Nothing to Mc here
By Jason
A.K.A
User.Name.Unknown
Here is a little interaction that I, Jason, had at Vibe Union's open mic poetry night, Radio Talk.
Context:
This individual has been to our night before and was aware of how we take online sign ups and was informed it was a busy night and there was a possibility they might be able to perform due to 19 other signups.
Me: "I'm sorry to the poets that I told could maybe perform and were unable to, it's 10pm and we need to finish the night, I'm also dog sitting and they have separation anxiety and so I need to head off as well because I feel bad"
Crowd: "Awww thats cute and acceptable, go home"
*10:12pm post Radio Talk*
Them: "Why didn't you allow the rest of the poets to perform?"
Me: "Because everyone who signed up online has performed and I need to go home"
Them: "Why dont you just get someone else to do your job?"
Me: "That's not how the night works"
Them: "I Think it's pretty selfish you prioritise yourself over everyone else here"
Me: "I have been here for 5 hours mate and everyone who signed up online got to perform, 2 and a half hours of poetry is pretty good."
Them: "I don't like how you run your poetry night, I won't be coming back"
Me: "Totally fine mate, no worries, I guess I wont be seeing you again"
*Jason Leaves*
Why bother voicing this?
Why bother airing this out?
Why, why, why
I'm not a perfect MC, far from it, but I always make sure people are aware that they might not be able to perform if we have a busy night, open straight up communication.
This is an open mic night, it's free for anyone to come along and participate or sit and enjoy with absolutely no obligation to do anything.
It's when people feel privileged enough to try and dictate how a free event should be run and how they feel so hard done by despite the open communication. The self importance of some people who have entered the poetic battle area is sometimes quite staggering and the ability of some people to completely misread the room is staggering.
Don't get me wrong though, we have created an amazing community through poetry and most of those who come, regularly, semi regular or barely have formed a safe and weird (In the best way) environment for anyone.
I don't know the expectations of people coming along to poetry, for many it's their first time and Radio Talk is quite unlike most other consistent poetry nights running in Melbourne right now.
This wasn't the first time I have been called selfish as an MC, since I start the night off with a poem of my own.
I throw it to you, oh humble reader, what do you expect from a free event, no matter what type of event it may be?
Am I a terrible MC?
xoxo
Gossip MC
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