boston progress radio

August 2008’s open mic was another awesome show. I was really happy to see so many people come out to the open mic given that the Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremonies was being broadcast (not live) on NBC at the same time. So let’s get to the recap.

I started the show by reading excerpts from a children’s book called “Sixteen Feet in Sixteen Seconds” by Paula Yoo. The book tells the story of Dr. Sammy Lee, a Korean Japanese American diver who competes for the United States in the 1942 London Olympics and wins a gold medal. He is the first male athlete to win back-to-back gold medals in the Olympics. First Asian American to win gold. But you don’t have to take my word for it.

Up next was Eric who shared his view on animals. In particular, he talked about the tiger and crane, two important animals in Chinese martial arts. Which would you rather be? The Tiger or the Crane? After Eric, I was excited to see Charles step up with a hawwt new beat. This time, he rapped over it. What was also very cool was a unfinished piece called “Bougie Women.” It is a personal story of Charles and a girl he dated. Enough said.

I forget the order of the performers after this point and indeed, I might even have forgotten people who stepped up. Here are a few folks that I do remember—no disrespect to those who went up—I just forgot!

East Meet Words was also very proud to host Kay Barrett of Mango Tribe in our space. A veteran performer of the spoken word genre, Kay shared some words about labels and identity. Jessica stepped up and shared a personal story about growing up in the Midwest, about wanting to be a white girl with blonde hair and blue eyes, so that she could fit in. Sahra then shared a piece about how she remembers her father trying to make their lawn green and lush. Having a lawn is such a suburban thing and really quite unnatural, but I digress… I thought the poem was hi-la-ri-ous.

August’s open mic was also lucky to have the Good Asian Drivers in attendance. Back from their road trip, they looked as fresh and alive as ever. I think the collaboration between Kit and Melissa is a good one. I think they have both benefited. I hear however that they are hauling to New York City. I admit I’m a little sad that they are moving. Both of them are near and dear to my heart. I wish them luck in NYC. Here’s the piece they performed at East Meets Words this month.

Good Asian Drivers sing from BPR on Vimeo.

Before the main act, Dave and MC Popadop, Analyze did some freestyling, beatboxing. Dave’s beats were as on as ever and man, Analyze was freestylin’ like a mother. He was amazing especially considering doktor skool keeps him awake for hours on end.

The feature this month was Ed Bok Lee. He’s got many accolades and awards, but you can peep them at his website. From what I had heard, he’s an incredible writer and and incredible performer. He did a few new pieces and of course some poems from his first book Real Karaoke People. His new pieces are supposed to be part of an upcoming new book of poetry, but it is still a work in progress. His last piece, Real Karaoke People, makes me wanna go out to the local Karaoke bar and belt out Wicked Games or Boyz II Men on the mic. Anyway, for your pleasure, here’s a new poem by Ed courtesy of BPR:

Ed Bok Lee Reads from BPR on Vimeo.

Tags: Boston Progress, Open Mic, Recaps, spoken word.

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August 8, 2008
8:08 pm	to	10:30 pm

Unless you don’t read the news, watch TV, or listen to the radio, you’re probably aware that in a week, on August 8, 2008, the Beijing rendition of the Summer Olympics will be having their opening ceremonies.

We’ll be treated to an array of lavish performances featuring “giant whales, simulated waterfalls,” and what not. All to demonstrate that China is a force to be reckoned with both economically, politically, and athletically.

If the Olympics aren’t your cup of tea, on August 8, 2008, East Meets Words, the monthly open mic sponsored by Boston Progress Arts Collective will be featuring Edward Bok Lee. If you come by, you’ll be in for a real treat because I hear his poetry is incredible. Ed Bok Lee is the author of Real Karaoke People, which won a 2006 PEN/Beyond Margins Award, a 2006 Asian American Literary Award (Members’ Choice), and in 2007 was a national bestseller in poetry.

Lee attended kindergarten in South Korea, grew up in North Dakota and Minnesota, and has since lived in a half-dozen different cities around the world. He studied Slavics at the Universities of California–Berkeley, Minnesota, Kazakh State–Almaty, and holds an M.F.A from Brown University.

His plays, including Passage, El Santo Americano, and St. Petersburg have been seen at major regional and national theaters including the Guthrie Theater, New York Theatre Workshop, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Theater Mu, Taipei Theatre, Trinity Repertory Company, and the Walker Art Center. Most recently, he received a 2008-2009 McKnight Artist Fellowship for Writers (Poetry).

Come to share your stories or to listen to Ed share some of his. Cover is $3, but the show is open to all ages.

Tags: Boston Progress, Open Mic.

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