We had a good ol’ time this past week on Tuesday 8/10 at Bossa! Shahid funked up our civil rights, sung his matriotic devotion, and issued a warrant for Dick Cheney. Jeff asked us “can he kick it?”–yes he did–and shared his recipe for bitches brew. Erika invoked her right writer, cleaned out the clutter, and spoke her heart flutters. Damian channeled Lincoln Perry, then used his genius to smack down a bully and write the greatest song you ever heard. Katie built her strong house, where she enjoys the space but isn’t afraid to break out. Jessica killed her perfectionist and declared war on oppression. Dea’Junea read her riddle of loving from afar and looking forward. Jonathon, fresh off a national poetry competition, solved no problems with questions, violence, aggression, and helped us remember we are beautiful, we are valuable, we are precious, we are great. David gave us some after hours agit prop, makin’ it pop, makin’ it rhyme, makin’ it art out on the porch.
Fourth Stream followed GPI with jazz and some spoken collaboration. We look forward to seeing them again next month!
Thanks to all who shared and all who listened. We’ll see you in September!
We had a great July with an open mic at Bossa and outdoors in Dupont Circle! Stick Mob joined us as the feature outside, bringing us bluegrass tunes while roasting in the sun and rockin’ to a summer crowd.
Come out again in August to Bossa 7-9 pm on Tuesday, August 10th. The open mic will be followed by the jazz band Fourth Stream. So you can stick around a hang out afterward!
More info at: http://www.bossaproject.com/live/
Last night, the poetry insurgency returned to Bossa in Adams-Morgan. We performed from the stage, the middle of the dance floor, and tables along each wall. Undeterred by the train, Fourth Stream joined us for some collaborative jams after our set finished, and we had the fortune of welcoming Las Vegas based poet-activist-labor organizer Amir Rikkah, who represented big time on the conscious tip:
As we attempt to render a masterpiece
out of a projected catastrophe
It’s time to live our lives passionately
And transform a culture that is systematically
advancing the status quo while damning us
to be cold, broke, hungry, and alone.
Anne kept that vibe alive with a poem of her own. Ted & I each dropped science about torture, before he shared with us his rendition of “The Humpty Dance.” Jessie shared a poem that she wrote on the spot. Jeff shared some Bukowski. Little Mou challenged the system while decrying the “morality police” of grassroots movements, and I spit my shortest poem ever before bringing it Burning Man stylie with Fourth Stream later in the evening.
Join us this Saturday at 5pm in DuPont Circle!
Damian was an amazing host — joined by some of DC’s finest poets & musicians including: Marcos, Charisma, Lawrence, Gowri, Jeff, Amy, Jorge, Asma, Jeff, Jana, Ruben, Laurie and Ted.
IMPORTANT!!!! We are moving to the 2nd Tuesday of every month — so next month it’s TUESDAY, May 11!
Why? Bossa is doing a little belt tightening and when you’re family (like we are), you remain flexible and supportive. So we’re rolling with it and excited…..
BECAUSE — our collaboration with The Fourth Stream will continue — so now it’s Jazz and Poetry every — 2ND TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH — @ Bossa.
We look forward to seeing you on May 11!!
Love and immense gratitude to this crew!
P.S. Wondering when GPI is going back to Dupont Circle? Stay tuned for dates will be announced soon!
Laurie kicked it off with reflections on her mis-education regarding Christopher Columbus, Jess, right behind, with we’re going to get it until Gowrie’s poem’s starting talking shit. Cloven hoofed and bare tongued, Elizabeth rang in her birthday, Shervin’s attachments trampled all his holy places and Ashep spoke of multiple pathways to immortality. Xavier featured a Peruvian poet while Amy’s thirsty tree drank of her roots. Marcos sang with such beauty in Spanish, while working in tall buildings. Transformation is on it’s way and Laurie asked it not be delayed, while Gowrie mused about being the wrong color of the rainbow. Jessica beat back oppression and Shervin took one more step despite his weariness. Elizabeth brought us home with some of her comic bits. This community is a gift. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
See you Monday, November 9, 7pm (2nd Monday of the month) @ Bossa. The always fun and raucous Mo Allem will be hosting!
Despite the sweltering heat, DC’s guerrillas were out in force! Members of the DC Slam Team and Youth Slam Team were in the house and tearing it up! Our little Mo celebrated his birthday and Ted Stein’s “Lorax” Puppet Show was an absolute hit! Laurie collapsed Aquarius, Damian’s sick of how cops talk to him, Jonathan Tucker was so hot Smokey the Bandit hates him and Brandon words are his protection and weapons. Patience’s gorgeous voice tied nooses with tongues, Rown encouraged us to leave our prison homes, and Lacy invited us to see through magic glasses. Tirrah began with a whisper, while Ben had a naggin’ suspicion we are all one while Michael spoke of “ungodly” things. Shannon’s focus tuned to oversight and Ashira’s Hebrew stylings were desert languages swallowing us, easily. Dimante’s chorus was silence and Keith was washed down the gutter only to make his way back up the drain. Shanique cackled at calamity and Mo warned …he’ll protest all of you! Be sure to come to our last outdoor Lyrical Ambush - Sept 14!!!
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!
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
