Our ninth Speak Easy was held at Cheshire cocktail bar last Sunday afternoon, and like its predecessors, it was a hit. The theme for this show was Secrets & Confessions, and we invited people to submit their secrets online and in person in our secrets box in the weeks before the show. We shared some on social media and then took everything we collected and posted them around the venue on the day of the show.
We had a record 11 readers reading 10 works, each containing a secret of a sort. From childhood indiscretions to unprofessed love, we had a bit of everything. The sold-out crowd was quick with the applause, and thankfully, not quick to point any fingers.
Next up, to get us ready for Halloween, our Speak Easy on October 8th is called Strange Tales. Maybe we’ll turn the lights down low for this one. If you’d like to attend this one, please go here for tickets.
Please be sure to check out the pictures from the September Speak Easy below, and don’t forget to sign up for our mailing list so you know can stay in the know!
Lineup for Speak Easy No 9, Sunday 9/17/2017 at Cheshire: Scared Straight – Scott Seifritz Revoked License, an excerpt from the novel License — Diane Rivoli The Lover, Lost One, and The Lady in Black — Matthew Delfavero Forgive-Me-Nots — Rachel Brill Fanboy Confessional, or: I Never Metafiction I Didn’t Like –Robert Shelton Idle — Bobby Ryan Real Life — Evvy Fanning
Excerpt from Succulents –Michaela Chan Shoplifting and Demons — Rebecca Haskins 27 Years –Cara & Jane McGowan
Special Thanks to Jeff Kyle for Photography!
Speak Easy No. 9!
The calm before the storm.
The smell of popcorn is in the air!
The secrets are everywhere!
Bartender Extraordinaire, Julius Vega, serves up one of Cheshire’s famous cocktails.
Another sold-out crowd. Nine for nine!
Rochester Spoken Word Co-Founder, Scott Seifritz, welcomes the audience.
Cheshire employee and friend of Roc Spoke, Julio Nieves is in da house!
Scott kicks things off with a confession about his youth.
Scott reading, Scared Straight.
The audience is amused.
First-time reader Diane Rivoli takes the stage.
Diane sharing a chapter from her book, License.
First-time reader Cara McGowan enjoys herself while awaiting her turn at the mic.
Another first-time reader, Matthew Delfavero, takes the stage.
Matthew sharing his three sonnets: The Lover, Lost One, and The Lady in Black.
Our third first-time reader of the day, Rachel Brill!
Rachel reading her story, Forgive-Me-Nots.
Another secret waiting to be read.
Second-time reader Robert Shelton at the mic.
Rob reading his piece, Fanboy Confessional, or: I Never Metafiction I Didn’t Like.
Scott enjoying Rob’s story.
Intermission! Time to refill those glasses!
Luckily the bar is well-staffed.
It’s also time to mingle with the writers.
And read a few more secrets.
Rebecca Haskins catches up with a friend.
Past and future reader, Bridget Connolly, enjoying the show.
With glasses refilled, it’s time for Act II.
First-time reader Bobby Ryan gets us restarted.
Bobby Ryan reading his story, Idle.
Rochester Spoken Word Co-Founder, Evvy Fanning, takes the stage.
Evvy sharing her story, Real Life.
We welcome back second-time reader Michaela Chan!
Michaela reading an excerpt from her story, Succulents.
Some secrets may not be so secretive.
Second-time reader, Rebecca Haskins, shares a secret from her past.
Rebecca reading Shoplifting and Demons.
We finish strong with first-timers Cara & Jane McGowan.
Cara & Jane perform their piece, 27.
It’s time for Q&A with the readers!
Past & future reader, David Holloway has a question for Scott.
The audience enjoys the Q&A peirod.
Matthew Delfavero talks about writing sonnets.
Rebecca Haskins answers a question from the audience.
Michaela Chan provides some insight into her story.
Cara McGowan talks about the how her and Jane’s piece, 27, came to be.
Another successful Speak Easy is in the books. See you in October!
