boston progress radio

with the exception of one month, for three years, every second friday has transformed a tiny bookstore into a magical haven of shared energy—stanzas, lyrics, melodies, rhymes, dances, visuals, fragmented thoughts, reciprocation and appreciation, have been transferred between bodies and spirits.

so i thought it would be fun to take a short look back, in order to look forward.

the bookstore, east meets west, opened october of 2004, with just a small table full of independent apia CD’s and chapbooks. only open on saturdays, the store served as a clubhouse of sorts for boston progress members to catch up, crack jokes, and build together. having an actual physical space available and seeing the potential of our space, it was only natural to program an open mic… but what shape it would take or how it would be actualized, no one really could tell. up to that point, only a few people have actually passed through the threshold of the store and wandered into our world.

in a boba tea spot in the back bay, at a monthly boston progress meeting, the open mic began to form an identity. after several suggestions (ginger-bred, mic-a-saurus rex), vinh the kid said after only a second of thought, east meets words, and the open mic had a name.

first open mic, we had the synchronous fortune of having not just one, but two members of 2 tongues, anida yoeu ali and marlon esguerra, in the northeast. it seems only fitting to have them be the first to bless the open mic as our first co-features. flash forward a year, we had regie cabico telling stories of mini-wooden-penises from men in barrels while humping a stool as a make-shift lover. in between and following, beautiful features from nyc, philly, the bay, LA, minnesota, toronto, chicago, jersee, and locals—all have graced the space.the list of open mic-er seem to be just as illustrious with local poets, musicians, freestylers, youth, passer-byers—all have come thru the space and shared…

to now. we don’t even have to worry about having folks come through… without fail, open mic nights become packed. and the unheated bookstore warms with body heat, which is the only thing that can keep you warm during the cold cold cold boston winters.

on a personal tip, the open mic has opened gates internally, like nothing has before. it’s not just learning the audience banter as a host, or getting over awkward insecurities as an open mic-er, or being brave enough to read from dusty journals as a feature, but i’ve learned that the more i can let go of… speak my mind and heart about, the more room i have to grow… i’ve learned to be open, unguarded—even if just for a few minutes—shed walls and free little pieces of my thoughts with the people. i’ve learned in a deep way the power of words… the unlocking of held breathes i usually choke back, releasing spiritual self into the physical world. even now, three years later, once a month, i still get nervous as i open my black book of secrets and with a shaky voice read out. but i’ve started to see many others, other unidentified poets and writers looking forward, raising their voice at the open mic. in the most obvious way, the open mic was a monthly session to meditate on the state of your union. where would i be if i didn’t have that space… i can’t even begin to assume.

looking back, we realize the open mics really wouldn’t be anything without everyone who supports–reads out on the list, listens in the metal chairs, claps their hands to the beat, yells words to rhyme about, and who shouts—ohhhhhh yeah. so it seems only right to have our three year anniversary feature be east meets words—a super mic of sorts. each and every participant—open mic-ers and audience alike—are the feature.

oh, the only month we did not hold the open mic at east meets west, was august 2005—when boston hosted the 3rd apia spoken word summit. but i guess even then, one can see the community and family showcase as open mics, so yeah, then for three years, boston progress has hosted an open mic, each month… and we’re still holding it down. solid.

Tags: Boston Progress, Commentary, Open Mic.

The Beats, Rhymes and Rice Tour made their way to Northeastern University and hit the Boston area by storm on November 8, 2007. It was the second show on the BRR Tour and it was a privilege to have Giles Li, Bao Phi and Kiwi on campus. Giles and Kiwi have performed at Northeastern in the past, but it was the first time for Bao. The night was filled with laughter, great poems and great music. It was the first time that I ever watched Kiwi perform live and he was everything that he was advertised. He was energetic, passionate and his rhymes were dope. With songs like “Good Music,” “Right Here, Right Now,” and “Turn It Around,” it was great just to listen to real Hip Hop and listen to lyrics that matter. I had watched Giles and Bao perform on the stage at UMASS Boston back in the Summer. It’s been months and when they get together this time, it’s like they didn’t miss a beat. They fed off each other and was the dynamic duo that they are. Giles performed “Crappy Xmas Poem in 7 Parts,” the crowd favorite “WHAT YEAH OKAY!” and a cover of “HEY YA!” Bao continued his “Nguyen” series and also read a poem that he wrote recently. The three artists were just awesome, keeping the audience entertained as well as inspiring them with their words.

Personally, this show was something that I always wanted to happen. When the opportunity arose, I jumped on it with the big help of Delia (Thanks!). It was hard work but it was worth it. I just want to take time to thank all the people that showed up and to all three artists for enlightening the Northeastern Asian American community with their words. For the students and people out there that think there are no talented Asian American artists or not a lot of Asian American heroes out there, well three were on the same stage that night at Northeastern University.

Tags: Concert, Recaps.

The Beats, Rhymes, and Rice Tour will be coming through Northeastern University. Sponsored by the Asian Student Union, Korean American Student Association, Vietnamese Student Association and the Asian American Center, the Beats, Rhymes and Rice tour features two well-loved spoken word poets and one dope emcee. You’ve heard about them here before: Bao Phi, Giles Li, and Kiwi (of the Native Guns). Funny how their names are all two syllables and rhyme.

The show will be preceded by a thirty minute open mic. I hear a rumor that our very own Long is going to be hosting. Bring your rotten tomatoes (just kidding). Show starts at 8pm at the Curry Student Center at Northeastern University.

Tags: Concert.

I was sitting in my house last night trying to write something “cool and professional” for this review but everything turned out really corny. So I decided to write whatever comes to mind. When I first read this headline “Giles Li and Bao Phi at UMASS Boston,” without seeing the show I knew this performance would be dope. The trip to UMASS Boston was not an easy one with the scorching Boston sun and the ever pleasant T ride from Northeastern during rush hour. But when I was greeted with fried chicken as soon as I walked through the door, I knew it was all worth the trouble.

This was not the first time I saw Giles Li peform, but I can credit him for my fascination for this form of art. Ever since he peformed at Northeastern, I was drawn in with this kind of performance. Giles opened up the show with “The Worst Poem In the World,” a hilarious yet “makes-you-wonder” poem about practically nothing, as Giles would describe it. The poem “Anna Nicole Smith” followed, paying overdue respect and peace to the late Anna Nicole Smith. The set was concluded with a powerful poem named “1905″ in which Giles Li asked “where was I?” when horrific events that happened in Boston’s Chinatown went unnoticed.

I have heard a lot about the myth that is Bao Phi. I read all about his awards, and achievements. After watching him perform, Bao Phi definitely lived up to the billings. Each of his poems can dictate your every emotion, he can make you die in laughter or die in tears. The “Nguyens,” is a series of characters that Bao Phi made up that address the issues of every Asian American. The characters are not related but their last names are the same, addressing the stereotype that Asians with the last name are somehow related. The “Nguyens” range from a wannabe “L.A.M.B” that is willing to sell her soul to Gwen Stefani to a once bullied victim turned bully out to seek revenge. But the most inspiring “Nguyen” was Katrina, addressing the forgotten victims, more importantly the forgotten race of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.

Before the show, I jokingly said “Giles Li and Bao Phi are the yellow version of Blackstar,” comparing them to Mos Def and Talib Kweli. But after watching Giles Li and Bao Phi perform, I have to admit that it was a foolish mistake by comparing them to Blackstar because Giles Li and Bao Phi perform each poem with their hearts. I can see the passion in their eyes and I know money is never an issue for them like for other artists. They are not the “yellow version of Blackstar.” They are Giles Li and Bao Phi - each with their own distinctive style, combining to form a great alliance in spoken word.

Tags: Recaps.

As part of their art installation “Stories from Asian America,” the Asian American Studies Program at UMass Boston will be hosting a Spoken Word Performance featuring BPR’s own Giles Li along with Bao Phi, a Vietnamese American slam poet who has appeared on HBO’s Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry.

The event will be taking place at the UMass Boston Campus Center Alumni Lounge 2nd fl.

This is another plug for our good friend Giles Li. He’s “fresh as hell,” so if you didn’t catch him last time he was doing a show in Boston, go check him out there.

On Thursday, April 5, 2007, Giles Li, a spoken word performer from Boston, showcased his form of art at Northeastern University. The event was sponsored by the university’s first and only Asian-interest fraternity Pi Delta Psi. Over the past few weeks, Giles Li has been performing all over the United States. If one were unfamiliar with Giles Li or spoken word, this was a great place to start to learn and be captivated by this style of music.

The small setting created an intimate feeling between the audience and Giles. Laughter filled the room the entire night, but serious issues were addressed through Giles’ words. From “The Worst Poem in the World” to the poem dedicated to the life of Anna Nicole Smith simply named “Anna Nicole,” the audience was interested in every word that Giles had to say. The most inspiring part of the night occurred when Giles performed the piece “Women.” The poem was about “the woman who gave life and the woman who gave meaning to life.” After the conclusion of that poem, it inspired yours truly to pick up his phone and call his mother. The performance concluded with a loud and fun interaction with the audience saying “WHAT, OKAY and YEAH.” It was a fitting conclusion to the night.

WHAT! OKAY! YEAH!

Reviewer Long W. is currently a first year student at Northeastern University, and claims to be the most awesome kid ever. If you are interested in reviewing performances or albums, please contact us at info #AT# bprlive.org.

Tags: Recaps.

Giles Li, a local community activist and spoken word artist, will be performing in 272 West Village F at Northeastern University.

Giles has traveled the country performing and conducting workshops on both writing and important community concerns.
A firm believer in poetry as politics, his writing approaches serious topics from an emotional point of view. He draws inspiration from a wide range of influences, including Pablo Neruda, Stevie Wonder, Martìn Espada, Nellie Wong and De La Soul. He has performed all over the country at coffee shops, college campuses, and national conventions. He has shared the stage with celebrated poets, such as Louis Reyes Rivera, Jesús Papoleto Meléndez, Willie Perdomo, and Tish Benson, as well as activists like Felix Arroyo, Mel King, and Helen Zia. Giles is also a co-founder of the Boston Progress Arts Collective.