Events
2nd Annual EXpire|MEntal w/ MeccaGodZilla, The Last Poets, Baron, LiKWUiD & more
MeccaGodZilla will perform at the Nuyorican Poetry Cafe in the LES by way of Project Mayhem Agency October 20th, 2012. This is an early show! 7PM to 9PM…Don’t Miss it!
WHAT: Second Annual EXpire|MEntal with world renowned poet-activists THE LAST POETS
WHERE: Nuyorican 236 East 3rd Street between Avenue B & C; New York, NY 10009
WHEN: Saturday, October 20, 2012 Doors 6PM, Show 7PM
RSVP HERE: https://secure.gigmaven.com/events/8750/orders/new
WHO: The Last Poets live at EXpire|MEntal presented by Project Mayhem Agency in association with The Wake Up Project
WHY (Synopsis): EXpire|MEntal is a safe space of free expression for poets, vocalist, spoken word artist, and musicians. Features for the second annual EXpire|MEntal include Baron, UNknown Poet, MeccaGodzilla and LiKWUiD + Gummy Bears & Champagne with a special guest appearance by the world-renowned Last Poets!
There will also be a special screening of Shreen Elekenani’s debut short film Dark Antonyms co-directed by Marvin Suarez.
THE LAST POETS: http://youtu.be/6mnKNr2Tiq8
The Last Poets: With their politically charged raps, taut rhythms, and dedication to raising African-American consciousness, the Last Poets almost single-handedly laid the groundwork for the emergence of hip-hop. The group arose out of the prison experiences of Jalal Mansur Nuriddin, a U.S. Army paratrooper who chose jail as an alternative to fighting in Vietnam; while incarcerated, he converted to Islam, learned to “spiel” (an early form of rapping), and befriended fellow inmates Omar Bin Hasan and Abiodun Oyewole.
Upon the trio’s release from prison, they returned to the impoverished ghettos of Harlem, where they joined the East Wind poetry workshop and began performing their fusion of spiels and musical backing on neighborhood street corners. On May 16, 1969 — Malcolm X’s birthday — they officially formed the Last Poets, adopting the name from the work of South African Little Willie Copaseely, who declared the era to be the last age of poets before the complete takeover of guns. (from Allmusic.com)
The Wake Up Project: The WakeUp Project is designed to educate urban and rural area youth on the matters of character development and social justice through the use of arts-particularly hip hop & spoken word. The project also seeks to expose youth to positive individuals from various career fields, increasing their awareness and perspective about the college and career available to them. The program provides this exposure by utilizing tools such as; gender-based workshops, interactive panel discussions, college & career fairs (with social awareness booths), student volunteerism and a hip-hop concert.
Project Mayhem Agency: Objective: To brand, market, and produce avant-garde ideas by utilizing niche marketing. Mission Statement: Our mission is to help each client realize their brand’s full potential. We create lasting impressions.
The Nuyorican Poets Cafe was Founded circa 1973, The Nuyorican Poets Cafe began as a living room salon in the East Village apartment of writer and poet, Miguel Algarin. Algarin, a college professor at the center of this blossoming arts community, was dedicated to bringing new work into the public eye.
The mission of the Cafe is to create a multi-cultural venue that both nurtures artists and exhibits a variety of artistic works. The Cafe’s purpose has always been to provide a stage for the artists traditionally under-represented in the mainstream media and culture; promoting their work while building an audience and providing an ongoing support system for them as they grow.