Readings Under the Influence

Artist Highlight #2 of 4: Andy Benson

Bio:
Naturalist Nerd, Staunch Earth Steward, Intrinsic Vibe Seeker.

1. Fave Color: Shades of Green and Cobalt Blue
2. Dog or Cat Person: Both. Cats for home, dogs for adventure.
3. Fave Bodily Function: Sneezing Is The OG of Feelz.

Andy will read an original piece at RUI on Tuesday, April 29th, along with other word nerds. See you at the Smokestack!

Doors 6:30, show 7:30ish!

Bob Bucko Jr FINAL Guest Artist Highlight #4 of 4 for Readings Under the Influence -- 'When Life Gives You Lemons...' at Smokestack happening TODAY, Tuesday, January 28th -- Doors 6:30, Show 7:30. FREE.

“I like sound. I play a bunch of instruments. I write a ton of songs, and love improvising with friends. I put out a lot of records, my own and other artists. I used to tour all the time. I hate the word “I”.

Q&A
- Favorite quote?
----- “Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.” - Samuel Beckett, Worstword Ho
- Best birthday party?
----- When my age was still measurable in single digits, I requested my parents stop having birthday parties for me. I was a very serious child, apparently.
- Sunset or sunrise?
----- Sunrise. It used to mean time to go to bed. In my advanced age, it is something I enjoy waking to and watching from my east-facing windows.

That's it, everyone! You've gotten a taste of your 4 wordsmiths for tonight. Come for the words, for the spelling bee, for the trivia, for the burden prizes, for the drink specials (cocktails and mocktails), come for the camaraderie.

We know you will feel the love, the belonging.

I know you R, but RUI?

Andrew Maxwell Klinkhammer 💥Guest Artist Highlight #2 of 4 for Readings Under the Influence -- 'When Life Gives You Lemons...' at Smokestack this UPCOMING Tuesday, January 28th -- Doors 6:30, Show 7:30. FREE.

Andrew likes to describe himself as a "Jack-of-all-trades, but master of none," although he's not entirely sure that isn't true for everyone. For Andy, he finds the most joy in the arts. Andy is a visual artist, foremost, who lately has been incorporating his poetry into visual art through cut-up mixed media. Andy is dusting off a special poem for RUI that digs deep into the pain of trauma. Come prepared.

Q&A:
- Fave quote/book?
----- ”So it goes” from Slaughterhouse Five
- What you’re looking forward to the most?
----- There's two: finally getting top surgery (on March 7, 2025 y'all!), and my mom finishing her treatments and eventually being able to say she beat the Big C.
- Fear you gotta overcome before you die?
----- SPIDERS!!!

💥Stay tuned, RUIers, for the 3rd & 4th Guest Artist Highlights. Tuesday, January 28th at Smokestack… See you there!

Guest Artist Highlight #3 of 4 for TOMORROW NIGHT's Readings Under the Influence --- 'I Scream, You Scream' at the Smokestack (doors 6, show 7).

🗣️
Chrystina Morteo-Bowman is a Mom, Small Business Owner, singer/songwriter & vehemently introverted Dubuque native. She is a self-love advocate and seeker of all things rich in emotion and depth. Chrystina has spent the last few years hiding from the world; taking time to heal emotional wounds, and is ready to enter this next phase of life with joy.

Q&A
✅ Country You’d Want to Visit Right Now: Vietnam! Two years ago my husband and I were married there. We were invited to attend a traditional Vietnamese Wedding in Ho Chi Minh City of some dear friends of ours & decided it was the perfect place for our own nuptials. The people were kind & accommodating, the food fresh & delicious! We didn't want to leave the incredibly beautiful city of Da Nang, where we had our honeymoon. I am eager to visit again and again to see the rest of the country I’ll always hold dear!!
✅ Do You Believe in Magic? Yes! Having real love in my life has created immeasurable amounts of magic.
✅ Bucket List Item: Singing the National Anthem at a major sporting event.

Stay tuned for the 4th Guest Artist Highlight tomorrow...the DAY OF the event.

I know UR, but RUI?!