News: Seattle’s Standup Poet and Minimalist Jug Band Among 100 Unique Performers at the Summer Dream Festival (August 19 – 29)

Vancouver, BC – Once again, this unique festival packs it stages with some of the most dynamic and eclectic performers in the arts community. Among them are Seattle’s Jack McCarthy and Al Mader – Vancouver’s one-and-only Minimalist Jug Band.

Jack McCarthy was born in Massachusetts and now lives in Seattle, Washington. He began writing poetry in the 1960s, but did not begin performing his works for audiences until the 1990s. It was then that he was introduced to slam poetry at the Cantab Lounge in Boston, Massachusetts, after intending to get his daughter interested in the art form. McCarthy has described his performance style as "stand-up poetry," or that he is a "stand-up poet," in that the work he does on stage is not subject to a specific regimen of poetic style, but is loose enough in form to be humorous and performed in a manner similar to that of stand-up comedy. He was awarded "Best Standup Poet" by the Boston Phoenix in the 1990s. In short time, McCarthy has placed himself into a niche of spoken word that had long been unnoticed: the funny character. His storytelling and humor are well regarded within the performance poetry community. McCarthy has relocated with his wife to the Seattle, Washington area and can be found performing at the Seattle Poetry Slam and other such events in the Pacific Northwest. In 1996, McCarthy competed and took a spot on the Boston poetry slam team and went to the National Poetry Slam held that year in Portland, Oregon.

Al Mader- The Minimalist Jug Band, is somewhat of a local legend and perhaps one of the most original performers on the Vancouver Spoken Word scene. He’s been called a cross between Johnny Cash and Steven Wright and his performance (in which he accompanies himself on a simple washtub bass and on delightful occasion, a plastic banana harmonica) is best-described as a fusion of rockabilly and beatnik jazz. Something of a poet’s poet, Mader’s songs are often homaged by other artists. His “Dead Man’s Pants” has become a house party anthem. Check him out performing it here on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftVDyrK5PbQ
Lately he has been collaborating with Folk singer/songwriter Petunia, to produce an even deeper and broader range of music and spoken word.
Photo by: Kat Kosiancic

Other poetic notables in the festival include Vancouver’s first poet laureate George McWhirter, radio personality and poetry slam guru RC Weslowski (Wax Poetic CFRO 102.7fm), Dorothy Livesay Poetry Award winners Rita Wong and Evelyn Lau.

The festival kicks off on August 19th with a special reading at the Jewish Community Centre where featured poets Fran Bourassa, Christine LeClerc, Christy Hill, Daniela Elza and Steve Duncan will read poetry inspired by artist Linda Frimer’s work.
The main event happens on Saturday, August 22nd with a free, all-day, large scale happening at Lumberman’s Arch in Stanley Park, showcasing the talents of numerous musicians, spoken word artists and storytellers, children’s entertainers, dancers, as well as resource tables and panel discussions by writing and publishing experts. The festival will also be holding 2 days of workshops (Aug. 23rd and 29th) designed to help writers grow professionally and creatively. Some topics and facilitators include S.R. Duncan talking about chapbook design and marketing; and Jen Currin unraveling the mysteries of the prose poem. For more information about the workshops, or to register, contact Bonnie Nish at blnish_pandoras@yahoo.ca
Pre-registration and payment is necessary. Spaces are limited so sign-up now or be disappointed. For media information and full festival details visit http://www.pandorascollective.com/sdrfestival.html
or call Steve Duncan at 604-788-8340. srduncan@shaw.ca.

Pandora’s Collective would like to thank the following sponsors for making this event possible: Giest, Vancouver Review, Subterrain, Event, Room With A View, 3 Day Novel Contest, Prism, Capilano Review, One Cool Word, Vancouver Story Tellers, Vancouver Public Library, Quills, Nestor's Market, Graphic design by CWCLCOGY with Wera, Vancouver Parks Board, 2008 Celebrations Grant c/o The City of Vancouver and The Office of Cultural Affairs, CBS Outdoor, Starbucks, VanCity, Christianne's Lyceum, Coast Capital Savings, The Federation of BC Writers, Burnaby Writers Society, Industrial Alliance Pacific Life Insurance Company, BC Poetry, Jaffer Speech and Language Services, Irene Livingston, Don Simpson, Joyce Statton, Randy Jacobs, Bernice Lever, Andrea Winterbottom and Robin Susanto.

Come be a part of Vancouver’s best-kept summer secret!