Franck, who is a storyteller herself, contributes to the evening s entertainment by reading a few of Parker s caustic verses as do OutSpoken regulars, David Ingle of Framingham and Dave Macpherson of Grafton, who also hosts Poetry Slams at the center. Later, during the open mike portion of the program, Stephen Smith of Cambridge sings two songs by Duke Ellington a cappella. The featured performer is up next. The schedule for this night, though, has been altered to accommodate Bouvard, who is battling the flu, and Holmes, who has pneumonia. The audience, ever appreciative, sits on wooden chairs with burgundy-colored padding in surroundings as intimate as a cozy living room.
Artwork changes monthly in the center, which hosts a cornucopia of artistic endeavors.
It received its name from the late poet Marcel Kopp. Variety is a definite draw here, both in the words being spoken and the performers doing the speaking. You won t find very many places that mix poetry and storytelling and music. Some of the people are serious about being performers and want to go on to higher and higher echelons. Poetic appeal Quality doesn t hurt the program s appeal either.