My first impression as we were walking up to "Zoey's Cafe" was something in the style of "Sheesh! Is this a middle-America version of Beverly Hills?" My fears were confirmed when we walked up the stairs into the room where the reading was to take place: a rather formal looking crowd, the venue hostess in a long velvet dress with rhinestones, a huge bouquet of Bird of Paradise flowers on stage, a group of poets discussing a fashion show... Somehow, I felt like a paratrooper who was just about to land in the middle of a lake and suddenly realized he couldn't swim. And the feeling continued to linger throughout the reading of the two featured poets. Then, Pat Payne got on stage to shake things up and made me feel at home again. Pat is one of those goddess-poetesses whose words go straight for one's heart. She doesn't shy away from either painful or seemingly mundane subjects, and she presents them with a force that leaves audiences in positive awe. No wonder she got chosen to compete against Saul Williams at the poetry slam in Taos in June! And Pat, if you get to read this, I'll be rootin' for ya, sister!Now, I'll let you in on a secret: Pat actually lives in Los Angeles (not Ventura). As a matter of fact, with the exception of Phil Taggart and Gwendolyn, Angelinos took "Zoey's" by storm this time. Pat started the landslide, and then Gauvin followed. Well, technically Gauvin now lives in Ventura, but poetry he performed at "Zoey's" deals with Los Angeles, the Broadway street corridor in particular, the homeless, the crack addicts, and the whole sub-culture of sub-standard living in the area we commonly refer to as downtown. He also told me in strictest confidence that he used to live in Downtown L.A. As a matter of fact, he still sells his paintings in L.A. from time to time. After Gauvin, four other Angelinos -- four Litravers for that matter -- had an adventure in Ventura: Thaine, Frankie, Wayman, and myself. And although I know it is not polite to listen in on other people's conversations, I must tell you I overheard some of the audience saying how any of us could have been featured readers. (No disrespect to the features -- that's just what I heard people say.)
All in all, I had quite an unexpected adventure in Ventura. And for all of you LitRavers, if you hear Pat Payne is performing at a poetry venue near you, go see her! That sister can say it like it is... she sure can!
