUIZ, BRIAN GROSZ, DANIEL DAVILA, CHRISTINA CULVERHOUSE, THOM THE WORLD POET, accompanied by DANIEL DAVILA.

STEPHANIE ELISE FRENO

COLLEEN SAFFRON

BIRDMAN 313

JIM TENNY

ELLEN BRAVERMAN

KATI TAYLOR

BRENNAN UTLEY

HOPE RUIZ

BRIAN GROSZ

DANIEL DAVILA

CHRISTINA CULVERHOUSE

THOM THE WORLD POET, accompanied by DANIEL DAVILA on acoustic guitar

Once again, Cindie’s outdid itself with the His and Hers gift baskets for the best performer in both categories. These prizes were rewarded at the end of the show by audience applause.

Cupid hosted the show, explaining to the audience that they may think that she’s misfired some love arrows in their lives, but she assured them, the arrows always landed where they were supposed to and they’d just had to deal with it.

At least Cupid gifted audience members genital-shaped candy to cope with the bitterness of love gone wrong.

Cupid’s philosophy is, “One person’s heartache is another person’s punchline.” So, these Rouletters came to share their love survival story/punchlines.

RG HOOK dealt with one of the age-old dating dilemmas: is he a future boyfriend or criminal?

SUSAN MACK shared some ancient words of love.

LARRY MAYFIELD had his own version of the dating game.

TERESA Y. ROBERSON asked the contemporary, independent single woman’s question: why do men always f*ck it up?

THOM THE WORLD POET spoke from the heart of the joy and love for his homeland and his mother.

OPEN MIC

Click on the link below to view the performances of the following Open Mic artists: LARRY MAYFIELD, BRIAN GROSZ, R G HOOK, CAROL LENNOX, EMMA TUCKER & THOM YES.

LARRY MAYFIELD

BRIAN GROSZ

RG HOOK

CAROL LENNOX

EMMA TUCKER

THOM THE WORLD POET

All the women shared the fun Hers basket in a four-way tie.

BRIAN GROSZ won the audience vote for the His basket.

Yet he graciously shared some of the goodies with the other guys.

For this Roulette, Bougie Nerdy Black Woman hosted.

Still, The Rouletters showed up to not apologize for being who they are.

DONNA DECHEN BIRDWELL showed that in the great drama of life, you can’t keep apologizing for who you are.

NICOLE CORTICHIATO couldn’t bring herself to apologize for an elementary reaction from a crush.

HOPE RUIZ owed no apologies for her inner strength.

CHARLA HATHAWAY was unapologetic about exploring her own sexuality and healing others.

STEPHANIE WEBB offered no apologies to rich people.

RG HOOK delivered the most f-bomb laden nonapology about the changing demographics due to forced immigration.

TERESA Y. ROBERSON spoke of being unapologetically comfortable in her own skin, regardless of whether she was too Black or not Black enough for some people.

THOM THE WORLD POET, accompanied by DANIEL DAVILA on guitar, brought up  the fact that indigenous people of his homeland, Australia, along with other indigenous people, were owed more than an apology.

Click on the following link to view the performances of these open mic artists: BIRDMAN 313, TREV, JEFFREY & JANELL TAYLOR, ELLEN BRAVERMAN, DANIEL DAVILA, RG HOOK, FONTY FOX, NICOLE CORTICHIATO, HOPE RUIZ, & SUNDAY THOM accompanied by DANIEL DAVILA  on oboe.

OPEN MIC

BIRDMAN 313

TREV

JANELLE & JEFFREY TAYLOR

ELLEN BRAVERMAN

DANIEL DAVILA

BRIAN GROSZ

RG HOOK

FONTY FOX

NICOLE CORTICHIATO

HOPE RUIZ

EDITH TAPIA

THOM THE WORLD POET & DANIEL DAVILA on oboe.