Speckled Poets Rock!!

Hello good people

Hope you don't mind if I get all touchy feely for just a bit!!

I have to talk about the awesome community of poets I got to hang out with last night. I was asked to read a few of my pieces and some poems written by other artists at the Speckled Bird Cafe's Monthly Poetry Night and it was an absolute treat! I got to hang out with some truly talented poets, soak up the creative energy and bask in the good vibrations.

Honestly, it was one of the most fun nights I've had in a while. Thanks to the entire Speckled Bird crew for being gracious enough to let me share my work. We artists are pretty "sensitive about our ish," :) but the crowd was great. I discovered some new poets, who I'm sure will be fast favorites, and even read a few of my new to the world pieces...thankfully, no one boo-ed...whew!!

:)

Check out one of the new poems I read below. It shows how much of a hopeless romantic I really am. Ha!! Also, if you're interested in finding out what other hopping events are happening at this Cafe, find them on Facebook or Wordpress!! You won't be disappointed. I promise!!

Love Riot
BY Susan Baba

He only loves me loudly
If there were a mountain,
he would shout his love a million times from its highest peak
If there were a water tower,
He would deface it in my name
With my face
Adorn it anew with words of adoration

But in this city of concrete and glass, there is neither mountain nor water tower in sight
So he settled for the subway station
Taps the man sitting beside him sheepishly and points
“that’s my woman”
With the sincerity and gentleness of a man overwhelmed by his good fortune

Sometimes, if I am lucky,
Only if I am lucky
My eyes will catch him first,
His pursed lips prepared to shout “I love you” at full force
And my kiss will intercede
Capture his words like a willing prisoner
Breathe deep his elation
His giddy innocence

I always play shy and surprised when I don’t catch him in time
I nuzzle into him and shield my sly giggles from the disapproving faces of our fellow passengers

I love you
I love you
I love you
He whispers into my ear
Lifts my face to look into it
And although I already know,
It’s always nice to hear
those words
again

Natalie Merchant sings old poems to life | Video on TED.com

I'm a huge fan of folk music and have a very special place in my heart for Natalie Merchant. Anyone remember her 90's hits - Kind & Generous and Thank You? Yeah. Epic:)

She's working on a new project to revive old poems in the form of music and was recently featured at February's TED conference. Her soft and smooth voice, combined with these beautiful words is such a memorable combination. Here's the video of her performance and a brief description of her project below.

enjoy!

About (via ted.com)
Natalie Merchant sings from her new album, Leave Your Sleep. Lyrics from near-forgotten 19th-century poetry pair with her unmistakable voice for a performance that brought the TED audience to its feet.

ps...There's going to be a TED event in my very own Cincinnati. I can't wait. If you're a fan of the TED Conferences and the subsequent online talks, you do not want to miss this. I'm taking the day off of work to attend:) If you can sneak out of work on October 7th, you should come. More info here.

If You Can't Beat 'em, Prose 'em

Cincinnati is the absolute worst place for people with allergies. The city is situated in a deep valley, surrounded by hills on one side and the muddy Ohio River on the other side. The springs are rainy and full of pollen. Mix it all together and the city turns into a deep stew of sinus oppression. It's torture. Torture I tell you!! But, instead of crying all spring long, I've decided to celebrate the unavoidable:-)

Thanks to our 15th Poet Laureate Charles Simic for adding a bit of peotic flare to my view of these antagonists of allergy season...Enjoy an ode to Dandilions!


Dandelions
BY Charles Simic

We were fabulously lucky.
We became dandelions.
Before we were even born
We kept wishing to be dandelions.
Next we found ourselves traveling
Out of the great unknown.
We rode down in a train
Sixteen coaches long,
We sat prim and proper In our golden yellow dresses.
Others came as black widows,
Little monkeys, and red birds,
And of course many ants,
Snuggled together and looking glum.

EVENT 2/17/10: The Art of Resistance!

Cincinnati's one and only National Underground Railroad Freedom Center has all kinds of awesome events to help us celebrate Black History Month, but the event I am most looking forward to is the ART OF RESISTANCE forum!! Not just because my Facebook Friend Charles is putting it on...promise:-)

Description and event details below. Be there or be square!

WHAT?
Community Forum: The Art of Resistance: An Artistic Response

WHEN?

February 17, 2010 06:30 PM

WHERE?

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
50 East Freedom Way
Cincinnati, Ohio

WHY?

In his seminal essay “On Black Art”, Dr. Maulana Karenga writes that “Black Art must be for the people, by the people and from the people. That is to say, it must be functional, collective and committing…. All art must be revolutionary and in being revolutionary it must be collective, committing, and functional.” In this presentation the Freedom Center will invite local artists to engage and artistically respond to our Without Sanctuary Thematic Framework of Looking Back, Bearing Witness and Keeping Watch.

And tonight, we SLAM!

I'm always raving about how bad A the poetry clubs in NYC are, but we have our own gem here in Cincinnati. If you haven't been, the Midnight Sun Cafe is the longest running open mic night in the city and a fabulous place to check out the movers and the shakers in the local poetry scene. Whether you're an old timer or a budding artist, Elament, the hilarious (and super cute) host creates an environment that is both intimate and entertaining. If you've never experienced it or haven't been back for a while, tonight's the night to check it out!

Every Wednesday at The Greenwich.

Register Today for the KY Women Writers Conference

We're never too old to learn and never too great that we cannot improve. So, whether you're an award winning slam master or just a baby poetess, you should check out the Kentucky Women Writer's Conference. My beloved Rachel McKibbens will be there along with many other notable fem writers from all walks of life. This is guaranteed to be a great conference! I'm trying to figure out how I can get out of my 9-5 to make an appearance there.

Register

Def Jam Poetry - Georgia Me "For Your Protection"

Check out this hott poetress

tonight at the MIXX

Live band KICKS OFF THE NIGHT @ 9:00-10pm
Poetry STARTS @ 10pm-12am



ps...the video below is is pg13...at least. enjoy!

White House Poetry Jam? WHAT?!!?

I know that Obama has had a tough week... and an even tougher couple of months, but the "royal family" recently took a break from trying to fix all that is wrong with America and decided to jam. yes! Jam! And slam! and totally bring the house down!!

The White House hosted its FIRST EVER night of "Poetry, Music, and Spoken Word" on May 12th. This rocks on so many levels! First, the idea of opening up such a venue for creative expression is the absolute epitome of "the evolution of paper." (yay!!) Secondly, this just shows how totally in tune with "the people" this administration is.

Kudos on the rocking PR manager that I'm sure was really behind the helm and congrats to the hippest prez and first lady in American History. I have included a few clips from that night below.

enjoy-

Soulful Garden Poetry Night Begins this Thursday!

For all lovers of word in the tri-state area, check out this new poetry night hosted by nonother than the famous (infamous?) Elament! Knowing him, this night will not disappoint!

More details below -

This is the night where ATL, LA, & New York hits Cincinnati.

Elament, Lady J, the Divine Prince Hakiym, J Rodge, & DB team up as (****COLLECTIVE MINDS****) tO BRING Thursdays Night BACK

YOUR WEEKEND STARTS HERE

Live band* 8:30-10pm

Poetry* 10pm-12am

A Live Dj* 12am-2am

Only @ MIXX ULTRA LOUNGE

EVERY THURSDAY STARTING MAY 21ST

You can also check out this video for a preview of what to expect. Elament really knows how to speak from the heart!