Hi, my name is JBK. Its a pleasure doing my first Live Poetry Corner here at Underground Books . ORG ! I would like to say first and foremost that I have been to alot of "poetry readings" in my day, and as I read the flyer for this show: SpotOn! at the Harlem Jazz and Gospel Getaway I didn't know quite what to expect. The venue is in a beautiful old school prohibition style Harlem mansion sitting right fat at the top of Marcus Garvey park at 123th and Mount Morris Park. In Manhattan it is one of my favorite locations, so its hard for me to turn down just the spirit of the old Harlem poetsters just on principle. When you mention libations and top caliber company at one of the most acoustic friendly spots in the city... I say, Yes Mam, I'll be there. Thanks to Joyce Hanly for
inviting me.
So on to the experience. And an experience it was.
This SpotOn! crew was lacking one member as they were still stranded in the receding water of Hoboken New Jersey and was not able to attend. The function, an improvisational poetry and music performance allowed the performers to go on with brave resolute, devoid of their triad. I can't say what the turnout would have been sans storm or the show sans 1 performer, but gosh dang! these kids were on fire. They started out with their scripted performance material and ended it with that, which was both top notch. The fun begins when they introduce the audience participation to name 2 words and they would perform then extemporaneously, what a joy! The first that caught my blackberry video is their reaction to the called out "Harlem Honk" !
inviting me.
So on to the experience. And an experience it was.
This SpotOn! crew was lacking one member as they were still stranded in the receding water of Hoboken New Jersey and was not able to attend. The function, an improvisational poetry and music performance allowed the performers to go on with brave resolute, devoid of their triad. I can't say what the turnout would have been sans storm or the show sans 1 performer, but gosh dang! these kids were on fire. They started out with their scripted performance material and ended it with that, which was both top notch. The fun begins when they introduce the audience participation to name 2 words and they would perform then extemporaneously, what a joy! The first that caught my blackberry video is their reaction to the called out "Harlem Honk" !
Now I've witnessed several shows that Joyce Hanly has put on at her establishment, all of which have been outstanding. This is nothing like anything I've ever seen. As they work through the audiences suggestions I keep my head hidden behind the blackberry and bide my time. When there is a lull in the suggestion period I seize my chance. I shout AIRPLANE GLUE, and this my friends, is where the real bond between high flyers continues...
Ladies and gentlemen, I've seen a bit of shows in my day, but nothin of this expulsion,
here we have the artists, naked with their backs to the wall, performing the hits under high pressure physics, hats off to their craft for it truly comes off as something supernova.
Michael Douglas Jones (companionstar) and Elyzabeth Meade of Manchester Symphony Orchestra Fame tore it up on the dance floor if you will. I just wish terribly that I would have brought a better camera to the event to properly cover their brilliance. Amongst other things, their organization is geared up to put on a Tomas Tranströmer play this summer, and I can't wait to hear the reviews. These kids are burning up the circuit, so click all the links to find out where you should be in the near future. In a morning where your humble reviewer woke up and wanted to put a gun in his mouth, this show was the perfect solution to the everyday doldrums people suffer in their ho-hum non poetry life. I beg you to reinvest yourself in the new burgeoning frontier that is poetry music improv cause it is the defiance of a common man stuck in a world controlled by language, giving him the chance to release. (this is a true happy ending)
-jbk
here we have the artists, naked with their backs to the wall, performing the hits under high pressure physics, hats off to their craft for it truly comes off as something supernova.
Michael Douglas Jones (companionstar) and Elyzabeth Meade of Manchester Symphony Orchestra Fame tore it up on the dance floor if you will. I just wish terribly that I would have brought a better camera to the event to properly cover their brilliance. Amongst other things, their organization is geared up to put on a Tomas Tranströmer play this summer, and I can't wait to hear the reviews. These kids are burning up the circuit, so click all the links to find out where you should be in the near future. In a morning where your humble reviewer woke up and wanted to put a gun in his mouth, this show was the perfect solution to the everyday doldrums people suffer in their ho-hum non poetry life. I beg you to reinvest yourself in the new burgeoning frontier that is poetry music improv cause it is the defiance of a common man stuck in a world controlled by language, giving him the chance to release. (this is a true happy ending)
-jbk
