Friday, June 27, 2008

Some San Fran words... and a little delayed news!

While in San Fran, I figured I'd try my word at an event in Oakland. The EastSide Arts Alliance put on a nice little show - good to see the young crowd exploring the arts! It was a good opportunity to hear another city's words!

I also realized I forgot to thank Robin at The Pound in Montreal for hosting a great show and allowing some of us spoken word artists to perform a couple of months ago! Better late than never!

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

The Pedestal Magazine

The Pedestal Magazine published my poem, Mumma, in their summer issue!!!

Thank you, Susan!

Panoramic... again!

I am so happy (and lucky) I was able to squeeze in another little Panoramic Poetry last Friday! Each time I go to a spoken word event, I am re-floored! The poets are just unbelievable! This time, there were two 17-year-olds (who were at a poetry event on a Friday night instead of out with friends as others their age would be!) and they just blew me away! And let's not leave out the other poets, who inspired us beyond belief. They say poets are the new prophets and they are so right!

I feel so privileged to have performed amongst such talented artists. And to boot, our host, Crucial, even made a special request for one of my poems (and a member of the audience told me they had been talking about me all week!)! Wow! If I ever need a confidence boost, I know exactly where to go!

Thanks again, Lamar and Crucial, for allowing me to be a part of the beautiful future you are building!

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Panoramic Poetry and Poetic Minds Plus

This weekend was a double-whammy! On Friday night, I had the pleasure (and honour) of performing at Panoramic Poetry, hosted by October Gallery in Philadelphia. Our host, Crucial Poet, and the unbelievably talented poets who performed, were so encouraging! Everyone was a feature poet (including me!) and one of the traditions is to throw your pen at the stage if you like the poet's work. For a writer, this is a true honour because the poet in the audience is giving you their pen, signifying they would rather you write with it than them; and the poet on stage gets to keep the pens thrown at them. Did I get any, you ask? Yes - 6!!! I am still feeling humbled by this and will keep the pens as a reminder of why I continue to write.

On Saturday afternoon, I called in to Lady Blue's radio show, Poetic Minds Plus. A soft-spoken woman, Lynn Blue welcomed me with open arms and I was so happy she remembered meeting me a week prior at Aziza's! I performed one of my signature pieces, at her request, and felt great when she read back the feedback she was receiving on it.

Thank you, Lamar, Crucial, and Lady Blue, for giving me the opportunity to express myself and perform my work! I look forward to meeting you all again at shows in the future!

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Aziza's... again!

Sometimes, silence is the only language that can do justice to a moment. I felt that moment at Aziza's on Friday, where I was welcomed so warmly by Aziza, herself. I brought two pieces to perform, which I did, and then, to my humble surprise, was requested to perform a piece I had performed at my previous visit. A request by Aziza? I bent over backwards to perform it!

With a huge, warm hug, Aziza told me how she was so pleased I had returned, and that she had been raving about my work since she met me two months ago. Who wouldn't be humbled and honoured?

I met poets and artists the likes of Lady Dove, Lady Blue, Lamont Steptoe, and so many others that inspired and elated...

I am so thankful to have made it out on Friday night - it was a night to remember. Aziza, thank you for hosting such an inspiring and uplifting event. I look forward to many more...

Monday, June 2, 2008

Website Revamp!

It's time for spring cleaning and I decided "out with the old, and in with the new". So I've revamped my entire website! Take a look!

Inscribed Magazine

Inscribed Magazine has published my poem, How To Set the Price Of Leaves, in June's issue and it was voted favourite poem of the issue so I am their spotlight author of the month!

Thank you kindly, Kyle and Randy!