| Author | Message | ||
     Rondall Moderator Username: Rondall Post Number: 35 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
I have just spent the weekend with "Lemon" Andersen. The Etheridge Knight Foundation brought him to Indianapolis to celebrate the release of his new book "Ready Made Real". He had agreed to check out some local poets and video tape them in order to take the tape back to NYC and share it with some folks involved with Def Poetry. What I found interesting is this: 30 people showed up for the concert that happened an hour before the tryout but 150 show up for the tryout. Why do so many poets want to get "put on" the stage so they want to snap off a piece of that shine, but most of them do not find the moivation to come out and support the art form itself. How many poets do you know that wouldn't set foot in an open mic, or a free flow session unless they could get a chance on the mic? Too many of us have a "demo disk" ready to disperse but we are still lacking in buying a book or attending a relative event. Listen: There is no future for the art of spoken word, when the only time you show up is just to be heard. Listen... Hit me up with your take on this. | ||
| A_womon "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: A_womon Post Number: 806 Registered: 05-2004 Rating: N/A |
Hey Rondall, I'm not really a poet, but I love hearing or reading good poet's work and I think it's a damn shame that when it came time for those who seek to be heard and supported and maybe even PAID, when it came time for these to support another they couldn't find the time nor energy, but when you tell them its THEIR chance, the number of people wading through the crowd, quintupled!!! That is so so so sad, man. WOW! Be easy. | ||
| Abm "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Abm Post Number: 1394 Registered: 04-2004 Rating: N/A |
Rondall, I think this is like a lot of other things people (and, okay, Black people) think: we too often want to be the ‘star’ and not the ‘fan’ when we don’t realize if there’s no ‘fan’ there is no ‘star’. This is akin to many of us want to be ‘generals’ without first having been ‘soldiers’. And that is unfortunate. Because if the artist themselves don’t support their craft, what right does she have to expect the layperson to do so? Also, perhaps the lack of support is indicative of the quality of what’s being offered. Simply: Poets don’t really appreciate what their peers are doing. I am not a poet (I play'round with the genre a bit). But I often attend poetry and spoken word events. I have even sponsored local artists. The thing that I am most disappointed by is the lack of depth/breadth to the subject matter many of them cover. And their style/tempo are often so redundant, I can't help having feelings of de ja vue less than halfway into the program. | ||
| Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique Post Number: 1416 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
Spoken word poetry is really the ultimate ego-trip. It's all about look at me, listen to me, be impressed with me, Many of these folk are very affected in their appearance, dress, and manner, either carefully cultivating an image of studied casualness or one of Afro-centric pride. Yet, a lot of these artists are very good at what they do. They just need to diversify their subject matter more. I used to frequent open mic events but after a while it got to the point where if you'd attended one, you'd attended them all. And, no, I never performed on any of these programs.I would just go to support poets I knew. | ||
| Rondall Moderator Username: Rondall Post Number: 36 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
Cynique, I feel you on the tip "if you have attended one, them you have attended them all". I personally feel that way myself for the most part. I get sooo dang tired of the same o', same o'. But when there is an opportunity to check out some new flava, especially something from out of the area, I can't wait to see what that person will bring to the table. I hope for something that is actually a break from the monotany of what every local open mic inevitably brings. Which brings me to my next point: If they actually did more to broaden their horizons and open themselves up to new poetry, then their poems would less likely sound the same. My biggest pet peeve is this statement: "I don't want to read too much or hear too much of anyone else's poetry becuase I don't want it to influence my own." I am going to refrain from saying anything insulting right now but I do want to point something. Every poet that I know of, that has been recognized as anyone significant, reads like they are addicted to it. If you see or meet Haki Madhubuti, ask him what books are he carrying with him. On every trip he takes 4-7 books with him for reading. And guess what, none of them are his. The same can be said for Mari Evans, Maya Angelou, Sonia Sanchez, Nikki Giovanni, Amiri Baraka, Kevin Young, etc... Experiencing other poetry does drown out your voice, but helps it you to find your key to sing in. Poets for other places helps me to see what their world looks like through their eyes. **rant** | ||
| Lambd "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Lambd Post Number: 573 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
I attend open mic poetry events often. Once in a while, I'll read one of my own. (I write so much, I can never memorize anything.) One thing I hate about these things is the same old rythm. Everybody sounds the same. Regardless of the subject matter. Once in while I hear someone with a different rythm. If the poetry is good, and the flow is tight, it inspires me to write. I continually strive to make my poetry take on a different beat than the poetry I've heard. Only because most of the other stuff gets redundant...Watastar has a gift. The way I read her flow, is an almost off beat. You know what I mean? The poetry is still good. It makes you think. But the iambic pentameter is different. Its not always like, "Dada da da dada. Dada da da dada." You know? If you can avoid that and still flow, that's talent...to me. | ||
| Sisg AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Sisg Post Number: 97 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
I hear you Lambd, I have attended a few of those open mike, spoken word sessions myself, and yes, i heard the same rhythmn, "Dada da da dada...". I kept thinking, why not be original, do something different, does everyone have to deliver the same? Why? It ain't cute no more! I love poetry, okay, but we don't have to be clones, to be cool! | ||
| Lambd "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Lambd Post Number: 575 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
Exactly. That flow that everyone is doing is driving me nuts. They start off low and slow and then speed up and get louder and then they climax with a thud and start all over again. The first time I heard someone do it I thought it was really good. Then after I heard about thirty other poets do it the exact same way I wanted to throw up! | ||
| Rondall Moderator Username: Rondall Post Number: 37 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
It hurts me to hear someone "gasp" after every freaking stanza. | ||
| Abm "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Abm Post Number: 1410 Registered: 04-2004 Rating: N/A |
I don't think the primarily fault lies with whether or not poets are schooled in the teachings of the masters. Rather, I think the issue is more profound than even that...they don't REALLY have run out of things to say. They don't have a reserve of life experience and learning from which they are freely tap. Thus, I think they should spend time reading/witnessing more than what their genre avails. For example, they should consume the esthetics of myriad flavors/color, especially that which incites a visceral response, including that which disturbs and distress them. They should include graphical and musical art as sources of inspiration. Great Jazz music can help an artist discover an assortment of tempos that can be poetically applied. And they should visit places they have not gone before. Something as simple as taking an alternate route to/from work/school can quicken one's artistic eye/center. | ||
| Miss_wysteria "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Miss_wysteria Post Number: 236 Registered: 09-2004 Rating: N/A |
EXACTLY.....ABM. As Morticia would say: "Exactly darling." | ||
| Chrishayden "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Chrishayden Post Number: 672 Registered: 03-2004 Rating: N/A |
Rondall: I feels ya but this has gone so long and so far that the situation has calcified. The performance poet has been influenced by hip hop and rap and is coming from an oral and performance tradition. We must not forget that partially at fault for this is the effect of the academy, that has stressed getting published and the written word and has produced work that does not connect with the general audience at all. The poet who combines both the oral and written tradition is an anachronism--40 years ago and before he or she was the rule-- People want to be stars and they want a contract. Its the American way. They don't want to be starving artists. They don't want to be cold in lofts. They don't want to publish in little journals for free to miniscule audiences and they don't want to spend years honing their craft only to be ignored. Can you blame them? | ||
| Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique Post Number: 1431 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
Aren't spoken word poets really like African girotes? They are purveyors of oral history. Problem is, when the telling becomes their personal history, it is not always interesting to anyone but the speaker. | ||
| Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique Post Number: 1434 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
Should that perhaps be "griote" instead of "girote"? Or even griot? Who can remember. "Roots" was a long time ago. | ||
| Abm "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Abm Post Number: 1437 Registered: 04-2004 Rating: N/A |
Cynique says: "Should that perhaps be "griote" instead of "girote"? Or even griot?" ABM says: Do you mean..."giraffe"? | ||
| Linda Veteran Poster Username: Linda Post Number: 62 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
It's griot. | ||
| Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique Post Number: 1435 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
Nah. | ||
| Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique Post Number: 1436 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
Thanks, Linda! | ||
| Abm "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Abm Post Number: 1439 Registered: 04-2004 Rating: N/A |
Hehe! | ||
| Linda Veteran Poster Username: Linda Post Number: 63 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
You're welcome Cynique | ||
| Abm "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Abm Post Number: 1440 Registered: 04-2004 Rating: N/A |
Linda, JEEZ! ...I was going to TELL her. I just wanted to mess with her a bit (Girls can be, like, sooooo 'icky'!) | ||
| Linda Veteran Poster Username: Linda Post Number: 64 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
And little boys can be so....? | ||
| Abm "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Abm Post Number: 1442 Registered: 04-2004 Rating: N/A |
...horny. Yeah. I know. But if you give us some space and a lil' time to ourselves, usually we'll be okay. Of course, if you care to take a more direct approach to help a brothah out, well, then, I'd be right much oblige...maam. | ||
| Linda Veteran Poster Username: Linda Post Number: 65 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
Nah. You can have your space and time. I don't want to dirty my hands right now! LOL | ||
| Abm "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Abm Post Number: 1491 Registered: 04-2004 Rating: N/A |
Linda, See. There you go bring up ol’ news. Anyway. Last time wasn’t my fault. Because if you hadn’t been so NEEDY, I might have had enuff time to shower first. | ||
| Chrishayden "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Chrishayden Post Number: 690 Registered: 03-2004 Rating: N/A |
Abm: This be the Poetree. I If you gonna do yo overheated AbmThang in this Universe You gotta do it as verse | ||
| Lambd "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Lambd Post Number: 587 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: |
He don't know no betta, Hayden. He's just interested in tradin' All of his dirty body fluid. It don't take much for him to do it. This is something he gotta 'handle' on his own. It been twenty years since he been blown. He jumps around like a Mexican bean. Cuz he aint been laid since he was sixteen. He's so disgusting when he jerks it HE fakes it. Gotta pay his old lady to look at him naked. | ||
| Jojorules Newbie Poster Username: Jojorules Post Number: 4 Registered: 10-2004 Rating: N/A |
lambd that is so funny. i read on here that you are like FINE! maybe when you see me honey i can make you MINE!!! | ||
| Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique Post Number: 1488 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
Well, Lambd, I see you are in rare form. One of the things I like most about free-styling is its unique rhyme scheme, something you are so good at but which I could never pull off. | ||
| Lambd "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Lambd Post Number: 588 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
thanks Cee-but I was just kidding around. Trying to get on Abm's good side again. HEHEHEEH! Hey Jo--I don't know who said I was fine. Whoever said it must be blind- In one eye and can't see out the other. Most chicks things thing I'm ugly so it musta been a brother. | ||
| Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique Post Number: 1508 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
Show off. I'm convinced that what distinguishes Rappers and free-stylers is how their words give rise to more words. It's a process, and has something to do with the creative side of their brains being more developed than the analytical side. Or something. | ||
| Kola_boof Regular Poster Username: Kola_boof Post Number: 42 Registered: 07-2004 Rating: N/A |
LAMBD, you're FOINE to me. Of course...I like the sex appeal and confidence that a man exudes and I found you very appealing both inside and out. Don't try to be modest, daddy. I could've eaten you right up. OOOOPS. This is for poetry. Well since you loved my poetry collection so much...just dedicate my poem "BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE" to yourself. | ||
| Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique Post Number: 1510 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
Hummmm. Your sexuality did kind of jump out at me, when I looked at your picture, Lambie. Too bad it didn't jump on me. LMAO. | ||
| Lambd "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Lambd Post Number: 596 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
I told you before and I'll tell you again, "It aint too late." | ||
| A_womon "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: A_womon Post Number: 878 Registered: 05-2004 Rating: N/A |
Lambd, can I see your picture? | ||
| Rondall Moderator Username: Rondall Post Number: 39 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
Now, what was I saying...? Oh yes, I was talking about the prevalence of over active libidos on poetry discussion boards. Quite frankly, I feel like it is against the laws of nature to place women and men in any space, yes even cyberspace, and not mitigate a precipitance hormonal reaction. Anything else would be a neutered response. The primary objective of poetry to initiate passion, henceforth let the passion flow... ABM, Lambd, please do not take this literally. | ||
| Bleekindigo "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Bleekindigo Post Number: 134 Registered: 06-2004 Rating: N/A |
Gosh!! Well I wanna see the picture too!!! Bleek | ||
| Cuba_va First Time Poster Username: Cuba_va Post Number: 1 Registered: 10-2004 Rating: N/A |
yo i am new to new jersey from KC,MO looking for a laid back neo-soul/Poetry spot in the city or in jersey, any suggestions? Holla at ya boy yall. | ||
| Bleekindigo "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Bleekindigo Post Number: 202 Registered: 06-2004 Rating: N/A |
Hi Cuba-va- Serengetti Plains in Montclair, New Jersey. Always a good vibe, always good poets!! http://www.serengetiplains.com/calendar.html They have readings every second and last Friday of the month. You just missed yesterdays!! There is also ummmmmm, Cafe Euphoria--I don't know if they still have them. I haven't been here in a while. www.euphoriacafe.com/html/calendar.html In the city--Nuyorican Poets Cafe. If you have not been. Nuyoricans goes down every Friday night at about 10 and - 7 dollar cover charge. http://www.nuyorican.org/ Once you get there, ask around. Bring a notebook the size of a dictionary, because they are all over the place!! What part of Jersey are in now? Email me: lesoules00@yahoo.com |
