As the Mad Swirlin' Turns...

"To everything - turn, turn, turn / There is a season - turn, turn, turn / And a time for every purpose under heaven" - The Byrds


We here at Mad Swirl are turn-turn-turning, mix-mix-mixing things up and keeping this swirlin' whirlin' into 2012... and beyond!

The first turn we're turning is on our editorial staff. Gordon Hilgers, our former Short Story Editor, is now Mad Swirl's Resident Critic. If you know Gordon, you'll understand why we felt his talents are best suited for this role. Come MadSwirl.com 2.0 time (see below), Gordon's role will play a significant part by adding in his spiciness to the content through his commentary, critiques and sharings'o'links. We're looking forward to seeing what he stirs up!

With that being said...

Please welcome aboard the newest member to Mad Swirl's editorial staff, Short Story Editor Tyler Malone. Tyler is a longtime contributor to our Poetry Forum and Short Story library as well as our stand-in Poetry Editor when MH Clay is off globetrotting. Tyler was asked and tasked with the job of filling the very large editorial shoes of Gordon. Why Tyler? We have several reasons. Just to name a few... 1) Tyler is a very talented writer himself. 2) Tyler's voice will be a great addition to the harmonizing ditty we sing here at the Swirl AND 3) Tyler sends us homemade chocolate chip cookies every week! (OK, he doesn't, but maybe he'll take the hint) We know you'll agree with us on our reasoning behind our selection.

But wait, we're not stopping there... there's more!

Another yearnin' for the turnin' comes swirlin' thru our monthly Open Mic. As some of you know, we've been stirrin' up madness at Absinthe Lounge for over 7 years now. That's like 84 in open mic years! It's time to switch things up a bit, wouldn't you say? We say yes! Mad Swirl will still do the 1st Wednesday poetically musical voodoo that we do do but starting in March we will bring back feature sets, streamline our list, and do 2 bigger shows this year in the same vein of our past Swirl-a-bout and Blue Note events. Stay tuned fo' mo'!

Getting dizzy yet? Yeah, we too...

Did someone say Mad Swirl Anthology? Yep, we did... this time last year. We planned on doing a print anthology in 2011. But as John Lennon sang, "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans" Life happened to us. But luckily, life goes on and so do our plans and promises! We are in the process of gathering the best of the "best of" poetry, short stories and artwork featured in 2011. If you were a part of our online community of mad ones you just might make our biggest print issue yet! We got a goal and doggone it we're gonna do our darndest to get it all between a front and back cover and into your hands by the time the trees start filling in with leaves.

Feel those winds a'changin'? How refreshing!

Speaking of refreshing, Mad Swirl plans on unveiling the new, and improved MadSwirl.com 2.0! Yes, it's been teased before but we never unveiled this latest phase of our creative evolution. The new design will allow for direct commentary from you, our fellow mad ones! Yes, Facebook is great for that too. With our 2.0 version you can intermingle with both MadSwirl.com and Facebook! We will also be able to post more rapidly meaning less time in the review queue for you! And with the RSS feed capabilities, you'll know exactly when, what and who we post the minute we post. Look for this turn this summer!

"A time to be born, a time to die / A time to plant, a time to reap" We couldn't agree more with the Byrds. It is time. Change isn't a comin', change is here! We're ready. We're willing. We're able.

Mad Swirl-fully Yours,

Johnny O
Editor-in-Chief

Mad Swirl Open Mic : 05.04.11

The MAD Swirl God has moved ME to share with YOU this powerful MAD MESSAGE. As I was sleeping early in the WEE hours of the night, I was awakened by a strange & POWERFUL sense. I felt shaking in my Bones, Dear brethren, & KNEW deep within MY heart & soul that this was the one, the only, the MAD Swirl God stirring me from SLUMBER. As I awoke, I SLID to my knees in a humble & receptive prayer:

"Yes, MAD Swirl" I whispered, wiping sleep from mine MAD eyes.

"My child," The Swirl spoke. "You have done MAD things in my name. You printed MAD Zines. You WOVEN a MAD web in the WWW. You have swirled the madness WHEREever you can. It is time for more MAD work."

"Just tell me MAD Swirl, What will you have me to do?" I said.

"My child," Lord Swirl spoke. "You must spread the MADNESS to the MASSES. You must beseech ALL the MAD ONES and the 'AWWW'-ers to open their hearts once more. This time, ye shall tell them to give of their poems, songs, stories, monologues, dance & their sacrificial love offerings of applause and finger-snaps to the ministry of the MAD Swirl OPEN MIC"

"MAD Swirl OPEN MIC Lord Swirl?"

"The trinity of MAD Swirl" God said. "The Lord Swirl, thy God, has spoken."

So brothers and sisters, I ask you this day, to fall on your knees and Listen to the dear Lord Swirl would have you to do on this FIRST Wednesday...

"ALL ye MAD Poets, Musicians, Actors, Singers and/or Performers WHO Live in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area, come-YE-n-strut-yo-stuff.

Come Oneth. Come Alleth. Come to Participateth. Come to Appreciateth. Come to Supporteth your fellow MAD ONES.

Cometh and JOIN host Brother JOHNNY O and co-host Brother MH CLAY, and the Musical MAD ones SWIRVE as The MIC Opens up AROUND 8:00 and CLOSES when I SAYETH So. GO FORTH to MADSwirl.COM for MORE Information."

Whatever Lord Swirl tells you, you mustn't question. Do not, I repeat, do not let the LYING DEVIL try to tell you otherwise. Lord Swirl is serious about this. If you love MAD Swirl, you will COME.

Hallelujah!
Reverend Brother Elder Swirl the 7th

P.S. IF you're Interested in performing... show up ON TIME the night of and get on the list!

Where willeth this madness take place? Absinthe Lounge is at 1409 South Lamar Street, Dallas, TX 75215 (located in the SouthSide on Lamar building)

fo'mo'info' visit www.MadSwirl.com

Mad Swirl Open Mic : 04.06.11

“Do not quench your inspiration and your imagination.” ~ Vincent Van Gogh

Is your i-mad-gination thirsty for some madness? Ours sure is. It seems like a whole month since the last time we swirled up some madness. Oh wait, it was! So, let's get our poetic and musical drink on, whaddya say?


On 04.06.11, starting at 8:00-ish, Mad Swirl will continue doing the open mic voodoo that what we do do! Join host Johnny O and co-host MH Clay, along with the musically magical trio Swirve and the usual unusual mad suspects as we do our darndest to both blow and open your minds. We will be callin' all you mystically mad poets, musicians, dancers, actors, singers, performers & any other miscellaneous mad ones in the Dallas/Fort Worth area to come & strut your mad stuff!

Come one, come all! Come to participate. Come to appreciate. Come to celebrate this open mic madness!

Interested in performing? Then show up the night of and get on the list!

Mad Swirl Open Mic: It's THE place to be on the first Wednesday of the month!

Where's this madness take place? Absinthe Lounge is at 1409 South Lamar Street, Dallas, TX 75215 (located in the SouthSide on Lamar building)

And please, by all means, FEEL FREE TO SPREAD THE WORD!

fo'mo'info' visit www.MadSwirl.com

Mad Swirl Open Mic : 03.02.11

“A person needs a little madness, or else they never dare cut the rope and be free” ~ Nikos Kazantzakis

We here at Mad Swirl second that motion! We've been feeling kinda rope cutty. Hows'a'bout you?


On 03.02.11, starting at 8:00-ish, Mad Swirl will continue doing the open mic voodoo that what we do do! Join host Johnny O and co-host MH Clay, along with the musically magical trio Swirve and the usual unusual mad suspects as we do our darndest to both blow and open your minds. We will be callin' all you mystically mad poets, musicians, dancers, actors, singers, performers & any other miscellaneous mad ones in the Dallas/Fort Worth area to come & strut your mad stuff!

Come one, come all! Come to participate. Come to appreciate. Come to celebrate this open mic madness!

Interested in performing? Then show up the night of and get on the list!

Mad Swirl Open Mic: It's THE place to be on the first Wednesday of the month!

Where's this madness take place? Absinthe Lounge is at 1409 South Lamar Street, Dallas, TX 75215 (located in the SouthSide on Lamar building)

And please, by all means, FEEL FREE TO SPREAD THE WORD!

fo'mo'info' visit www.MadSwirl.com

Mad Swirl Open Mic : 02.02.11

Yep, it's that time again. What time you ask? Time to get our "Awww!" on!


0n 02.02.11, starting at 8:00-ish, Mad Swirl will continue doing the open mic voodoo that what we do do on and into 2011! Join host Johnny O and co-host MH Clay, along with the musically magical trio Swirve and the usual unusual mad suspects as we do our darndest to both blow and open your minds. We will be callin' all you swirlingly mad poets, musicians, dancers, actors, singers, performers & any other miscellaneous mad ones in the Dallas/Fort Worth area to come & strut your mad, mad stuff!

Come one, come all! Come to participate. Come to appreciate. Come to celebrate this open mic madness!

Interested in performing? Then show up the night of and get on the list!

Mad Swirl Open Mic: It's THE place to be on the first Wednesday of the month!

Where's this madness take place? Absinthe Lounge is at 1409 South Lamar Street, Dallas, TX 75215 (located in the SouthSide on Lamar building)

And please, by all means, FEEL FREE TO SPREAD THE WORD!

fo'mo'info' visit www.MadSwirl.com

“The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes 'Awww!'” Jack Kerouac

Mad Swirl Open Mic : 01.05.11

Should auld acquaintance be forgot, / and never brought to mind? / Should auld acquaintance be forgot / and days of auld lang syne? You know what we say? F@ck Yeah! Let's leave 2010 behind us where it belongs and ring in the 2011 in swirling mad style!


0n 01.05.11, starting at 8:00-ish, Mad Swirl will continue doing the open mic voodoo that what we do do on and into 2011! Join host Johnny O and co-host MH Clay, along with the musically magical trio Swirve and the usual unusual mad suspects as we do our darndest to both blow and open your minds. We will be callin' all you swirlingly mad poets, musicians, dancers, actors, singers, performers & any other miscellaneous mad ones in the Dallas/Fort Worth area to come & strut your mad, mad stuff!

Come one, come all! Come to participate. Come to appreciate. Come to celebrate this open mic madness!

Interested in performing? Then show up the night of and get on the list!

Mad Swirl Open Mic: It's THE place to be on the first Wednesday of the month!

Where's this madness take place? Absinthe Lounge is at 1409 South Lamar Street, Dallas, TX 75215 (located in the SouthSide on Lamar building)

And please, by all means, FEEL FREE TO SPREAD THE WORD!

fo'mo'info' visit www.MadSwirl.com

“Either move or be moved.” Ezra Pound

Notes of Gratitude to ALL the Open Mic Mad Ones : 12.01.10

••• Notes of Gratitude to ALL the Open Mic Mad Ones •••


0n 12.01.10, Mad Swirl continued to do the poetic & musical open mic voodoo that what we do do every 1st Wednesday of the month at Absinthe Lounge! The crowd in the Lounge dug the musical musings of Swirve. Then hosts Johnny O and Gordon Hilgers got to callin' all the mad poets, musicians, singers & performers & a few other miscellaneous mad ones in Absinthe Lounge to come & strut their mad stuff! And strut it they did!

Mad Swirlin' thanks to the following mad ones that made this past open mic one of the most wonder-filled nights ever... (in order of appearance)

Johnny O (host)
Gordon Hilgers (co-host)
BA
Lilly Penhall
Roderick Richardson
Alex P
Maggie Smith
Andrew Marstellar
Josh Weir
Emily Riggert
James Hargrave
Victory
Chris Zimmerly
Desmene Statum
Konnichiwa Zach
Hammer
THE Chris
Jason Gully
Justin David Tate
Amy Ledbetter
Charlie Tips

A very special swirlin’ thanks to the hep cats who are Swirve. Gerard Bendiks kept the beat on skins and trumpeteer Chris Curiel keepin' us movin' and groovin' all night long! All the ingredients needed for the trip they took us on, note-by-note.

HUGE thanks to Absinthe Lounge owner Kevin Christensen for allowing us mad ones to go with our flow for AMOST 6 years now. And a shout-out to the fine Lounge staffers for keeping the mad spirits fillin' and swillin' for us buzzed mad ones.

And finally we would like to thank ALL of you who freely shared their hand claps, finger-snaps, hoots and howls with all the mad ones who got up on this sacred mad swirlin' mic.

••• Mad Swirl Open Mic 01.05.2011 •••

0n 01.05.11, starting at 8:00-ish, Mad Swirl will continue doing the open mic voodoo that what we do do on and into 2011! Join host Johnny O and co-host MH Clay,along with the musically magical trio Swirve and the usual unusual mad suspects as we do our darndest to both blow and open your minds. We will be callin' all you mystically mad poets, musicians, dancers, actors, singers, performers & any other miscellaneous mad ones in the Dallas/Fort Worth area to come & strut your mad stuff!

Come one, come all! Come to participate. Come to appreciate. Come to be a part of the madness!

••• Interested in Performing? •••

Are you a mad poet, musician, actor, singer and/or performer? (circus freaks and Elvis impersonators always welcome) Do you live in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area? Then come-n-strut-yo-stuff.

Come one. Come all. Come to participate. Come to appreciate. Come to support your fellow mad ones.

The mic opens up around 8:00 and closes when there's no one left standing. Show up the night of and get on the list!

Got questions? E-mail us at openmic@madswirl.com for further details that may not be listed here.

Mad Swirl Open Mic at Absinthe Lounge. It's THE place to be on the first Wednesday of the month! (it's also THE place for 1st Wednesday's $2 drafts/$5 Mad Absinthes)

And please, by all means, FEEL FREE TO SPREAD THE WORD!

••• Where's This Madness Take Place? •••

Absinthe Lounge is located in the SouthSide on Lamar building.

1409 South Lamar Street • Dallas, TX 75215