Anybody planning to go this year?

http://www.wcupa.edu/_academics/sch_...try/index.html

I'll probably turn up, provided people I know are going.

Best regards,
David

I'll be there. I'm taking Alicia's workshop on forms of repetition.

Susan

I'll be there as well, and will also be in Alicia's workshop. See ya, Susan. Hope you can make it, David - we can swap triolets.



[This message has been edited by Michael Cantor (edited April 20, 2005).]

David,

I'm not going if Cantor's going to be there. You're all invited to make it down to the Italian Festival at Mother of Divine Grace in Philadelphia that weekend. (Except Cantor, of course, he’s not invited.)

Bobby

I'm going for the first time (still have my fingers crossed on that scholarship). I'm taking Mark Jarman's "master class."

------------------
Steve Schroeder

I'll be there Wednesday and Thursday. I'm chairing the "Farewell to The Formalist" panel on Wednesday afternoon. My intention is to conclude with a few tributes from the floor in the style of a Quaker memorial service, so think about that if you're going.

Back in the autumn of last year I was making tentative plans to attend. (I came in 2003 and had a wonderful time.)

One of our sons is getting married that same weekend, however – a joyous occasion we are all looking forward to, and one made the more pleasant because it will take place in the Lake District, indeed in one of our favourite parts of that lovely region.

Anyway, I shall think of you all being put through your paces by Alicia and David and Dick and Pete and the rest of the crowd.

Have fun!

Clive Watkins

Gosh, wish I would have been abreast of this earlier...

I see the April 15th for the schol. deadline has come and gone.

*sigh*

..And it's so expensive without one!

It's always looked interesting, maybe next year.

-Sherri

I just got notice that I'll be in David Mason's Dramatic Monologue workshop. Thank god they're helping a bit with the funding, because I'm getting near broke.

Hi Folks: I don't think I can get my act together to attend this year, but I very much want to go some time. Can I ask a few questions about it? Some of them are from mere curiosity, and some of them reflect the fact that--if I put together a decent proposal--I may be able to secure partial support from my employer to attend. Where do you fly to go? Do you need a car? Where do you stay? Is it as friendly and welcoming of new people as it sounds?
Best wishes, --Simon

Simon, you fly to Philadelphia and there are several shuttles from the airport, which are free, though if you arrive after the last one, you could either rent a car or take a taxi (for around $25). If you stay on campus, all the activities are within walking distance, but the accommodations are spartan. The Holiday Inn is about a mile away, but a lot of people are driving to campus all the time, so it is easy to get a ride.

Susan

Wouldn't miss it for the world. Seventh year running. Didn't ask for $, but probably should have. Am about to take a year off to finish book and/or teach a visiting poetry fellowship, assuming one out there will have me.

Probably will be in Campo's narrative workshop, though as always it's impossible to choose -one- from all the delights offered. Wish there were some way to take all at once.

Sick as a dog, about to go to hospital, no health insurance, but putting every last nickel into WCU. Now THERE'S cult-like behavior.

Poetry uber alles,
Robin




[This message has been edited by Robin-Kemp (edited April 22, 2005).]

I e-mailed them two days ago and they e mailed me back saying there were only three workshops still open. I believe only one was poetry, a master class in how formal music relates to poetry.

So for anyone who still wants to be in this conference, you better get movin'.....

You can attend either as a Scholar or as a Poet.
As I recall, when I attended two years ago, believing one to be marginally less untruthful than the other, I booked as a Scholar, which doesn't involve booking specific courses.
I found course leaders were very welcoming when I asked if I could attend some of their seminars on an ad hoc basis.
It's a great opportunity to meet other Poeticals.
Best regards,
David

Ahhhh gee. This conference sounds great but I don't feel like moving my butt to register. I'm sure I'll catch one in NYC anyway.

Yolanda, move your butt.
You can catch many things in NYC, I believe, but formal poetry sessions aren't among them.
Best regards,
David

I'll be pleased to see all the regulars and irregulars there, as I've also been lucky enough to receive a scholarship.

David, I like the way you managed to check a number of workshops! I'll be in Dick Davis' workshop on rhyme, and wish I could stop in for a bit at other workshops too, but I'll keep to the strictures of the academic set-up.

If anyone here has ever stayed in the dorms, could you tell me a little about them? I hope it's not like a hostel, where you have to stay away during the day: a little shut-eye in late afternoon is sometimes a requirement for the likes of me. Rhina told me a little: a spartan room, which sounds great to me. Bring your own fan, etc. I'll check the weather report first. Is there a window? I hope so. How far are the dorms from the student center where all the classes are held? What time is breakfast? How early can we get coffee?

Here's a suggestion for those of you who are attending. Each year, people tend to report back with the gossip and general postings of felicitations. But what if those who attend specific workshops post a brief summary of any high points, suggestions, words of wisdoms learned for those of us who will not be attending? Received wisdom, even second hand, is still wisdom...

Just a suggestion.

Lucky, yeah right.

Breakfast, coffee! Lady after my own heart!

Whew! Let me see if I can answer some of these questions!

Simon, everything you've heard is true. The conference is friendly. People are extremely on-task and concerned with poetry, and congeniality is the rule. You don't need a car unless you want to go to Philly for some reason, but you're best off doing that either a day before or a day after the conference. West Chester proper (downtown pedestrian area) is about a ten-minute walk from campus, and you may want to have a car or catch a ride if you have trouble walking that far. That said, parking can be a problem, particularly for the evening readings. I've gotten from the airport in Philly to WCU via train/bus. Whatever you do, MAKE CERTAIN YOU HAVE THE RIGHT CAB COMPANY AND THAT THE CABBIE KNOWS THE FARE. One year I got ripped off and had to bum $20 from someone to get through the week. Was I ever pissed off not to be able to buy books!

Albert, all three workshops would be poetry workshops. Check the website and try (it's hard!) to choose one you like. No matter what, you can't go wrong. No duds there. While non-master-class classes may include poets with a range of abilities, I've yet to find one that was hamstrung by a relative beginner. It may be that the quality of WCU folks is self-selecting, but I've taken both regular and master classes: all the classes are master classes, as far as that goes.

Yolanda, I second David. This is NOT just another conference. If you have any interest in form, this is the ONLY place where you will be immersed in a community of other poets doing similar work. That said, the open mic readings (anyone can sign up) tend to run both free and formal verse. Give it a try!!! Besides, this year Marisa de los Santos, Rhina, and Rafael Campo will be there, y pues espero que hablamamos mas espanol ahora.

Terese, yes, there are functional windows in the dorms! If you're "cold-natured," as I am, bring a pullover of some sort for the morning (and for the air-conditioned auditorium). They do supply linens and one of those cotton string blankets. You won't have a roommate, so you can lay out all your stuff on the other bed and use both desks. The conference usually uses the dorms closest to Sykes (the student center where most things happen), which are 1-5 minutes' walk from there or from the cafeteria.

As I recall, the coffee is usually up and running before the first workshop/panel, but is frankly uninspired. True coffee junkies are well advised to buy the fancy coffee in the student union when it's available, to get up early enough to go to town for real coffee (two good places in particular--I forget the names, sorry to say), or to brew one's own. Not sure what prohibitions if any are about having a coffee pot in the dorms.

The fun part of being in the dorms is seeing all your esteemed colleagues waddling around with bags under the eyes and curlers in their hair. There's something oddly comforting in seeing other people are as exhausted as you are.

If you attend with a significant other, then your only alternative seems to be a hotel. It's not really a spouse-bringing thing, but if you're both actually taking part in the conference and/or with babe in arms, then you'll probably want the Holiday Inn. Surely there must be a good B&B somewhere that might be affordable...or a second motel on the way...

Robin

nyctom,

Your "But what if those who attend specific workshops post a brief summary of any high points, suggestions, words of wisdoms learned for those of us who will not be attending? Received wisdom, even second hand, is still wisdom..."

is a great idea, and I posted the same thing last year because I couldn't attend, and not a single answer or suggestion came forth. Lots of silly gossip and such, but nothing useful, and I don't really know why.

The last time I brought up a theoretical concept here on erato it was deleted by a moderator. The only thing I can figure is that if anyone brings forth a theory, it offends someone who has a different idea, and, of course, to offend anyone's personal art affects their ego, so theories aren't encouraged.

For example, the at the 2003 WC, someone was talking about poetry and repeated 10 times how fantastic the 'irony' was in a poet's work. I think irony is a weak half-thought technically unbecoming of advanced poetry--and when I bring this up it goes over like a lead balloon, because so many writers fall into alpha when they write, and become dependant on half-conscious thinking.

But maybe things will change. If I can make it I will note what I can down.

When Paul Fussell was there, being honored, he blasted the group thinking mechanisms, and I am not sure who noticed.

TJ

Robin - David

You convinced me. Thanks for the push. I'm moving my butt.

Current Selection: Experimental Poetry, Repetition and Meter even though I would love to take the Rhyme too. So many great choices. Probably replace the Meter workshop with the Rhyme one.

Robin - Thanks for the clincher. No roomie in the room. I don't mind student accomodations but being packed in a spartan room, with even one person, semi freaks me out.

Okay, finalizing the choices, attaching the poems and sending it out by tomorrow.

Hope to see most of you there.

Mary, gee whiz, does that mean you like my book? :) Thanks Miz Hope!

Yolanda, "uninspired coffee"! What a good phrase! I agree it's oddly comforting to see others when they can't speak yet in the morning. Me, I have been known to be a gimp in the morning, depending on the weather and lots of other factors. Thanks for the notes!

Terese - Errr.....Robin said all that not me. Anyway, sending off the conference application.

According to Albert G., Steele's workshop is still open which is fine with me.

I need to know more about meter anyway.

OOps! Thanks, Yolanda, and make that Robin above.

T.

I'm strongly tempted to go this year, especially as I've never seen the east coast, and if I did, I'd like to loop it in as part of a trip to see New York and whatnot. But I was also looking at possibly going to the World SF convention in Glasgow and seeing more of Europe, which I haven't done since I was a kid.

Where's the list of which workshops are still open and available?

Kevin

Kevin - hope we can lure you.

Here is the link to the site.

I don't believe, however, that the WCU web site gets updated with seminar availabilities. Best bet is to call Amy Brubaker, Conference Coordinator, at 610 436 3235. She's very much on top of things.

Michael

I'm hoping to make it for at least day or two, but a lot depends on the health of my mother-in-law, who is battling pancreatic cancer. At least I live close enough to decide at the last minute. Always a joy to meet old and new friends, though I'm mostly a stranger nowadays.

For anyone on the fence, you won't regret going so consider yourself pushed. This conference is unique in many ways and is well worth the investment in time and money. Meeting folks you interact with at the Sphere is an added bonus.

Patti

“Meeting folks you interact with at the Sphere is an added bonus.”

Absolutely, Patti! That was one the best things for me in 2003.

Kind regards…

Clive

I attended last year and took David Mason's workshop in Dramatic Monologue, which was really excellent. This year I'm not sure I can make it, due to family obligations -- and if I can, it will probably be on such short notice that all the workshops will be full. But I recommend the conference, and hope to see some of you there if I go.
Claudia

Can people just go to hang out and meet folks? Are there events besides workshops that you can just walk in to off the street? Say I wanted to fly there for a couple days, just pop in and out of stuff, readings whatever. Party with folks. Is that done? Is there a better hotel than the Holiday Inn? Something 5 star?

Greg,

Don't stay in West Chester, it's an awful place. Stay in Philly and rent a car to get to the meeting place. I'd advise The Sheraton University City at 36th and Chestnut.

Bobby

Yeah, but how can I step into Philly without visiting a hundred relatives? Thanks, Bobby.

Greg,

Ah yes, well I suppose it’s reasonable to believe that anyone who would even think about spending time in the same town as Michael Cantor would turn on his own flesh and blood.

Bobby

Greg, the registration fee for the conference without workshops is $50/day (use the scholars' application), which would give you a name tag and allow you to attend all of the panels and readings that day (and even participate in the open mic readings if there are still slots available when you arrive). You could probably slip into the auditorium even without a name tag (I don't think it's guarded) and hang out in the lobby with the other participants when they are not attending sessions. I'm not familiar with the other hotels in the area, but I'm sure there are some. An online search should find them. I have been amazed at the big names in poetry who attend, either as teachers or panel participants or honorees, so it is a great place to see the real stars of formal poetry (and some who do free verse too).

Susan

Thanks, Susan. Much appreciated.

Bobby, What is it with you and Cantor? You guys need to step outside and settle this like men---bocci ball anyone?

I'm up for Bocci ball, however, I'm afraid he'd hit me with one of the balls.

Bobby

Well... What's the dilly y'all?

As one lady lamented to another, "Can't we all just get a long...?"



[This message has been edited by diprinzio (edited April 26, 2005).]

Greg,

I don't really have any problem with Michael, he's okay.

Bobby

Old Home Week:

Reprinting Sam's post on WC from 6-17-04 in case anyone missed it:

Dana did in fact arrange to have the weather changed, and we should all send our thanks to him. Incidentally, I made an error about Dana and next year's conference. I said that he had talked with someone at the Bureau of Standards and had arranged that West Chester would have 16-hour days next year. I meant to say that Dana has arranged that West Chester will have 28-hour days next year. This will provide nap time for everyone, since the clocks will be rolled back to noon at 4 p.m., and many of us will get to attend panels and other sessions we missed during the first 4-hour period. This time change will also allow everyone to sleep in Sunday morning. I'm sorry about the confusion, but I had spent most of the previous evening and some of the early morning trying to talk Mason down.

And you all thought there was no Sanity Clause.

[RSG]

If it's all the same to Dana Gioia, I'd prefer my extra four hours kick in at 11 am so I have a choice of writing or going back to bed. If I have to re-live every noon-4pm time slot, my allergies are going to go ballistic.