For the November edition of Word of Mouth Cincinnati tonight (Nov. 27), the monthly literary event is moving from Over-the-Rhine’s MOTR Pub to the Woodward Theater, just across the street.
The occasion is to celebrate a new collection of poems by longtime Over-the-Rhine resident Aralee Strange. Published by Dos Madres Press, The Road Itself is the first overview of Strange’s acclaimed and widely published poetry. After 20 years in Cincinnati, Strange moved to Athens, Ga. (she was a native Georgian) in 2007. She passed away in Athens in 2013.
Tonight’s event is also a celebration of Strange’s life and work, in general, with several friends reading her poetry throughout the night. Slated to appear are Pauletta Hansel, Matt Hart, Jim Palmarini, Stacy Sims, Mark Flanigan, Steven Paul Lansky, Richard Hague, Michael Henson, Heidi Joffe, John Ray, Michael Burnham and Ali Edwards.
The Road Itself (recently featured in Steven Rosen's round-up of notable regional books released in 2018) includes original artwork inspired by Strange from visual artists like Jay Bolotin, Frederick C. Ellenberger, Kathy Prescott, Michelle Red Elk, Art Rosenbaum, Mary Seguin and Jim Wainscott.
Click here for more on The Road Itself, including a great biography of Strange and praise for the volume from Hart, Grace Curtis, Over the Rhine's Linford Detweiler and others.
For Tuesday's event, Edwards is also reteaming with guitarist Billy Alletzhauser, bassist Victor Strunk and drummer Todd Drake for a reunion performance by beloved Cincy Indie Rock band Ruby Vileos. According to a press release from the band, tonight’s performance marks the end of the band’s long hiatus; Ruby Vileos is currently planning more shows and a new recording project for 2019. The release would be the first from the band since 2006’s Fall of the Motor People (listen to it via Spotify below).
Word of Mouth Cincinnati was founded in 2014 "in memory of" Strange, who'd started the likeminded Athens Word of Mouth. The event is co-hosted by writers Jim Palmarini and Mark Flanigan. Held the last Tuesday of each month at MOTR Pub and featuring an open mic segment and a feature performance, the event asks writers and poets to " Show Up, Mouth Off and Pay Attention."
Like the MOTR events, tonight's special WOMC at the Woodward is free and kicks off at 7 p.m.
