Who: Robbie Q. Telfer and Friends (including poets, cats, giant utensils)
What: Release party for Spiking the Sucker Punch (Write Bloody Publishing)
When: Wednesday, October 28, 7:30-9:00pm, reception before and after
Where: The Chopin Theatre (1543 W Division) – FREE!

Robbie Q. Telfer writes video games and curates encyclopedias and directs youth and never sleeps. Spiking the Sucker Punch, his newest poetry collection, has a blurb by Bill Ayers and epigraphs from Lynda Barry and Adolf Hitler, not to mention bones and lightning bolts and fish on the cover, in pink.

Here’s one part we especially liked, from “Chicago Public Sculpture #2: The Picasso:” “like everything we love,/there’s something unmistakably/fucked up about you and your face.” We also liked the picture painted by “Girls Punching Boys” and how “Song of the Outlaw Grizzly” made us laugh on the bus. In a good way.

Robbie’s poems are neon because they balance anger and humor and kindness, fiercely – plus they’re especially great when listened to, so you are twicely missing out if you don’t brave the cold to hear him read. Thricely, seeing as how Robbie’ll be joined by an army of lovely poets and – OMG – Acrocats. Acrocats! Also! somebody please, please request “Awkward Scars,” which totally made us cry on the bus home, first time we heard it and also in a good way.