Some of our all-time best readings have come from randoms who’ve appeared out of nowhere — I’m thinking here of Marc in January (http://www.flickr.com/photos/espressobuzz/2179554303/), who read about his high school choir trip where he was eyeing boys, but had no idea at the time that he was gay. Brilliance! Totally unexpected. Every time I decide we’re never ever doing open mic again, someone like Marc will show up to remind me why surprises can be so awesome.

Then again, sometimes people like the guy last night show up, and remind me why I hate open mics.

Regardless, your final point is well-taken: the show should always end on a high note with a known reader … not an unknown note that could go terribly sour with talk of a tattooed scrotum.

And, if I may be so bold, save a known powerhouse reader to end the show.

No, thank you for making SoS happen – it’s rare to maintain a thing of such high quality for more than a year or so! Please do keep the shame train running on time – it’s a public service.

I wish I could participate, but I didn’t write much back then, and all I can find are crabbed, indecipherable notes. I’m such a boy. Anyway, thanks again and I reckon I’ll be there in July!

- Rob

Consistently, the only “bad” readings at the Salon are from Performers (capital P) who have prepared a Piece (also capital P). We’ve had a few before — great folks who’ve felt the need to write a full introduction to their reading, or get so into doing special voices that you can’t understand what they’re saying.

In response to that, I amended the Reader info page with this bit:: This is not a performance. We like our Shame straight, no chaser. Be as expressive and hammy as you want, but please do NOT prepare an extensive introduction, turn your piece into a dramatic interpretation, or editorialize as you’re reading. This is not spoken word. This is not slam poetry. We just want to hear your Shame. Jazz hands distract us from the Shame.

Dude reading last night reassured me that he’d read the Reader info page. I put him on last to ensure that he would have to watch the entire show before going on, so that he’s have a clear idea of how it worked. But he’d obviously prepared a Piece that he was going to Perform no matter what.

In an odd way, I actually really appreciated that he was so bad that the audience started shouting at him. The crowd collectively made it known to him and everyone else that this was NOT the place for this kind of Performance Piece. It makes this easier for me as a curator of the show to say “The people have spoken!” instead of just “Dude, I hate it when people Perform Pieces at my reading series.”

Anyway, thanks so much for coming … and apologies for the crappy final reader. (PS: I found you via my referral logs — I swear I’m not creepy!)