11.15.2009

When Brothers Speak: Toronto, Day 2

Incredibly packed out. Like 400+ people. About 90% black attended, probably 92% women. This will be important for a future blog.

They were extremely receptive, engaging and I think just about everybody performed even better than they did the night before. I can't say all of us escaped with our souls still in tact, but that's another story as well. Headed to Ottawa this morning with the crew and I'm really looking forward to the show there. I keep hearing good things and that this point I don't expect too much different.

11.12.2009

When Brother's Speak...who's listening again?

Last night was the opening night of the 11th When Brother's Speak Spoken Word Concert in Toronto.



And it was dope. Real dope. I gotta say, the vision that Dwayne Morgan has created of taking poetry out of the bars and into the concert hall is pretty special and one that many of us share. The crowd was pretty receptive (though they were probably a little tired by the time I closed out the show), but it was attended extremely well. So well in fact that it runs on two nights in Toronto because the venue he uses seats about 500 and this year they had about 700 pre sale tickets sold. Did I mention that these are $35 and $45 tickets. There's a shock value I associated with that number at first, but to be honest, as poets we all hoped that our craft would be valued that highly, so I'm at peace with it. Second show tonight, then we're off to Ottawa (I've never been) for Sunday's show.

This entry was originally conceived as my thoughts on the dynamic of predominantly black poetry shows, but I don't have the time today to give it the attention it deserves. More to come