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.

If you don’t like football, you should check out Jinah Kim, our December 2007 East Meets Words feature on February 3, 2008 March 2, 2008. She’s playing at Kennedy’s Midtown at 42 Province Street, Boston, MA. It’s located conveniently right by the Boston Common and the Orpheum Theatre. The cover is $5 and you must be 18+ to get in. She’s playing right at 7 pm, so even if you like football, you can go and catch the end of the game. Or just watch the commercials at halftime.

Um, yeah, if you don’t get it, well basically, the show got rescheduled. So now, with no football, you have no excuse not to go out and support Jinah.

Hello beautiful BPR peeps! First and foremost, thank you all who came out for the last East Meets Words Open Mic of the year. Even though the weather outside was frightful, people still came out and supported true art. This month’s feature was Jinah Kim, a singer/songwriter from Tufts University by way of Los Angeles, CA. But first, lets talk about the open mic.

Keeping up with the Christmas Spirit, Giles opened the open mic with “Crappy Xmas Poem in 7 Parts.” I have to agree with what this month’s host Victor said about the poem, “It sounds like a new poem every time I hear it.” Sarah came to the Mic next and she performed a piece about her sister. Crowd favorite and one of my personal favorites L.I.F.E. came to the stage with their new member Masada Jones and performed “Let’s Rebell.” Past East Meets Words feature Melissa Li was up next. If you haven’t heard, Melissa and another past feature Kit Yan are going on the “Good Asian Drivers Tour” so please check them and bring them to your local venue because they are both talented. Melissa performed “Weapon of Choice” which is her voice. Eric made his second performance on the mic and he reminded us to live life “one beat at a time.” Delia was next on the mic, dedicating her piece to her mother and educating us about her middle name. Masada Jones made her way to the stage again and performed her “Worth Piece.” I have a feeling that we just found a talented performer that will be a regular and I excited about that. The host Victor, concluded the open mic like usual with his freestyles with the help of Giles and Joey B of L.I.F.E.

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Tags: Open Mic, Recaps, Video.

 Jinah Kim is the December East Meets Words Open Mic feature. Sponsored by the Boston Progress Arts Collective, this all ages show is going to go down at the East Meets West Bookstore.

If you were to take a look at Jinah’s passport, it would look absolutely ridiculous. The mileage on her car is even more ridiculous. In the past year, she has traveled through nine different countries and driven across the U.S. three times. This might account for why she is both exhausted and yet so frickin’ PUMPED to finally be…. stationary… at least for the next eight months before Tufts University, where she is a senior, thrusts her into the throes of life.

Apparently, she hates writing about herself in the third person.

Come see Jinah. Bring $3 and your friends.

Tags: Boston Progress, Open Mic.