Poem In Your Pocket Facilitated by Green Earth Poets Café
Weeksville Heritage Center 1-2:30pmApril 18, 2015 Saturday
Green Earth Poets Café exists to promote literacy, self confidence, communication, community, and educational development among young people in economically challenged areas of NYC through performing arts. The workshop will be led by Brooklyn-based Spoken Word Poet, Quindell “Quev” Evans. Families can come and take part in the art of sharing poetry with the community.
Mar 27, 2015- Green Earth Poets Cafe was honored to be one of the hosts and guest performers of the Shirley Chisholm Women of Excellence Awards and Reception. The event held Friday at the First Baptist Church in Crown Heights Brooklyn, was a very successful event curated by NYS Senator Jesse Hamilton III. In addition, other hosts included Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams, NYC Councilwoman Laurie Cumbo 35th CD, NYS Assemblywoman Jo Anne Simon, and District Leader Shirley Patterson (a candidate for the NYS Assembly 43 AD) .
Nine distinguished women were celebrated and awarded women of excellence awards, including the first lady of NYC Chirlane McCray. I congratulate Senator Hamilton on curating and celebrating such wonderful women of excellence. Truly a memorable women’s history month special event. There was electricity in the air as many of our mothers, daughters, aunts, grandmothers, and wives were in attendance and were also celebrated. Pictured is NYS Senator Jesse Hamilton III, Green Earth Poets Cafe’s Executive Director Curtis Harris, and Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams. Happy women’s her-story month 2015.
Mar 7, 2015-Green Earth Poets Cafe celebrated the 50th anniversary of the march over the Edmund Pettus bridge in Alabama for voting, civil, and human rights for African Americans here in the United States by marching with others over the Brooklyn bridge Mar 7, 2015. At the invitation of the honorable Eric Adams Brooklyn Borough President, he led the march over the Brooklyn bridge in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the event called “Bloody Sunday” an event which marked the turn of the voting rights movement giving black people in this country the full right to vote. Green Earth Poets Cafe was represented by its Executive Director Curtis Harris, Poet Sweet Aminata, and Community Board #8 youth and family services committee chair Akosua.
Saturday Feb 28, 2015-
Green Earth Poets Cafe’s His Story of Black Love event in honor of Black history month and Valentines love was a phenomenal success. The winner of the Slam was Mr.Tarishi MIDNIGHT Shuler (picture attached). The evening was beautifully run by program director Quindell Quev Evans. The event was opened with four (4) beautiful young African Caribbean dancers from Stigma entertainment. They were awesome, (i.e.), culturally enriching, artistic and wonderful African dancers. The audience was then mesmerized by a wonderful dance piece by the one and only Belly Dancer/modern dancer Synchana Elkerson (Synchana Madonna). She danced to a melody which gave honor to our ancestors which I’m sure made everyone proud. Her grace and beauty and dancing was something no one will forget. After the dance performances the Slam competition got underway with 12 poets all weaving spoken word stories which tantalized, entertained and educated. Each was a winner in their own right. Only 5 of the 12 poets made it to the 2nd and final round. I want to shout out and congratulate the 5 finalist, R.Q.Tek, Prospect (aka Jerome Monroe), Tarishi Midnight-Shuler, McPherson Anthony, and Nasiyr Abdullah. Each of these poets/artist deserved to win, each was spell binding with their art of spoken word. However, there could only be one winner named and that was Tarishi Midnight Shuler. This brother traveled from Connecticut to be with us I subsequently learned and can say he deserved the win last night. Congrats brother Midnight. The evening continued with outstanding and side hurting laughter as comedian extraordinaire ALEX Babbitt tore up the audience. There was laughter and tears from laughing so hard. This brother is someone to keep your eyes on in the future. Thanks Alex and April. We also had time for an Open Mic segment last night which was run by Green Earth Poets Cafe’s own team member the phenomenal poet/artist/hip hop star Nasiyr Abdullah. Welcome to the team brother. We wish to thank all the artists who were not mentioned for coming out, the guest judges, and most important the audience. As we officially come to the Feb. close of Black His-Story Month I thank you all. Video and still pictures to follow. Special thank you for our board members Diane McNeil, and Genesis Valdez for coming to the event. A special thank you to VIP judge Shannon Shird of the Brooklyn Arts Council.
Green Earth Poets Cafe was invited by host Tati Amare to come on BK Live at BRIC Independent Media in Brooklyn, NY to discuss our history, purpose and future. Pictured from left to right Quindell Evans (Program Director), Victoya Venise (Workshop facilitator), Host Tati Amare , Curtis Harris (Executive Director) and Host Aaron Watkins. Below is the video of the TV show.
Green Earth Poets Cafe can be contacted via email at :Greenearthpoetscafe@gmail.com or by calling 516-670-4868
Feb 21, 2015-Today at Rikers Island prison we were joined by 12 poets one of which was a prison guard (corrections officer Oliver) who delivered a Last Poets Poem. There was wonderful energy amongst the 30 or so incarcerated youth ages 16-21. The poetry today and interaction with the inmates was something that was never experienced since we have been going to the prison for almost a year now. Our program director Quindell Quev Evans designed a program of interaction and engagement with the youth which bought out the best in them and us. In addition to his awesome poetic talent, Quindell was amazing today. I cannot thank Quindell Evans enough. Please read his new book which can be found at his website: www.Bluepoettree.com. Among the many poets who were phenomenal today was the one and only Raymond Vasquez, who has been with us a few times at Rikers Island prison. Thank you Raymond for all you do. I can’t thank enough David The Werdsman Anthony for your brilliance and poetic power. The inmates always seem to enjoy David. Today we were joined by a number of new faces. Thank you to Allahsha Skipper aka Poetry Queen, this lady had these young inmates on the edge of their seats as she created a picture in their minds of things they will never forget. Her energy and charm was as powerful as her delivery and brilliance.We were also joined today by Lisa Gladden aka Datrooth I think very deeply. Upon meeting this lady I immediately loved her charm, humor, wit, intelligence, humility and wisdom. She dropped a lot of wisdom (motherly) wisdom on these young people today that was well received. Thank you Datrooth. You must come back. I want to thank Victoya Militant Venise for being a faithful sister in the struggle for helping to liberate the minds of these young people using poetry. Victoya you hold a special place in my heart you miltant. Today we were also joined by newcomers dymanic duo Adrian Elias who is one of the finest poets and performers I have seen (thank you for serving in the armed force sir), and his sister Pamela Elias aka Mela Elias who spoke to these young people with such love and compassion that they truly need. Mela is a social worker whose heart is in the right place, thank you for coming today Pamela. Today also we welcomed another newcomer to Rikers Island but not a new comer to poetry events, art and education. Thank you Mutiya S-Vision for your warmth, compassion and gift of poetry. You shared your story with these young men who understand we are all human. You left your mark on these young people which was very well received. Thank you Mutiya. I want to thank a few ole veterans now who have come with us a few times now. Tony Polanco-Bethancourt is a phenomenal poet/artist and author who shared a word of HOPE and it doesn’t matter where you are born you have the power to overcome any and all adversity. Thank Tony. Thank you to my brother Eternal Mastizo (hope I pronounced that correctly) aka Yhamir Chabur. You always bring something to these young people they will never forget. Lastly I wish to thank the corrections officers who made this day remarkable and pleasant who have a difficult job . Lastly thank you to Ms. Linda Eaddy Director of Community Partnerships at the NYC Department of Corrections for giving us the opportunity to love our young brothers, sons, and nephews. The women of Rikers Island prison need the same love and attention the guys get, hopefully we will be visiting the girls soon. We closed today’s poetry event with an old school cipher which was fun and entertaining. We will go back as long as they are there. Next the women of Rikers island.
Brooklyn Independent Media’s flagship program is a live daily show broadcasting from BRIC’s street level studio at BRIC House in Downtown Brooklyn. Every weekday at noon, a diverse line-up of local tastemakers, politicians, business leaders, bloggers, artists, and athletes come on the program to talk about the issues they’re passionate about. The show features neighborhood correspondents as a revolving cast of hosts, contributors and on-air talent, providing a street-level view of Brooklyn from multiple perspectives.
We encourage you to watch past episodes here and to drop by BRIC House to see a live taping!
Airs live every weekday at noon.
Green Earth Poets Cafe has been invited to sit down with Tati Amare Wednesday Feb 25, 2015 from 12 noon to 1:00 pm. Make sure you tune in.
http://bkindiemedia.bricartsmedia.org/category/bklive/
Watch live –http://bkindiemedia.bricartsmedia.org/watch-live/
Jan 24, 2015 -Saturday with reports of one to two inches of snow falling, Green Earth Poets Cafe’s “Our youth are slamming” and “TEEN Spoken Fiyah” youth poetry workshops had a phenomenal turnout. More than 35 youth ages 8-19, including a few parents and poet/mentors came to work with our youth to help them develop in reading, creative writing, public speaking, and spoken word poetry performance. Green Earth Poets Cafe holds these poetry youth workshops at the Brownsville Heritage House at 581 Mother Gaston Blvd, Brooklyn, NY 11213 ,(2nd floor of the Stone Ave public library) every two weeks. The next scheduled workshop is Feb 7, 2015 from 12:00 noon to 2:00pm.
Jan 18, 2015 Green Earth Poets Cafe was honored to be invited to perform for Jesse Hamilton III the newly elected NYS Senator for the 20th SD from Brooklyn, New York. His district stretches from Brownsville, Crown Heights, Gowanas, Lefferts, Park Slope, Prospect Heights, and Sunset Park.
Green Earth Poets Cafe was represented by Poet Quindell Evans and Relle the Poet. Joining them was songstress Rebecca Sol who accompanied by her guitar performed for some of the most important elected officials in the City and State of New York. Among these officials were Mayor Bill DeBlasio, NYS Senator Jesse Hamilton III, Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, NYS Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, U.S.Senator Charles Schumer, Assembly woman Latrice Walker, Assemblyman Nick Perry, NYC Councilwoman Laurie Cumbo, NYC Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. There were many more pubic officials and performers too many to name here. The event was a spectacular event and was one of the greatest moments for Green Earth Poets Cafe.
Belissa Escobedo, Rhiannon McGavin, and Zariya Allen are three young women who are determined to change the world, one word at a time. They are part of the non-profit organization Get Lit, the leading non-profit presenter of literary performance, education, and teen poetry programs in Southern California. Get Lit uses the performance of classic and spoken word poetry to increase teen literacy and has allowed Belissa, Rhiannon and Zariya to deliver their own powerful, poetic message to the masses. They even delivered it to a sell-out crowd of over 17,000 at the Hollywood Bowl opening for John Legend — and are now perform “Somewhere in America” on The Queen Latifah Show.
http://queenlatifah.
Green Earth Poets Cafe 5 Year Anniversary Special
