Monkey Business

The poetry readings run by Robert McNamara are unique, as far as I'm concerned. These are the Mind Gorrilla readings he hosts at the Aubergine Cafe in Woodside, Queens; the readings celebrate and plug his literary zine Mind Gorrilla (although there is a heavy asinine poet presence in it ever since Bob joined the asinine zoo). And the unique element--well, besides Bob and the wonderful local poets who come by and perform, and besides the large simian doll named Aldo that site at the front of the room during every performance--are the noisemakers. Bob decided years ago that poetry readings were too polite and the smattering applause was not only dull but not very participatory. He decided to make the reading more interactive. So he got a bunch of New Year's Eve noisemakers--the rattling things, the little horns, some balloon whistle things (I apologize; I'm sure the folks who manufacture these things have very specific names for them)--and places several on every table in the room. And he encourages you, rather than applaud, you should rattle or whistle, or blow that metal horn that is usually heard only once a year. It sounds chaotic but it's quite a bit of fun. It gets the audience excited and gives the performer quite a bit of love and energy. (Though I'd hate to be the person who came by just for camomile tea and got caught in the middle of a reading.) Anyways, last Saturday was the latest reading--were you there?--and Bob hosted and read, R. Narvaez (introduced as the asininepoetry.com Web lackey) read, as did April Clinton (somewhat reluctantly, as she'd forgotten to bring printouts of her work and had only a couple from the book to read). The editors of asinine are thinking of adopting Bob's noisy idea, and maybe adding M-80s and cherry bombs. Catty Marlboro says she would add a police siren. That crazy Cat.