All-Time Most Viewed Inspired Word Videos - Part 1

Poets Vanessa Hidary & Willie Perdomo @ The Inspired Word's One-Year Anniversary

Spoken word poets and HBO Def Poetry alums Vanessa Hidary (AKA The Hebrew Mamita) and Willie Perdomo @ Mike Geffner Presents The Inspired Word NYC spoken word poetry event, Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011, (Le) Poisson Rouge, Manhattan, NYC.

Note: Bleeped content has nothing to do with censorship. We completely support free speech.

The Inspired Word spoken word poetry weekly series celebrated its one-year anniversary with an extravaganza that included an all-star lineup of over 20 of the best performance poets in the New York City area - Patricia Smith, Willie Perdomo, Oveous, Vanessa Hidary, Gemineye, Brian Dykstra, Ngoma, Rico Frederick, Bonafide Rojas, Joanna Hoffman, Erica Miriam Fabri with Robin Andre, Jamaal St. John, Tahani Salah, Sean Patrick Conlon, Nathan P., Osagyefo, Jane LeCroy, Simply Rob, Jane Ormerod, Thomas Fucaloro, Advocate of Wordz, and Eliel Lucero.

The Inspired Word is New York City's hottest new poetry/spoken word series, produced by longtime writer/journalist and former Village Voice columnist Mike Geffner.

Videographer: Elaine Delehant (http://www.bonobofilms.com/)

Music by Oveous: Ssssssh...sexybonushit (strobelights)

Major Kudos for The Inspired Word Anniversary All-Star Extravaganza!

"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

The Inspired Word's One-Year Anniversary Spoken Word Poetry All-Star Extravaganza - Thursday!

Mike Geffner Presents The Inspired Word celebrates its one-year anniversary with a spoken word/poetry event of a lifetime, a lineup to end all lineups, a night you'll remember.

A special event fundraiser for The Inspired Word, featuring 20 of the best performance poets in the NYC area!

Show your love and support! And feel it right back!

When: Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011

Where: (Le) Poisson Rouge (downstairs Gallery Bar)
158 Bleecker Street (between Thompson and Sullivan)
Manhattan, New York City
http://www.lepoissonrouge.com/
Phone: (212) 505-3474

Time: 6:00pm

Cover Charge: $15

Must be 21 years of age or older. Please make sure to bring ID.

*****

SCHEDULED PERFORMERS

Patricia Smith



Willie Perdomo



Oveous Maximus



Steve Colman



Nathan P. 

Vanessa Hidary



Ngoma

Rico Frederick

Gemineye



Brian Dysktra



Simply Rob Vassilarakis



Sean Patrick Conlon



Osagyefo

Ocean Vuong



Erica Miriam Fabri with Robin Andre



Jane LeCroy



Thomas Fucaloro



Jane Ormerod



Tahani Salah



Jamaal St. John



Advocate of Wordz (Host/MC)



Eliel Lucero (DJ)

HBO Def Poetry Star Vanessa Hidary - "What if...?"/Interview @ Mike Geffner's Inspired Word

Vanessa Hidary, AKA The Hebrew Mamita, beautifully performs one of her signature pieces, "What if...?", and does a brief interview @ Mike Geffner Presents The Inspired Word NYC spoken word/poetry event, Thursday, Sept. 23, 2010, One and One Bar/Restaurant, Manhattan, New York City.

"What if...?" is a powerful poem that challenges notions about the societally-agreeable identities she ultimately rejects, embracing instead, her authentic self: self-expressed, powerful, vulnerable, sexy, smart, Jewish, female, human.

Hidary is a native New Yorker who seems to write a lot about Jews, men, race, and juicy thighs. She has aired three times on HBO'S Def Poetry Jam, was a finalist at Nuyorican Poets Café , and her solo show "Culture Bandit," which has toured nationally, has been produced by LAByrinth theatre company, Roar @ Nuyorican Poets café, and the Hip Hop theatre festival, among others. She was featured in the award winning short film "The Tribe," which appeared in numerous festivals such as Sundance and Tribeca Film. She was the director of the show "Monologues": An evening of solo performances exploring Jewish Identity inspired by a 10-day trip through Israel . She received her MFA in acting from Trinity Rep Conservatory, and is currently working on a book that may be called "the Chronicles of The Hebrew Mamita."

For more info on Vanessa Hidary, check out http://www.hebrewmamita.com


The Inspired Word is New York City's hottest new poetry/spoken word series that happens every Thursday night in downtown Manhattan, produced by longtime writer/journalist and former Village Voice columnist Mike Geffner, hosted by Erik "Advocate of Wordz" Maldonado, and featuring not only the likes of Suheir Hammad, Lemon Andersen, Willie Perdomo, Patrica Smith, and Oveous Maximus but an open mic showcase that's open to ALL artists.

Videographer: Elaine Delehant (bonobofilms.com)

Music: La Bruja, "Keep it Movin' Like," http://www.labrujamusic.com/


See more Inspired Word videos on YouTube.com/NYCInspiredWord

The Inspired Word's "American Idol" NYC Spoken Word Poetry Open Mic Night - Dec. 16!

Mike Geffner Presents The Inspired Word's "American Idol" Spoken Word Poetry Open Mic Night - Fall Edition.

"Look, if you had one shot, or one opportunity
To seize everything you ever wanted in one moment
Would you capture it? Or just let it slip?"- Eminem, Lose Yourself




For all those poets and spoken word artists looking to feature at NYC's hottest new spoken word poetry event, The Inspired Word, here's your big chance.

No more claiming to be the greatest - prove it! Put your money where your mouth is and your mouth where the mic is!

The first 25 poets/spoken word artists to sign up for the open mic will get a shot at winning a PAID feature spot at an Inspired Word event during 2011.

Here's how it works:

Every contestant gets ONE shot to blow - for 3 minutes and 3 minutes ONLY (go over the time limit and you'll not only lose SERIOUS points with the judges but likely blow your chances of winning).

WARNING: No hate speech of any kind will be tolerated.

The winner will be decided at the end of the night by a consensus vote from our panel of three judges, our own version of Simon, Randy, and Paula, who will be offering no-holds barred critiques after each performance.

Another Warning: If you can't take the heat of some criticism, don't come into this kitchen..

Second place winner will get 2 comps to future shows, third place 1 comp.

IF YOU'VE ALREADY FEATURED AT THE INSPIRED WORD OR SCHEDULED TO FEATURE, YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THIS EVENT.

This is a regular Inspired Word feature, staged four times a year - in the Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.

It's our way to not only level the playing field but ti discover great new talent.

Good luck to all of you !

Remember: "You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow."

Host/MC/Judge: Advocate of Wordz.

Other Judges: Thomas Fucaloro and Seraph Treadwell.

Assorted Pics @ The Inspired Word

Vanessa Hidary

Howard (Seraph) Treadwell

Timothy Prolific Jones

Marvin Mendlinger

Erik Advocate of Wordz Maldonado

Marron Cox (l), Adrian Wyatt (r)

Mike Geffner

Photos By: Peter Woloszyn

Vanessa Hidary @ The Inspired Word (with Interview!)

Awesome Candid Pics @ The Inspired Word!

From left to right: Howard (Seraph) Treadwell, Erik Maldonado, Timothy Jones

Tahani Salah (l), Vanessa Hidary (r)

Marvin Mendlinger (l), Timothy Jones (r)

Erik Maldonado (l), Tahani Salah (r)

Vanessa Hidary (l), Mike Conroy (r)

Pics! Vanessa "The Hebrew Mamita" Hidary @ The Inspired Word

Photos By: Peter Woloszyn

Mike Geffner & Poets @ The Inspired Word

w/Mahogany L. Browne

w/Meghann Plunkett

w/Akua Doku

w/Vanessa Hidary

Photos By: Peter Woloszyn

Pics @ The Inspired Word - April 9, 2010

Akua Doku

Meghann Plunkett

Sabrina Gilbert

Ainsley Burrows

Vanessa Hidary

Photos By: Peter Woloszyn

The Inspired Word - April 9! Hidary, Burrows, Gilbert, Doku, Plunkett!

The Inspired Word
Date: Friday, April 9, 2010
Time: 7-10pm
Location: (Le) Poisson Rouge
http://lepoissonrouge.com/
158 Bleecker Street (between Sullivan and Thompson)
New York, NY 10012
Phone: (212) 505-FISH (3474)
Cover Charge: $10

Please join us for an awesome night of passionate words.

Confirm your attendance on Facebook!

MUST BE 21 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER TO ENTER. PLEASE MAKE SURE TO BRING ID.

*****

Internationally acclaimed poet, Ainsley Burrows has performed at festivals, cafés and institutions across Europe, America, Canada and the Caribbean, receiving numerous awards. These include Best International Performer of 2001 and 2002 from the Farrago Poetry Café in London, Munich’s International Poetry Slam Championship award in 2001.



Born in Chicago, Illinois to Ghanaian immigrants, Akua Doku is a working poet whose poetry has been published and performed throughout the United States. Akua was a member of the 2005 and 2006 Urbana Slam Poetry Team and a member of the Nuyorican Poets’ Café Slam Poetry in 2008 and earned the title of the first female slam champion at the 2005 Austin International Poetry Festival.



Up and coming actress/poet Sabrina Gilbert has performed at college conferences, venues and theaters along the east coast and in the Midwest. She continues to push the envelope in her work as she allows her writing to constantly evolve and defy the laws of gravity. In 2008 she became the Grand Slam Champion of Slam Richmond’s 2008 team, making her the first woman to do so! She also helped start Lyric Ave in 2003, which today is the largest poetry show on the east coast (consistently serving an audience of over 800 people). Her debut album "Come Get Me" took her colleagues by storm with it’s electrifying tracks and powerful messages! The album (executive produced by Ainsley Burrwos) has earned rave reviews from several internet radio shows, magazines and has not only touched fans in the U.S. but also those living in Toronto, Paris, London and Germany. Please visit http://www.burrowsink.com/



Vanessa Hidary, AKA The Hebrew Mamita, is a native New Yorker who seems to write a lot about Jews, men, race, and juicy thighs. She has aired three times on HBO’S Def Poetry Jam, was a finalist at Nuyorican Poets Café , and her solo show “Culture Bandit”, which has toured nationally, has been produced by LAByrinth theatre company, Roar @ Nuyorican Poets café, and the Hip Hop theatre festival, among others. She was featured in the award winning short film “The Tribe”, which appeared in numerous festivals such as Sundance and Tribeca Film. She is the director of the show “Monologues”: An evening of solo performances exploring Jewish Identity inspired by a 10-day trip through Israel . She received her MFA in acting from Trinity Rep Conservatory, and is currently working on a book that may be called "the Chronicles of The Hebrew Mamita.”



Meghann Plunkett is a recent Sarah Lawrence graduate, currently working as an assistant at Fourth Story Media, her poetry has been published in several literary magazines including Southword Press and The Shop Magazine. She will be the staff's poet-in-residence at Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, New York this summer and teaching writing workshops that infuse improv, visual art and impossible thought. While she has somewhat adjusted to the real world, she assures you, she is not a real person.



*****

Sherri Eldin
MC/Host

Justin Woo
DJ/Sound Genius