 What’s next for us? Poetrypalooza 2012 on August 26th at the Last Bookstore in Downtown LA from 2-6 PM. Workshop + performance. There will be live music, there will be performance art, there will be people (you!), and there will be POETRY. Absolutely free event sponsored by Nuvein Foundation for Literature and the Arts. If you did not know, it’s already started with events left and right all throughout LA so be sure to check out http://poetrypalooza-la.weebly.com for more information. Reflections: Hosting SpeakeasyDon’t be alarmed if you’re hearing about this for the first time. I kept it on the down down low! Anyway, last Monday, December 19th, I was invited by Lady Basco to guest host speakeasy at The Last Bookstore in downtown. She texted me the week before (hey, can I ask you for a solid?). My first response was… what is a solid? Once I figured that out and she informed me that she would be busy with her band and needed someone to fill in, I told her yes! Of course I had no idea what I was getting into!
This was my first time hosting an open mic! It was pretty fun. Although, I admit it’s a little tougher than it seems especially with keeping the energy up throughout the whole night… which is very different from sharing something. When you’re sharing, you’ve got either something memorized or written down and you’ve just got to hold it together for 2-5 minutes. When you’re hosting, you’ve got to hold it down for 2-3 hours! I was lucky to have the support I did in Big Doxx, stephanie, and my CG folks! Plus, a full house that night and an all around fresh group of open mic-ers. I love the diverse and eclectic crowd that always comes to speakeasy btw!!!! Aside from the mic stand issues (it kept getting stuck!), I made sure to keep things moving and share whatever insight I had with everyone. There was an award ceremony. That was awesome! I had a joke or two up my sleeve (thanks, Kevin Mai!) and talked about nervous gas… it was glorious! By the end of the night, the crowd had died down a little but I was glad to connect with those who stuck around. Someone stole my pen… but I’m okay with that. It was a memorable experience and I had fun. I’m glad I did it and hope people had a good time but I sure am glad Lady Basco is coming back! Her energy was definitely missed… mostly by me! -sd Speakeasy every Monday night 9-12am: The Last Bookstore:
Reflections: Speak Easy: 4/11
Here’s the 411… Last night, we made our weekly trip to the Speak Easy Open Mic in Downtown LA. Mark, Steph, and I carpooled. Susan met us there. We arrived later than usual because Steph had to pick up some tax forms at her house. Those tax deadlines are coming soon! In any case, eventually we reached Downtown LA. After a few trips around the block, we found a close parking spot. Then we walked to Speak Easy! I liked this particular night at Speak Easy. There wasn’t a lot of people. But like what Lady Basco said, “It’s not about the quantity… it’s about this moment.” Much respect to all the regular performers: O.Smith, Manifesto, Agape, DTLA Music, LAliens, Twin, and MORE! I’ve met a few of them. But I have yet to meet them all in person y’know formal introductions, but they make Speak Easy what it is every Monday. Thank you. Mark, Steph, and I didn’t perform this time around. We wanted to just absorb the creativity all around us… and we did. Susan performed a piece she wrote last night inspired from a discussion with her mother. She was reppin’ it for us! I love the support that we give each other in forWord. We don’t roll deep in numbers, but we roll deep with love and respect. Corny? It’s all good. I can’t wait for next Monday! - Eddy M. Gana Jr. |
We are forWord, an arts collective with an emphasis on spoken word and creative writing. We aspire to encourage self expression, connect with other poets, and improve our creative skills in the process. forWord is: Susan Diep, Eddy M. Gana, Jr., Mark Maza, and Stephanie Sajor
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