Blues and an open mic at the Brandy Bar in Hendersonville

Poetry and Blues at the Brandy Bar in Hendersonville

martha cinader

On the second Wednesday of the month writers and poets gather at the Brandy Bar for a feature and open mic punctuated by the Blues. I attended on January 11, when the feature was Dr. John W. Quinly, author of: Discovering Carl Sandburg, The Eclectic Life of an American Icon. The book is available at local bookstores, and nationwide if you ask for it. You can also find it at Amazon.com

John Quinley, author of Discovering Carl Sandburg.
John Quinley, author of Discovering Carl Sandburg.

Dr. Quinley gave a humble and humorous recap of the journey to publication of his book, and also of Sandburg’s rise to, and fall from, fame. Some of the reasons why we should indeed revisit Sandburg as an American icon are his prolific accomplishments in several fields and genres. Not only was he a self-professed poet of the people, but also an award winning biographer of Abraham Lincoln and a tireless social activist. The 147 page book serves as an introduction to the man, and offers an extensive bibliography for further reading about a truly unique American author.

On this MLK weekend I found myself imagining what kind of conversation they might have had together if they met. I’m sure there would have been some mutual admiration. Apparently I’m not the only one. An internet search did not reveal information about a meeting but did lead me to this article from Naomi Law about the similarities between the two men.

After a very jazzy blues break with Mr. Jimmy and Charlie Wilkinson, Kathleen Calby, a representative of the North Carolina Writers Network amiably hosted an open mic that was fun to participate in. Among the readers was Hendersonville’s own children’s author and poet, Tony Robles. Recently relocated from San Francisco, he is a former poet in residence of the Carl Sandburg House.

Tony Robles at the Brandy Bar.
Tony Robles at the Brandy Bar.
Kathleen Calby, hosts on the second Wednesday of the month at the Brandy Bar.
Kathleen Calby, hosts on the second Wednesday of the month at the Brandy Bar.

Related Posts:


  • wildflowers by Beverly Parayno

    wildflowers by Beverly Parayno

    The uncut video interview by Tony Robles in Hendersonville, NC who speaks with Beverly Parayno in Cameron Park, CA, about her book of short stories: wildflowers. Read more

  • Give it to the Light

    Give it to the Light

    Shrink the feeling of shame until it fits in the palm of your hand. Offer it up to the Light of the Universe. Imagine the light absorbing the nasty feeling. See it vanish before your eyes, and feel RELIEF wash though you! Read more

  • Fiction Addiction, Beverly Parayno, Edwin Torres

    Fiction Addiction, Beverly Parayno, Edwin Torres

    Jill Hendrix, owner of Fiction Addiction bookstore. Beverly Parayno author of wildflowers. Edwin Torres, spoken word. Read more

  • Wednesday, May 24 on WPVM 103.7 FM

    Wednesday, May 24 on WPVM 103.7 FM

    Hosted from WPVMfm 103.7 in Asheville, Wednesday at 4pm, featuring a conversation about books and the book business with Jill Hendrix, owner of Fiction Addiction bookstore in Greenville, SC. Tony Robles speaks from Hendersonville, NC with Beverly Parayno in Cameron Park, CA, about her book of short stories: wildflowers Read more

  • Gun Talk

    And here, 3000 miles away in the warehouse where I work, they are talking guns Read more

  • Reebee dedoo dada

    The uncut video interview by Tony Robles, who speaks with multi-media artist Filey Matias, author of Reebee dedoo dada, Redhawk Publications, a story of song and the freedom to be oneself! Reebee, dedoo, dada is a book about bullying and how it takes a village to beat one. Read more

%d bloggers like this: