Idol elimination, poetry weekend

The first round of eliminations took place on "American Idol" last night, with two boys and two girls being sent home. The Top 24 is now the Top 20. You can read the recap at Project Q Atlanta. My recaps usually post immediately after the show (or sometimes the next morning), so be sure to check here or Project Q if you're looking for the update.

BFF Mal has already decreed that this season of "Idol" is the worst ever. I'm not ready to call it just yet, but I have to admit it's pretty bad. Ellen hasn't been funny, Simon looks like he's watching a clock offstage counting down the days to his departure and some of the contestants simply cannot sing. May suddenly seems a long way off.

This weekend is chockfull of poetry. Tonight, I'm reading in my hometown of Fayetteville at the 12th annual Blended Heritage Festival. I have written a poem for the event every year, and I'll be performing it tonight. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. and the Jennifer Perry Combo is performing and novelist Ferrol Sams will be reading from his novel-in-progress. Here's a link to find out more.

Tomorrow night is Love Out Loud for Haiti, a fundraising event at First Existentialist Congregation. I'll be performing with Theresa Davis, Karen G, Franklin Abbott, Yolo Akili and many others to help raise money for the earthquake victims. The Facebook invite already has 115 confirmed guests, so if all those folks show up, we'll make some good money for the cause. First E is at 470 Candler Park Drive and admission is only $5. The gig kicks off at 7 p.m. Come out and join us.