April 24, 2008 King Center Concert Hall |
Earth Tones II - Pamela Weng & Friends In Concert All I can say about this concert is: DAMN I'M GOOD! AND SO WAS EVERYONE ELSE ON STAGE THAT NIGHT! This was my absolute best performance of "They Slice the Air." The concert was a celebration of the release of Pamela Weng's new CD Earthtones II, featured "African Amber" Pamela's truly exquisite musical setting of my poem. With Pamela on piano, Larry Thompson and Mailyn Faulkner on percussion, and dancers from the Heritage African Drum and Dance Ensemble, it was a transcendent experience for me. I think I recited with more pathos and commitment than ever before. I think it was a transcendent experience for everyone in the auditorium that night, onstage and in the audience. The other INCREDIBLE performers include Daria Joanna on cello, Bear Limvere on Native American flute, Michael Stanwood on didgeridoo, Michael Reynolds and Alex Komodore on guitars, Manuel Araujo on trumpet, Rick Chinisci on mandolin, Evan Orman on bandoneon, Ian Hutchinson on bass, and Charla Bevins on vocals. Dear friend Dr. Bob Boyle provided poetic continutity with "liner note haiku." I feel sorry for those who missed this great evening's entertainment! |
April 23, 2008 Yellow Pine Reading Series |
Mix, Blend and Liquify: Poets and Writers Shake Things Up This is the second year that the serendipitous Dr. Bob and I have been asked to share words with our neighbors to the northwest. The series is hosted by Ellen Orleans who always draws an eclectic mix of writers. She usually ends the evening by sharing some of her own witty work. This time it was a fanciful depiction of the evening that a young baker is visited by heavenly spirits who lead him to create the first bagel. I think of Ellen as a kind of modern day unabashedly Jewish Erma Bobeck with lesbianic overtones. Cracks me up! |
April 4, 2008 Ironton Studios & Gallery |
Poets on Corners ~ Celebrating National Poetry Month I was one of twenty or so Denver area poets who descend on the First Friday Art Walks that took place in various gallery districts around Denver. Dear friend Dr. Bob Boyle and I, armed with poems of hour choosing, landed at the Ironton Studios & Gallery in the up-n-comin' RiNO (River North) Arts District. I was scheduled to share the hour with poet Tabitha D (but Tabs was a no-show...I hope she's all right). Dr. Bob was just along as my driver, but luckily, he always travels with a selection of his little books, so he became the second poet. We read in the gallery couryard in front of a fabulous fire and had a fine time consorting with the artsy crowd. Special thanks to Jill and Hugh, our Ironton hosts. The whole operation was coordinated by Denver Poet Laureate Chris Ransick and Gina Rubano at the Denver Office of Cultural Affairs. |
March 11, 2008 St. James Presbyterian |
Al's Pals Seniors Social Group There's nothing that gives me more pleasure than standing up in front of a room full of folks and saying stuff, and I truly enjoyed presenting to this group! Friend Marta Burton recommended me to them back in November when a scheduled presenter cancelled at the last minute. I wasn't able to help them out at that time, but they booked me for later. I found them warm and welcoming and vitally interested in my presenation. I talked about the spirituals and encouraged them to sing with me, then , of course, with "They Slice the Air." They wanted more poetry, so I did "Metamorphosis" as an encore. They really liked that one! We made plans for me to return next season to do an entire evening of poetry. I suspect this is the beginning of a new relationship with St. James ~ I'm grateful to have made this connection. |
February 20, 2008 Center for Multicultural |
Many Voices, One DU This was the third year that I've had the privilege of emceeing CME's evening honoring the conributions and successes of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer and Ally communities at the University of Denver. K.R. Roberto (one of the sweetest trans guys I know) and I were co-emcees for the event and we shared meaningful quotations from a variety of LGBTIQ voices throughout the evening of awards presentations. The Gala is traditionally a chance to get all dressed up in your fanciest do-dads and I found a gorgeous new jacket to wear with my basic black dress - I looked good y'all! |
December 20, 2007 Unity Church of Denver |
Circle of Gifts ~ A Winter Solstice Concert Concert artist Marta Burton gathered a dazzling array of diverse performers to celebrate the gifts that the Denver chapter of Bread For the Journey gives to our community. I was the only poet on the bill with cellist Nick Rossi, Middle-Eastern musician/vocalist Rachid Halihal, Jewish composer/pianist Sheldon Sands, and a slew of Celtic musicians. I shared two poems, "What Would You Bring" and "Signs of a Better World." It was a great celebration! |
December 9, 2007 First Unitarian |
Celebration of the Ordination of Michael Patrick Corrigan I was deeply honored when Michael asked me to present a poem as a meditation at his ordination as a Unitarian Universalist minister. I wrote a poem called "This Journey Away Home" just for him. I was told that I cut a striking and dignified figure with my kente draped over my left shoulder. I was also told that my delivery made those assembled feel that they were witnessing a private moment betweeen Michael and myself ~ very nice! It was a very special, and very spiritual, event. I even got to "process in" with all the clergy folk, which was very cool! |
November 9, 2007 Denver Church |
Bishop Carlton Pearson and the Gospel of Inclusion Rev Mary Jo Hiniotes of The Denver Church saw me do "Signs of a Better World" (a poem that has definitely found its audience) at the Interfaith Music Festival and asked me if I'd be willing to read it to open for Bishop Pearson. It was very interesting to hear Pearson, a popular Pentacostal preacher who set the C.O.G.I.C. (Church of God in Christ) on its ear by preaching that there is no such thing as the traditional, literal hell ~ a notion that got him branded as a heretic. Then, as if that wasn't enough, he has the nerve to suggest that "God wants relationship with all of humanity... Muslims, Gays and any group of people who have been marginalized by the dominant culture and considered unacceptable and unworthy by the Christian church at large." Now that's the kind of heretical blasphemy I can get behind ~ you go, Bishop Pearson! |
October 14, 2007 Montview Boulevard |
7th Annual Interfaith Music Festival This was my second year participating in this this fantastic event sponsored by the Interfaith Alliance of Colorado. Last year I got to sing back up for Marta Burton and the incomparable Emily Bates. This year I appeared as a poet, sharing "Signs of a Better World" with yet a new audience of folks. I also got to solo with Soujourners, an ensemble of The Spirituals Project on a great song called Run, Mary, Run! And I must say, I was in GREAT voice that night, both speaking and singing! |
October 5-7, 2007 Snow Mountain Ranch |
University of Denver Diversity and Unity Retreat As a proud DU alumna (BA 2004), I've remained very involved with the University by volunteering with their Center for Multicultural Excellence. I've participated in this annual undergraduate retreat for 4 years now, and find it one of the most uplifting and fulfilling things I get to do. After putting the young people through two and a half days of rigorous diversity awareness training, I have the honor of closing out the weekend with a poem. This year I shared a poem called Ambassador Rap that encouraged them to reach beyond themselves to become allies for each other. Praise to Jonny 5 of the Flobots for his invaluable assistance in the birth of my first ever rap. |
July 10-21, 2007 Iliff School of Theology |
Ambassadors of Hope Summer Leadership Program for Youth This program now joins the DU Diversity & Unity Retreat as one of the most uplifiting and fulfilling things I get to do. I had the marvelous opportunity to work with some unbelievable youth between the ages of 12 and 17, who clearly think and feel deeply about societal and world issues. They're already motivated to work for change and make a difference in the world. I also had the awesome poet and rapper, Jamie Laurie aka Jonny 5 of the Flobots as my co-worker with the program's Spoken Word Creation Crew. There's not enough space here to tell you about this program, but please check with the Veterans of Hope Project website in 2008 as I'm designing a companion website for the Ambassadors program. |
April 20, 2007 Iliff School of Theology |
Spoken Word for a Better World Poetry Jam Dr. Vincent Harding, founder of the Veterans of Hope Project was so taken by my performance at The Spirituals Project Gala, that he asked me to help create this invitational poetry jam featuring Denver area high school youth sponsored by the Veterans of Hope and the Iliff School of Theology. I wrote "Signs of a Better World" specifically for this event and had the honor of acting as emcee. The youth were beyond amazing, and I was humbled by their talent. This marked the beginning of a wonderful association with the Veterans of Hope. |
November 4, 2006 Newman Center |
The Spirituals Project 3rd Annual Gala Earlier this year, The Spirituals Project organization commissioned me to write a poem for them (yes, they actually paid me a nice chunk o' change for my art - it's SO good to have one's art validated monetarily). I wrote an mini-epic poem called "They Slice the Air" and shared it at a special reception. I thought nothing could top that honor, but then they asked me to perform it as the centerpiece of their annual Gala event. I kicked some serious poetic butt on that stage that night! Listen to it! |
May 21, 2006 Cameron Church |
The Spirit Is Rising Concert Finally, my friends Pamela and Bob and I created a concert around our Spirit Rising CD, which we'd always said we wanted to do. It was an incredible experience, and we caught a glimpse of where our serendipitous co-creativity could take us. We told a beautiful story of growing peace through Bob's and my poetry ensconced in Pamela's transcendent music. We made absolutely no money, but we had the best time! |
July 27, 2005 Mile Hi Church |
Step Into the Light Variety Show I was one of 11 performers selected out of over 30 auditioning acts for this popular annual event sponsored by Mile Hi (mega)Church. I shared my poem "Metamorphosis," which has become a favorite among those who have heard me read. I also got to sing backup for my dear friend Mailyn Faulkner. |
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