The official blog of Mike Geffner's Inspired Word NYC open mic/performance series that happens every week in downtown Manhattan, featuring the best spoken word artists, spoken word poets, singers, musicians, comedians and storytellers. Upcoming open mic event info; pics, words, videos from past open mic shows; current news in the performing arts, open mics, poetry, spoken word, comedy, music, and storytelling.
Showing posts with label Mike Geffner Present The Inspired Word. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mike Geffner Present The Inspired Word. Show all posts
The Inspired Word Presents PinkSpeak: Breast Cancer Journeys in Poetry & Prose - a fundraiser for the Young Survival Coalition: Young women facing breast cancer together http://www.youngsurvival.org/
Thursday, Feb. 10, 2011
(Le) Poisson Rouge (downstairs Gallery Bar)
158 Bleecker Street (between Thompson and Sullivan)
Manhattan, New York City
Hosted by award-winning actress and former L.A. Law star Jill Eikenberry, a breast cancer survivor herself, and featuring singer and American Idol finalist Anwar Robinson, singer/writer Khadijah Carter, author/poet Pamilla deLeon-Lewis, actress Alice King, award-winning playwright Andrea Lepcio, actress/poet Gha’il Rhodes Benjamin, authors Jane Kelley ("Nature Girl") and Michelle Malavet ("Cancerland and The Other Side of Sick"), actress Shona Tucker, spoken word poet Joanna Hoffman, screenwriter/playwright/producerBarbara Sutton Masry, and three-time Fringenyc award winning performer Cyndi Freeman.
2005 American Idol finalist Anwar Robinson @ Mike Geffner Presents The Inspired Word
PinkSpeak: Breast Cancer Journeys in Poetry & Prose
Fundraiser of Young Survival Coalition: Young women facing breast cancer together http://www.youngsurvival.org/
Hosted by Jill Eikenberry
Thursday, Feb. 10, 2011
(Le) Poisson Rouge
Manhattan, New York City
On Thursday, Feb. 10, 2011, The Inspired Word was honored to have Golden Globe winning actress and former L.A. Law star Jill Eikenberry host its PinkSpeak: Breast Cancer Journeys in Poetry & Prose - a fundraiser - and a fabulously unforgettable night - for the Young Survival Coalition: Young women facing breast cancer together. http://www.youngsurvival.org/.
The Inspired Word is thrilled to introduce its new host, Christopher Andrew AKA Gemineye. Chris, a spoken word artist, writer, and educator, has featured on HBO Def Poetry Jam three times and for TIW twice, including on our memorable all-star anniversary night, and we absolutely love the guy. Laugh out loud funny. Totally likeable. And incredible stage presence. His debut night will be March 10. Welcome to the family, Chris.
Gemineye's Bio:
Spoken word artist, writer, and poet - Gemineye - is a “dual personality.” Born Christopher Andrew in Washington State, this poet would arrive and settle in Mount Vernon, NY. “Money Earning Mount Vernon,” as it was known, was home to rap artists Heavy D, Pete Rock, and C.L. Smooth, as well as actors and celebrities including Academy Award Winner Denzel Washington, the Legendary Dick Clark, Debbie Allen, Phylicia Rashad, and a host of others.
Christopher pursued college studies at the University at Albany (State University of New York) - where he received both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree. In his spare time, Christopher worked endlessly towards developing his talents for writing and acting. His strong stage presence would be developed through the teaching of skilled actors who organized PROPS theater group on the University at Albany campus. During his time at the University at Albany, Christopher performed poetry in many talent shows and open-mic showcases. He also starred in several major theatrical productions which were written, directed, and produced by the PROPS Theater Group.
In June of 2001, Christopher moved to New Jersey to become an administrator with the Office of Residence Life at Montclair State University. This transition proved to be one of the greatest opportunities ever presented, and Christopher took full advantage of his new surroundings. He began associating with various colleagues at Montclair State University; some of whom enjoyed attending diversified poetry readings throughout the tri-state area. Christopher would make his own way onto the poetry scene in August of 2001 at Newark, New Jersey’s Euphoria Café, which was hosted by HBO Def Poet, “Flowmentalz.” Christopher would quickly become a crowd favorite in nearly every venue he entered, and continued to hone his spoken word skills through slam competitions and open-mics.
A 2002 finalist in the world renowned “Nuyorican Poets’ Café” Grand Slam Finals in New York; a 2002 finalist at Serengeti Plains in New Jersey - he would soon hold the title of “Grand Slam Champion” in New Jersey. He was the anchor member of the 2002 New Jersey National Slam Team and competed at the 2002 National Poetry Slam in Minneapolis. Christopher would retain his title in 2003 becoming only the 1st person to win back to back Grand Slam Championships in New Jersey. He would again attend the National Poetry Slam (in Chicago) as a member of the New Jersey National Slam Team. Christopher made his third straight trip to the National Poetry Slam in 2004 where the New Jersey National Slam Team finished in sixth place (out of 67 teams); the best finish ever by a team from New Jersey. In 2006, Christopher rejoined the team for a fourth appearance at the national Poetry Slam in Austin, Texas.
Since his start, Christopher has shared the stage with a plethora of artists including poets, hip hop artists, musicians, and motivational speakers. He has performed for audiences all over the United States including celebrities such as Hip Hop Mogul Russell Simmons, Hip Hop Legend and the World’s Greatest Entertainer Dougie Fresh, Hip Hop Artist/Producer Sean (P.Diddy) Combs, the Reverend Jesse Jackson, Dr. Ben Chavis, Supermodel Naomi Campbell, Hip Hop Artist/Producer Kanye West, R&B Legend Smokey Robinson, R&B Artist Tweet, Hip-Hop Artists Ludacris and Raekwon, and several others. Christopher has published materials, both compact discs and books. He has also been broadcast live on the 98.7 KISS FM morning show in New York City and the tri-state area, which is co-hosted by celebrity comedian, and fellow Mount Vernon native, Talent. Christopher’s supercharged poetical style has earned him three consecutive appearances on HBO presents “Russell Simmons’ Def Poetry” in 2003, 2004, and 2005 (seasons 3, 4, and 5, respectfully).
In 2003, Christopher, along with three other spoken word artists from New Jersey (Flowmentalz, Rasheed Adero, and Dtheschizophrenic) formed a non-profit organization called New Jersey S.L.A.M. (Supporting, Leading, Advocating, and Mentoring) (www.njslam.org). Together, these four poets are attempting to provide a new energy and promote positive changes amongst the youth living within impoverished neighborhoods. The activities they provide range from mentorship programs and tutoring workshops, to the presentation of a full length poetry play that engages young minds and helps them understand the downfalls of things such as drug abuse, drug dealing, gang membership, unsafe sexual activity, as well as others. NJ SLAM recently became SLAM Global, and under the director of Divad Sanders (Dtheschizophrenic), President and Founder, has branched out into communities beyond Northern New Jersey.
In addition to his work NJ SLAM and SLAM Global, Christopher has assisted the efforts of the Hip Hop Action Network, working with Russell Simmons and Dr. Ben Chavis, and performing at the first annual Hip Hop Summit Action Network Awards honoring Jay - Z, P. Diddy, and Tommy Hilfiger. He has also attended and assisted with the efforts of the Hip Hop Action Network’s Financial Summit “Get Your Money Right” which was partnered with Chrysler Financial (Miami, July 2005) as well as the National Hip Hop Political Convention in Newark New Jersey in August of 2005, where he performed at a political empowerment seminar, as well as shared the main stage during a finale performance with artists such as Busta Rhymes, Wyclef Jean, Dougie Fesh, and Slick Rick.
Since first stepping foot onto the Spoken Word scene, Christopher has worked diligently to use his art form as a venue to express personal feelings about the issues of today, and life inside of urban America. His poetry often tells tales of truth pertaining to life, love, erotica, urban events, and various other aspects that people from all walks of life can relate to.
Christopher has spent the last ten years merging his worlds of spoken word and higher education. He has maintained his passion for both and has continued performing to and talking with college and high school students across the country as a poet and educator all while continuing to expand his professional aspirations. He currently works as an Associate Dean of Students at a medium sized university in New Jersey.
"It has been a pleasure to work with you and be a part of your events. You have managed to pull together a wide range of poets and your shows truly depict an appreciation for the diversity of the art form. I hold you and the rest of the Inspired Word folks in very high regard. Thank you for having me as part of the anniversary. It was an honor!" - Gemineye
"it was a night of word majik." - Ngoma
"My congratulations for the extraordinary work you are doing. Long Live Inspired Word!!!" - Claudio Ivan Remeseira, Editor of Hispanic New York
"...a new home for us poets. Its been great!! I can't wait to see the amazing things you guys have planned for the future." - Tahani Salah
"Definitely wonderful." - Jessica Filion
"Last night was amazing. Essence was swimming in poetry last night. It was indeed amazing. Thomas Fucaloro "put it down" as only he can. DJ Eliel's poem about Joleen was amazingly crafted and humorous. Ngoma, ahh, like no other. Man, all of the poets rained science last night. Patricia Smith put icing on the cake so sweet, I broke out the Orajel. Happy Anniversary Inspired Word." - Cyd Charisse Fulton
"It was amazing." - Vanessa Hidary, AKA The Hebrew Mamita
"Absolutely perfection last nite! Amazing and stupendous...Congrats on the one year anniversary and continued overwhelming blessings in this 2011! Last nite was top notch!" - Ed Toney
"Great crowd, great assortment of artists, great night!" - Adriana J. Borzellino
"It was a really special night and I am honored to have been included. Congratulations on a great show." - Jane Ormerod
"If you couldn't attend, you missed a helluva show." - Maria Escribidora
"I feel like I had a seven-course meal!" - Stephanie Rogers
"The Inspired Word tonight was awesome!!!! What an amazing showcase!!!" - Yasmeen Duncan
Mike Geffner Presents The Inspired Word, featuring HBO Def Poetry star Steve Colman and award-winning author JLove Calderón.
In addition, there will a 12-slot open mic (open to ALL types of artists).
When: Thursday, Dec. 9, 2010
Where: (Le) Poisson Rouge (downstairs Gallery Bar)
158 Bleecker Street (between Thompson and Sullivan)
Manhattan, New York City http://www.lepoissonrouge.com/ Phone: (212) 504-3474
Time: 7:00pm
Cover Charge: $10
Must be 21 years of age or older. Please make sure to bring ID.
*****
Feature Bios:
JLove Calderón is an author, activist, and social entrepreneur workingon issues of social justice, race, and gender. She has authored four award-winning books, and produces book publishing seminars nationally. Her first novel inspired by a true story, That White Girl, has been optioned for film. For her book Love, Race, and Liberation; 'Til the White Day is Done, she was a finalist in the Social Change category of the 2010 National Indie Excellence Awards. She graduated Cum Laude from San Diego State University with a B.A. in Africana Studies and received her M.A. in Education from Long Island University. For more info, visit www.jlovecalderon.com
Steve Colman is a poet, playwright, producer, and director. He co-wrote and starred in the Tony Award-winning Russell Simmons' Def Poetry Jam on Broadway and co-conceived and assistant directed Sarah Jones’s Tony Award-winning Broadway hit Bridge and Tunnel, which was originally produced by Meryl Streep. He also produced Lemon Andersen's critically acclaimed County of Kings at The Public Theater. Colman began performing poetry at the Nuyorican Poets Café on Manhattan's Lower East Side. He won the National Poetry Slam championship as a member of the 1998 Nuyorican Poets Café slam team.
The Inspired Word Presents "Shimmying the Spoken Word with Sugar Shack Burlesque," featuring original work from some of New York City's most original performers - burlesque superstars such as Dr. Lucky, Darlinda Just Darlinda, Tigger!, Bunny Love, James Habacker, The Incredible Edible Akynos, Nasty Canasta, RunAround Sue, Cherry Pitz, Scooter Pie, Clams Casino, and Mary Cyn.
You've seen them bare their souls in dance, now listen to their spirit in words.
A spoken word poetry event unafraid to push the envelope!
There will also be a 5-slot open mic (open not only to poets and spoken word artists but fiction/nonfiction writers, comedians, monologists, singers, and musicians).
What: Mike Geffner Presents The Inspired Word NYC spoken word poetry event
When: Thursday, Nov. 11, 2010
Where: (Le) Poisson Rouge (downstairs Gallery Bar)
158 Bleecker Street (between Thompson and Sullivan)
Manhattan, New York City http://www.lepoissonrouge.com/Phone:
Time: 7:00pm
Cover Charge: $10
Must be 21 years of age or older. Please make sure to bring ID.
"The Godfather of Boylesque" & "The Original King of Boylesque" JAMES TIGGER! FERGUSON is a Stripperformance Artist/Actor/Dancer who has performed in New York & abroad for 22 years. A Pioneer in the 90s burlesque revival who has been stripping for over 18 years. Won the 1st-ever Mr. Exotic World title (Best Boylesque) at Burlesque Hall of Fame in Las Vegas 2006. Won 5 Golden Pastie Awards, including "Most Likely to Get Shut Down by the Law" & "Most Unpredictable Performer." Named the Top Male Burlesque Performer of 2009 in an international online poll. Called "the Boylesque King...a heart-pounding climax" by LA Weekly, "hysterical and acrobatic"..."waspish élan" by The New York Times, "disturbing, funny and oddly riveting all at once" by Vancouver Sun, "delightful...simultaneously hilarious and titillating" by TheaterMania, "the taboo-defying dynamo" by NEXT Magazine. He has acted in Shakespeare, Apollinaire, Wedekind, Horváth, Williams and numerous original works with Taylor Mac, Julie Atlas Muz & other geniuses. Recently performed in: Denmark, Cyprus, England, Hungary, Netherlands, Sweden, Portugal, France, Vancouver, Toronto, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Denver, Chicago, Minneapolis, Key West, Richmond, DC, Sag Harbor & Provincetown.www.facebook.com/TiggerJames
MISS MARY CYN is a classically trained actor with a BFA from NYU who takes her clothes off in bars. In the world of burlesque she is known for extreme geekiness and epic debauchery. As a writer she is building a name for herself through her heartfelt prose, deeply personal stories, and hot sex scenes. She has three blogs and is currently writing a novel about two people who fall in love and probably shouldn't. Look her up on facebook under her muggle name, Alithea Howes.
Called "a burlesque queen" by the New York Times, “spectacular” on the New York Post’s Page Six and an “NYC Culturemaker” by Time Out New York, CLAMS CASINO is a nationally recognized producer and one of New York's favorite stars of the bump 'n' grind. She has brought her unique mix of sexy hilarity and curvaceous glam to a wide variety of stages across New York City, and to Las Vegas, Boston, Washington DC, Key West, Atlanta, Toronto and many more cities around the country! In summer 2008 Clams was the winner of two coveted trophies, for “Most Innovative” and “Most Comedic” at the Miss Exotic World Pageant, sponsored by the Burlesque Hall of Fame. She is also a Golden Pastie Award winner at the New York Burlesque Festival. Clams has a BFA in Playwriting from Ohio University.
Internationally-renowned artstar (and reigning Cheese Queen of Coney Island) NASTY CANASTA is frequently hailed as a genius of the neo-burlesque scene. A "burlesque queen" (The NY Times), 2nd Runner Up at the 2010 Miss Exotic World Pageant, and "Brooklyn's greatest burlesque star" (The Brooklyn Paper), Nasty is the co-producer of Pinchbottom ("Best Burlesque in NYC" - NY Magazine, "Most Innovative" - Burlesque Hall of Fame) and the impresario behind Sweet & Nasty Burlesque. In another life she was the creator of Man Of Infinite Desire, a one-person show based on the Faust legends, and the co-author of Wuthering Heights, an 80's teen-movie version of Charlotte Bronte's Wuthering Heights.
DARLINDA JUST DARLINDA, a "Mastermind of Bizarre Extravaganza" as coined by the Village Voice, has been working as a Burlesque Performer and Producer locally (NYC) and nationally since 2003. She's crossed over into performance art with her year long "life as art" projects, “The Year in Rainbow” and most recently "The Year in Dance" www.yearindance.com. In February 2007 Darlinda was honored to perform with Julie Atlas Muz at PS122 in The Divine Comedy of an Exquisite Corpse. In October of 2007 Darlinda participated in the Feminist Neo Burlesque Symposium at The Central School of Speech and Drama at the University of London.In October 2009 Darlinda participated in Taylor Mac’s The Lily’s Revenge as The Bride Love. Darlinda is one half of the Burlesque duo The Schlep Sisters, co producing such shows as Menorah Horah and The Burning Bush vs.The Second Coming. Darlinda is a current faculty member at the New York School of Burlesque.Darlinda is also a proud co-producer and member of the national touring group The Dangerous Curves Ahead: Burlesque on the Go-Go.Darlinda was proud to play Upscale Whore #1 on HBO's Boardwald Empire. She is also the proud winner of the Liz Renay look-a-like contest and the recipient of the 2009 Golden Pastie Awards for The Biggest Hair and Most Innovative and Creative!http://www.darlindajustdarlinda.com/ USA Today says “It’s hard to top Darlinda."
BUNNY LOVE has been part of NYC downtown performance scene for almost 20 years. As an actress, dancer, singer/songwriter, she is well known as an international Burlesque Star and Performance Artist. She is also a film maker who has produced 5 shorts, which have played at such notable festival as Slamdance, The NY Underground Film Festival, The Florida Short Film Festival and The Coney Island Film Festival. Always excited to venture into new areas of performance, she is looking forward to sharing her work in this spoken word show.
DR. LUCKY is a seasoned performer, writer and educator. For over a decade, Lucky has carved a space for herself with her unique comedic timing and over-the-top theatricality. Hailed a "Burlesque Expert" by NY1 and a "big, bad, bold drag queen" by Bust magazine, she has been featured on NPR's Morning Edition (twice), Time, Washington Post, The Toronto Star, and many others. Though a huge fan of hyperbole, the prefix to her name is the one "real" thing about her: she is the premiere burlesque performer in the world with a PhD. Since 2005, she has taught unsuspecting drama students at New York University how to twirl tassels and think critically about burlesque. She is also a faculty member at the New York School of Burlesque and has taught burlesque courses at BurlyCon, Burlesque Hall of Fame, CUNY, Toronto Burlesque Festival, Movement Research, among others. She co-hosts Legend Night at the Burlesque Hall of Fame (2008-2010), headlined the Toronto Burlesque Festival (2009-2010), and has performed at all eight New York Burlesque Festivals. She's presenting the WORLD PREMIERE of an EXCERPT from the biography she's been working on for the last three years - on DIXIE EVANS, the Marilyn Monroe of Burlesque. www.myspace.com/drlucky, www.facebook.com/doctorlucky, or www.youtube/doctorofburlesque.
SCOOTER PIE (with co-producer Runaround Sue) makes NYC dance with her at the weekly burlesque show-party "Shaken & Stirred", and brings "SPAM: Scooter Pie at Midnight" to Albany every month. Sometimes you can also see her naked-ish in other places.
Often called "The Moving Violation" and "The Make it Happen Girl", RUNAROUND SUE currently produces and performs regularly in NYC, Brooklyn, Massachusetts, Virginia, and Washington DC. She has had the honor of performing at the New York Burlesque Festival, Slipper Room, Starshine Burlesque, Sweet and Nasty Burlesque, The Jalopy Music School, Ars Nova, Galapagos, Public Assembly, The Living Theatre, The Palace of Wonders, and many other enchanting venues on both coasts and on both sides of the Mason Dixon line. Miss Sue has a background in performance and first appeared on the stage in a mother's day play presented by her kindergarten class. She played the little girl. She also spent many years developing the runaround part of herself through long and varied road trips during which she would say things like, "Can we stop by Memphis today?" and "How about we head North?" Eventually, she hightailed it to the big city where her sense of southern hospitality soothes many a broken heart.
THE INCREDIBLE EDIBLE AKYNOS is a New York City burlesque performer who's also acted, produced, written articles, and done choreography.
CYNDI FREEMAN is an actress and playwright. She also performs burlesque as Cherry Pitz and produces Hotsy Totsy Burlesque with co-producer Joe the Shark. As a story teller she co-produces The Standard Issues story telling show in Brooklyn with her husband Brad Lawrence and performs at story t elling shows throughout New York, including The Liar Show, Stripped Stories, True Tales of College. A Moth Grand Slam winner she teaches story telling with the Moth Outreach program. Currently she is developing a solo show entitled Wonder Woman: A how to Guide for Little Jewish Girls. She resides in NYC.
JAMES HABACKER is the artistic director of the Slipper Room and creator of such infamous characters as Mel Frye, GoGoat Boy, and Chester Mackeral. He conceived the idea for the Slipper Room, the hotbed of burlesque in New York City, while he was running his successful dance club, Plush, in the Meat-packing District. As a child he often put on his own elaborate shows using kids from around the neighborhood. Not very interested in the theater options that were available to him, he spent most of his youth concentrating on visual art, limiting his performance to fronting a series of bands. While getting his MFA in visual art at Bennington College, he began to develop his performance style, bringing together his varied interests from dada to vaudeville. He performed his routines at Bennington and various bars in the East Village. After getting his degree and opening his first club, he began hosting performance parties in Plush’s upstairs lounge. In the early nineties, the Meat-packing was still an edgy part of town, but in 1999, as the stench of meat was replaced by the stench of gentrification, he opened his new theatre, The Slipper Room, on the Lower East Side.
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