WORD June Issue

8/9/2019 WORD June Issue

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JUNE 2010 VOL 1 ISSUE 5

The Official Spoken Word Newsletter of the Lowcountry!


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Its that time againtime for P&P, but not just any Poetry andPancakes, it is our two year anniversary. Mackenzie and I areso pleased to know that Beaufort has accepted our zany ideaof serving pancakes while listening to slam styled poetry, andhave helped us to make this venue into a true artisticpresence here. Thank you Beaufort!But an anniversary is just another reminder that time ismovingcontinually moving along with us, or in someinstances, passing us by. An anniversary is the culminatingmoment of reflection of the year that has gone. What haschanged? What were the good moments, the bad? Whomade us laugh, and the moments we cried. Our favoritefeatures, and some not too favorite. And the moment werealized that we were changing the scope of our community.Or the moment that we figured out you guys really like us.

An anniversary also does a fine job at eliminating any notionof invincibility. For an anniversary is just a reminder that theperson or event has been around, but like all things in thisworld, they/it will come to an end. Thats the moment ofclarity for me. Its funny, Mack and I, like any regularbusiness folk, have already begun planning our exit strategy,for that day when it is time to say, this is it folksI hope youall have gotten your share of pancakes! We marvel in theblessing that we have been around for two years, and wepray for more to come. Yet we know that show will end, oneday.I still remember that first Poetry and Pancakes. We held thatevent June 2008. I was working with a group of local rappers

by way of our recording studio, Paper Route Productions, allof whom helped Mack and I put the show together (Skooby,Pro, Juice, I miss you guys). About 30-35 showed up. Wewere at the Sea Island Conference Center, a building wechose for the event because the ambience was so befitting.Mack and I were so proud. We watched something we hadconceived in the limited spacing of a college dorm bloom intothis amazing night.But I must admit, I was tripping hard. I was so nervous, that Ibegan fussing at Mack about the type of syrup she hadpurchased only hours before the event. I was so angry, Iasked her to return the syrup to the storewell if anyone ofyou know Mack, you know she didnt. And you probablyknow, she put me in my place.That first Poetry and Pancakes was a far cry from what we dotoday. I used to bring my studio equipment and use it toprovide sound. And we didnt have a feature. I was theunofficial feature, and just an open mic. But the love in theroom, the automatic familial feel, provided the magic. AsNatalie Daise later wrote in Lowcountry Weekly regardingthat initial P&P, it wasnt just a Friday night in a small hall onSouth Carolinas coast. It was a salon in Harlem andLangston Hughes was crying, I, Too, Sing America. It was ahouse party in Brooklyn and James Baldwin was leaning on akitchen counter a cigarette in his lips, reading an excerpt from

Go Tell It on the Mountain.

I remember revered educator and local author Markovich-Bryant reading a poem by her son who cnot be in attendance. I recall the young dancers who c

out and performed while I did an emotionally mopiece. I remember us starting at 7:30; but waiting 8:30 for people to show up!We have forged friendships, business and crerelationships. We have been humbled by the varforms of spoken word art that we have experienced. we have learned...to trust our dreams.From there, we saw our one year anniversary last Junwhich Basik Knowledge from HBOs Def Poets camehelped us celebrate. He honestly was our first feature. And if I recall correctly, that was the first timeused the band. Immediately following that annivers

Mack and I created LOUD, Inc., our very own non-which teaches youth music and poetry. A year from we were blessed to find a new location after all of you telling us that needed a new building many moons due to the crowd becoming larger and larger. Inprocess, we also watched some of the young peopleworked with, graduate from high school, and bpursuing the rest of their lives. And in some, we sparked the interest to begin to put their ideas,dreams, and their lives in prose.So as the tide turns again, and we encroach upon anoyear on June 25th, I do think of the day when the showend, but relish in the magical moments we have ha

this illustrious ride. You have provided Mack and mextended family one of diversity, and rich expresThank you, we love you, and look forward to partying all of you on the 25th!


Our third P&P ever. Me o

stage with many of the yout

who came out to suppo

Two Years and Counting, and the Pancakes are Stil

Coming!


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Poetry and pancakesPOETRY AND PANCAKES 2 YEAR ANNIVERSARY ISJUNE 25

TH2010 at 1211 Harrington Stin Beaufort (right

across from the Cricket Telephone Store) at 8:30pm! Wewill feature Christopher K.P. Brown, an established stagepoet from Philadelphia, PA!Our last P&P was filled with so much excitement and suchwonderful prose! Thank you to all who came out, especiallyconsidering the many other events that were occurring thatsame night.Our May feature, educator, poet, and activist TheresaDavis did a phenomenal job! She is such a dynamic orator!

And we finally had another slam! Props to all of our slamcontestants: William Smalls, Justin Blackburn, AlexisLynah, and Noel Scales! Congratulations to our new SlamChamp, Ms. Scales who is a Temple University Student!Huge shout out to JJ Keyser/JJK4 Productions and toSouthern Treasures Productions, two video recordingoutfits that were in the building to capture all of the magic!And of course, thank you to all who came out to support.And thank you to The Boys and Girls Club Teen Center forletting us use their space.Just a reminder, the admission fee for the anniversaryis slightly higher than regular monthly admission fee.Admission is $12.00 in advance, $15.00 at the door.

Anyone who wears a Spit that ish shirt receive $5.00off!If anyone is interested in participating in our next P&P asan artist, or wish to make reservations, please call Jamie at(843) 476-9738 or Mackenzie at (843) 521-7354.If any person or group is interested in volunteering at P&P,call Jamie or Mackenzie or email Mackenzie [email protected]. SPIT THAT ISH POET!

JUNE 2010 VOL 1 ISSUE 5Spot

light

spit thatish poet

Atlanta, GA

PoetTheresa DavisMay 28

thPoetry and Pancakes

In August of 2000, Christopher K.P. Brown selfpublished his own collection of poems, Content, andsold over 200 copies at $20 a piece. He was only 16years old.I was never into poetry, says Brown, who at the

young age of 13 entered his first ever poetry contesand won 1

stplace. Winning felt great, but expressing

exactly what was on my mind was felt even betterWithin 2-3 months, I had written over 100 poems.Born and raised in Pine Bluff, AR, he moved to MaconGA upon graduating high school to attend MerceUniversity. I went to college in Georgia because I waslooking for a bigger poetry scene, Brown recalls. ended up staying in college, instead of dropping outbecause it was the students at my college whosupported my poetry at the time. Poetry is my life.KP cites rappers such as Common, Andre 3000, andTalib Kweli as his first influences regarding poetry. I

was this particular style of rap that heightened his loveof the spoken word and introduced him to authorsLangston Hughes, Amiri Baraka, Sonia Sanchez, andactivists Marcus Garvey and Malcolm X.Since then hes written two collections of poetry andrecorded four spoken word albums, and hasestablished his company, 2 Pens & Lint, as a welknown and respected medium that concentrates onbuilding poetry as an industry in which poets are ableto become financially stable through their art.His favorite collection of his poetry is a book heauthored upon completing graduate school at TempleUniversity, entitled, Harlem 65. In it, Brown poses thequestion, What defines Blackness today? Hedescribes this line as being derived from PresidenObamas election, and the significance of this historicamoment. Obama had just been elected, but at thesame time, Oscar Grant [a man of color], had beenkilled by police in Californiawed gained a victory, buwe were still living in the harsh reality of America.This is KPs second time at Poetry and Pancakes! Heis definitely a crowd favorite! Be sure to check him outon June 25

that 1211 Harrington St, in Beaufort!

If [the crowd] takes my words with them and applythem to their lives in a positive way, then I'm satisfied.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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JUNE 2010 VOL 1 ISSUE

Do not follow

where the

path may

lead. Go,

instead,where there is

no path and

leave a trail.Ralph Waldo Emerson

As off all of you know, this month is generally themonth of high school graduations. To commemoratesome of the young folks that Jamie and I have been sofortunate to work with, I decided to post a quote.Something simple, easy to remember, but all so true. I

remember high school graduation, I was so eager tobe an adult. Then I entered university overseas andremembered how fun it is to be young. Graduateschool also reminded me to enjoy these times,because they will be short, but they will have providedme with some of the best moments of my life(spending days in Harlem with Jamie, dance clubs,poetry spots). But these times and moments paved theway for me to become a community member of theworld, and to seize my dreams. So, congratulations toall of our communitys graduates, (Tessa, Grace,Ricky, Chris, Jazmyn, Dwayne, Palmer, Ahbosi,

Brianna, we are so proud of you!) and to thosegraduates afar. And dont be timid of those dreamsthat are unchartered. All the answers are within you.The world if yours for the taking!

I BOW TO YOU

She's showing off for her...he's showing off for himAnd at da end of the game, don't neya one y'all win.Cuz y'all don't get that what holds the most appealis to just be...who...you...are!to just "keep it real", for real.

Y'all don't understand that there is only one YOUthat not another walkin' 'round can do THAT like you do.See, y'all blend in, tryna be like the nextsame hair, same clothes, same words, same text

But some of y'all don't even know what you talkin aboutRap lyrics and slang flow so free from yo mouthUsing other folks words, leads to thinking other folks thou

What not what those before us, so bravely sacrificed &fought...forSooooo much moreis what it's aboutStand strongStand tallStand upSTAND OUT!!The you that you are is da you that you should beRealize that and then you hold the key...to your future...to your happiness...to your goals...to your dreamsCuz just as you are, you areKings and you are Queensand I BOW TO YOU.

- Melissa Ellis

Hope you all enjoyed this piece submitted Melissa Ellis. Ellis is a P&P fixture. You can see perform during the open mic portion at the Two YAnniversary Poetry and Pancakes. WE EXTEND INVITE TO ANY POET WHO WISHES TO HAVEPIECE FEATURED IN WORD TO SUBMIT THWORK TO JAMIE FLEMING OR CONTACT HVIA EMAIL [email protected].

Thank you to the following businesses that supportedour 25x25 Campaign so far this month:

Shoes for the SoulUltimate Creations Hair Salon

Paninis Caf

Law Office of Bernard McIntyreRitas of BeaufortProfiles Mastectomy Boutique

25x25 is a campaign in which we seek $25.00 from25 businesses in which these funds allow us tocontinue to assist in the funding of LOUD, Inc. $25.00is all it takes to help make an impact on a youngpersons life forever. To check LOUD out, visitwww.facebook.com/livin outurdreams.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.facebook.com/livingouturdreamshttp://www.facebook.com/livingouturdreamshttp://www.facebook.com/livingouturdreamsmailto:[email protected]


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The Exchange Every Tuesday Plums Restaurant (Beaufort)

Open mic beginning at 10pm Every WednesdayKathleens Bar and Grille

(Beaufort) Karaoke with Steve 8:30pm-12am(843)524-2500

June 11-12, 17-19 Misspent YouthProductions presents Talking With(Beaufort) at the ARTWorks Black Box Theatre.8pm, with a 3pm matinee on June 13

th.

$15.00/$10.00 for students. (843)379-2787 June 11

th 5Q Schools Out Summer Jam

(Savannah, GA) Open to all middle and highschool students. Live gospel hip hop, music, freefood and giveaways. 9pm-11pm. 9700Middleground Rd. (912)927-8601

June 13th

The Sentient Bean (Savannah, GA)

Big Tree, a blues, ambient, modal jazz band willbe performing. 8pm. FREE.

June 15th

Jinx (Savannah, GA) EveryTuesday, HIP HOP Night, late night open micMC freestyle battles and breakdancing with M.C.Basik Lee of Dope Sandwich.21+, Doors open at10pm.

June 16th

Book Signing: Mark Finlay(Savannah, GA) Finlay will do a reading and signcopies of his new book "Growing AmericanRubber: Strategic Plants and the Politics ofNational Security," a look into our nationaldependence on another petroleum-based

product. http://thebookladybookstore.com/ 6pm.FREE June 17

th Joyful Noise Jazz Caf (Savannah,

GA) Jazz and Poetry. New Covenant ChurchBull Street at 38th 8pm.

June 20th

The Sentient Bean (Savannah, GA)AWOL Open Mic Poetry Night Presented by AllWalks of Life, Inc. FREE. 7pm.

June 22nd

Beaufort Writers (Beaufort) LadysIsland Airport Conference Room. FREE. 5:30pm

June 25th

Poetry and Pancakes 2 YEARANNIVERSARY! (Beaufort) Featuring performingpoet, Christopher KP Brown at 1211 Harrington

St $15.00 at door, $12.00 in advance! Wear SPITTHAT ISH SHIRT and receive $5.00 off ofadmission! Doors open at 8pm. Show starts at8:30pm.(843)476-9738 for more info.

June 26th

A Musical Health Affair Of GullahFolk Music With Singer/songwriter OsalamiLamoke and Percussionist Baba Ode(Beaufort) Art of preparing living foods. Benefit tosupport Healing Haven Organic Foods. In theArtworks Black Box Theatre. $10.00. 3pm.(843)838-8099

JUNE 2010 VOL 1 ISSUE

Hot Venues and Community Events in and around the Lowcountry

GETYOURSHIRTNOW

You can purchase a Spit that is

poet! tshirt now! $10.00! An

wear it to Poetry and Pancakes an

receive $5.00 off admission for thtwo year anniversary! You want youshirt? Email Mackenzie [email protected] All orderof 3 or more shirts receive one fofree!
http://thebookladybookstore.com/http://thebookladybookstore.com/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://thebookladybookstore.com/


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1. Flyer for first ever Poetry and Pancakes, June 20th

2008. 2. Sonya Clemons at September 2008 Poetry and Pancakes. 3. P&P Slam Champion Fancy Taylor at Poetry an

Pancakes September 2009. 4. Maskil performing at Poetry and Pancakes September 2009. 5. Flyer for One Year anniversary June 2009. 6. HBOs Def Poetry Basik

Knowledge, June 2009 Anniversary feature. 7. Mr. Tony Settles performing at Poetry and Pancakes May 2009. 8. Christopher KP Brown performing at October 2009 Poe

and Pancakes. 9. Flyer for October 2009 Poetry and Pancakes, the first time KP came down. 10. November 2008 Poetry and Pancakes; Jamie inviting all audience memb

under the age of 18 on stage. 11. Q. Wiley performing at Poetry and Pancakes October 2009. 12. Mr. Roger Harrison participating in open mic at P&P May 2009. 13. Bor

Ready (John Smalls and Tony Mulligan) performing at USCB Poetry and Pancakes November 2009.



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14, LOUD students at Poetry and Pancakes October 2009 15. Mackenzie modeling Spit That ish Shirt December 2009 16. Poetry an d Pancakes November 2009 featurin

Moody Black and Kimbi of Greenville< SC (Wits End Poetry Collective) 17. December 2009 Poetry and Pancakes with DJ Sonar of Spaced Invaders. 18. Melissa Mookie

Ellis performing during open mic at April 2010 Poetry and Pancakes. 19. Crowd at September 2008 Poetry and Pancakes. 20. LOUD students at April 2010 Poetry and

Pancakes. 21. Grace Glasson performing at April 2010 Poetry and Pancakes. 22. Local Amanda Diaz performing at April 2009 P&P. 23. Jamella Taylor dressed in costum

October 2009 P&P. 24. Crowd watching feature at April 2010 Poetry and Pancakes. 25. Christmas flyer for December 2009 P&P.


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