It was a beautiful night, sidewalk chalked in masterpieces, the DC Guerrilla Poetry Insurgency kicked off their 2009 Summer Season (we’ll be in Dupont thru Sept).  Out of the gates, Laurie and Bobbie, Damian armed to the jawbone, pointed at Eryca’s kitten.  Brandon summed up his feelings with one word, “dam.”  Virgin Walrus rocked sapling prodigy, Lacy reminded us why we were there and Mo getting ready to protest you.  Courtney our feature lyrically floated ….remember your goodness.  Arinze and Alexis with earthly breezes properly eulogized.  Goodson provided a cacophony of sounds and words while the insects flirted with Zaccai and Cathryn oded to the bed bug.  Ravens eyes were glued like paste as Jessica shared her voice fighting against hatred and discrimination.   Next month’s feature - one of DC’s dopest MC’s  - community hip-hop powerhouse Bomani “D-Mite” Armah.  Here’s a preview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HuCPadxPVI&feature=channel_page.   July 13 @ 7pm @ Dupont Circle Fountain!

when we made the call to go to Bossa
sun shining
but as the soaked stumbled in
we all just grinned.

Thanks to Bossa for the shelter and the special treat of being downstairs!!!

Laurie kicked us off with Hopi Elder words calling us all to be leaders.  Damian spun his rhythms waking up from the American Dream, while Lacy lived in the margins watching the empire collapse.  Jess, over 30 and f-ed, freestyled on train tracks, Sarah hung on by a fingernail in the much larger ocean of the universe, inspired by Jess’s train, Jessica found her light in the darkest places and talked to us about the Saartjie Project.  Brandon SCREAMED from the paper keeping his sh-t together like a stapler and Emily renovated the past knitting in patterns.  Princess of Controversy, the evening’s feature, brought self love into the conversation reminding us, you can’t press forward when you’re stuck on rewind.  Ted demanded justice for the windmills turning in Amy’s OPP mind, John and Gordon (aka Lucky Dub) brought us a little love via acoustic reggae complete with back up singers (catch their CD Release Party Friday 5/15 at Asylum).  Tiffany lamented the demise of her guard railed crush and Jackson Poleock dispensed everything he had inside –  killing the inner addict and letting the habit be the tablet.  Weaved throughout the entire evening were the sound stylings of our resident percussionist Ken Quam.

Gratitude and love to you all!  Now let’s hope for some f-ing sun in June!  Join us Dupont Circle, Monday, June 8!

Tanene Allison wrote a piece on Huffington Post today titled “Follow the Artists to Our New Democracy.” Check it out for some inspiring analysis and fun links!

March’s GPI was quite a show…with videographers and photographers to boot! It marked the last show at Bossa for this season, and what a way to end the indoor winter run. Jessica Philie hosted, while Laurie Blair was away–and you’ll see Laurie again in April! (Remember: April’s GPI on Monday 4/13 is outdoors in Dupont Circle right on the fountain.)

Jonathan Tucker featured in March, sharing with us his introspective and external observational, upbeat, and rhythmic ways. We had a ton of poets and performers come out, some veterans and some newbies, including two who walked in (after seeing us in the window) wearing WWF shiny world champion belts. As always, the audience members were engaged, interested, and plentiful. Thank you to everyone for making it such a great last indoor show! (Although, if it rains on a second Monday during the Spring/Summer, we’ll see you back at Bossa.)

Here’s a bit of what you may have missed: Damian retold his love song now called tennis; Tora gave us glimpses of her Baltimore memories; Pauly flew a wheelchair out of Iraq; Jenny let us know about her city streets; Tom found freedom falling down while surrendering to love; Elizabeth waxed angry funny about the GOP and her debut as a gonzo reporter; Jonathan made us love Mondays and wonder about widows in windows shattered; Brandon gave us a taste of about bitter sweet lovin’; Kristin wants to strip to her panties and read aloud; Rob recounted the reality of his speedy mentality; Dan gave us the new and the old; Lacy reminded us stand united against the IMF and World Bank; Ted toasted our war-monger anniversary; Strawberry Sunshine Tahini Sun Burn Burn (a.k.a. Elizabeth Croydon) simply asked Tibet or not Tibet?; Gowri told us about what “they” ssay; Shamaine talked about a reconstructed life; Robel sang a sweet escapist single from his new album; and Lance shared his black sheep moments to a room of people who would likely understand.

Thanks again all…see you in April!

- Jessica

It was another banging night with the GPI at Bossa.  Damian showed his vulnerable side, Laurie & Jess exploded with love,  Cherie’s musical stylins brought tingles, Shelby spoke of sex while Shahid wished he could stop filling out forms in triplicate and simply rewind.   We learned 99 Ways to Please, then leave a Man, Peter went “boom” with his love life, Tova spoke of a desire to paint on everything and Lacy warmed humanity back to 98.6 degrees.   Our monthly feature Michelle received rave reviews as she spoke of love as sand that gets everywhere, conjuring Jane Foster, the Vagina Monologues and how we sometimes “straddle the intersection to leave or to go for far to long.”  Marcos sang us a love song, Kim admitted “self awareness is sexy, but cuteness is my weakness”, and Erin, while protesting her poetic skills - killed it at the mike with a love poem all her own.  Chris Otten combined visuals with words to discuss the true value of the stimulus plan, Keisha resurrected her 17-year old self, Jess was love.crazy. and Jaime called to account motherf@#$rs.  Lyndi drew comparisons between war and sex and Elizabeth brought us home as a “father f@$#r” in the “hall of moaning.”

Another amazing night…… GPI provides the vehicle, but it would mean nothing if it wasn’t filled with such talented voices.  Thanks to all the poets and appreciators!  See you March 9!

There is a conscious counterculture kickin’ in the Capital
Back east in DC, the community’s rockin,
Non-stoppin’, the underground family’s poppin’
bee-boppin’ to the rhythm of a go-go beat

Kickin’ music and revolution out in the street
Rhythm Workers bangin’ out a beat in time
Guerilla poets wagin’ a lyrical struggle in rhyme
Belmontia risin, Batala boomin

DC51 son! We be swoonin’
Enraptured by individual visions
Minds uncaptured by institutional incisions
Every single soul human nuclear fission

My man C-Max produces artwork in stacks
Original paintings, graphic design
Direct action organizer most of the time
A funky fresh handsome fly Argentine
He rocks a new school mullet and feels just fine

Little Moo is my brother from another mother
A little belly tickling always makes him shudder
When it’s time for an escapade, he’s done for another
Renaissance man, socialite, Brasiliera lover

Little LSB is our pet love bug
she’s always spotted hefting a massive-sized mug
Giving out to everyone the most amazing hugs
Of all things I’ve encountered an excellent judge

And then Mooper Cheekrabubblereggaenameen
Met each other the first time in a dreamy scene
Used to do her best to destroy her spleen
But always willing to switch to Al Green

Sweet-T was once a mousy computer guy
Always cooked a mean meal, but learned how to fly
After picking up the mic and telling “the Man” to die
Photographer extraordinaire with a morning high

Special K knows the way to make the beat go boom
Let her into any space, and she’ll conquer the room
She’ll croon, dance a jig and then, real soon,
You can watch every brother (and half the sisters) start to swoon

Little Vishy has cheeks I’d call squishy
He drops funky beats on both decks and drums
W always have fun, kicked it in the sun
On extended trips, we touch each other’s bums

Daddy Fadi is the warmest clown you’ll ever find
if we monkeys are juice in fruit, this man’s the rind
ready at the drop of a hat with some kind
standing ever ready to get you out of a bind

My doppleganger Hawah does a lot of yoga
Way too healthy to ever drink soda
You gotta get a load o’ the way this man stands
With him walking the world, it’s like we’ve each four hands

Back in the day, Mama Laila fed us all
An inundation of inspiration, an energy ball
End up at her place after playing the National Mall
Now she takes care of our snack, Amal

Sweet little Yummers has the brightest smile
Nobody can step to her on the dance floor, child
We spent some time, kicked it for awhile
For her company, I’d walk every mile of the Nile

For those of you who came out last night — you know we had a packed house and quality poets spittin fire on the mic!

Our feature Sol y Sol, with Marguax, Danielle, Heather and Cyn hit us with a range of subjects; the impact of guns on young black men, the negative imagery of women, “doin it,” addiction and god’s puzzles.

They were joined by PhenomeJohn wanting to be picked, Damien, Sarah, Laurie, Chris’s connections, Jess, Robby callin out vessels of peace, Lacy, Anne’s reminder of the power of one, Amy, Marco, Sheila, Elizabeth with her “windiest poem in the bar”, Lance’s “patriarchal disorder”, Jonathan and Erin, who helped us make some positive changes to our constitution - we voted YES!

We also did some anti-consumerist carols to get folks warmed up for Friday, December 19 (see calendar for details).

Thanks to everyone who came out — I’ve gotten several messages of love and appreciation for you all! Thanks for helping create a FABULOUS night!

We’ll be back at Bossa 7pm on Monday, January 12 — You don’t want to miss it!!!

It felt like home.  Many familiar faces from the Word of Mouth Community joined forces with GPI to create quite a ride.   Shamaine, Lance, Jonathan, Brady, Shahid, Laurie, Jess, Shervin, Elizabeth all blessed the mic to the beats of Ken, Mustafa, Jess and others……  see a review from one of the attendees — couldn’t sum it up better:

http://capitolb.wordpress.com/2008/11/11/womecoming-at-bossa-bistro/

Wow — of course you already know that the Young Women Drumming Empowerment Young Women ROCKED THE HOUSE! Not only did they lay down the beats, but they also spat their own truths on the mic. It’s a beautiful thing to be able to support the up and coming female leaders in our city.

Graciela talked about transformation of ego, Bashira her sudden change of heart, as well as rocking a song with Camile. Amina spoke of the youth and what they need to flourish. Laurie, Kristen and Jessica harmonized this little light of mine, Ted led us all in a “close them down” chant around torture, Lacy asked us to pay attention, Courtney’s beautiful voice lead the way, Elizabeth talked about slack-activists and Kelly, Ollo and Will rounded out the evening.

Abasi, Ken, Johanna, Mark, Kristen & Elizabeth dropped beats — and everyone was grooving.

Thanks for helping us wrap up our 2008 outdoor season. We’ll be back out doors in April/May, depending on the weather!

Don’t forget — we take it inside next month — see our calendar for details!

THANK YOU - beautiful community - those who were there and those who wanted to be — for helping mark our 5th year anniversary with peace and creativity.

See you next month — remember we are now shifting to the 2nd Monday of each month. Join us for that indoor vibe!

For those of you who came out — you know how AMAZING the evening was!  We had several new voices I-J, James, Matthew, Greg and Harold.  Co-founders in from CA, Laila and Fadi spat fire on the drums and mic.  Some of the usual crew, Damian, Laurie, Ted, Lacy, Nick, Jessica, Hawah and Cherie — all in da house (Cherie debuted an amazing new song).  Jali-D our musical feature (assisted by some new sound expertise & equipment via Gerri Ruef and Mark Nickens) was OFF THE HOOK!  Not to mention our full-on percussion section with Ken, Johanna, Vicki, Fadi and others.  However, the highlight of the evening, was the return of Lauren, our youngest guerrilla.  We celebrate our 5-year anniversary in October – and Lauren used to come in 03-05 when she was 3-5 years old.  Last night she returned as a growing 8.5 year-old and treated us all to several songs and encouraged us to “raise your hands, people.”   Even if you aren’t an old-time GPIer, she undoubtedly melted your heart!  Thanks to all that came out read and supported the space.  Don’t miss our FINAL outdoor open mic of 2008 on October 20!