Mike Geffner Presents The Inspired Word

Actor/Comedian Erica Bradshaw Set to Host Hot New Inspired Word Event - Friday, Jan. 27!

noreply@blogger.com (Michael P. Geffner) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:25:00 +0000

Friday night @ the gorgeous Greenwich Village hotpot (le) poisson rouge, Erica Bradshaw, one of the most talented people you'll find any where in New York City, debuts as host of The Inspired Word's hot new event, Slamming Stories storytelling slam.

Erica's bio:

Erica Bradshaw has done it all during her years as a theater professional. As an actor, she began her career originating a role in an Arthur Miller play. From there, she honed her comedic and hosting skills in sketch comedy throughout Los Angeles and New York. She can be seen regularly as detective Dana Lyons/Court Clerk in over 25 episodes of " Law and Order: SVU.” She has also made appearances on other TV series such as "The Good Wife," "Rescue Me," and "Six Degrees,” and has done commercials and voice-overs nationally and locally. While working predominantly as an actor, Erica has also managed to write and perform her solo show "White AmErica Hero," work as a producer and associate director for several new works at Actors Theatre of Louisville, perform in several regional theaters and create "Ideas, Thoughts, Words and Actions - A story building workshop" for children and adults. Some of her greatest accomplishments have been her recent tour de force portrayal of Alma in Dael Orlandersmiths' "Yellowman," 15 years of teaching at-risk youth from LA to NY and many places in between, and working with Lambda Legal for true marriage equality in New Jersey.

When: Friday, Jan. 27, 2012

Where: (Le) Poisson Rouge
158 Bleecker Street
Downstairs Gallery Bar
New York, NY 10012
(212) 353-3474
(917) 703-1512

By subway, take the A, B, C, D, E, F to West 4th Street-Washington Square.

Doors open for sign-up @ 6:30pm.

Cover Charge: $10

21+ Age Limit!

2011 Individual World Poetry Slam Champ Chris August + Poet Stephanie Rogers & Open Mic - Wed, Jan. 25

noreply@blogger.com (Michael P. Geffner) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 15:27:00 +0000

The Inspired Word presents the 2011 Individual Word Poetry Slam Champion Chris August + spoken word poet Stephanie Rogers & our amazing 20-slot open mic open to all types of artists (comedians, musicians, storytellers, fiction/nonfiction writers, as well as poets and spoken word artists).

Hosted by HBO Def Poetry star Gemineye.

*****

BIOS:

Chris August was crowned the best performance poet in the country last year, winning the prestigious Individual World Poetry Slam in Cleveland, Ohio. He is a special educator, writer and activist from Baltimore, Maryland. He has been involved in the national performance poetry community since 2002, and has been published in numerous collections and toured and competed throughout most of the country.

*****

A spoken word performer, former competitive storyteller and a Twitter-wiseass, Stephanie Rogers realized her love for the written word early, reciting poetry in her community church. However, thanks to a congregation member appropriating a particular favorite reading, she was inspired to create her own poetic works. Since receiving her Bachelor’s Degree from the College of Mount St. Vincent, she has been published in the Iliad Press Anthology “MUSES” and Playboy Magazine, participated in workshops with Cave Canem and Urban Word, and has performed in open-mic poetry events in New York and New Jersey. She’s been a featured performer at STARK Wide Open, as well as the famed Nuyorican Poets Café. Recently she’s been embraced by the The Inspired Word community, as well as the Open Mic Joint and considers both venues her poet/performer homes. Her first book, “Just Something I’ve Got to Say”, dedicated to the middle-finger moments of city living, loving and writing will be released in January 2012. Her ambition is to take her poetry to the four corners of the US (perhaps two in Canada), to finish and produce the one-act plays she started in college, and to use her writing in a positive fashion; a little scathing, sometimes amusing, but always inspiring.

*****

When: Wednesday, Jan. 25 , 2012

Where: 116 116 MacDougal Street (between Bleecker Street and Minetta Lane) Downstairs Lounge Manhattan, NY 10012 (212) 254-9996 (917) 703-1512

By subway, take the A, B, C, D, E, F to West 4th Street-Washington Square.

Doors open for open mic sign-up @ 6:30pm

Show starts @ 7pm

Cover Charge: $10

NO AGE LIMIT.

"The Inspired Word isn't just a series, it's a movement."

For more info on The Inspired Word, check out our website @ http://inspiredwordnyc.com/

HBO Def Poet Bonafide Rojas & The Mona Passage + Spoken Word Poet Element 615 + Open Mic - Wed, Jan. 18

noreply@blogger.com (Michael P. Geffner) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:47:00 +0000

The Inspired Word presents a powerful night of poetry & music with HBO Def Poet Bonafide Rojas and The Mona Passage, an experimental art rock band that will totally knock you out.

In addition, there's special guest artist Joe Brundidge aka Element 615 (in town from Texas) and, as always, our amazing 20-slot open mic open to all types of artists (comedians, musicians, storytellers, fiction/nonfiction writers, as well as poets and spoken word artists).

Hosted by HBO Def Poetry star Gemineye.

*****

BIO:

The Mona Passage is a rock & roll art experiment formed by Poet Bonafide Rojas & Painter/Illustrator Vincent Ramirez. They have performed singularly or collectively in various venues: CBGB's, CB’s Gallery, The Pyramid, Sin-E, The Bowery Poetry Club, Otto’s Shrunken Head, Binghamton University Siberia, The Underscore, R-Bar, The Annex, The Baggot Inn, Cafe Duvall (Chicago, IL), The Green Mill (Chicago, IL), Best Buy (23rd St), The Pussycat Lounge, The Alphabet Lounge, Acentos Poetry Series, Capicu Poetry Series, Caribbean Culture Center & are currently in a year long residency at Camaradas El Barrio for Helter Skelter: (the rock&roll party). Experimental, power, noise & purpose is what pushes The Mona Passage. An experimental art rock band of Puerto Rican, Dominican musicians who challenge the status quo on what Puerto Rican & Dominican musicians should create. They are loud, brash and obnoxious - just like you. They wear their brains on their sleeves and their hearts in their pockets.

*****

Hailing from Texas, he speaks in a cadence that does not break down across barriers of race, age or geography. Soulful stanzas echoing something between Coltrane and Cyrano, Joe Brundidge aka Element 615 is unapologetically romantic, devoid of pretension, and delightfully sensual. His work promotes thought as a natural bi-product of itself, while unambiguously uniting his audience with his honest, compassionate take on the human experience. A member of the inaugural 2006 Austin Neo-Soul slam team that ranked 2nd in the nation, he's also appeared on PBS's 'In Context', YNN, ChannelAustin's EXSE Spoken Word Showcase ('09 & '10) and The Austin African American Book Festival ('08-'10). He's emceed several engagements to include showcases at the Austin International Poetry Festival, South by South West, and currently host of his own open mic, Spoken&Heard, which has been running for more than four years. He's have performed at colleges and universities, such as UT, and TX State, Huston-Tillotson, etc. He conducts workshops on writing as well as creating, hosting and maintaining an open mic. He's published 3 chapbooks and recorded 3 cds-2 EPs and a full length CD as well. Element 615 has graced many a stage in his home state of Texas, performing and hosting at poetry venues from frequent Slam performances in Austin and Killeen, His appearances on the Austin open-mic circuit are a beloved treat among local poetry fans and abroad.

*****

When: Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012

Where: 116 116 MacDougal Street (between Bleecker Street and Minetta Lane) Downstairs Lounge Manhattan, NY 10012 (212) 254-9996 (917) 703-1512

By subway, take the A, B, C, D, E, F to West 4th Street-Washington Square.

Doors open for open mic sign-up @ 6:30pm

Show starts @ 7pm

Cover Charge: $10

NO AGE LIMIT.

"The Inspired Word isn't just a series, it's a movement."

http://inspiredwordnyc.com/

NYC Open Mic Joint Returns to One and One's Nexus Lounge Monday Night!

noreply@blogger.com (Michael P. Geffner) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 09:03:00 +0000

NYC Open Mic Joint Returns to One and One's Nexus Lounge Monday Night! Jan. 16 and EVERY Monday thereafter!

Come to one of the hottest open mics in the country - a stage graced by Grammy nominated singers, HBO Def Poetry stars, American Idol finalists, Golden Globe Award-winning actresses, and poets from The Best American Poetry anthology.

The Inspired Word's NYC Open Mic Joint is a weekly series open to all types of artists - comedians, musicians, storytellers, singers, poets, fiction/nonfiction writers, playwrights, spoken word artists, performance artists, dancers, ANYTHING and EVERYTHING.

And once you experience it for a single night, you’ll see the vibe is totally addictive.

25 slots, 5-minute time limit.

*****

When: EVERY Monday!

Where: One and One Bar/Restaurant Downstairs Nexus Lounge 76 East 1st Street (corner of 1st Avenue) Manhattan, New York (917) 703-1512

By subway, take the F train to Second Avenue and exit the 1st Avenue side.

Doors open for open mic sign-up @ 6:30pm

Show starts @ 7:30pm

Cover charge: $10

NO AGE LIMIT!

*****

For more Inspired Word info, please check out http://inspiredwordnyc.com/.

Titillating Tongues: NYC Erotica in Poetry & Prose + Open Mic @ Le Poisson Rouge - Monday, Jan. 9

noreply@blogger.com (Michael P. Geffner) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 19:55:00 +0000

The Inspired Word presents a hot night of sexy fun, lip-licking words, and utter debauchery – Titillating Tongues: NYC Erotica in Poetry & Prose, featuring some of New York City's best erotica writers - Sam J. Miller, Audacia Ray, Richard Berkowitz, Rev Jen, Mo Beasley, and L.Z. Hansen. +12-slot open mic open to all types of artists, where you can bring your own heat to the party.

Hosted by the very sexy Aimee Herman.

And in hottest club in Greenwich Village - (le) poisson rouge!

*****

When: Monday, Jan. 9, 2012

Where: (Le) Poisson Rouge 158 Bleecker Street Downstairs Gallery Bar Manhattan, NY 10012 Phone: (917) 703-1512

Doors open for open mic sign-up @ 6:30pm, show starts @ 7pm

Cover Charge: $10

MUST BE 21 YEARS OLD OR OLDER!

*****

FEATURE BIOS:

Mo Beasley is an award-winning performance poet and storyteller. He is also a sexuality educator, author, and public speaker. He has successfully integrated his love of performing with his love of education and community building. In the fields of sexuality, race, manhood, and arts advocacy, he has over 20 years experience as a stage performer, teaching artist, workshop facilitator, consultant, activist, and mentor to youth. Mo Beasley’s presentations range from cutting-edge perspectives on sex, sexuality, to art as action, fatherhood and family building, hip hop as a tool for education, to re-defining masculinity for the 21st century.

Richard Berkowitz is the subject of Daryl Wein's 2009 documentary, SEX POSITIVE, which tells his story: coming out as a gay man in the 1970s, becoming a sex worker in NYC at the peak of the sexual revolution, and how that led to his involvement in the invention of safe sex (for AIDS.) In May 1983, Berkowitz co-authored How to Have Sex in an Epidemic, along with Dr. Joseph Sonnabend and activist Michael Callen. Their 40-page booklet is widely regarded as the invention of safe sex as we know it today. He majored in journalism at Rutgers University, where he used his position as the Film editor of the school newspaper to promote LGBT and feminist arts and activism. He spent two decades writing to promote safe sex, culminating in his 2003 memoir, "Stayin Alive: The Invention of Safe Sex, A Personal History." That book became the inspiration for SEX POSITIVE, which won the Grand Jury prize for Best Documentary at Outfest.

Rev Jen is an art star, author, troll museum curator, columnist, guru, open mike host, ambassador to the otherworld, underground movie star, Voice of the Downtrodden and Tired and Patron Saint of the Uncool. I was born on the same day as Zelda Fitzgerald and Amelia Earhart. I want to conquer the world while simultaneously inhabiting an imaginary one. She published a book with Soft Skull Press called Live Nude Elf, and also writes and stars in a live show called Reverend Jen's Really Cool Neighborhood, which was voted "Best Off-Off-Off Broadway Musical Comedy Theater" by the Village Voice.

Audacia Ray is a former sex worker and current media maker. She has blogged about sexuality, culture, and politics since 2004 -including stints blogging for Fleshbot and the Village Voice - and spent three years as an executive editor at the Utne Reader award-winning $pread magazine. She is the author of Naked on the Internet: Hookups, Downloads, and Cashing In on Internet Sexplorationand won a Feminist Porn Award for her film The Bi Apple. These days, Audacia is the director of the Red Umbrella Project, which amplifies the voices of people in the sex trade through live storytelling events, media training, and advocacy workshops. Her monthly storytelling series the Red Umbrella Diaries and her blog Waking Vixen were named to the Village Voice’s Best of 2010 list. Learn more about her work at http://www.redumbrellaproject.org/ and http://www.audaciaray.com/.

Sam J Miller is a writer and a community organizer. His work has been published in The Minnesota Review, Fiction International, Arts & Letters, West Branch, Washington Square, and The Rumpus, as well as anthologies like Best Gay Erotica 2006 & 2008. He's the co-editor of Horror After 9/11, forthcoming from the University of Texas Press. For more info, please visit http://samjmiller.com/.

L.Z. Hansen, known to friends as Zoe, ran from a comfortable upbringing in London, England to NYC in 1984. She worked as a hair stylist to the fabulous, an escort, brothel ho, street walker, jerk off technician, & owner of her own NYC brothels, & a clothing store called Jezebella. Currently she’s a writer, of many short stories, and is working on a novel about love, sex & NYC. Producer of a new reality show “Housewives of the East Village” (in the works), she’s an unabashed lover of filth and the written word, likes to talk to the dead, and strives for purity. She still resides in the East Village with her family. For more info, please visit http://www.lzhansen.com.

A Montage of Funky Groovy Cool Inspired Word Host Nathan P.

noreply@blogger.com (Michael P. Geffner) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 05:23:00 +0000

A gorgeous montage of NYC Open Mic Joint host Nathan P.

Thanks so much to VisionsInPhotography for producing such beautiful work.

The Inspired Word's 2-Year Anniversary Show - A NYC Spoken Word Extravaganza! Friday, Jan. 6

noreply@blogger.com (Michael P. Geffner) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 20:46:00 +0000

The Inspired Word's 2-Year Anniversary Show! A not-to-be-missed all-star lineup of 30 spoken word artists, poets, singers, and comedians.

Hosted by HBO Def Poetry star Gemineye and NYC spoken word legend Nathan P.

Come join us on this special night - and in our brand new venue - 116 in Greenwich Village! Formerly The Gas Light Cafe or Village Gas Light. History galore. Bob Dylan, Kerouac, Ginsberg, Bill Cosby...Now THE INSPIRED WORD!

*****

When: Friday, Jan 6, 2012

Where: 116 http://116macdougal.com/
116 MacDougal Street (between Bleecker Street and Minetta Lane) Downstairs Lounge Manhattan, NYC
Phone: (212) 254-9996
(917) 703-1512

By subway, take the A, B, C, D, E, F to West 4th Street-Washington Square.

Doors open @ 6:00pm

Show - 6:30-11:00pm

Cover Charge: $15

"The Inspired Word isn't just a series, it's a movement."

Help us keep doing what we're doing!

*****

Scheduled Performers (subject to change)

Patricia Smith
Lemon Andersen
Oveous Maximus
Regie Cabico
Vanessa Hidary
Ngoma
Jesus Papoleto Melendez
Bonafide Rojas
Erica Miriam Fabri and Robin Andre (Robin and The Lady Poet)
Big Mike
Osagyefo
Jamaal St. John
Jane LeCroy
Advocate of Wordz
Ocean Vuong
The MarXman
Simply Rob
Eliel Lucero
Jane Ormerod
Thomas Fucaloro
Sylvana Joyce + The Moment
Emanuel Xavier
David Lawton
Vince Royale
Eve Brandstein
Aimee Herman
Carolina Hidalgo
Yenny Love
Amy Leigh Cutler

NYC Open Mic Joint w/Host Nathan P. @ The Nuyorican Poets Café - Tuesday, Jan. 3

noreply@blogger.com (Michael P. Geffner) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 05:29:00 +0000

The first Tuesday night of every month, Mike Geffner Presents The Inspired Word and the famed Nuyorican Poets Café in Manhattan’s East Village join forces to present the NYC Open Mic Joint, hosted by former Nuyorican Slam Master Nathan P.

*****

The Inspired Word’s NYC Open Mic Joint marks the long-awaited return of Nuyorican Poets Café legend Nathan P. as host, instantly separating it from any other open mic in the Big Apple.

Known back in the day with great reverence as the Slam Master, as well as the sharpet dresser in spoken word, Nathan P. hosted either the Wednesday or Friday night slam at the Nuyo from 2000 to 2007, introducing audiences to the likes of such up-and-comers as Oveous Maximus and Carlos Andrés Gómez.

Now, coming out of hosting retirement but still with funky cool fedoras, sharp-looking pinstriped suits, and one-of-a-kind cufflinks, he brings a special class and style to a special kind of open mic. As Nathan P. will tell you before every show, “The Open Mic Joint isn’t your father’s open mic. Noooooooooo. Trust me, it’s not like any other open mic you’ve ever seen before.”

And once you experience it for a single night, you’ll see for yourself. Be forewarned: The vibe is totally addictive.

It’s open to all types of artists - comedians, musicians, storytellers, singers, poets, fiction/nonfiction writers, playwrights, spoken word artists, performance artists, dancers, ANYTHING and EVERYTHING.

So, if you’re looking for a cool downtown spot to do your thing, this is definitely the place.

All you have to do is bring the talent, we’ll bring the rest.

25 slots, 5-minute time limit.

*****

When: Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2012

Venue: Nuyorican Poets Café 236 East 3rd Street (between Avenues B and C) Manhattan, New York

Phone: (212) 505-8183

(917) 703-1512

Show starts @ 9pm, ends @ Midnight

Cover charge: $10

NO AGE LIMIT!

The Inspired Word Website is Born!

noreply@blogger.com (Michael P. Geffner) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 17:34:00 +0000

OUR NEW WEBSITE! PLEASE CHECK IT OUT & SPREAD THE WORD!

http://inspiredwordnyc.com/

From The Inspired Word Family - Happy Holidays & Have An Awesome 2012!

noreply@blogger.com (Michael P. Geffner) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 13:49:00 +0000

From Mike, Marvin, Nathan, Chris, Christina, Aimee, and Jay: Have the best holiday season and New Year's!

The Inspired Word Adds Poet Aimee Herman to Host Erotica & GLBT Events!

noreply@blogger.com (Michael P. Geffner) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 04:30:00 +0000

The Inspired Word is proud to announce the addition of dynamic poet Aimee Herman as host of our erotica and GLBT events. Aimee becomes the third regular host of the series, joining the amazing Gemineye (Wednesday Night Showcase) and Nathan P (NYC Open Mic Joint) to form arguably the best team of poetry hosts in the country.

Aimee's first night hosting will be Monday, Jan. 9, for our Titillating Tongues event @ Le Poisson Rouge's Gallery Bar. http://titillatingtongues.eventbrite.com/.

BIO:

Aimee Herman, a queer performative poet, has been featured at various New York venues such as the Happy Ending Lounge, Dixon Place, Wow Café Theatre, Public Assembly, and Sidewalk Café. She has performed at reading/performance series such as: In the Flesh erotic salon, Hyper Gender, Sideshow: Queer Literary Carnival, and Red Umbrella Diaries. Her poetry can be found in Clean Sheets, Cliterature Journal, InStereo Press, and/or journal, and Polari Journal. She can also be read in hell strung and crooked (Uphook Press), Best Women’s Erotica 2010 (Cleis Press), Best Lesbian Love Stories 2010 (Alyson Books), Nice Girls, Naughty Sex (Seal), and the upcoming Women in Lust (Cleis). She currently works as an erotica editor for Oysters & Chocolate. She can be found writing poems on her body in Brooklyn. Find her at http://aimeeherman.wordpress.com/.

NYC Open Mic Joint Debuts @ The Nuyorican Poets Café! Saturday, Dec. 10

noreply@blogger.com (Michael P. Geffner) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 04:57:00 +0000

This Saturday night, history is being made – The Inspired Word and the famed spoken word mecca, the Nuyorican Poets Café in Manhattan’s East Village, join forces to present the NYC Open Mic Joint, hosted by former Nuyorican Slam Master Nathan P.

Founded by award-winning sports journalist and former Village Voice columnist Mike Geffner, The Inspired Word is one of the hottest open mic series in the country - graced by the likes of Grammy nominated singers, HBO Def Poetry stars, American Idol finalists, Golden Globe Award-winning actresses, and poets from The Best American Poetry anthology.

It’s open to all types of artists - comedians, musicians, storytellers, singers, poets, fiction/nonfiction writers, playwrights, spoken word artists, performance artists, dancers, ANYTHING and EVERYTHING.

So, if you’re looking for a cool downtown spot to do your thing, this is definitely the place.

All you have to do is bring the talent, we’ll bring the rest.

25 slots, 4 minute time limit.

The venue: Nuyorican Poets Café 236 East 3rd Street (between Avenues B and C) Manhattan, New York

Phone: (212) 505-8183 (917) 703-1512

Time: 6:30-9:30pm

Cover charge: $10

To purchase tickets in advance online, click on this link http://nyopenmic.eventbrite.com/.

NO AGE LIMIT!

For Nuyorican Poets Café info, please check out http://www.nuyorican.org/

Big Mike Takes Down 1st Slam Master Jam Championship - The Videos!

noreply@blogger.com (Michael P. Geffner) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 12:35:00 +0000

Congrats to Big Mike!

What a blast of a night!

The Inspired Word's Slam Master Jam Championship Hosted by HBO Def Poetry star Gemineye Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011

The way it finished.

1st Place - Big Mike - $300 2nd Place - Robert Quote Rosa - $100 3rd Place - Omar Ion Holman - $75 4th Place - Christine-Jean Blain - $15 5th Place - Peter Seaton AKA Rain Maker - $10

The Inspired Word's 2-Year Anniversary Marathon - 30+ Artists! New Venue!

noreply@blogger.com (Michael P. Geffner) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 12:10:00 +0000

The Inspired Word 2-Year Anniversary Marathon! A not-to-be-missed all-star lineup of spoken word artists, poets, singers, and comedians.

To purchase tickets in advance online, click here http://inspiredwordanniversarynight.eventbrite.com/

Hosted by HBO Def Poetry star Gemineye and NYC spoken word legend Nathan P. and in our brand new venue - 116 in Greenwich Village! Formerly The Gaslight Cafe or Village Gaslight.

First Bob Dylan, Kerouac, Ginsberg, Bill Cosby...Now THE INSPIRED WORD!

When: Friday, Jan 6, 2012
Where: 116
http://116macdougal.com/
116 MacDougal Street (between Bleecker Street and Minetta Lane)
Downstairs lounge
Manhattan, NYC
Phone: (212) 254-9996
(917) 703-1512

By subway, take the A, B, C, D, E, F to West 4th Street-Washington Square.

Doors open @ 6:00pm

Show - 6:30-11:00pm

Cover Charge: $15

Scheduled Performers (subject to change)

Patricia Smith
Regie Cabico
Oveous Maximus
Vanessa Hidary
Ngoma
Jesus Papoleto Melendez
Bonafide Rojas
Erica Miriam Fabri and Robin Andre
Big Mike
Osagyefo
Jamaal St. John
Jane LeCroy
Advocate of Wordz
Ocean Vuong
The MarXman
Simply Rob
Eliel Lucero
Jane Ormerod
Jazz Horn
Thomas Fucaloro
Sylvana Joyce + The Moment
Emanuel Xavier
David Lawton
Vince Royale
Eve Brandstein
Aimee Herman
Carolina Hidalgo
Yenny Love
Amy Leigh Cutler

"The Inspired Word isn't just a series, it's a movement."

The Inspired Word's New Home - Coming in 2012! Every Wednesday Night!

noreply@blogger.com (Michael P. Geffner) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 12:05:00 +0000

First Dylan, Ginsberg, Kerouac, Cosby, and Springsteen...Now The Inspired Word! The legacy continues!

On Friday night, Jan. 6, 2012, The Inspired Word is psyched to debut @ our new, ultra-cool venue, 116 (formerly The Gaslight Café or The Village Gaslight) in the West Village. And starting on Wednesday, Jan. 18, we're there EVERY WEDNESDAY NIGHT, between our usual 7-10pm and hosted by HBO Def Poetry star Gemineye.

Address: 116 MacDougal Street (between Bleecker Street and Minetta Lane)
Downstairs Lounge
Manhattan, NYC.
Phone: (212) 254-9996

http://116macdougal.com/

http://116nyc.tumblr.com/

http://www.facebook.com/116macdougal

By subway, take the A, B, C, D, E, F to West 4th Street-Washington Square.

116.

Bob Dylan in 1962.

William Morris reading his poem Lyric for Children @ The Gaslight in 1959.

For more info on the history of this famed spot, check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gaslight_Cafe.

The Inspired Word's 1st Slam Championship w/Host Gemineye - Thursday, Dec. 1

noreply@blogger.com (Michael P. Geffner) — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 23:06:00 +0000

Thursday night goes BOOM!

This year's Slam Master Jam winners - 5 of the Tri-State's most dangerous slam poets, Omar Ion Holman, Big Mike, Peter Seaton AKA Rain Maker, Robert Rosa AKA Quote, and Christine-Jean Blain - battle it out for $500 in prize money, a feature spot in 2012, and bragging rights to The Inspired Word's 1st Slam Master Jam Championship.

Hosted by 3-time HBO Def Poetry star Gemineye.

1st Place - $300 (plus a feature spot for 2012 and included in the 2 year anniversary show on Jan. 6)

2nd Place- $100

3rd Place - $75

4th Place - $15

5th Place - $10
*****
The Combatants:

Christine-Jean Blain

*****

When: Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011

Where: One and One Bar & Restaurant (downstairs Nexus Lounge) 76 East 1st Street (corner of 1st Avenue) Manhattan, NYC Phone: (917) 703-1512

Doors Open @ 6:30pm

Showtime @ 7pm

Cover Charge: $10

NO AGE LIMIT.

Mike Geffner: Poem "Everywhere"

noreply@blogger.com (Michael P. Geffner) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 08:54:00 +0000

EVERYWHERE

I was 16 when she died

A slip on blackened ice

Strangely hard, obscured

Is how it began

A broken hip bone

X-rays with a suspicious blur

A diagnosis

No one saw coming

Everywhere, the doctor said

It was everywhere

She will be dead, he said, in six months

Because it was everywhere

Except everywhere didn't understand who she was

It took three years and six months

To kill her

A month before my high school graduation

When I was 16

And every time I think of her

Now 40 years later

I am 16 again

And alone

And crying

Like never before, never after

The only boy I know

Without a mother.

- Mike Geffner

Videos - Amber Tamblyn & Bonnie Tamblyn @ The Inspired Word

noreply@blogger.com (Michael P. Geffner) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 03:13:00 +0000

Amber & Bonnie Tamblyn Go BOOM: A Mother-Daughter Evening of Explosive Poetry, Music & Foul Language @ Mike Geffner Presents The Inspired Word, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011, One and One Bar/Restaurant, Nexus Lounge, Manhattan, NYC. Hosted by Nathan P.

Amber and Bonnie rocked the house. Got a standing ovation and called back for an encore!

Amber Tamblyn is a Venice, California native. She has been a writer and actress since the age of nine. She was nominated for an Emmy, Golden Globe and Independent Spirit Award for her work in television and film. In 2005, Simon & Schuster published her debut collection of poetry Free Stallion. In 2007 she won the Locarno Film Festival award for Best Actress for her work in the film "Stephanie Daley," in which she starred opposite actress Tilda Swinton. She most recently appeared in FOX's television show "HOUSE" and in Danny Boyle's critically acclaimed film, "127 Hours" opposite James Franco. She will next appear in Horton Foote's "Main Street" opposite Colin Firth. She is most recognized for her work as Joan on the CBS television program "Joan of Arcadia." She is the producer of "The Drums Inside Your Chest," an annual poetry concert (thedrumsinsideyourchest.com) and the nonprofit, Write Now Poetry Society (writenowpoets.org). Her second book of poetry and prose Bang Ditto (Manic D. Press) was released last Fall. She writes for The Poetry Foundation and lives in NYC. For more info, please visit http://www.amtam.com/.

Bonnie Tamblyn is a Californian singer/songwriter. She has written over 60 songs and released four albums, including the most recent Winter Wind. She performs with her daughter, poet and actress Amber Tamblyn in a vaudevillian variety show that encompasses beautiful harmonies, comedic Hollywood horror stories and lots of booze.

Videographer: Laurence Wallace http://www.laurencewallace.com/

Music by: Dan-O http://www.danosongs.com/

HBO Def Poetry Superstar Shihan + Singer Jazz Horn, Welsh Poet Rhian & Open Mic - Thursday, Nov. 17

noreply@blogger.com (Michael P. Geffner) — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 03:34:00 +0000

The Inspired Word presents HBO Def Poetry superstar Shihan + singer Jazzmeia Horn + Welsh poet Rhian + 15-slot open mic open to all kinds of artists.

Hosted by Def Poet Gemineye.
*****
Shihan is undoubtedly one of the most dynamic spoken word artists of our generation. He made seven appearances on HBO Def Poetry and is the first and only poet to have a poem named “Download of the Week” on iTunes. He was the National Poetry Slam Champion, twice National Poetry Slam Finalist, and has been featured on a variety of media outlets, including NBC, Oprah Winfrey's Oxygen Network, Al Gore's Current TV, Nike Battlegrounds, Reebok, Adidas, NBA, CNN, Artisan Films Belly DVD, Complex, Billboard Magazine, several national commercial spots, five national tours (including the Tony Award Winning Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry Jam International Tour) and two upcoming Spoken Word documentaries (SP!T and the sequel to the 1997 cult doc Slam Nation, Slam Planet). His ability to transcend cultural and generational boundaries has made Shihan a much-sought-after talent.

With a name like Jazzmeia Horn, she was obviously born to be a songstress in the great tradition of America's classic music, a throwback to the days of Ella and Lena and Nina and Billie. With a voice so irresistibly smooth and grounded in the utmost respect for the vocabulary of the song, she'll take you on a luscious journey down memory lane. "I approach a song with moral and reasonable certitude that lies within my voice," she says. She has performed at such notable New York City jazz clubs as Fat Cat, Miles' Cafe, and Dizzy's, and has been a Downbeat award-winning vocalist three years in a row. For more info, please visit http://www.theartistryofjazzhorn.com/.

Rhian is a poet, singer and songwriter. Her first collection of poems Clueless Dogs is due to be published by Seren in February 2012. Rhian's pamphlet Parade the Fib, (Tall-Lighthouse), was awarded the Poetry Book Society Choice for autumn 2008. Rhian has been published in the Times Literary Supplement, Poetry Review, Arete, Stand Magazine, the Spectator, Poetry London, Poetry Wales, Planet and the London Magazine.

*****
When: Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011

Where: One and One Bar & Restaurant (downstairs Nexus Lounge) 76 East 1st Street (corner of 1st Avenue) Manhattan, NYC Phone:(917) 703-1512

Doors open for open mic sign-up @ 6:30pm

Show starts @ 7pm

Cover Charge: $10

NO AGE LIMIT.

Please join us on Tuesday nights as well for our all-open mic nights! Same time, same place!

The Mighty Third Rail Headline @ The Inspired Word + Open Mic - Thursday, Nov. 10

noreply@blogger.com (Michael P. Geffner) — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 15:50:00 +0000

The Inspired Word presents The Mighty Third Rail (the dynamic combination of poet Darian Dauchan, bassist Ian Baggette, and violinist Curtis Stewart), plus special guest Mark Grist from the UK and our amazing 15-slot open mic open to all kinds of artists.

Hosted by 3-time HBO Def Poetry star Gemineye.
*****
BIOS:

The Mighty Third Rail, aside from being a clever riff on that special train-track rail that shocks the ish out of you, aside from being a metaphor in politics to avoid controversial issues, is also a three-man trio that mixes the elements of Hip Hop poetry, beat-boxing, violin and bass. From poetry cafes to colleges to concert halls, whether it's jamming at the legendary Nuyorican Poets Cafe, Joe's Pub, The Brooklyn Academy of Music, or performing at the prestigious Lincoln Center, The Mighty Third Rail always delivers. The band features the dashing Darian Dauchan on vocals, the indelible Ian Baggette on bass, and the courteous Curtis Stewart on violin. With daring vocals, booming basslines and a vivacious violin, this bold, urban collective creates politically challenging works that push the boundaries of Jazz and Hip Hop to define the next generation's voice. Their album's Classic and Death Boogie are now available on iTunes.

Mark Grist is a spoken word artist and English teacher based in the UK. He became Poet Laureate of Peterborough in 2008 and Chief Bard of the Fens in 2009, as well as becoming the Edinburgh Fringe’s Slam Champion in 2010. He writes for a range of publications and is the resident poet for Young Writers’ magazine as well as writing a weekly column for Peterborough’s Evening Telegraph. He’s been on three National tours, performed in The House of Commons, and has appeared at a range of music festivals including Glastonbury and Latitude. His hour long spoken word show “Dead Poets,” which explores the relationship between hip hop and poetry, has been touring nationally for the past two years and has notched up over 150 performances to date. His new spoken word show, “Shetland Boy,” which details life growing up on the most Northern Island in the UK, is coming to The Edinburgh Fringe in 2011.

*****
When: Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011

Where: One and One Bar & Restaurant (downstairs Nexus Lounge) 76 East 1st Street (corner of 1st Avenue) Manhattan, NYC Phone:(917) 703-1512

Doors open for open mic sign-up @ 6:30pm

Show starts @ 7pm

Cover Charge: $10

NO AGE LIMIT.

Please join us on Tuesday nights as well for our all-open mic nights! Same time, same place!

Videos - HBO Def Poetry Star Beau Sia @ The Inspired Word

noreply@blogger.com (Michael P. Geffner) — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 15:37:00 +0000

HBO Def Poetry Star Beau Sia @ Mike Geffner Presents The Inspired Word, Thursday, Sept. 22, 2011, One and One Bar/Restaurant, Nexus Lounge, Manhattan, NYC. Hosted by Gemineye.

Spoken word poet Beau Sia has toured Europe and the U.S. and was one of the true superstars on HBO Def Poetry. He authored the poetry book A Night Without Armor II: The Revenge as well as the spoken word CD's Attack! Attack! Go! and Dope and Wack. His work also appears in numerous anthologies including Bum Rush the Page: A Def Poetry Jam, and he has appeared in several documentary films, Slamnation, Slam, and Race is the Place. He was featured in the 2000 ESPN X Games and on Hardball with Chris Matthews, Last Call with Carson Daly, Showtime at the Apollo, The Today Show, and The Tony Awards. His film career expanded to include Hitch, with Will Smith, and The Manchurian Candidate, with Denzel Washington. He is one of the original cast members in Def Poetry Jam on Broadway, a 2003 Special Event Tony Award Winner.

This event was funded in part by Poets & Writers, Inc. with public funds from New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency.

Videos - HBO Def Poetry Star Oveous Maximus @ The Inspired Word

noreply@blogger.com (Michael P. Geffner) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:58:00 +0000

HBO Def Poetry Star Oveous Maximus @ Mike Geffner Presents The Inspired Word, Thursday, Sept. 29, 2011, One and One Bar/Restaurant, Nexus Lounge, Manhattan, NYC. Hosted by Gemineye.

Oveous Maximus is a recording artist who fooled everyone into believing he was a poet. He grew up in the Bronx and Washington Heights exposed to the richness of jazz, soul, hip hop, and Afro Latin music. An honorary member of the world-famous Nuyorican Poets Cafe, Oveous shares his own brand of "rap & spoken word." He became a National Poetry slam finalist three years in a row, is a multiple time winner at the Apollo Theater, has performed on the hit series HBO Def Poetry, starred in the film SP!T, and has recorded music with Grammy Award winner Louie Vega. Has released two critically acclaimed albums and is about to release his 3rd studio album, which he wrote and produced entirely himself. For more info, please visit http://oveous.blogspot.com/.

Videographer: Denise Goins http://www.denisegoins.com/

Videos - Actor/Playwright/Poet Rock Wilk @ The Inspired Word

noreply@blogger.com (Michael P. Geffner) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:53:00 +0000

Actor/Playwright/Poet Rock Wilk @ Mike Geffner Presents The Inspired Word, Thursday, Aug. 18, 2011, One and One Bar/Restaurant, Nexus Lounge, Manhattan, NYC. Hosted by Nathan P.

An actor, playwright and poet, New York City's own Rock Wilk is also a socially and politically charged vocalist and an accomplished multi-instrumentalist. He creates all of this art while riding the subways of NYC. Along with being a Nuyorican Poet's semifinalist and 2010 runoffs qualifier for The Nuyorican's national team, Rock also was recently a featured performer for Amnesty International at an event for human rights.

He has worked as a studio and touring background vocalist for many years, most recently singing with the legendary Patti LaBelle and contributing vocal and horn arrangements to the Grammy Award winning Les Paul compilation album, LES PAUL AND FRIENDS. Rock's music can also be heard on such TV shows as MTV's "The Real World" and "Making The Band," among others.

He is currently developing his play, BROKE WIDE OPEN, a one person show, which was presented in July of 2010 at undergroundzero, as part of the Playgroundzero Festival at PS 122 in Manhattan. In September of 2010, BROKE WIDE OPEN was also mounted as a 3 week, 12 performance workshop at The Medicine Show Theatre, also in NYC. Rock is currently touring BROKE WIDE OPEN all over the United States. BROKE WIDE OPEN will also be presented as part of The Camden Fringe Festival in London, England, in August of 2011.

For more info on Rock, please visit http://www.brokewideopen.com/home.html.

Videographer: Denise Goins http://www.denisegoins.com/

Titillating Tongues: NYC Erotica in Poetry & Prose + Open Mic - Thursday, Nov. 3

noreply@blogger.com (Michael P. Geffner) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 13:15:00 +0000

The Inspired Word presents a hot night of sexy fun, lip-licking words, and utter debauchery – Titillating Tongues: NYC Erotica in Poetry & Prose, featuring some of New York City's best erotic writers: Rachel Kramer Bussel, Janice Erlbaum, Uche Nduka, Jennifer Blowdryer, Aimee Herman, Kathleen Warnock, Puma Perl, Elizabeth Rivera De Garcia, Jane LeCroy, and Sam J. Miller.

There will also be a 12-slot open mic open to all types of artists, where you can bring your own heat to the party.

Hosted by HBO Def Poetry star Gemineye.
*****
When: Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011

Where: One and One Bar & Restaurant (downstairs Nexus Lounge) 76 East 1st Street (corner of 1st Avenue) Manhattan, NYC Phone:(917) 703-1512

Doors open for open mic sign-up @ 6:30pm

Show starts @ 7pm

Cover Charge: $10

Must be 21 years old or older.

"The Inspired Word isn't just a series, it's a movement."
*****
And please join us for our Tuesday Night Open Mic Joint - same time, same place.
*****
FEATURE BIOS (in alphabetical order):

In 1988, Ms. Jennifer Blowdryer founded Smut Fests, a show that mixed sex workers performing their own material, however they saw fit, along with some burlesque, spoken word, and other ephemera. She took it on the road to London, Chicago, Hamburg, and Baltimore, Maryland. London was the most crazily good show, but Hamburg's red light district offered the best theater on earth, the Schmidt Tivoli. JB's currently working on a documentary called The 86ed Project, and an ebook called The Bitchez Guide to the Lower East Side. She resides on East 2nd Street, which is still Sport Bar free. For more info, please visit http://blog.jenniferblowdryer.com/.

Rachel Kramer Bussel is an author, editor, blogger and event organizer. She is the editor of 40 anthologies, including Women in Lust, Obsessed, Orgasmic, Gotta Have It, Fast Girls, Best Bondage Erotica 2011, Spanked, Bottoms Up, and more. She is Senior Editor at Penthouse Variations and writes a sex column for SexIs Magazine. She writes widely about sex, dating, books and pop culture, and blogs at Lusty Lady (http://lustylady.blogspot.com/) and Cupcakes Take the Cake (http://cupcakestakethecake.blogspot.com/). For more info, please visit http://www.rachelkramerbussel.com/.

Janice Erlbaum is the author of Girlbomb: A Halfway Homeless Memoir (Villard, March ’06), and Have You Found Her: A Memoir (Villard, Feb. ’08). A founding member of the now defunct performance collective Pussy Poets, her poetry and prose has been featured in anthologies including Aloud: Voices from the Nuyorican Poets Café, The Bust Guide To The New Girl Order, The Best American Erotic Poems From 1800 To The Present, The Autobiographer’s Handbook: The 826 National Guide to Writing Your Memoir, and Verses That Hurt: Pleasure and Pain from the Poemfone Poets.

Nicknamed SoulSistaRican (by artist/activist Earline Fisher) and Lovely Liz (by host Angel G of The Nuevo Latino Radio Show when sharing her erotic poetry), Elizabeth Rivera de Garcia is a poet, spoken word artist, actor and founder of MyPeopleProductions. She made her poetic debut at The Nuyorican Poet’s Café in Lady l for Banana Puddin’ Jazz and was invited again for Lady ll. Elizabeth has collaborated with Jazz singer Rome Neal for The Brooklyn Jazz Festival and has performed with Jazz Mojo at The Bowery Wine Co. She featured for Heaven on the Hudson at The Hudson River Café and is currently a resident poet of La Familia and company member of The Haiku Empire.

Aimee Herman, a queer performative poet, has been featured at various New York venues such as the Happy Ending Lounge, Dixon Place, Wow Café Theatre, Public Assembly, and Sidewalk Café. She has performed at reading/performance series such as: In the Flesh erotic salon, Hyper Gender, Sideshow: Queer Literary Carnival, and Red Umbrella Diaries. Her poetry can be found in Clean Sheets, Cliterature Journal, Pregnant Moon Review, InStereo Press, and/or journal, and Polari Journal. She can also be read in Focus on the Fabulous: Colorado GLBT Voices, hell strung and crooked (Uphook Press), Best Women’s Erotica 2010 (Cleis Press), Best Lesbian Love Stories 2010 (Alyson Books), Nice Girls, Naughty Sex (Seal), and the upcoming Women in Lust (Cleis). She currently works as an erotica editor for Oysters & Chocolate. She can be found writing poems on her body in Brooklyn. Find her @ http://aimeeherman.wordpress.com/.

Jane LeCroy is a poet and performance artist, home-birthing mother of three, teacher, atheist, vegetarian, hedonist, who fronts the avant-pop band Transmitting with Tom Abbs. Her last book of poetry, “Names” was published by Booklyn (no “R”) as part of the award winning ABC Chapbook series. Her work has appeared in many publications including: Mudfish, Frank 151, Vector, and Teachers & Writers Magazine. LeCroy's last CD, Transmitting "Dark and Full of Life” was released on the European label, Delphy Records. She is a teaching artist working in New York schools through Teachers & Writers Collaborative, Global Writes and DreamYard, she does literacy advocacy through Read To Me. LeCroy has many books and recordings available at www.janelecroy.com where you can request to be put on her e list and receive free poems hot off her brain with every show invite.

Sam J. Miller is a writer and a community organizer. His work has been published in The Minnesota Review, Fiction International, Arts & Letters, West Branch, Washington Square, and The Rumpus, as well as anthologies like Best Gay Erotica 2006 & 2008. He's the co-editor of Horror After 9/11, forthcoming from the University of Texas Press. For more info, please visit http://samjmiller.com/.

Born and raised in Nigeria, Uche Nduka is a collagist, eroticist, and songwriter. He is the author of eight books of poems and winner of the Association of Nigerian Authors Poetry Prize in 1997. Some of his writings have been translated into German, Dutch, Romanian, Serbo-Croat, and French. He currently lives - and writes constantly - in New York City.

Puma Perl is a poet and fiction writer, producer, and performance artist who believes strongly in the transformative power of the creative arts. Her work has been published in over 100 print and online journals and anthologies. Her first chapbook, Belinda and Her Friends was awarded the Erbacce Press 2009 Poetry Award; a full length collection, knuckle tattoos, was published in 2010. She lives on the Lower East Side and has facilitated writing workshops in community based agencies and at Riker’s Island, a NYC prison. She is a founding member of DDAY Productions, and curates monthly shows at the Bowery Poetry Club.

Kathleen Warnock is series editor for Best Lesbian Erotica. Her own erotica has appeared in BLE, A Woman's Touch, Friction 7, and Best Lesbian Romance. She curates the reading series Drunken! Careening! Writers! at KGB Bar the third Thursday of every month (since 2004). For more info, please visit http://www.kathleenwarnock.com/.

2 Videos: Poets Joaquín Zihuatanejo & Natasha Carrizosa @ The Inspired Word

noreply@blogger.com (Michael P. Geffner) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 12:53:00 +0000

Poets Joaquín Zihuatanejo & Natasha Carrizosa @ Mike Geffner Presents The Inspired Word, Thursday, Sept. 15, 2011, One and One Bar/Restaurant, Nexus Lounge, Manhattan, NYC. Hosted by Theresa Poetresse Robbinson.

Natasha Carrizosa is a mother, a dreamer, and a lover of music and life. She is a poet/spoken word artist who celebrates her dual heritage (African- and Mexican-American) with works that weave an intoxicating blend of cultures, languages and impressions. She has shared the stage with Maya Angelou, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, E. Lynn Harris and countless other poets, authors, and artists. Her writings have been featured in Rhapsody, Her Mark, and x magazine (United Kingdom.) She is the author of mejiafricana, a spoken word CD and nude -- a collection of love and erotic poems. She recently recorded her second spoken word CD -- the dreamcatcher. In 2008 she collaborated with Joaquín Zihuatanejo on of fire and rain - a spoken word CD that is a testimony of life/love that spans from the barrios of East Dallas to the ghettos of the west indies. Selections from of fire and rain were published by Poetry in Motion, and organization that promotes the work of young American poets by publishing their work alongside the work of masters from the past on trains, subways, and buses across The United States. Natasha is the 2010 Austin International Poetry Slam Champion and one of two American poets (Joaquín Zihuatanejo, below, is the other) chosen to represent The United States at El Proyecto Poesia Slam 2010 in Madrid, Spain.

Joaquín Zihuatanejo is a father, husband, poet, and award-winning teacher. In his work he strives to capture the duality of the Chicano culture - the conquered and the conqueror, the Pagan and the Christian, the earth and the sky all find refuge in his voice. He has shared a stage with Maya Angelou, Billy Collins, E. Lynn Harris, Saul Williams, and Alicia Keys among others. He appeared on HBO Def Poetry in 2005 and is the author of Barrio Songs and co-author, along with Natasha Carrizosa, of the collection of poems of fire and rain. Joaquin has recorded seven spoken word CDs, Barrio Songs, Stand Up and Be Heard, Live at Longwood, of fire and rain, a spoken word collaboration with Natasha Carrizosa, Child of the Hood Days, HOPE 5 MILES, and Barbaric Yawps: Best of Joaquín Zihuatanejo. He is the winner of the 2008 Individual World Poetry Slam Championship and the 2009 European World Cup of Poetry Slam Championship held in Paris, France making him the number one ranked slam poet in the world on both sides of the Atlantic in the same year. He was recently awarded the Artist in Residence Award by the National Hispanic Cultural Center and will spend most of the summer writing and teaching at the NHCC in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The two passions in his life are his wife Aída and poetry - always in that order.

This event was funded in part by Poets & Writers, Inc. with public funds from New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency.

Videographer: Denise Goins http://www.denisegoins.com/