Last year,  I , with the help of my friend Jani “Bomba” Rosado, organized the first annual Poetry in Pink event at Camaradas in NYC.  The event was a success, a showcase of talented performers and artists that came together to share their words, song, and art in the name of Maggie’s Latin Angels, my Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk team.

This year, I am trying something slightly different for the event. Being held at Society Coffee Bar on West 114th street and Frederick Douglass Blvd in NYC, on Saturday July 17th, 2010 from 3:00pm-6:00pm, the event will hopefully be just as much of a success as the first.

There is a $10 dollar door fee for all guests (the proceeds of which go to the establishment and to the cause evenly), as well as a silent auction and a raffle of various items, including artwork/jewelry by Erika Dickstein, the beautiful logo work of Kervin Ferreira, and yes… “Les Jeux,” my first book of poetry, being released around the same time as the event. The establishment was also kind enough to donate gift certificates for the raffle as well as offer $1 of every drink cost to the cause.  Not to mention, Society offers a FULL food menu with a wine and beer service as well.

It’s going to be a great event, guys!!!!

Following the event from 6:00pm-8:00pm, there will be a happy hour at 67 Orange Street, a block away from Society. There will be no performances at this location, but plenty of drinks. ;o)

Below is the FULL list of performers for the event:

Erika “Lola” Nunez
Jani “Bomba” Rosado
Venus White
Vanessa Martir
Susan Justiniano
Maria “La Escribidora” Morales
Taina La Poeta
Noemi “Siren” Soto
Angela Plugues
Carmen Mojica
Majestik Originality
Jessica Salazar
Cynthia Lee Flores
Tina Stumpf
Joseph Beckhusen
J “Isis” Rosario
Jahdi Duarte
Mark “Tearless Poet” Dews
and ME!

Photography will be by Music Looks Like This Photos and Michael Bonilla

A Special Thank You to Sarah Duffin and Society Coffee Bar and 67 Orange Street, Kervin Ferriera for the awesome 2010 logo for Maggie’s Latin Angels and Erika Dickstein for visual art contributions.

Here is the Facebook invite to the event:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/event.php?eid=133389766678426

Here are the links to the locations:
www.societycoffee.com
www.67orangestreet.com

If you want to donate a piece of art for the silent auction, please email me ASAP at angelique_rodriguez@yahoo.com

30 artists were given blank female busts and told to create something.

January 29th, 2010, will be the closing event for a two-month tour and it proves to be an amazing event. With pieces ranging from science fiction to erotica (*covers eyes* LoL)…and with artists that range from a tattoo artist, graffiti artists, mixed-media artists and a toy designer, I am excited to see what they have to offer.

Fortunately, I have the honor of knowing some of the artists personally and I can vouch for their talent. Absolutely stunning work. Each artist has their own unique and distinctive style and it is sure to be a hot event. Really looking forward to it.

Cypha Taino Management and PushArt Management , two phenomenal artists rep businesses have collaborated in handpicking artists and in hosting the event.  During the process, PushArt’s Craig Smith passed away and the show has become a tribute to him. (RIP)

Pieces range from $200 USD- $5000 USD

THERE IS NO COST TO THE EVENT.

I’ll be there.

For any business inquiries, please contact:

Frankie Velez, founder of Cypha Taino Management: velez.frankie@gmail.com

PushArt Management: PushArt@verizon.net

It was a surprise when a friend of mine called me asking me if I’d like to join her for the preview showing of “County of Kings,” written and performed by Lemon Andersen.  Produced by Academy-Award winning Spike Lee, the award winning Culture Project, Steve Colman and Jayson Jackson, in part with the Public Theater, the show is a representation of a man-child finding his way in the twisted roots of inner city NYC. Almost like a modern day version of “The Alchemist,” Lemon weaves in and out of drama, poetry and hip hop, almost painting the stage with his experiences and the relationships that led to the fulfillment of his own destiny.

I almost forgot it was just him alone on the stage and was so involved in the story, I found myself laughing and crying with each wave of the story. A fantastic performer, Lemon stayed so true to his character that even when a fly happened to land on his face, he kept spitting out his lines, never lifting a hand to swat the pest away.

Now, to me, that’s a true performer.

Inspired by the show,  I wrote the following piece. It does his story NO justice, but is my tribute to him.  I applaud him on his maturity, his vulnerability, and his intense dedication to the project. It was an honor to sit in that audience, and if you readers get a chance to see the show, do so!!!!! It was phenomenal.

!!!!SUPPORT LOCAL ARTISTS!!!!

Follow County of Kings on Twitter: @countyofkings23

“County of Kings”
!!!!SIX WEEKS LIMITED ENGAGEMENT!!!!
Tuesday through Sunday
@ The Public Theater
425 Lafayette Street
(ONE block away from the 6 train Astor Place station)
Tickets available online at www.publictheater.org
or via phone (212) 967-7555

Read this awesome article on Lemon from the NY Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/theater/27sont.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=lemon%20andersen&st=cse 

His mother cried for him…
Her fingers molded him from the clay of her own soul…
Her own good intentions…
Her own love.

Each petal exactly like her own,
she smiled as his arms wrapped around her roots…
She revolved around her suns…
and died with their love on her eyelids.

Little man-child with big aspirations
of a nothing they told him he was worth…
what can you do if you hold out your hand
to feel the breeze of the world walking by?

He grew…
Despite the demons of his anguish
and the bravado of his youth…

He grew…
Amidst the cold gray of another winter gone…
Making gold out of concrete…

He made moves…
and she wept for her sun…
who never saw his own brilliance…
until a mic turned on.

Flourishing despite the rubble…
Learning from the past…
Pushing through the anger…
He grew….
Spread his word…
So no one would forget…

So the next would not be alone.

He raised his arms like lotus petals…
like rays of sun…
He stood, proudly in her presence…
smiling…
still hugging his roots.

A lotus in the courtyard.

As described on their blog www.upscenities.com :

“Through the community of open minded individuals Upscene was born. They were determined not to live by a set of standards created by the controlling society around them but rather by the idea of freedom of self expression. “Livin Above The Scene” means just that, no matter where you are, what you wear and who you may be, you are you. Anyone who recognizes that is a part of the Upscene Lifestyle. “

I have known these gentlemen since highschool and I am so proud of their accomplishments and of their ambition to create something so unique and hip. They are having an event this  Sunday…and if ur a sneaker fiend (I know many of you are….LOL)… and if you like to be up to date on all the latest in NYC urban culture, peep my boys and support their work!

SUPPORT LOCAL ARTISTS!

Upscene will be on hand at this event selling our spring / summer 09 collection Stay UP! NY. The event is a convention of many hip hop, art and streetwear brands that is not to be missed. Right in the heart of the city midtown, Manhattan. Admission is $10 advance and $12 at the door. Hit us up with an additional questions at info@upscenenyc.com.On April 26, DeadStock Kicks is hosting a Day of Hip-Hop; including a talent showcase for independent and up and coming music artists, spoken word, dance competition, a live photo booth and exhibitors showcasing their best sneakers and clothing/toy lines. There will also be a live auction of rare and exclusive items related to the sneaker world. DeadStock Kicks is auctioning off their very own 2006 MTV VMA AF1 sneaker, autographed by celebrities such as Fat Joe, Busta Rhymes, and Paris Hilton. This day is all about embracing the entire sneaker culture in one event.