Best Local Spoken Word Performer

Rich Boucher

Worcester's favorite poet doesn't live here anymore. The formerly omnipresent Rich Boucher, author of Swimsuit Apocalypse and troublemaker, quietly moved from his longtime Uxbridge home late last year. Not that Boucher, who performs his writings in an array of costumes, from flashy glittering jackets to Tori Amos T-shirts, does anything quietly. "A lot of it came from having TV as a baby-sitter growing up," he explains from his new home in Newark, Delaware. "But everything I learned about being a performance poet came from Bill MacMillan, J-Me Johnston, Joey Mars, Mark Paolini and everyone at the Harlow Street WAG [Worcester Artist Group]." He first attracted widespread attention in 1995 with his "Dalmatian Child's Blooming School Tour," on which he read/performed at various Blackstone Valley locations. "I was really trying to stir people up and get them excited about knowing there were artists and cutting-edge performers living next to them." He's continuing the tradition in his new hometown, where he hosts a spoken-word open mic. "I've been doing it for the past seven months. We started with six readers in September, now we have a packed house every Tuesday night." And what is he writing about these days? "When I began writing and performing, I was politically focused -- I was `Issue Man' performing in my Desert Storm underwear. Now I'm improving; although I'm still interested in TV, Armageddon, and the female anatomy, but I'm trying to be more relevant about it." He's finalizing the manuscript for his third book, the title of which carries his always-guaranteed-to-raise-an-eyebrow (or two) wit. "Aunt Jemima's Cabin is my history, dreams, and thoughts. I like humor and, in naming the book, was thinking in terms of my youth, where there was lots of pancakes." Really now, Rich? "Poetry has lots of room for humor, dexterity, craft, and theater." And appreciation from its audience. "I'm humbled and thankful Worcester has given me more than I could give in return. I will be back."

-- Brian Goslow