Jean-Dany Joachim Reads at Haiti Benefit Saturday

Poet Populist of Cambridge, Jean-Dany Joachim will read this Saturday at:

DWC BENEFIT FOR HAITI
JANUARY 23, 2010
6:00-10:30pm

José Mateo Ballet Theatre
400 Harvard St. 
Cambridge, MA 02138 

Dance for World Community’s benefit for earthquake relief in Haiti is a free event. Donations will be collected.

 

www.BalletTheatre.org 

Teddy Pendergrass Dies at 59

If you’re Black and over the age of 40, you know who Teddy Pendergrass was.  If not, all I can say to explain him is that after I bought my very first non-kiddie stereo, a state-of-the art compact turntable with a cassette deck–bought it with my first-ever paycheck the summer after college, when I made  $4.00 per hour–I ran to Strawberries record shop to buy the new Teddy Pendergrass album.  There’s a duet on it with Whitney Houston.  It’s a super-corny old school-style duet, but just listening to Teddy made me feel like a woman as much as seeing my name on a paycheck for the very first time.  Teddy, you’ll always stay with me, stay with me….

Chapter One of My Novella-to-be

Here’s a sample of my fiction, chapter one of a twelve-chapter novella.  I still can’t believe it’s finished.

Upcoming Events: Jan./Feb.:2010

Check back for updates.  

A Century of Black Voices poetry reading.  The event will consist of 8 Massachusetts poets reading the words of some of our favorite Black poets as well as our own work.   

February 27, 2-4pm at the Brookline Public Library.  The event is free and T-accessible.

Also:  Young vibe wanted!  The program is set, but we’ll gladly make room for a few younger brothers and sisters to add a little hip-hop or spoken word.  Interested in reading for 10 minutes?  E-mail to apply or to invite me to a performance so I can see how amazing you are for myself: 

mojoeditor@yahoo.com

Video from Boston Book Festival

I was bummed to miss Cornel West, etc. on the nasty rainy migrainey day of the festival.  Those lovely folks have posted videos of many of the events.  Two new memoirs to add to my reading list (West’s Brother West and Mary Gordon’s) and a fascinating discussion too?  I love you BBF:

http://www.bostonbookfest.org/

Saints Ain’t Human!

…that’s pretty much all I have to say on the topic of Monday night’s Patriots game.  Ouch.  …and not to be critical, Tommy, but about that black stretch limo that appears downfield…allow me to introduce him: Mr. Randy Moss.  Throw the brother the ball next time you see him cruisin’, eh?

2nd Annual MASS POETRY FESTIVAL: October

Kudos to the organizers of that huge three-day event.  Man, that was fun!!   Great audience  at B&N!   Thank you to the readers who bought my book.  Big thank you and apology to the would-be listeners who missed me because of the time change and took the time to come tell me they were disappointed.  It really means a lot.   I was sooooo nervous.  Mark, my friend, you rock!!

I’ll be back with a list of cool publishers, etc. I met at the Small Press Book Fair.

Tom, Still Love Ya!

After:  (October)

59 to 0   –In Boston lingo, that’s fifty-freakin’-nine to zeeerohhh!  In the gorgeous snow.  Well, damn, those guys know how to make an old New England girl’s heart go pitter-pat.

Before:  (September)

I won’t go into details of how excruciating today’s Patriots game was.  It’s okay Tom.  I mean, I’m totally ticked off that the game was boooo-ring.  And we lost.  But I forgive you.  Don’t let it happen again.

Ah, Autumn: The Smell of Sports in the Air

Monday night, the Patriots.  Come from wayyyy behind win!  Last night, the Red Sox.  Classic rally to win 4-1.  Welcome back Matsuzaka!  This is the time of year that makes me love New England living:  the trees’ leaves revert to their natural glory, and my favorite athletes show their true colors.

Kanye, Brother, what the…?

I was all ready to say, “The media is blowing things out of proportion again!” but that was unnecessary, Kanye.  Truthful, but not necessary.  She’s 19.  It makes sense that we’re just not that into her, but let the girl enjoy her moment.  Call her.  Twitter.  Something.  But apologize already!

[Update:  He did apologize the evening this was written.  I think he's right to deduce that he seriously needs a vacation.]