Kucinich, Sharpton Shine in Debate

Rushed home last night after an amazing Acentos (Alixa and Naima absolutely blew me away with a provocative and political performance piece that went way beyond simple poetry!) and some interesting political discussions to catch Niteline's airing of highlights from the debate in New Hampshire. From the news reports I've read this morning, and the transcript itself, they cut out some interesting moments to squeeze the 90 minute event into Niteline's 60 minute (minus commercials) time slot. Overall, despite Ted Koppell being a terrible moderator, I was pleased to see Kucinich given as much air time as he was. More…

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Acentos, hosting and potential drama

Tonight is Acentos and I'm feeling a little giddy already. When Oscar and Fish asked me to host tonight's show a couple of months back, I didn't think twice. I was honored! Now, the nerves are starting to kick in a little bit as it's only eight hours away. I haven't hosted anything in while and have probably been on stage for less than an hour over the past few months so it'll be tricky knocking off the rust. Fish is expecting a strong turnout which should be fun in the cozy confines of the Blue Ox. Old school Nuyorican…

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Last cigarette: One week ago. A Newport while at Acentos. Last big car ride: This past June, to VA and back, getting our stuff out of storage. Last kiss: Quick one this morning, better one last night. Last good cry: Not recently enough. Last library book checked out: What's a library? Last one I bought was Prayer for America. Last movie seen: Bones, on DVD. (I feel like I'm wearing dirty underwear on the day I get hit by a car!) Last beverage drank: Coffee! Coffee! Coffee! Coffee! Last food consumed: Jalapeño & Cheddar Bagel w/Cream Cheese. Last crush: My…

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Comic Book Wednesday

Nothing like the joys of Comic Book Wednesday to take the edge off of a tough hangover. Even better is when your Midtown Comics $20 rebate kicks in the same week 75% of the comics you usually buy unexpectedly come out at once. Yay! Tuesday's Acentos was another great one with Willie Perdomo doing what he does best, reading poems with substance and leaving the spectacle to others who need it. The open mic was solid and it was one of the better overall turnouts so far. Not sure what was in the air - maybe the sight of Willie's…

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Acentos was just what the doctor ordered last night - great turnout, several new faces (including one who heard us on WBAI last week), and a strong feature from the multi-talented Raymond Daniel Medina, with an admirable assist from Abena Koomson. Wrote this last night, during the show, but didn't finish it in time to drop it on the mic. It's Untitled but could just as easily be called Finally. My son paints pictures for my mother wears boxes on his head and likes the taste of medicine. He is an unfinished poem -free verse edited on an open mic.…

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latter-day saints

For Willie Perdomo, with sincerest apologies for missing tonight's show. I just couldn't deal... Be sure to pick up his new book, Smoking Lovely, and catch him at Acentos next month, November 11th. latter-day saints for Willie Perdomo and Imani Springer I. 1996 -I am you. You are me. -I am you. You are me. perspective flipped god taps me on my right shoulder whispers in my left ear -I am you. You are me. We the same. his words communion wine his voice a deep, husky red -I am you. You are me. We the same. Can't you feel…

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Today's radio gig went well. Fish, Oscar, Rich, Ed and myself representing for Acentos on Louis Reyes Rivera's weekly WBAI show, Perspective. Rivera is like the Yoda of poetry. Tiny old guy, his eyes practically drip wisdom, history clinging to his brown skin - he's the closest thing to an actual griot I've ever met. He even carries a crooked staff! We each read a couple of poems, talked about Acentos, hinted at the coming of the LWA (aka, Latino/a Writers Alliance) and joked off-mike about how we were like the new Menudo. Or New Kids on el Bloque. Or,…

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