In-depth update email

Karin wrote a great in-depth update email to let her family and friends know how she's been doing.

Dear Friends and Family-

My Karin Reads, Writes and (Tries to) Publish for At The Crossroads Campaign keeps chugging along. Thanks to John U. for his recent contribution! To see what I've been up to, and to donate, check out my campaign page. That makes $225 raised thus far for ATC. More about I Think I Can (including how to start your own campaign) here.

Last Saturday, February 6th, I had the opportunity to read as part of the Mission Arts Performance Project. For those not familiar, this is grassroots arts event that takes place the first Saturday of every other month in the Mission District of San Francisco. MAPP nights are a little bit magical. Close to a dozen venues have music, art, performance and poetry happening. You can pass by a garage and discover it has been transformed in to a studio; a backyard might become the site of a collaboration between a poet and musician; well established artists perform next to second- time performers. At Casa Sanchez, I took the stage, along with my poet-friend Nicole, and by all accounts it was a success. This was despite, or perhaps due to the fact that we were the only two poets in a line up of clowns.

Yes, you read that correctly. Clowns. There is an element of surprise with MAPP, and for Nicole and I it was being featured with students from a local circus school. I was grateful that no one was in clown face (I find that very creepy), and they were all extremely talented. I read after an experimental band. Nothing makes poetry seem more accessible to the average person than experimental music. They were inspired and generous. And I rocked the mic (as much as I will ever rock a mic) after their performance.

Then came Circus Finelli, and they were amazing. You may have seen them around San Francisco- they are an all woman clown troop. Then Andrea the balloon artist performed ( I still had not figured out the clown theme...finally the MC pointed it out). Then Nicole performed her poetry and sang an original song that was wonderously beautiful. It was a perfect night to read on the back patio of Casa Sanchez- the stars were out and it was surprisingly warm.

I have also sent writing out to an editor for consideration. Next up- another reading or submissions for more publications. I have one friend who keeps urging me to read for Mortified....maybe if I reach my $500 goal I will expose myself to that kind of humiliation.

Thanks for your support for my campaign and ATC. Until the next update,

Karin

P.S. Photos from Casa Sanchez are on the ATC webpage:
http://atthecrossroads.org/campaign/karincotterman2