Fundraising Announcement & The Tree

Before I write about the night I want to make an announcement. From 12/5/08 to 12/31/08, I am going to donate $1 from every "O" bumper sticker purchased directly from me to the Atlanta Pride Committee. Buy a stocking stuffer and help Atlanta Pride at the same time. This is definitely a win-win situation.

Tonight was the annual lighting of the LGBT Christmas Tree at Outwrite Bookstore and Coffee House, which is a fundraiser for the Atlanta Pride Committee. I want to give a huge thank you to Philip, the owner of the fagulous Outwrite. Philip does so much for the Atlanta LGBT community, so I hope the Atlanta LGBT community will remember Outwrite when it comes time to Christmas shop. Keep your eyes open over the next week or so because Outwrite is going to have a fan page coming soon!

There were great performances from Our Song and the Atlanta Gay Men's Chorus. And, Wild Cherry Sucrets in the form of Tony was an entertaining MC for the night. It was all around good times. Thanks to everyone who attended. If you didn't attend, don't worry because you can attend next year.

Fun News!

Tomorrow, Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse
starts carrying the Obama bumper sticker I designed.

Exciting!

I am still selling as well. Hit me up if you're interested.

The Annual GLBT Tree Lighting

Fundraising & More Limp Wrist Pics

I've been researching the procedures to establish a nonprofit corporation since January, and I've finally reached the conclusion that I do not want any part of the paperwork headache. I'd rather have a company like BizFilings handle all the "dirty" work for Limp Wrist. Plus, I know a couple people who have used BizFilings and had no complaints, so why risk me making an error? The IRS isn't too forgiving when the average makes an error.

The down side to using Biz Filings is the cost. I'll have to spend close to $700 to stay headache free, so I have decided to do a fundraiser. At work we've started the Biggest Loser competition. I I thought it'd be fun to ask friends and family to pledge $1 to $3 per pound lost during the competition. We started March 28, and I've lost 4 pounds in 2 weeks. Our last weigh day is June 30-- so that's a total of 12 weeks of losing!

Starting next week the competition organizer, Jan McAlister, the Nurse Practitioner who runs our Lipid Management Clinic (and is the smartest NP I've ever met), is going to write a note about how much weight I've lost. Then I'll post her note in the blog. Maybe we'll do some pictures too. (Even though I'm not a fan of chunky-Dustin pictures---see the launch party pictures below as evidence of chunky-Dustin.)

All money raised from the Biggest Loser Fundraiser will go to establish LW as a nonprofit organization. And if by some horrible chance I gain any weight throughout the competition, I'll make a YouTube video as my punishment. I'll do drag and let everyone vote on what song I should sing. If you're interest in the Biggest Loser Fundraiser, send an email to dustinvbrookshire@gmail.com.

Audience shot....

Stacie Boschma reading; see her work in the 1st issue of LW.



Collin Kelley and Dustin Brookshire striking a pose.

Another audience shot...



Genevieve Lyons read the work Denise Duhamel.



Lisa Allender read the work Beth Gylys.

Donna Narducci, Atl Pride ED & Dustin Brookshire

More pictures will be available by Friday on the LW Myspace page.

All of the fantastic pictures were taken
by the talented Greg Gimpelevich.
Visit Greg's Online Portfolio

Overdue Pictures from 2/28/08 Limp Wrist Launch Party

Here's a couple of pictures.... more later...

Bottom Row: Genevieve Lyons, Stacie Boschma, Lisa Allender

Top Row: Philip Rafshoon, Dustin Brookshire, Collin Kelley, Laure-Anne Bosselaar

Laure-Anne talking before reading a poem

Pictures by Greg Gimpelevich.

Greg's Online Portfolio

Limp Wrist Launch Party!

Last night was the Limp Wrist launch party at Outwrite, and it was fantastic event. We started off with a minute silence in memory of Lawrence King. If you haven't heard of Lawrence King read the NY TIMES article that I've linked; then take a moment and Google his name. His story is tragic and needs to be shared.

Laure-Anne Bosselaar was the guest of honor and started off the night. Then I read followed by Collin Kelley and Stacie Boschma. Lisa Allender and Genevieve Lyons rounded out the night-- these talented poets graciously read in place of two other poets. Lisa read for Beth Gylys and Genevieve for Denise Duhamel.

There was such good energy in the bookstore for which I am glad and thankful. The evening went off without a hitch. A dear friend of mine, Greg, took tons of pictures of the event. I'm going to meet in a week or so for a drink and to receive the CD with the pictures. (can't wait!)

I have to give a shout out to Cousin's Bakery for donating cookies for the event as well as Jenny Allen for donating some her tasty Jenny J's Cheese Dip. Please contact me if you'd like more information on Cousin's or Jenny J's.

I give a hearty THANK YOU to Phillip Rafshoon, Outwrite owner. When I contacted Phillip about wanting to do the launch party at Outwrite, there was never a hesitation about making it happen. Phillip is unbelievably supportive to the GLTB community in Atlanta, so stop by Outwrite when you're in the city!

LIMP WRIST LAUNCH PARTY

~

2/28/08

~

8PM

~

OUTWRITE

~

FAGULOUS PRIZES

Laure-Anne Bosselaar at Java Monkey

Laure-Anne read at Java Monkey last night, and she was spectacular. Every single poem she read is fabulous. I could worship the paper she writes on.

I'm thrilled and honored that Laure-Anne is attending and reading at the Limp Wrist launch party at Outwrite on 2/28/08. The first issue will contatin an interview with the lovely Laure-Anne. Besides reading some of her work, Laure-Anne will do a Q&A session. If you have a question you'd like to ask Laure-Anne please send it in an email to dustinvbrookshire@gmail.com prior to Feb. 27 with the subject reading "question for Laure-Anne."

2/28/08 ~ Save the Date

2/28/08
~
Launch Party
~

hosted by Outwrite

Outwrite has generously agreed to host the fagulous launch party for Limp Wrist on Thursday, February 28, 2008, starting at 8pm. Those operating on gay time need to disregard the 8pm statement; program 7:30pm in your PDA as the start time!

The special guest of the evening will be the fierce Laure-Anne Bosselaar. You don't want to miss your chance to hear Laure-Anne; she's only in town for a limited time.

Come out and support Limp Wrist with an evening of poetry and conversation.

3rd Annual GLBT Holiday Tree Lighting

Holiday Tree Lighting Kicks Off a Sparkling Season at Outwrite Nov. 29

It's a full evening of fun, food, and friends when Outwrite plays host to the Third Annual GLBT Holiday Tree Lighting, a benefit for Atlanta Pride Committee, on Thursday, Nov. 29 starting at 7:30 p.m. hosted by the outrageous local personality Ruby Redd. This event is free and open to the public.

This year live music is an added feature with appearances by DeJe Johnson, a performer from Blake's Southern Comfort series, and OurSong, the Atlanta Gay and Lesbian Chorus. Live theatre is also represented with appearances by Scrooge from Alliance Theatre's production of A Christmas Carol as well as by the elfin star of Horizon Theatre's production of The Santaland Diaries.

A special guest appearance by Carey Sherrell, a contestant on Donald Trump's television series The Apprentice, is also scheduled.

While kids of all ages are invited, only those 21 years of age or older will be able to purchase a wristband ($5) entitling bearers to free food and drink. Raffles for fabulous prizes donated by area businesses are also planned. Smirnoff Twist is providing cocktails with Vitamin Energy providing non-alcoholic beverages. Blake's on the Park is supplying food.

Revelers may also place their festive ornaments on the Holiday Tree.

This gala event is sponsored by Outwrite, Smirnoff Twist, Vitamin Energy, Blake's on the Park, David, Southern Voice, and Atlanta Pride Committee.

(from Outwrite's webpage)

Brief Overview of Poetry Night

I think the poetry evening at Outwrite was a success! It was great to see all of the usuals: Collin, Lisa, and Rupert. Franklin Abbott hosted and started off the reading. Then he introduced me-- I started off with three villanelles then read a mix of old and new work. I debuted four new poems and two of the new were brand spanking new. The brand spanking new poems were "Building 412 (1/1/04)" and "The Georgia Baptist Convention Requests a Day of Rain Prayer on 11/4/07." "Building 412 (1/1/04)" is inspired by the AJC's series A HIDDEN SHAME: Death in Georgia's Mental Hospitals, and I am currently working and mapping out other poems on the series. The other new poems were "Wreckage" and "Ivory"... both come from the last section of my chapbook DISORDERS.

Karen Head was absolutely amazing. I loved all of her work, and I am hoping she will submit to Limpwrist because I would be honored to include her in the first issue. Karen read a poem about a breast cancer survivor; I think I'll ask if I can post it in blog. The poem was moving in many ways, but it made me think of two friends who have battled breast cancer. She closed her reading with a dream poem, and in the dream Dolly Parton is her aunt. I was giddy. I plan to ask Karen if I can reprint it in Limpwrist.

I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Remember, support Outwrite because Outwrite supports its community and audience.

Tomorrow Night!

Time: Tuesday, November 13, 2007 8:00 PM

Location: Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse

Phone: 404-607-0082

Title of Event: Poetry Night with Franklin Abbott & Friends

Outwrite hosts the popular Poetry Night with readings by Atlanta poet and host for the evening Franklin Abbott and invited guests. This November edition features poets Dustin Brookshire and Karen Head.

Dustin Brookshire is a poet, activist, eternal student, and part time naughty boy living in Atlanta. Dustin has had work published in numerous online journals, won awards from sate poetry societies, and had his blog recognized on the Senate floor in the Georgia General Assembly.

Karen Head author of Sassing (WordTech Press, forthcoming) and Shadow Boxes (All Nations Press, 2003), will be joining us at Outwrite for our popular poetry night. Karen's poetry has appeared in a number of journals and anthologies. As a scholar of contemporary American Poetry, she has begun to explore the connections between traditional text-based poetry and digitally- enhanced poetry, an exploration that involves her in a number of projects being conducted in the Wesley Center for New Media at Georgia Tech. Her digital poetry was featured at the E-Poetry 2007 festival in Paris.

11/13/07 --- Save the Date

Karen Head
and
Dustin Brookshire

OUTWRITE
TUESDAY EVENING
NOVEMBER 13TH
8 PM
HOSTED BY
FRANKLIN ABBOTT

Karen Head is the author of Sassing
and Shadow Boxing.
Her digital poetry was featured
at the E-Poetry 2007 Festival in Paris.
She teaches at Georgia Tech.

Dustin Brookshire is a poet, activist
eternal student and part time naughty boy.
His chapbook, Disorders,
is in search of a publisher.
His online magazine, LIMPWRIST,
is on the verge of launching issue 1.
Find him at
www.dbrookshire.blogspot.com

OUTWRITE BOOKSTORE AND COFFEEHOUSE
is located at 10th and Piedmont
www.outwritebooks.com
404-607-0082

THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO ALL.
COMING UP IN 2008
Jim Elledge
author of A History of My Tattoo



www.atlantarainbowmuse.com
www.theninthmuse.com

(stolen from Franklin's email)

Mark Your Calendar -- 11/13/07

In his quarterly reading series at Outwrite, Franklin Abbott, is featuring me and poet Karen Head on Tuesday, November 13, 2007. I plan to read new work and talk about the chapbook, DISORDERS.

Save the dates for the FirstAtlanta GLBTQ Literary Festival. Click here for my blog entry with the dates, times, and line up. Don't forget, I'm scheduled to read on Saturday.