The National Black Writers Conference 2012 presents, Noir, a pre-conference celebration of music and words, featuring some of the best writers who “moonlight” as amazing musicians, emcees and vocalists.

http://on.fb.me/noirmarch2nd

March 2nd, 2012 – 8PM

Free Candy
904 Atlantic Avenue (@St. James Place)
Brooklyn, NY

Featuring:

Jessica Care Moore
Apollo Legend. Activist. Poet. MOM. Rock/Soul star
[http://mooreblackpress.com/] click here

HumUni (Ish & Mega) -
Urbanword stars. Youth Mentors. Emcees
[http://humuni.bandcamp.com/] click here

Tuan X
Poet. Apollo Theater Music Cafe. Singer/MC
[http://tuanx.com/] click here

Tuan X – “It’s An Addiction” (LIVE) @ NUYORICAN from Tuan X on Vimeo.

(i am) isis
Awarded writer. Activist. Technophile. Rock/Soul impressario
[http://iamisis.com/] click here

DJ Reborn

http://facebook.com/deejayreborn

Hosted by

Shanelle Gabriel
Def Poetry Jam. Lupus Activist. Singer
http://shanellegabrielle.com/

Gabe
Poet, Urban Word Youth Board

Tai Allen (vicelounge)
Award winning poet. Curator. Creative. Singer
http://vicelounge.com/

and special guests Jasiri Kafele, Sabrina Gilbert & Blue Bellinger

Tuan X – “It’s An Addiction” (LIVE) @ NUYORICAN from Tuan X on Vimeo.

 
we just wanna say thanks for a great 2011! and, please, enjoy your holiday season responsibly.

also, when giving this season, do remember to give a ton to others in need while dropping the LOVE bomb on anyone who needs it. (RE: everyone!).

- vicelounge (tai allen + jonn nubian)

PS: oh, yeah… enjoy the music!! and over the next 90 days: new music, creatives and events!

Franklin Park – 7/12

Reading from the manuscript, Christine’s Colorin’ Book,

plus doing some songs & poems from for easy readin.

Some amazing writings will be there, courtesy of Paula Roth.

Nuclear Poetry 7/14

NUCLEAR POETRY: Voices from the Underground
Weds, July 14th @ 8:30PM. Doors @ 8
The Lounge @ Elmo, 156 7th Avenue (btwn 19/20th)
NO COVER – All Ages – Open Mic

featuring Tai Allen, Rock Wilk and SUPER OTHERS!

K-lounge (Haiti Benefit) – 7/29

Special Show and Auction to raise money for medical supplies,

the struggle and giving continues

Manasas, VA – 8/3

w/Zenobia Bey – 8/5

Libation & Lyrics (NC) – 8/14

National Poetry Awards (NC) – 8/21

Greenville (SC) – 8/22

Poetz Realm (Guest Host) for Lalli’s Bday – 8/25

Organix Soul Springfield Mass Fest (Host) – 8/28 f/Eric Roberson

Mischief Knights – 9/11

UrbanErotika (Bowery Poetry) – 9/18

Fall/Autumn 2010

Songwriters Session 1 Yr Anniversary – TBA

Oct 26 – hosting ISIS’ Video Preview @ 8Bond!

Oct 27 – Songwriter’s Session (Kenny’s Castaway)

Oct 28 – The NuSol Renaissance (DC)

Oct 29 – B’More Erotic

Nov 7th – Mic Fiends

Nov 9th – Therapy Wine Bar

Nov 10th – Warm Weds (B’More)

Nov 11th – NBC – 9am 30ROCK!!!

Nov 20th – BAMCafe – curating, hosting f/ Hanifah Walidah, Sabrina Gilbert, Mtkalla, Melly B, Yejide, Efro and others!

View more news videos at: http://www.nbcnewyork.com/video.

The interview is part of the promo for a very important event, Word is Brooklyn. I am one of the two curators for this amazing moment in oral expression. Kay Turner, from the Brooklyn Art Council, brought me in to help facilitate the artists and the production. I am proud to work on this. I get an opportunity to present artists I am fan of. I get a chance to hear artist who believe in Brooklyn as  artistic incubator. Enjoy my nervous interview, Kay’s great narrative on BAC’s commitment to the Black Art… then check the details below. Surely, when you are done take some really great music and poetry!

And of course the music promos for the maxi-single

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD ALL THREE SONGS:

Canned Goods (CLICK TO DOWNLOAD ALL THREE SONGS)

Luv Music (CLICK TO DOWNLOAD ALL THREE SONGS)

St. James Infirmary (live) (CLICK TO DOWNLOAD ALL THREE SONGS)

- thanks

we appreciate the love we received from you all! thanks!

so a lil something to laff and enjoy

we were blessed to be one of the last three groups to rock out Grand275…

man i miss that place.

like your tongue to drive myself insane

do you believe me?
do you believe i dream of you…?

spend all my nights, sometimes my days
touching parts of me cuz you’re not here
like a fiend i stress my
i. think. i’m going. crazy.

do you believe me?
do you believe i dream of you…?
except from “the awakening: believe” – tai + jonn nubian (vicelounge)

and the beat is pretty wicked!!

(writ in troilee a french poetry style)

there is this look i have when all talks are finished. this look i have when i am done yelling or screaming. she note: when you are yelling i know i am not in that much trouble, it’s when you get to talking too normal like a principal. that’s when i want to go hide in my room.

now… i just got off the phone with one of my boys. he noted how someone cowardly contacted him because they felt i was acting ass at the knitting factory, which is probably true.

but hmmm… if i was, contacting another man to talk tell me to stop is a bad move.

more importantly, it was hard for him to believe i was being pushy about collabos when i have a very short list of cats i will even mic with. ten persons last i checked, and 2 are done — thanks machinedrum and tina.

now more importantly, if there is a problem do NOT contact others. it is impossible for another man/woman to control or constrain me. it is NOT going to happen. i am all kinetic energy.

now i do not believe in hating or haters or snitches. in fact, i rally against those terms.

dislike me! fine. hate me! fantastic. BUT, please, do not attempt to disparage or disrespect or toss rocks vs me. these transgressions are not taken lightly, and unlike many of my brethren, i am actually a nasty size and attitude. and yes, i do keep two feet in spaces that are dingy & no-so-good, solidly. and yes, my daughter is correct the look does lead to issues.

and more importantly, why? why are grown men attempting to talk shite publicly unless they mean me harm? talk.. by all means say your piece… but say it to a confidant. talk to your girlfriend. speak of these things, negatively, internally, unless, you aim to feud which also a fair proposition.

i understand, the male ego is a powerful and amazing driver. i suggest that you give him directions around certain neighborhoods.

chris, my wonderful pale twin, once tried to beat my ass to slap another fellow. when i asked him why, after spending 20 minutes begging him not to, he said,as i paraphrase: sometimes the only language an a@@hole understands is sign language.

i’d hate to find out if chris was right.

– this has been a public service announcement for those who need it –

Tomorrow a judge will decide if the officers on trial, for various reckless charges vs Sean Bell and his associate, are to be found guilty or not guilty. This is an important step for NYC. Most, if not all of us, in the Black community are frequented with vigils and stories created by police abuse or misconduct.

And, we are hard to believe tomorrow will be different. We are loathe to believe that the trial will end differently then it did for one of my friends. Shot in the back, on train platform. He survived the first Iraqi conflict; but we all understand how Black men have killed for the American Dream. Yet, when the darker heroes return home, the police misconducts cause deferred dreams and many nightmares.

Yes, I find it hard to believe. I find it hard to believe the world is going to change. But believe, inshallah, i am going to make prayer that the right decision is rendered. I know what feeling sits in my heart: fry the bastards. But i am not the judge. I am not Allah.

Lucky for them.

It is hard to be Black, and yes that sounds cliche. And yes it is cliche. But truths are repeated often. So many of us are shot, shot at, pushed, kicked, thrown against the wall, jabbed with sticks, told disparaging comments… harassed in varieties and manners I am sure I cannot remember or create.

And tomorrow makes me sweaty and balmy. I am afraid I will spread tears and ignorance if the police walk. I am afraid that my words will make my kids stare at my responses. My disbelief. My anger.

Tonight my eyes will tire from the work I must finish. And, I will sleep. I will wake, walk my two little girls to school.

I will attend my meetings and studio time.

But all day long my mind will keep switching back to trial. Yes the radio is now my best friend. My regular web use is going  to quadruple.

God save the city, and keep the fools full of conversation but not action.

-tai