Santogold's "L.E.S. Artists"

My introduction to Santogold was not as glamorous as Sasha Frere Jones' encounter as the opener to Bjork's Madison Square Garden show. While babysitting, I heard a quick loop in the opening sequence of the usually pleasing theatricality of a Grey's Anatomy episode. The show really sold the song; the actors were clearly filmed dancing in real time facing away from the camera, then converted to slo-mo in production--Fantastic juxtaposition. I was immediately obsessed and ran home to go on handy dandy ABC.com to uncover the source.

First impressions liken her sound to M.I.A., the latest rowdy female on the scene, but thankfully Santi White has managed to set herself apart--a bit. M.I.A.'s sound is slightly more retro and organic with homemade instruments and created sounds, and Santi beats are more studio produced. Nonetheless, she's hit my soft spot for eccentric AND fragile female artists.

Here's her latest vid for L.E.S. Artists.


She looks great and every frame is symmetrical with tons of funky, Sesame Street gore. I can dig it. Although, I wouldn't have minded the song's video set in a typical run-down and half empty NYC apartment on a hot summer day, leaving Santi sweating out the words from the hardwood floors. I could have waited for the sun.

2 days before 2-6

Uno otra picto of my father...he's the guy in the middle with the humble smile. This is the man that believes in me. THANK YOU.


Last year's birthday with the OG clique.



Luxembourg Park. Marina met us early that day and bought us coffees, giving us an insider's peek into the area. That morning, I lost my earring in a shower I didn't need to take.

Parks are important for me...I stare/think/blink/absorb excessively, so they're helpful when my mind's trapped in a city. This was one of my final days is Paris. Gimme a minute, I am channeling myself back to that moment. Ah, there it is. Minimal care and lots of "here and now" moments.
L-O-V-E

'Til Sunday

Nairoby Otero and I had all the basics down when we met-- fellow freshmen, next door neighbors, and "first friends". Almost eight years later(oy), we've remained supportive and sassy friends, not necessarily speaking often but always picking up where we left off.

I was able to catch the off-off Broadway debut of her original piece on Tuesday night. It is the story of a Cuban girl named, Claridad, and her recollection of traveling with her mother from Cuba to America, settling in New Orleans, and her struggles to define herself as "first, Cuban and second, American"--all whilst preparing for her quinceanera. It is a solo performance, with Nairoby playing a range of characters from Claridad, her mother, to her neighbor, Pepe, and many more.


It closes on Sunday (my 26th birthday!), so run to see it. It's a great piece of theater with definite potential for an off Broadway run.

DOROTHY STRELSIN THEATRE
ABINGDON THEATRE ARTS COMPLEX
312 W. 36th Street 1st Floor
(between 8th and 9th Avenues)
*visit Smarttix.com for reservations


www.nairobyotero.com

OMNI-JAVA FEBRUARY - From Posterior to Protocol

Konstance's "Jena 6"

theOMNIVOROUSgroup's second reading was a powerful success, no pun intended. Up until a half hour prior to showtime, there was no electricity at Java Studios. Somehow, within a private corner of divinity hummed, "let there be light", and there was light. Suddenly, we were all brought back into glory, scrambling around to prep for the evening.


Installation...


and, uncorking. Tiere du bouchon!

Our four writers from left: Heather Acs, me, Allison Rhone, and Crystal Chase



Our theme for Black History month was black identity: social structure and cultural definition. Most of the work presented was original and loosely based on the theme. Topics ranged from funny valentines to booty; death and abuelas; and word responsibility. Always the eclectic palette at OMNI-JAVA!



wintry mix

Message me at omnivorous.group@gmail.com, if you'd like to present work (visual/written) for March.

*And a big THANK YOU to H-E-A-T-H-E-R for the blog title idea.

gratis! gratis!

It's almost leap year day ya'll, AND the last day of Black History Month.



OMNI-JAVA
*an OMNIVOROUS reading series
244 JAVA ST.
2/29 at 7:30


Featuring: Allison Rhone, Heather Acs, Crystal Chase, Adam Stevens, and Erica Cardwell


G to Greenpoint Ave.

OMNIJAVA February!

The next event will be on the last day of the month, 2/29. Leap year day!


Looking for folks to read and/or display work. The theme for Black History Month is black identity--cultural framework and social definition.

Gimme a HOLLA if you're down!
omnivorousgroup@gmail.com
I'll pass on more details to those interested....

love
e :)

my Pops

There is a split second when you realize that an immediate family member is a separate person. I'm not speaking of that moment in adulthood when we realize that our parents are fallable human beings that make choices- good and bad. It's the space that thrusts you back momentarily and things, people, and reactions become truly objective. The clouds shift and you're flying above. Your love for them is almost excruciating and you want to grab and squeeze them tight until all of their air escapes and you have extinguished this seemingly foreign feeling. It is an intense rush that is not only unbridled, but slightly compromising. When you reach out for them, it's as if you've never touched them before. Like a first date. You're anxious and apprehensive, but you must in fact touch them to send this energy their way. Through them. This person you LOVE. It probably could be classified as the momentary realization of their infinite love for YOU.




This is a recent photo of my Dad. He's the third from the right, photographed with Major General (MG) George Weightman.

Info courtesy of my Dad:

MG Weightman is the new Commander of the United States Army Medical Research and Material Command here at Fort Detrick. He succeeded LTG Eric Schoomaker who was nominated and approved by Congress to be the next Army Surgeon General.

Despite any glory this photo may invoke, my Pops has always been the only person that I will call my hero. He continues to believe in and inspire me, so I wanted to share a recent picture of the inspired.

murmurings from Napolean's tomb

I will admit that I spend a lot of time laboring over the skewed view some of my friends and compatriots have of me.

I am sure that I am not alone within my worries.

Proving myself by squeaking out personal diatribes and standing on my tippy toes is exhausting and thankless. After all, people are going to think WHATEVER they want. Since assumptions are usually based on two words that I mentioned in an earlier post (face value) then, what do you see when you see me?

The short brown skinned girl with the afro and plump babyface.

Did you get that I am, EDUCATED LAYERED INTUITIVE and FORGIVING?

Absolutely not.

It pains me to even imagine what an onlooker may have dredged up at first glance. Most of us feel slighted upon introductions, however some of us do strive to fit the mold.

The key is obvious. We really shouldn't give a shit.

A recent personal discovery is that I want to change the way that people think.

Re-build the wheel? Fashion an atom? Fit a circle into a square peg?



Making something out of nothing is certainly the way I live my life, so just give me some time.

outLOOKout!

My head slips deeper into my sweater’s neck.
Like a turtle.
I’m willing to part with my shell.
Not now, she says.
Bumps raise on my skin’s first layer.
All is quiet in this corner.
Sight beyond is hollow and unnecessary.
It’s my turn with my mind’s game.
My thought’s current tactics are patient with my recollection.
Right now.
Nothing even matters, they said.
Right now.
I interrupt myself and change channels.
Click.
Returning to my regularly scheduled programming.
Smiling like I mean it and unbraiding my hair.
If only I could slow down and return your gesture.
But I can’t recall our last move.
So I revert to an old remedy.
The shell surrounds me--
Guarded from penetration and winning the game.
The spotlight too bright and the prize extravagant.
You pawn me off with the king’s jewels.
I jump, swinging my leg over your head
And wrap ribbons around the maypole.
Shouting secrets over the uneven grass,
And mouthing fantasies across subway seats.
Doe eyed deliverance!
Posture maintained--I'm a decent bluff.
My stop approaches, and the doors open.
The game is forfeited, and I lose my turn.

"When Clinton was in office, the whole world was cool."

- a teenager at bodega off Saratoga Ave. in Brooklyn, November 2007

Agreed.


I found this as I was leafing through my last notebook. I must have jotted it down while I was waiting on the bus before going to teach at Tilden. I wouldn't exactly say that this is "the answer", but the simplicity in the statement is definitely a start. Less frills this time around, please.