just started reading John Murillo's most recent book of poetry, and i am an immediate fan. his stuff is great. check him out at http://www.johnmurillo.com/ here is a piece by him: VARIATIONS ON A THEME BY Eazy E Six cigarettes in the dark like the eyes of three jackals Scattering bones and dust; the schoolboy … Continue reading up jump the boogie
Category: thoughts
city at peace
The region’s most diverse and talented teenage performers tackle the issues in a riveting musical production that will challenge, enlighten, unsettle and entertain as only the rawest of real-life stories can do. May 7 at 7:30 p.m. May 8 at 2* & 7:30 p.m. May 9 at 2 p.m. & 6:00 p.m. *Meet the Cast … Continue reading city at peace
dc slam finals friday may 14th
i am competing against some of the best performance poets in the dc area, and i'm already shakin in me boots! no joke. except for the fact that i'm not wearing boots in this weather. it is crazy hot out today. but if you can come out to busboys and poets on friday, may 14th … Continue reading dc slam finals friday may 14th
imagine the tea party was black
i just had to re-post this great article by Tim Wise. Let’s play a game, shall we? The name of the game is called “Imagine.” The way it’s played is simple: we’ll envision recent happenings in the news, but then change them up a bit. Instead of envisioning white people as the main actors in … Continue reading imagine the tea party was black
8th graders
are awesome and can write some really deep poetry i had the pleasure of meeting and working with about 30 students this morning and (keeping in mind that i was on the 2009 dc slam team and am competing to be on the 2010 dc slam team) the quality of their work had me floored. … Continue reading 8th graders
a bit of truth for the world
all the joy the world contains has come through wishing happiness for others all the misery the world contains has come through wanting pleasure for oneself ~Shantideva, The Way of the Bodhisattva
opened mic
join me at the garden, a lovely communtiy arts event at bloombars every monday night. i have opened a mic there and some wonderful people are showing their colors this time of year. check it out at http://www.bloombars.com
national clearinghouse on family and youth
quoted, i am, in this article. it is called "Teaching Youth the Power of Words" and can be found here i say things like “It’s not about poetry,” says Jonathan Tucker, a slam poet and freelance workshop facilitator in Washington, DC. “It’s about giving people what they need to deal with the world.”
another friday. another year.
we gon keep the slams coming, we will. check the info. i hope you can make it to one or both of these events. the last one was fantastic. we had a packed house and a full list of poets slamming. it was a fully fun weekend. it was also my birthday on sunday. another … Continue reading another friday. another year.
more snow than we can handle
from the window of my friend's house in Mt. Pleasant, DC (there is no Mount at all, it's just a nice name). perhaps i will go play, maybe shovel some steps for neighbors. this artist could use the income. perhaps i could shovel enough to earn my lunch and dinner. that's not too difficult, huh? … Continue reading more snow than we can handle
and i quote:
The wit makes fun of other persons; the satirist makes fun of the world; the humorist makes fun of himself, but in so doing, he identifies himself with people--that is, people everywhere, not for the purpose of taking them apart, but simply revealing their true nature. James Thurber
the world and me
is a poetry contest for dc student artists with sincere work regarding the world around them. but i don't need to talk for this fancypants flier. it can talk all on its own. right pic man?
“he’s scary”
that's what she said! no, not like that. it was a little girl trick-or-treating in mt. pleasant who came upon me in the following outfit and thought twice about reaching for my basket of candy. twas a great time indeed. i should carve things more often.
i bloom you bloom
we bloom together when we find a way to shine through the winter and Bloombars is all about helping our community shine in these cold times. not really a bar at all, this cozy community art space is solely dedicated to the art on the stage and the people in the seats. the outside is … Continue reading i bloom you bloom
cops and robbers
someone tried to rob me monday night. i was outside Sol y Soul's office in downtown Chinatown around 7pm just chillin waiting for students to show up for our meeting. i was texting or doing something on my iPhone when this wannabe thief tries to grab it out of my hand and run. i hold … Continue reading cops and robbers
radio music is all about sex and money
i don't even need to tell you you've heard it all already but what's wrong with sexy money? we all like it, right? not really offending anyone, is it? we all dream about it, no? another world is possible. a better world is possible. turn off the radio! forreal tho
Elephant Engine High Dive Revival Killed It In The Good Way To Kill
these superb super celebrated slam champs stuffed our faces with the best kind of satiating, salivating, spit-fire hot spoken word poetry stuff. i saw them at the univ of maryland in college park, at my old home with the terpoets, but they are still on tour. check them out. i copped buddy's new cd fresh … Continue reading Elephant Engine High Dive Revival Killed It In The Good Way To Kill
mostly forced heaving
i'm slamming again on friday, and i'm not quite prepared. does that mean i'm fated to get another devastatingly low score like last month's 4.3? we certainly hope not. but it's not about the points, right, the poetry is the point. or so they tell me. i've been writing more recently than i have in … Continue reading mostly forced heaving
JBT 