This is the official blog of Northern Arizona slam poet Christopher Fox Graham. Begun in 2002, and transferred to blogspot in 2006, FoxTheBlog has recorded more than 670,000 hits since 2009. This blog cover's Graham's poetry, the Arizona poetry slam community and offers tips for slam poets from sources around the Internet. Read CFG's full biography here. Looking for just that one poem? You know the one ... click here to find it.
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query decker. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query decker. Sort by date Show all posts

Saturday, September 4, 2010

GumptionFest V packed with artists

GumptionFest V
  • Fifth annual event takes place Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 11 and 12.
  • Activities last all day at several venues along Coffee Pot Drive.
  • Admission is free. All art and music is supplied by donation.
  • All amateur and professional artists are invited to participate.
  • To volunteer, participate or for more information, e-mail GumptionFest@gmail.com.
GumptionFest V packed with artists

GumptionFest V: Raiders of the Lost Art takes place along Coffee Pot Drive in West Sedona on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 11 and 12.

Events begin at 10 a.m. both days and end after midnight. GumptionFest V will feature an art gallery displaying local art, a kids zone with children’s activities and a bouncing castle, vendors, information kiosks, and entertainment at four stages:
  • Oak Creek Brewing Co.
  • the outdoor stage behind Creative Flooring, hosted by Dave Harvey
  • The Best of Show stage hosted by Kathy Perry of Best of Show; and
  • Sedona Performers Guild’s Studio Live.

The festival features some of the most well-known names in the Sedona and Verde Valley art scene, from singer-songwriters, performance poets, rock bands, painters, sculptors and fire-spinning performance artists.

However, what makes GumptionFest unique among Arizona arts festivals is that anyone who wants to play music, perform poetry, display art or dance is eagerly invited to participate.

Talent levels are not important: participants should range from full-time professional artists and musicians and published poets to recreational artists, part-time photographers and those who pen poems in private journals.

Youth and teen artists are strongly encouraged to participate whether they aim to become professional artists as adults or just create art, write poetry or play music to pass the time.

Kick-Off Party
  • The GumptionFest V kickoff party begins Friday, Sept. 10, the night before the festival, at Oak Creek Brewing Co.

  • Dirty Lingo has been playing music in Sedona, the Verde Valley and the Phoenix area for several years. Influenced by The Beatles, guitarists Mike Chapman and John Hayden form the core duo.

  • Captain Squeegee, from Tempe, is a seven-member progressive blend of multi-instrumentation and conceptualized orchestrations. The Phoenix New Times described the band as “‘Fantasia’ music, with lead singer Danny Torgersen making like Mickey in a swirling maelstrom of flying horns, dancing guitars, broken melodies, and mad-prophet vocalizing.”
    The band was awarded “Best Album of 2008” and “Best Hope of 2009” by webzine Progressia.


Musical Acts
  • Eccentric world beat music group Amitahba includes Sedona musicians Vusi Shibambo, Andre Fearonce, formerly of The Beatnigs with Michael Franti, bassist Lindsay Buckingham, drummer Alex Ogburn, guitarist Keith Kavisic, vocalist Terry Bryant, Leah Lamat and guitarist Michael Casella.

    The band has a full sound made of percussion, marimba, vocals, guitar, didgeridoo, bass, drums and vocals.

  • Da Ominators is led by frontman, guitarist and vocalist Dom Giazzon, a veteran of popular local bands Radio Dogma and Liquid Theory.

  • Singer and songwriter Brandon Decker, musically known only as Decker, writes songs that delve into the human heart and the human condition. Not quite rock, not quite folk, his acoustic-based music draws upon a variety of influences, from Leonard Cohen to Tom Waits, from Cat Power to PJ Harvey.

    Decker has toured the West Coast promoting his debut album “Long Days” and is soon to release his second, full-length album.

  • Hip-hop duo Double Vision is comprised of twin brothers Jonathan and Jarred Lindsay. They masterfully fuse hip-hop, rock and ska over cleverly worded, uplifting lyrics. The result is something truly distinctive.

  • Born in Venice, Calif., they moved throughout the Midwest and the South as kids. Products of the hip-hop generation, they started rhyming before they were out of their Underoos. In high school, they hooked with producer Bill Blast and formed Double Vision. In 2008, they recorded their first EP, “No Explanation.” Their debut album, “Bifocal,” is reminiscent of Pharcyde and Outkast mixed with Gym Class Heroes.

  • Born in Stuttgart, Germany, Ralf Illenberger started performing in 1977. His first album “Waves” was released in 1978 and nominated for the German Record Awards.

    Illenberger released seven European recordings during the next nine years, exploring styles that ranged from new-classical to avant-garde to progressive jazz. Through Germany’s Goethe Institute, Illenberger and guitar partner Martin Kolbe played more than 1,000 concerts during the 1980s in 40 countries throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

    Since 1995, Illenberger has been writing and recording in Sedona releasing several more albums which garnered critical acclaim.

  • Jake Payne is a singer and songwriter who plays solo acoustic folk music, as well as fronting an electric rock band. He presents a diverse repertoire of poetic and dynamic songs ranging from soft moody lullabies to all-out rock.

  • Guitarist Dave Harvey and cellist Courtney Yeates will perform together.

  • Self-taught singer and songwriter Adam Smith was born in Virginia, raised in Kentucky and discovered on the streets of Nashville, Tenn. He discovered the piano on his own as a 7-year-old and picked up guitar, teaching himself to play around the age of 18.

    Smith eventually began performing regularly at open mic nights. His visual approach to music carries through to the guitar, but with a twist.

  • An improvisational music collective, Vamp Syllabus combine elements of post-rock, ambient, experimental, funk, and jazz to create a unique experience of musical exploration and discovery.

    There is no rehearsed material - everything is created live and on the spot. Each performance is one-of-a-kind and never repeated.

    The collective is led by guitarist Matthew Barlow with bassist Dylan Jung, drummer Michael Leibowitz, saxaphonist Gabriel Masterson and vocalist Kelly Cole.

  • Singer and songwriter Jay Fout’s style is a combination of folk, funk, reggae, blues and jazz with a rock twist.

  • Yin Yang & Zen Some, Sedona’s costume party rock band, will perform its distinctive show as a headlining act.


  • Other groups include The Mods, from Cottonwood, Nรคthan Saith Gangadean, duo Nathan Trujillo and Jason Kevin, Alex Ogburn, the Gospel Fire All Stars and Poem from Phoenix.


Slam Poetry
  • A series of head-to-head poetry slam competitions will be hosted by five-time National Poetry Slam competitor Christopher Fox Graham.

    Judges will be randomly selected from the crowd.

    Tucson slam poets David Rogers Luben, Mickey Randleman and Laura Lacanette, and Phoenix poets Lauren Perry and Bernard “The Klute” Schober will challenge local poets for the cash prize. To register or for more information, e-mail foxthepoet@yahoo.com.

  • A Haiku Death Match takes place on Sunday, Sept. 12. A Haiku Death Match is a competitive head-to-head poetry duel. Death matches have been a prominent feature at the annual National Poetry Slam since the mid 1990s.

    Haiku is a traditional form of Japanese poetry consisting of 17 syllables in three metrical lines of five syllables, seven syllables, five syllables. Slam haiku need only 17 syllables; lines are unimportant.

    Death match competitors, or “haikusters,” need 20 to 30 haiku to compete. Poets must be the sole authors and can read from the page. Poets can have haiku written beforehand or write them in their head while at the microphone.

    There will be a cash prize for the winning haikusters.
Performance Art
  • Abandoned Minds improve comedy troupe has been performing shows in the Verde Valley with a revolving membership for the past few years. The group brings their on-the-fly performance to entertain the crowds.

  • Members of Pyroclectic will perform their fire-spinning performance art after the sun sets. The Prescott fire troupe was featured at Prescott’s annual Tsunami on the Square festival and was a member of the Fire Conclave at Burning Man 2010.
To Participate

Volunteers are also needed this year, so even those who don’t play an instrument, paint, sculpt or write poems can help and be a part of one of the largest free arts festival in Sedona.

Organizers for GumptionFest V: Raiders of the Lost Art are still looking for more visual artists, photographers, dancers and dance troupes, musicians, bands, theater groups and poets who want to be a part of the festival for either one or two days.

To participate, volunteer or contribute as a sponsor, contact GumptionFest@gmail.com or visit GumptionFest on Facebook.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

GumptionFest 4 Schedule

All times are subject to change but probably won't. Be sure to pick up a schedule the day of the performances for any updates.

Musicians: Please e-mail gumptionfest@gmail.com if you have any changes or questions about scheduling.

Poets: Not all poet slots are indicated. Poets will fill the space between bands. Sign up with Christopher Fox Graham when you arrive. Once you have your slot(s) get to the venue at least 20 minutes before, as some bands may run short or go long. Contact the stage MC when you arrive so he or she knows who you are and that you're present. As soon as the band finishes, the host will announce you. Start performing. The previous band will be breaking down behind you and the next band will be setting up. You are the distraction for the audience, and your mission is to ensure there is no break in the artistic performance, so ignore the distraction and own the stage. The audience would rather hear you than watch techs anyway.

Friday, September 4th – 6pm
GumptionFest Kick-Off Party
at Ken’s Creekside


6 - Jay Fout & Keith Martini
*Poet
7 - Jake Payne
*Poet
8 – Julia Jordan w/Dinora Walcott
*Poet
9 - Busker Eaton
*Poet
10 - Decker & The Doppelgangers
*Poet
11 - Deepa (Flagstaff)
…and Christopher Fox Graham hosts Performance Poets Mikel Weisser, Jessica Laurel Reese, Nika Levikov.

Saturday, September 5
Oak Creek Brewery
M.C.’s: Jessica Laurel Reese
12 – Chicky & Tommy
*Poet
1:30 - Decker & The Doppelgangers
*Poet
3 – Busker Eaton
*Poet
4:30 – Deepa (Flagstaff)
*Poet
6 – Clover (Flagstaff)
*Poet
7:30 – OptimistiChaos
*Poet
9 – Yin Yang & Zen Some
*Poet
10:30 – What Laura Says Thinks & Feels (Tempe)
*Poet: MC Antranormos and The Canyon Animals (10pm–Close Between Bands)
12 – Dry River Yacht Club (Tempe)

GumptionFest Cabaret Tent
M.C.’s : Christopher Fox Graham
11 – Mikel Weisser
*Poet
12:30 – Ryan Biter (Flagstaff)
*Poet
2 – Eric Miller
*Poet
3:30 – Jazz Bedouins
* Poet
5 – Haiku Death Match
* Carrie Kohnya (6:15)
6:30 – Radio Dogma
*Poet
8 – Professor Big Swinger

Devi Yoga Outdoor Stage
M.C.’s: Walker Marchal
12:30 – Julia Jordan w/Dinora Walcott
*Poet
2 – Jake Allen (San Diego)
*Poet
3:30 – Lindsay Dragan (Flagstaff)
*Poet
5– Courtney Nicole (San Francisco)
*Poet
6:30 – Jake Payne
*Poet
8 – Skin Deep

Studio Live
10 – Beginner Mini-Laughing Yoga Class
10:30 – Performance Poetry Workshop w/ Mikel Weisser
12 – Bellydance Workshop w/Habib
1 - Technical Vocal Workshop w/ Susannah Martin
*Poet
2 – Blues Dawg
*Poet
3:30 – Summer Cygal
*Poet
5 – Ralf Illenberger
*Poet
9 – Concert w/ Freedom, Jake Allen and Naathan $15 Door

Creative Flooring Open Mic Tent
Noon–4 – AZ Dunan Ensemble
4-8 – Open Mic (Sign Up)
Any musician, poet or performer is welcome to perform. This tent will be in front of the venue among all the vendors.

Sunday, September 6
Oak Creek Brewery
M.C.s: Jessica Laurel Reese
12:30 – Luminaria (Flagstaff)
*Poet
2 – Ray Reeves Band (PHX)
*Poet
3:30 – Damn Close (Flagstaff)
*Poet
5 – MOS Funnel (Chicago)
*Poet
6:30 – The Ominators
8 – GumptionFest After Party
Dirty Water Jump Band?
The Devil Whale (Salt Lake City)
David Williams & Glade (Salt Lake City)
Jake Payne

GumptionFest Cabaret Tent
M.C.’s: Christopher Fox Graham/Kathy Perry
12 – Linda Ayers (30min.)
12:45 - Mikel Wiesser (30min.)
*Poet
1:30 – Kelly Cole w/Kayt Perlman
*Habib (2:45)
3 – William Hoshal Quartet
*Poet
4:30 – Jason Vargo w/ Eva George
* Women Divine-Acapella & Rhyme (5:30)
6 – Sam Cavanaugh
*Poet
7:30 – Kenzo

Devi Yoga Outdoor Stage
M.C.’s: Walker Marchal
11:30 – Stephen Sokola
*Poet
1 – 2 Suns
*Poet
2:30 – The Sirens
*Poet
4 – Larry 4 Life
*Poet
5:30 – The Time Bandits (Tucson)
*Poet
7 – Dave Harvey & Friends
*Poet
8:30 – Freedom

Studio Live
10 – Beginner Mini-Laughing Yoga Class
10:30 – A’Capella Singing Workshop w/ Wendy Davis
12 – “Writing our way to Happiness” Writing Workshop w/ Martha Entin
1 –Intro to Fingerstyle Guitar Workshop w/Rick Cyge
2 – Hank Levine
3:30 – Connie Fisher
5 – 3rd Point
6:30 – Baba Shibambo

Creative Flooring Open Mic Tent
Noon–6pm – Open Mic (Sign Up)
Any musician, poet or performer is welcome to perform. This tent will be in front of the venue among all the vendors.
(From GumptionFest Part Deux in 2007, I just think the image is awesome.)

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Poets Schedule at GumptionFest 4

GumptionFest 4 Poets Schedule

All times are subject to change but probably won't. Be sure to pick up a schedule the day of the performances for any updates. Musicians: Please e-mail gumptionfest@gmail.com if you have any changes or questions about scheduling.

Poets:
  • Sign up with Christopher Fox Graham when you arrive (My hubs will be GFHQ/Art Gallery or the Cabaret Stage). If you don't know what I look like by now, I'm the dude to the right.
  • I won't assign anyone in advance for Saturday or Sunday except GF staff. This is to ensure I have poets present. Find me as soon as you arrive and you want your slot.
  • Poets will fill the space between bands. The timing is based on the bands' schedule. Poet times are approximate.
  • Once you have your slot assignment(s) get to the venue at least 20 minutes before, as some bands may run short or go long.
  • Contact the stage MC when you arrive so he or she knows who you are and that you're present.
  • As soon as the band finishes, the host will announce you. Get up there quick. Plug your events or merchandise.
  • You can preview your poem, banter with the crowd, etc., but just remember that you have limited time.
  • Start performing. The previous band will be breaking down behind you and the next band will be setting up.
  • You are the distraction for the audience, and your mission is to ensure there is no break in the artistic performance, so ignore the distraction and own the stage. When the band is ready, finish your last poem and get off the stage quickly.
  • If you read your three poems and the band is still setting up, you're still the act. Read another. Entertain the crowd until the band is ready.
  • The whole audience may not be paying attention. There's no need to be a jerk about that, but keep in mind that someone in the audience is always listening, so keep going. The audience would rather hear you than watch techs anyway.
  • I will try to match poets with bands to ensure the biggest crowd for you, i.e., introspective poets get solo guitarists or tamer acts while shock-and-awe slam poets will get rowdy crowds.
  • The poetry is uncensored, but the festival is all ages. There is no need to censor yourself, just be aware. You have to deal with angry parents.
  • If you have raunchy poetry with strong language, let me know and I'll book you in a more adult-orientated slot.
  • Merchandise: Sell whatever you can or want but you're responsible. If you want to set up a booth, contact Dave Harvey and Melinda at Creative Flooring, 928-204-5542. A booth is $50.
  • Greenroom at the GumptionFest HQ and Gallery at 2020 Contractors road is open to performers and poets. You can leave your gear here. Donated coffee, food is available for poets and performers in the Greenroom.
  • Open Mic: The open mic is available whenever. Take advantage.

Friday, September 4,

GumptionFest Kick-Off Party at Ken’s Creekside

Band

Poet (Rough. I may see about multiple poets)



~5:50

Maple Dewleaf

6:00

Jay Fout & Keith Martini

~6:50

Maple

7:00

Jake Payne

~7:50

Nika Levikov

8:00

Julia Jordan w/Dinora Walcott

~8:50

Jessica Laurel Reese

9:00

Busker Eaton

~9:50

Mikel Weisser

10:00

Decker & The Doppelgangers

~10:50

Christopher Fox Graham & Nancy MacDonald

11:00

Deepa (Flagstaff)




Saturday, September 5,

GumptionFest 4, Day One

Oak Creek Brewery

MC: Jessica Laurel Reese, Jen Valencia

Band

Poet



~11:50


12:00

Moonstone (Chicky & Tommy)

~1:20


1:30

Decker & The Doppelgangers

~2:50


3:00

Busker Eaton

~4:20

Jen Valencia

4:30

Deepa (Flagstaff)

~5:50


6:00

Clover (Flagstaff)

~7:20


7:30

OptimistiChaos

~8:50


9:00

Yin Yang & Zen Some

~10:20

MC Antranormus and The Canyon Animals

10:30

What Laura Says Thinks & Feels (Tempe)

~11:50

MC Antranormus and The Canyon Animals

12:00

Dry River Yacht Club (Tempe)



GumptionFest Cabaret Tent

MC: Christopher Fox Graham

Band

Poet



~10:50


11:00

Mikel Weisser

~12:20


12:30

Ryan Biter (Flagstaff)

~1:50


2:00

Eric Miller

~3:20


3:30

Jazz Bedouins

~4:50


5:00

Haiku Death Match

6:15

Carrie Kohnya (6:15)

~6:25


6:30

Radio Dogma

~7:50


8:00

Professor Big Swinger



Devi Yoga Outdoor Stage

MC: Walker Marchal

Band

Poet



~12:20


12:30

Julia Jordan w/Dinora Walcott

~1:50


2:00

Jake Allen (San Diego)

~3:20


3:30

Lindsay Dragan (Flagstaff)

~4:50


5:00

Courtney Nicole (San Francisco)

~6:20


6:30

Jake Payne

~7:50


8:00

Skin Deep



Studio Live

MC: Jennifer Reddington, Suzy Schomaker, April Payne

Workshop/Band

Poet

10:00

Beginner Mini-Laughing Yoga Class

10:30

Performance Poetry Workshop w/ Mikel Weisser

12:00

Bellydance Workshop w/Habib

1:00

Technical Vocal Workshop w/ Susannah Martin

2:00

Blues Dawg

~3:20


3:30

Summer Cygal

~4:50


5:00

Ralf Illenberger

~8:40


9:00

Concert w/ Freedom, Jake Allen and Nรคthan $15 Door

Creative Flooring Open Mic Tent

MC:

12:00

AZ Dunan Ensemble

4:00

Open Mic (Sign Up) Any musician, poet or performer is welcome to perform.




Saturday, September 6,

GumptionFest 4, Day Two

Oak Creek Brewery

MC: Jessica Laurel Reese

Band



Poet





~12:20


12:30

Luminaria (Flagstaff)



~1:50


2:00

Ray Reeves Band (PHX)



~3:20


3:30

Damn Close (Flagstaff)



~4:50


5:00

MOS Funnel (Chicago



~6:20


6:30

The Ominators



~7:50


8:00

GumptionFest Afterparty

Dirty Water Jump Band,

The Devil Whale (Salt Lake City)

David Williams & Glade (Salt Lake City)

Jake Payne



Poets as needed









GumptionFest Cabaret Tent

MC: Christopher Fox Graham, Kathy Perry

Band

Poet



~11:50


12:00

Linda Ayers (30min.)

~12:30


12:45

Mikel Wiesser (30min.)

~1:15


1:30

Kelly Cole w/Kayt Perlman

~2:30


2:45

Habib (2:45)

~2:50


3:00

William Hoshal Quartet

~4:20


4:30

Jason Vargo w/ Eva George

~5:20


5:30

Women Divine, a capella and rhyme,

~5:50


6:00

Sam Cavanaugh

~7:20


7:30

Kenzo



Devi Yoga Outdoor Stage

MC: Walker Marchal

Band

Poet



~11:20


11:30

Stephen Sokola

~12:50


1:00

Two Suns

~2:20


2:30

The Sirens

~3:50


4:00

Larry 4 Life

~5:20


5:30

The Time Bandits (Tucson)

~6:50


7:00

Dave Harvey & Friends

~8:20


8:30

Freedom



Studio Live

MC: Jennifer Reddington, Suzy Schomaker, April Payne

Workshop/Band

Poet

10:00

Beginner Mini-Laughing Yoga Class

10:30

A capella Singing Workshop w/ Wendy Davis

12:00

Writing our way to Happiness” Writing Workshop w/ Martha Entin

1:00

Intro to Fingerstyle Guitar Workshop w/Rick Cyge

2:00

Hank Levine

~3:20


3:30

Connie Fisher

~4:50


5:00

Third Point

~6:20


6:30

Baba Shibambo

Creative Flooring Open Mic Tent

MC:

12:00-6:00

Open Mic (Sign Up) Any musician, poet or performer is welcome to perform.