TRP at NYC Indie Book Fair, Dec. 6-7

We at Three Rooms Press make it an annual habit to get over to the 21st Annual Indie & Small Press Book Fair EVERY December because they have such cool things! Amazing poetry books from U.S. and International Publishers, incredible zines, handmade books, free books, graphic novelettes and on and on... Four floors of amazing.

Well, guess what, kids? This year, Three Rooms Press has a table too! So if you've been dying to find out what all the excitement is about in the TRP world, now is your chance. Come on down to the New York Center for Independent Publishing in the General Society of Mechanics & Tradesmen Building (beautiful historic building, inside and out), 20 W. 44th St. and spend the day looking around and checking out the readings.

THIS JUST IN:
Three Rooms Press' own Kat Georges & Peter Carlaftes will be reading their poetry on Saturday at 10:40; TRP's Karen Hildebrand reads on Sunday at 11:35. Come and share the love!

Complete schedule: http://www.nycip.org/bookfair/

Book Fair:
Saturday, December 6, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sunday, December 7, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

TRP hosts Michael Fiorito at Cornelia Street December 5

Get ready for an exciting Three Rooms Press December, kicking off on December 5 at Cornelia Street Cafe as Three Rooms Press hosts the Son of a Pony reading with featured poet Michael Fiorito and beloved hostess Kat Georges.

Son of a Pony is one of New York's truly beloved open readings, with a room full of sincere, interested listeners and a wide variety of form spilling into the atmosphere. Two noted but unnameable British celebs attended last week and they summed it up like this: "For $7, a free drink, and all this great poetry, this is the best deal in town!"

Featured poet Michael Fiorito nails it with a wide style that encompasses such divergent styles as Milton with a Brooklyn Accent, cowboy poetry and street sounds. A New York treasure, who has been haunting the poetry scene for years, performing with improv group Script Tease, while hosting on-going music event at Vox Pop in Brooklyn. Open reading before the feature; sign up at 5:45 to be sure you make the list.

Son of a Pony Reading Series
Date: Friday, December 5, 2008; Time: 6-8 p.m.
Featured poet: Michael Fiorito; Host: Kat Georges
Place: Cornelia St. Café
29 Cornelia St. (btwn W. 4th and Bleecker); 212-989-9319
Admission: $7 (includes free drink)

Obama's election: As beautiful as a tree in fall

Last night, I wept tears of joy when Barack Hussein Obama won. During his speech, I wept again. Nothing could stop it. My inner cynic kept piping in with warnings, ironic quips and social sarcasm. For once, I didn't listen. It just wasn't worth stripping the moment of it's beautiful, hope-filled, patriotic quality. Because last night, I felt unabashadly patriotic. I know I'm not alone.

The past few elections have had the feeling of being some kind of sports contest, with the winner getting the trophy and the champagne, and the loser getting the sneers and the heave-ho. It didn't feel that way last night. McCain's graceful concession speech helped to set the tone for the historic occasion, making clear that--although the race was over--the real work is yet to come. Obama furthered that impression. I wept tears that came from that place of joy down deep, where the euphoria of mere sports victory pales in comparison. It felt more like giving birth. Last night on the streets, people were screaming with joy, blowing whistles, skipping and dancing. It was beautiful.

Today, going to Chelsea for a press check, I was amazed that my own personal feelings resonated in the air. On every block, people of New York seemed to be walking a dreamlike state of euphoria. You could see hope in every set of eyes. They moved in slow motion. They treated other people on the sidewalks like neighbors, fellow humans. The day lasted so long, it was like the clock slowed down so we could all stay in this state of bliss for just a couple minutes longer. United states of euphoria.

Maybe it will last all the way until the inauguration. Maybe it ends tonight. But the memory of it won't fade from my mind any time soon. To know that what was once a dream has become a reality is perhaps the most enabling outcome of all from this election. To apply the lesson to everything. To not give up dreams in the face of obstacles. To be as beautiful as a tree in fall on Leroy Street.