  Yesterday was one of those proactive and constructive days that make you happy you are alive. After much back and forth debate; my ass hit Barnes and Noble to support, stalk and show love to Willie Perdomo. One of the poets that I am still in awe from. Seeing Willie doing his thing was hot. I think Rich got to him when he featured for Acentos because he read new work from his upcoming manuscript, "Emergency Money". The poetry mainly came from his new book, Smoking lovely. The crowd was decent and the Q & A after wards was hot. The highlight came when a young latina woman asked about Cave Canaam accepting latin folks. Willie answered graciously and she asked again where can she find support for Latino Writers. Wille says: "There is an awesome groups of brothers and sisters up in the Bronx called Acentos and they have been great. They are really doing their thing and they harness mostly everything latino. They have been the best I have seen for Latino poetry. They are also a part of the louderARTS Project and they run workshops and such. Fish is a part of them and is right there in the back and he can answer any questions for you" After I wiped the cum stain off my pants, I couldn't hold on the the flyers fast enough. Talk about a great opportunity to let those white folk in Manhattan know there is something in the Bronx Willie Perdomo Respects and loves.
Can you say " Wow "? After some networking and such, I was debating on heading to Carlitos or the Bowery to support brother Shawn Randall. A flip of the mental quarter and I hit the Bowery. I was kinda scared because when Shawn was doing West side Rhyme; I did not like that venue nor format. Something about it screamed " yuck". I haven't heard anything about it but I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best.
I got there and copped a seat in the back. As some of the poetry came from people I have heard before, I was more amazed with their performance and the welcoming and embracing atmosphere. Mara went up there and killed it. My upcoming slam nemisis ( George McKibbons )went up there and just made me wonder how the fuck I am going to top him in the upcoming slam on April 19. What I never liked about some venues ( including Louder ) is the mix of Musicians and Poetry. It has to be something really spectacular in order for me to gush over it.
Yesterday was perfect when it came down to a mix that is not my favorite. It wasn't too much but just enough. Only one dude was depressing as fuck but to each their own. I have to really applaud Shawn on a great show and a good atmosphere. He was a nervous wreck at the very start but he held his own. He spoke respectfully to the crowd and the banter was held to a minumum.
The show was just about that, the show. His little skit about reading from a teleprompter was the small knack of humor the night needed and it created a consistancy of the night without a lull that made my A.D.D kick in. If you haven't checked out Symphonics, I would highly suggest to do so. His 50 or so patrons are a testemant to his hard work and dedication to this show. Shit, he even had a program of the night with all the bios of all the performers. That theater experience is a bitch.
Kudos After some great conversation with Guy, Roger, Bob, Marty, mara, Eric (g)....... my ass had to head home because Fish was not staying at a bar until who knows when. Another interesting tidbit is a magazine that Guy put me on too. I never have been into Vibe and XXL and all those other magazines that want to " keep it real ". I just put my ear to the ground in the Bronx and follow the gunshots and get all the news I need from the face looking into the sky blankly lying in his blood and garbage.
This magazine, Don Diva, is pretty harsh. All the shit you don't want cops to know is splattered across color pages of half naked video rump shakin hoochies. Drug dealing tips as to where to stash your shit. Personally, I don't find that too cool. The streets are like a cosa nostra that not many should speak about. Here and there you will have a knucklehead say something but not in a national magazine. Times a changing. Peace, Love, Porkchops 
