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The Run Down

Haven't blogged for a while, life has been a bit manic. So I thought I'd do a bit of a run down.

03/07 - Gig at the scooter cafe
Cat attcaked by 2 dogs, rode home from waterllo in 30 mins (south to north)
took can withfractured jaw to vets.

04/07 - When to a technology conference. It was 'open space', with no agenda and people were free to start whatever
converstaions they wanted...t'was surreal!
Worry about possible death of cat...vets wont say whether she will live or not

05/07 - Went to Poetry @ The Room, spent most of the night writing - heard a couple of good poems

06/07 - My mate Corine stays at mine from Thurs - Tues.
Went to a photography exhibition, spent most of the night dancing
Got stuck talking to this drunk guy

07/07 - 3 hours sleep, wake up at 5
Travel to Ipswich to run a poetry workshop with 2 groups of 30 kids
Have fun...inspired by the students
Hear poetry such as 'my step sister is more of a bitch than lassie'
Had lunch in a traditional english tea-room (above a diamond shop)
Did a performance poetry gig
Drove home with priscilla

08/07 - Rise Festival
See Common break dancing on stage
Introduce Corine to myspace

09/07 - Nothing much

10/07 - Wait at home from 9am-5pm for the stupid surveyor to inspect my garden fence
The bastard didn't show up
Recieve letter than was supposed to be delivered days before

11/07 - Meeting at an east london school (work)
Film screening at the flea-pit
Feel my age...around people much older.
Question my social skills
Sleep in my own bed for the first time in 11 days!

12/07 - Work
Spend time with my nephew, sister and mum
Write blog summarisng my the past week.

Wow

Brown Eyed Warrior by LAL

Our Words - A Young Writers Conference

Got booked to do a short performance at this conference last month...It was great, here's my review.

In the past I've been to many events that claim to cater for the needs of young people but fail miserably. Our Words was not one of those events. The day started with an excellent panel discussion, the main message I got from it was 'find your own style' and 'keep writing'. Sounds simple, but the day was effective in sending out the fundamentals of writing, especially for young writers. The panel members in the morning and afternoon were varied and extremely knowledgeable. The individuals relayed their own experiences of writing and each discussion ended with some 'Hot Tips', which were helpful. I particularly enjoyed the workshop. I went along to short story session with Rajeev. Although time, as usual, defeated us I got some useful pointers. The venue was well suited. The Albany cafe and garden gave us a space to talk and network. Probably the most reassuring thing that I found from the day was that every other person there struggled with the same challenges that I did. Being a young writer it can be a bit daunting when you are constantly faced by articles on writers who are sometimes twice your age or a 13 year old genius. The event reflected writing as a lifetime craft and I came away with a feeling of confidence and optimism.
To top it all of there was a poetry reading / performance in the evening. The selection of poets was outstanding, they covered a range of topics and styles. I especially liked Josie Long (hope the spelling is right) who successfully fused comedy and illustration into a gut-funny performance. I do hope the conference will be held again next year...the freebies were great to!

Breadcrumbs

Recently I've been having loads of ideas for what could be amazing poems but I haven't really been able to finish them and be satisfied. To I think I made a break-through! It's called Breadcrumbs and is about how an ex-partner seems to leave a mark on you place of residence and personal belongings.



Breadcrumbs

Although you were gone
Quicker than cake at a kids party
My teapot still breathes the scent of peppermint punch
I continue to eat wheat free pasta
And I've not yet removed your muesli from my kitchen cupboard

Before you left
You scattered yourself around my flat
Leaving a clear path of breadcrumbs
And you wonder
Why I still love you

The Colloquium for Black Academics and Practitioners

Today I've been at the this Colloquium. I was having second thoughts about going to this event, to be honest, I've been disappointed by many events that hold the tag of Afrocentric. The whole 'my black brother/ my black sister' stuff kinda looses its potency when followed by a bunch of white devil remarks of such. But today was not like that, I think the main difference was it's academic outlook. The Colloquium wasn't about mud slinging to make points but about research and its findings. Dr Gloria Gordon presented Afrocentricity as a cultural concept that I felt quite comfortable with. Her main point was that Afro-centricity was not colour-concious and effectively a rehunamising process. Although I enjoyed the conference, I was pretty sad that these writers hadn't come to my attenyion earlier. Lez Henry, to presented an excellent chapter of his new book, was fantastic. As was Lerleen Williams who gave a paper on Afro-Germans. All of the speakers we engaging and you could see that there work was intergral in developing their own sense of self. There was an overwhelming feeling of community and personal development.
I only wish I could be student to some of these excellent thinkers and writers...hopefully in the future

Myspace Survey

Although I love myspace (though I'm slowly getting sick of it) you really do find some utter shit on there some times.
Loads of people do surveys, as if you can tell anything about someone by the 'first thing the think of in the morning' or 'what kind of pizza' you had last night? That's assuming that all 89 million people with a profile actually like pizza.

Thanks to debunkingwhite, for this one

An example:


Asian
[] Math is your best skill
[] You love technology and cant live w/o it
[] You eat Chinese food
[] You are short
[] You own a calculator
[] You like to wear sandals [flipflops]
[] You have nice car(s)
[] You dont like to play sports
[] You like karaoke
[] You can't date a black guy
T0TAL=

BLACK
[] You like to drink Kool-Aid
[]You love chicken
[] You like to play basketball or football
[ ] You go to AJ Wright or Marshalls to get your
clothes
[] You like to wear hats
[] You hate school
[] You wear baggy pants
[] You like to listen to Rap and R&B
[] You're always broke
[] You say bitch after 85% of your words
T0TAL=

LATINO
[ ] soccer is your sport
[] You always steal things
[] You like sneaking into places
[] You love beans
[] You love rice
[] You love Hot sauce
[] You always take your time
[] You love soda
[] You like to watch Telemundo
[] You never like to wear pants
[] You wear tight pants
[] You instigate in fights
[] You understand this: "Mira muchacho el
diablo!"
[] You Like Batchata Merengue y Reggaeton
T0TAL=

WHITE
[ ] You play hockey as a sport
[ ] You get all your clothes at American Eagle and
Abercrombie
[] You always have money
[] You listen to rock
[] You cant jump
[] You`re scared of saying nigger
[] You never like to wear pants
[] You love school
[] You own a pair of DC's/Etnies/Vans
[] You like to watch Laguna beach
total:

Now count up the x's in each catagory and mutiply it by 10 and put *I am __% Asian,__% Black,__% Latino,__% White,__%

Where novelists fear to tread

The Guardian's 'Comment Is Free' is a great site, the posts are opinionated but that good in some aspects.
Found this on Zadie Smith, it's an accusation that Smith avoids taking on the subject of religion and calls the book a 'a failure, despite the relentless brilliance of Smith's writing'. I think he gets a bit trigger happy about half way through, then he suggests that Smith agrees with him but doesn't present any evidence that she does.

Theo Hobson - Where novelists fear to tread

Social Pariah - Tis Me

This week just gone I've felt like a total social reject. It might have something to do with the fact that I've spent the last 7 days around people I don't know that well. It was the small things really, first I got harassed by one of those clip board charity workers then I spent an afternoon in a pointless work lunch meeting. I've not been able to get my words out either (you can probably tell) yesterday I think I might of offended an artist I really respect. Went to see her do an open air gig, she was fantastic (as usual) but that's not what came out of my mouth!. It was more like 'You guy's were good, a bit more free, I'm not very good at speaking'. What I meant to say was 'I love the new songs, you guys have a great live set'. on friday I also managed to tell a guy that he might be stalking me, then he twisted it round and made me look like I was stalking him! I should have known better.
I think this week I'll jut say a lot less, then it'd be easier not to put my foot in my mouth. Before I go I'll just say sorry to anyone I've offended recently, it hasn't been intentional I've just been a bit anxious I guess. Today I'm meeting up with a couple of old friends so I hope it'll help, plus I'm reading S.Covey's - The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. The first step is to be proactive and acknowledge your current mindset, so I've done something right....Yes!

Word into Art - Artists of The Modern Middle East

Was strolling around town yesterday and decided ot take a trip to the British Museum, saw this incredibly exhibition, I can't read arabic but was struck by the beauty of the characters. Each letter stood as a piece of art in itself.
I especially like the pictures that were created through calligraphy.
It seems that everything Eastern is the the news these days, from Iraq to Korea, but our 'mass' media coverage misses the artists of these nations and focus on destructive images. I was listening to a lecture from Stanford College in which one of the speakers suggested that muslim women, much like Asian women after Vietnam, are becoming sexualualised in the context of the white American recusing them form their tyranous and strict male leaders. Sexuality in the west is limked so much to domination of nature, sometimes I wonder if we can actually find our own 'natural' sexuality or are we only able to act as sexual beings through cultural norms and discourses of subordination.

Relationships...sigh

No words need, I'm sure you understand!

Hard Candy - Shit Film

This is the shittest film I've seen this year. A 14 year old girl trakes revenge on a middle aged child molesting photographer, blah, blah, blah. It's unfortunate, I suspect this was a really good script but like most things Hollywood f**ked it up. The dialogue is wooden:

Man: Is this some kind of teenage joke?
Teenager: It's teenage, (long pause) but it's not joke

etc etc, there is much more of this. Apparently it was shot in 18 day, it felt like 18 hours.
I've think I've lost faith in mainstream cinema. Even at the small price of £3.75, the waste of money was well annoying.

Football Urinal

For those of you who have never been into a mens toilet, here is a sneak peak!
At the BAC last night there was a football mesh guard in the urinal. The Football was attached to the cross-bar and when you pissed on ball it looked like you were scoring a goal.
I must've gone to the loo 5 (maybe 6) times more than usual!

Then I found this website

Click here if you dare

Joseph Coelho: "The Oresteia Trilogy" An Adaptation by Joseph Coelho

A New Stage Adaptation for the 21st Century of
The Oresteia Trilogy
Written by Joseph Coelho
Directed by Andrew Visnevski

Come, enjoy a welcoming drink and be part of the development of an exciting theatrical project!

“Coming from a culturally diverse background (my mother is Anglo Indian and my father Jamaican) I have found much in The Oresteia that will strike a chord with people in my community and beyond. As a young black working class male, I want to challenge the notion that our society is only inspired by parody, or shock value, or segregated cultural heritage.” Joseph Coelho

On
Friday June 30th at 8pm in Drill Hall 2 or Saturday July 1st at 5.30 pm
At
The Drill Hall 2, 16 Chenies St, LONDON WC1E 7EX

To reserve your complimentary tickets for either of these two performances please reply to Howard Meaden, Theatre Manager on 020 7307 5075 or to howardm@drillhall.co.uk
quoting Myspace
Please note that capacity in Drill Hall 2 is strictly limited to 40 seats.
Tickets will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis and we would ask you to only request tickets that you can be certain of using.

This is a script-in-development project and we shall be asking our audience to contribute to the feedback
The commission of The Oresteia has been funded by The Arts Council England, The London Centre for Theatre Studies, Life Action Trust, Jennifer MacDonald
and The Drill Hall

Joseph Coelho: "The Oresteia Trilogy" An Adaptation by Joseph Coelho

Erasure by Percival Everett

I'm reading this book at the mo, enjoying it so far, I hope it ends well!

Yem

identitytheory.com

described as a literary website, sort of

WWW.identitytheory.com

India Knight interviews Zadie Smith

India Knight, one of the judges that awarded Zadie Smith the Orange Prize, interviews the winner.
It's an interesting and well written piece but as with most coverage on Mrs Smith doesn't mention the book much.



times.co.uk Article Link

Zadie Smith on BBC World Service

An interview with Zadie Smith about winning the Orange Prize, also features a short reading by Zadie herself.

The Word - BBC World Service

X-Men, the social issues

X-men the last stand had attracted my comment on it's backdrops of race, sexuality and social cohesion.
I've not seen the film so I cant give full comment at the mo but here are some links:

NPR - Mike Pesca
Beyond Children of the Atom: Black Politics, White Minds and the X-Men by Morpheus Reloaded
X-MEN III: A Story about Race and Sexuality? by Devon Carbado

Iranian Women Beaten for Protesting

Iranian police have used bantons and teargas to disperse a group of around 20 women protesting on women's rights with specific reference to equal divorce and custody rights and a ban on polygamy. The group, who gathered in on of Tehran's largest squares and began singing feminist songs, were soon set upon by both male and female police. Members of the public who shouted 'leave them alone, they are our sisters' were also beaten. I have a lot of respect for these women, it's appalling that a peaceful demonstration attract such violent actions. I recently heard of Iranian women being banned from entering football stadiums. In March after buying tickets for a football match, and being refused entry, a group of Iranian young staged a protest outside and were beaten then put in a bus and driven away.

bbc link
Iran Focus - Football coverage
IMDB Jafar Panahi - Iranian Film maker, makes film on women's exclusion from stadiums

B3 Black Lit Digital Distribution @ The ICA

Summer is in full swing and my hayfever seems to have taken a year out so I can actually leave the house!
Today I jumped my the bike and headed to the ICA for Black: Literature - Digital Distribution. The panel discussion which looked at 'impact of the Internet in giving a voice to practitioners otherwise ignored by the mainstream'. I was impressed by the experience of the panel, aside from writers they all had a creative innovative trait, from Donna's turning her attempt to lose weight into a blog to Samera's setting up of an online publication aimed at black progressives.

Nii Parkes
Donna McConell
Samera Owusu Tutu
Dianne Ferman

Much time was spent on the ability of the interent to provide a distribution that avoids many of print publishings obstacles. Nii Parkes spoke along the lines of 'the internet allowed me to manage a publishers without having gone to Oxford'. This was well put, if you've read my blog on the Free Verse event you'll now that many opportunities for writers and publishers come from looking the part and talking the language. Community was a large aspect of the Q&A, and what came out f it was that there are many black voices and that the 'genre' of black has commonalities but is as diverse any Borders crime section.
In today's discussion the internet wasn't placed within a heirarchy but spoken about as a distinct medium. As usual time was short at these events and many questions were not able to be asked.
On the whole this was an excellent event, a well informed panel (who were all approachable and encouraging).

The internet and blogging community has enabled me to explore my own multiple identities. Growing up, I felt the concept 'blackness' (a set of practices often spoken about as natural traits all black people have e.g. getting beats from your mum, eating chicken on sundays and being able to dance) was limiting. Often, the black children who broke these apparent norms were cussed and classed as 'white' or simply not black enough. The insult 'bounty' was one fired at me many times. The interent and especially blogs have provided affirmation for me, reading about other peoples lives has taught me that it's ok to be black and like rock music or to be black and not be able to reel off 50Cent lyrics. It's now easier and faster than ever to find other black people who dont quite fit into the rigid and highly stereotypes mould that has been created and still enforced.

Cyprus Potato Marketing Board

Cycling in London gives you access to some of the most unusual landmarks, where would be be without the Cyprus Potato Marketing Board? Next we'll have the spanish tomato mental health trust...

Artist Post - Paul Willoughby (designer)

Stumbled across this excellent graphic designer, his work features the above pic of Zadie Smith and many others

Links:

www.paulwilloughby.com

Artist Post - Zadie Smith Wins Orange Prize

On Beauty, Zadie Smiths 3rd novel has gone from strength to strength and is still going!

bbc news

Sarah Crown
Tuesday June 6, 2006, The Guardian

Artist Post - Coco Rosie

I've been listening to Coco Rosie (biog)for a little while but this is one song that stands out.

Simple
Thought-provoking and
Painfully Comic

You can see for yourself:







Coco Rosie - Jesus Loves Me
Jesus loves me
But not my wife
Not my nigger friends
or their nigger lives
But Jesus loves me
That's for sure
'Cause the Bible
Tells me so
Read your Bible good and well
Don't forget about that apple spell
Don't fall in the wishing well
Wishing for heaven and gettin' hell
Wash behind your ears don't smell
Cover them freckles don't ask don't tell
Kiss your papa but not too long
Hold his hand
Don't do no wrong
Jesus loves me
But not my wife
Not my nigger friends
Or their nigger lives
Jesus loves me dat for sure
'Cause the Bible tells me so
Hush don't cry
Dry them tears
Time'll wash away all them years
Scare or a bruise
Pick and choose
When you're all grown up
You'll have the blues
Life'll give you that wedding ring
Fancy cars and diamond things
You best believe in Jesus' way
And never fall asleep forgetting to pray
Jesus loves me
But not my wife
Not my nigger friends
Or their lives
But Jesus loves me
Dat for sure
'Cause the Bible tells me so



myspace.com

Web Sight...www.kskovli.com

It's strange when you see someone who has previously existed a 2D photo but last monday I saw Kristine at a Zena Edwards gig I did. Had no idea she was a photographer but WOW...she's a real talent.

Here are some links

Kristine @ myspace

www.kskovli.com

Black Babies T-Shirt

Good Luck to anyone brave enough to wear this...



Thanks to Zena Edwards for this one

Wiki Post - Filipino Hip Hop

Thanks to momo at Hyphen Magazine for this one:

Filipino Hip Hop

The Philippines has the oldest hip hop scene in Southeast Asia, largely due to that nation's historical connections with the United States, the birthplace of hip hop. Filipino rap is heterogeneous, encompassing rap in languages such as Tagalog, Chavacano, and Ilocano, as well as English....

Wiki Link

Poetry Post - Jeff Chang

Came across this in the Hyphen Magazine, it got me thinking about the numbers of Asian poets on the London performance circuit, I only know of Priscilla Sim and Stacey Makishi and Francesca Beard who are great writers.


Found this site which has some cool poems: Kundiman
I'd like to think I have a little monkey in me too!


My Friend Libby Asks Me How I Write A Poem

and I tell her about my monkey,
how I take him down to the basement
where we play baseball for hours until
we are both exhausted.
When we have forgotten all about
the feeling of our bodies
I tie him to a chair
and stare at him until he starts
to cry. I wipe away his monkey tears
with my thumb and we talk
a little about growing up and the pleasure
of small things.
After a while I untie him,
give him a bowl of soup and a blanket
and we both pretend it is very cold
and someone we know is dying.
We cuddle under the blanket as he tells me
about the place he comes from,
the language which they speak,
and I ask him about love
and what it is like being with me.

Jeff Chang


Jeff Chang currently lives in Oregon. His poems have appeared in Maisonneuve, Swink, Forklift, Ohio, Mangrove and Pool, and recently completed a book on Hip Hop. He has two nieces.

Dead Bird 2

It's not everyday that you see a dead bird.
Well this is the second one I've seen in two days (my cat brought it in for me)
I'm wondering what will turn up dead in my kitchen tomorrow?

Dead Bird

Whilst waiting for the cash machine I saw this dead bird.
How did he (or she) die
hmm...

1. Angry traffic wardens (it is parked on a yellow line)
2. Bird Flu (I hope not)
3. Lung Cancer (There is a fag end by its wing)

R.I.P dead bird

The Good Old Day's

I wish I was alive when London was like this, thanks to Zena Edwards for this one!

Bjork

Hey peeps, this entry is really a shout-out to a woman who has had more stick that she deserves (excuse the sexual pun). Yep, Bjork! Her name is inseparable from papparazi punch-ups and insane shouting...but she definitely has some good lyrics. I remember rocking out to 'so quiet' when i was a kid...my mum and sister, heads in hands asking what went wrong!! Her appeal, to me, comes from Bjork's incredible thematic ability...each album is like a story and each song possesses its own personality. A personal fav of mine is 'Army Of Me' which came out in 1995 on the 'Post Album' The guardian did a great piece on Bjork's work with UNIcef and the fund-rasing album produced for the Tsunami relief effort The album, entitled 'Army Of Me: The Remixes' features around 20 artists doing cover versions of the 1995 original. Now... I know what you're thinking....THE SAME SONG....20 TIMES!!!...thats gonna get boring Well, you'd be surprised. The tracks have a unique diversity. They range from hiphop to accordian mixes, with country and what i can only describe as aimless sound in between...not forgetting death metal!! This album has just introduced me to 20 new artists and an endless amount of new songs... Check out the links let me know what you're feeling..i'm aware she's a very marmite artist (love er or hate er) but i like her and i hope u do to. Yem

bjork website
Army Of Me: The Remixes - MP3

Currently Listening - Les Negresses Vertes

Was browsing around Fopp (Charing X Road) and spotted these guys.
I'd heard their name before but never the music...
I'm happy!

Don't know how good your French is (it's gotta be better than mine), here's the link

Les Negresses Vertes

I dont use skin cream anymore!

What Colour Is Your Pen?

I’m sure most of you reading this will know the feeling of buying a concert ticket a month before the actual event telling all your mates about how fantastic this show is going to be. Well was my story a couple of weeks ago, I’d bought tickets for the Free Verse event being held to celebrate the publication of a report by the same name. You can imagine how happy I was to see a poster announcing ‘Black British & Proud …role performance, culture, race, identity and Britishness play in the genre of Black British writing’. Yes, I’m sad. For some people it’s chocolates, footballers wives, Eastenders or even Coronation Street that gets the juices flowing but for me there’s nothing better than listening to other peoples ideas opinions (I’m not that weird, I do watch some TV…the news at 10). Anyway, I was excited. In the same week I’d heard a play by Bernadine Evaristo and a documentary by Nii Parkes on the BBC. I have to admit I was expecting a lot from these events, may be too much, but I’ve never heard anyone dying from optimism.

‘Black, British and Proud’ was at the Karamel Club (Wood Green), and oddly placed restaurant and arts venue that often manages to showcase great nights with good turnouts. The panelists were the writers, Donna Daley Clark, Courttia Newland, Diana Evans, Mike Phillips, Valerie Mason-John and publisher Steve Pope (Xpress).

The questions were those regularly asked of Black writers but didn’t seemed to be loaded with stereotypes and the writers gave interesting and different answers. Answers to the first question “Do you see your self as a Black writers?’ ranged from ‘Yes’, ‘ I see myself as a black person who writes’, ‘it depends on the situation’ to Valerie Mason-John’s ‘I started out as a black writer, was commissioned to write on lesbian issues, then I became a lesbian writer’, which I thought was well put. Other questions included, ‘ Is Black a genre’, ‘what ties you together as writers’, and ‘do you feel a responsibility to the ‘black’ community’? Although the questions were pretty standard I felt that the panel responded well given the time limit. What definitely came across was the difference in all of the panelist’s creative voices. What resonated with me was the feeling of a dislocated identity. Mike Phillips put it excellently:

‘We begin as writers within a concept, which people use to define us as one thing, our day to day experiences have been to do with cultivating different selves…I needed at last 3 set of perspectives to survive as a young immigrant. We do a disservice when we don’t see that the writing we have done speaks to people about living in a particular society of change, of immigration. That is the reason why Black British novelists feel uncomfortable, we are actually changing things’.

I feel like I am constantly negotiating my identity as a writer. In secondary school my reading, writing or working in general was seen as a direct challenge to my ‘black masculinity’ and even though I finished secondary school almost 3 years ago and am becoming increasingly more comfortable describing myself as a writer amongst black peers of my age group, I still feel like the act of writing is somewhat foreign to me. The question of a writer’s responsibility to the ‘black community’ was well answered by Courttia Newland. He remarked ‘we are writers, we write’ and the panelists echoed this, with Valerie Mason-John highlighting that most of the people who fire that question haven’t even read their target’s books. Although I would have liked the question and answer section to be longer, I felt with a feeling of pride. This event was well attended and managed, the writers had varied backgrounds and I answered all questions honestly with clarity.


Looking back, I can admit that I expected the following event (Free Verse) to fill the gaps left open by ‘Black British and Proud’, maybe it was the reputation of the South Bank Centre or the prestige of the panel but I really did expect this event to better than the last. This feeling lasted for the beginning of the event, which featured readings from the writers below, but as soon as the panel discussion started my optimism ended. The panelists were asked to express their views on the report and their feelings about the current publishing opportunities for BME writers. Expecting a discussion, I was surprised that the panel had pre-prepared statements that they read out. This meant that elaboration on their brief comments were restricted to the terribly short Q&A at the end. Myself and many other writers left feeling disappointed as the lack of discussion and the near lack of understanding of BME writing in the UK, this was expressed in the questions from the audience, many of whom were writers, academics and individuals who work in the arts. It seemed that when the panelists’ referred to BME writing they almost exclusively spoke of those who were born in Africa, Asia or the Caribbean. Michael Schmidt spoke of it taking him 5 years to edit a writer, claiming he didn’t want to impose his own voice (this was meet with gasps from the audience). I felt that these people had a particular perception of BME writers, as individuals who had an exotic viewpoint that was targeted and marketable to a niche. I accept that BME communities by virtue of being minorities might appeal to a specific readership but this is not to say they cannot be appreciated by the British public for their quality of word. ‘Quality’ was repeated they referred to (though not explicitly) as a reason for the lack of BME publications. However there was a failure to define or quantify this quality. If we go down the Meritocratic route to a conclusion then quality would be an adequate answer, but I challenge anyone who can honestly say that of the BME community of writers in the UK only a hand full have the quality to be taken up by a major publisher.

As writer and workshop facilitator Ebele has commented ‘so many questions to ask, so little time’. I watched as various writers and interested parties waved their hands, intent on making their voices heard. Nii Parkes, of Flipped Eye Publishers unfortunately wasn’t selected but thankfully Melanie Abrams of renaissance one got in just before the end with the question which went along the lines of ‘are we going to show the plurality of voices within the community of BME writers. The panel had little to say about this, it was obvious that their perception of BME individuals was limited to infrequent visits to the Poetry Café, which puts on sterling shows but can’t be accredited with attracting the largest number of non-white writers. I don’t want to criticize the panel too much and fully take into account the short amount of time there was, but looking back it was that very plurality and Melanie Abrams had eluded to that was missing from the ‘discussion’. I left the comfortable seats of the Purcell Rooms where BME writers had existed as people with foreign accents who need translation and hold specific cultural or racial appeal, to a foyer jam packed with disgruntled writers from various ethnic and stylistic backgrounds. In that hour or so after the event I spoke to people who should have been on that panel, people who travel further than the poetry café to hear good writing.

These two events no doubt will have a lasted effect on me. As a 19 year old writer who is still experimenting and trying to find ‘my voice’ it was interesting to see how many writers who have inspired me are characterized and represented. The appeal of multi-cultural Britain might warrant a special Black History Month feature but this is not enough. The world of performance poetry is viewed by many as subordinate, I constantly receive remarks such as ‘Oh, you’re a poet, you mean like Jay-Z or Snoop Dogg?’ but it was going to Apples & Snakes gigs that inspired me to write and I’ll never forget that. The British education system is in a poor situation, some of the best work in our schools is being done by poets around the country to have a background in performance, they are successful in presenting English and writing in new and varied forms. Not everyone comes across poetry through an excellent English teacher and a copy of The Complete Works of Shakespeare that happens to be lying around the house, I certainly didn’t but through the discovery of performance poetry I have an appreciation of writing that seemed incompatible with my being a few years ago.

So what happens from here, the answer must be what can we make happen?
Writers of all backgrounds share the passion for expressing their voices and publication saves that voices. For too long the influence and experiences of BME communities in the UK been ignored. Once our books or on selves our words are solidified. I believe the development and encouragement of BME writers can help combat what sociologist Paul Gilroy calls the ‘pattern of forgetting’ that the British nation seems to be experiencing. Surely there is a more diverse range of unique and ‘quality’ writers in this country than there were twenty, fifty or even one hundred years ago but the numbers of BME writers being published does not reflect that.

Yemisi Blake 21/05/06

Web Sight - BBC World Book Club - Orhan Pamuk

This is the first of the 'Web Sight' posts, a regularly recommendation for websites to turn you eyes to!

Over the last few months I've been tuning in to the BBC World Service more often, sometimes as a replacement for Radio 4, which has good programmes but not all catch my attention.

World Book Club is a half hour interview with authors who have gained worldwide acclaim.
For those of you who know me, you'll be fed up of me going on about Zadie Smith and how much I like her books, but it's not eveyday that someone inspires you and you have to give credit where it is due.

The website has links to interviews with the authors below (to mention a few) all responding to a live audience and pre-recorded questions from listeners around the world.

I enjoy the programme because the writers get time to give lengthy reponses, rather than the 5 min interviews we are used to. The questions are thought-provoking and reflect the interpretation that each book recieves from various countries.

Orhan Pamuk - My Name is Red
Alexander McCall Smith - The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency
Scott Turow - Presumed Innocent
Louis de Bernieres - Captain Corelli's Mandolin
Philip Pullman - Northern Lights
Vikram Seth - A Suitable Boy
Maya Angelou - I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings
Salman Rushdie - Midnight's Children
Andre Brink - A Dry White Season
Joyce Carol Oates - Blonde
Carlos Fuentes - The Death of Artemio Cruz
Nick Hornby - Fever Pitch
Wilbur Smith - When the Lion Feeds
Ian McEwan - Atonement
Zadie Smith - White Teeth
PD James - Original Sin
Paulo Coelho - The Alchemist

Julia Biel - Live @ Carling Academy

The last time I went to The Carling Academy (N1 Centre, Angel Islington) was for 'FUNKIN PUSSY', north london's freshest funk/hiphop bonanza! Me and two mates arrived to a doughnut shaped crowd of breakdancers, all waiting patiently for their chance to swing their limbs in various directions, some were swinging so hard they could've taken flight, if it wasn't for their jeans weighing them down! The second time was to see The Asian Dub Foundation, where live drums spun on thin black vinyl before being flung into a willing audience. But tonight was all about Julia Biel,Winner of the 2000 Perrier Vocalist of the Year Award,
her voice being described as "Norah-meets-Bjork-meets-Thom Yorke" JAZZWISE

I came across Julia on the sensation that is: myspace.com. What caught me was her ability to change between earthy and light vocals effortlessly. The band has incredible dexterity, throughout the night I was drawn to the hands on the double bass player Jasper Hoiby and Guitar/Songwriter Jonny Philips as they pucked strings to produce a sound kept the monday night audience swaying. The performance was refreshing and energic, it's always great when the band members (including Idris Rahman - clarinet/flute/bvs Ben Davis - cello and Sebastian Rochford - drums) are as much of the performance as the lead.
A big thanks to julia for signing my CD (well chuffed!) and best wishes for her excellent band!

Julia's album 'Not Alone' was released last year (2005) on Rokit Records and you can hear some of her songs on the links below:

www.juliabiel.com
www.myspace.com/juliabiel

Currently Listening - Julia Vorontsova

First heard of her on the Charlie Gillett Show (BBC Worldservice)
24 tracks of acoustic bliss coated with light Russian locals...
My fav has gotta be - Faberge



website: www.juliavorontsova.com



reviews:

1. Charlie Gillett's Worlf of Music
"...many of us still like the intimacy of listening to a singer with stories to tell, and nothing but a guitar to fill the spaces between the words. ... The song titles are listed in English, but are sung in Russian in a fragile voice, mostly low-key and sombre... I like her voice the hints of dry humor... I look forward to what happens next"

2. Foxy Digitalis, online review of St. Petersburg with Love by Lee Jackson
“Moody folk pop in a voice that's deep and experimental-think Nico and Brigitte Fontaine-in her native tongue. “

“Vorontsova's melodies and playing get under the skin, cutting to the bone and surpassing any obvious surface appeal as she dives headfirst into the morass of the human soul.”

MSN Madness

Was on line last night (for the first tim e in ages), and one of those people who you don't know but has added you anyway starts talking to me.
There was tragic miscommunication....

Mish Mosh Mishkebab Moomerloomers says: (22:44:07)
erm where do i no u from

yem says: (22:44:59)
highgate, woodhouse, goldsmiths?

yem says: (22:45:09)
where u at

Mish Mosh Mishkebab Moomerloomers says: (22:45:27)
do u no me?

Mish Mosh Mishkebab Moomerloomers says: (22:45:29)
lol

Mish Mosh Mishkebab Moomerloomers says: (22:45:34)
do u have hi5?

yem says: (22:47:00)
yea, but dont use it...more of a myspace guy.

yem says: (22:47:13)
wot school did u go?

Mish Mosh Mishkebab Moomerloomers says: (22:47:29)
i go college and it is newham

Mish Mosh Mishkebab Moomerloomers says: (22:47:33)
in stratford

yem says: (22:49:43)
u do anyting wid music/ performin?

Mish Mosh Mishkebab Moomerloomers says: (22:51:56)
i dance

yem says: (22:54:38)
Maybe royal stratford east. I think I took ur details for a mate of mine who wanted to do a bit of breaking? Maybe a Word Up?

Mish Mosh Mishkebab Moomerloomers says: (22:55:01)
no

Mish Mosh Mishkebab Moomerloomers says: (22:55:06)
i dnt memba n e of that

Mish Mosh Mishkebab Moomerloomers says: (22:55:16)
i think it must have been hi5

yem says: (22:56:34)
cool...maybe I was thinking 2 hard.lol

Mish Mosh Mishkebab Moomerloomers says: (22:57:11)
lol

Mish Mosh Mishkebab Moomerloomers says: (22:57:16)
so asl

Mish Mosh Mishkebab Moomerloomers says: (22:57:17)
?

yem says: (22:58:21)
asl?

Mish Mosh Mishkebab Moomerloomers says: (22:59:26)
age/ sex/ location

yem says: (22:59:40)
m

yem says: (22:59:44)
19

yem says: (22:59:49)
n. london

yem says: (22:59:50)
u?

Mish Mosh Mishkebab Moomerloomers says: (23:00:21)
17 f s.e london

Mish Mosh Mishkebab Moomerloomers says: (23:00:27)
do u have cam

yem says: (23:04:10)
nah. u'll have to use you imagination - I'm wearing a red hat (dont know if that helps)w

yem says: (23:04:18)
wot u studying?

Mish Mosh Mishkebab Moomerloomers says: (23:05:07)
lol not really

Mish Mosh Mishkebab Moomerloomers says: (23:05:22)
biology psychology and critical thinking

Mish Mosh Mishkebab Moomerloomers says: (23:05:45)
u

yem says: (23:06:38)
cool. Im doin UG Sociology. U got exams coming up? 1st yr/2nd yr?

Mish Mosh Mishkebab Moomerloomers says: (23:06:52)
1st yr

Mish Mosh Mishkebab Moomerloomers says: (23:06:55)
n yup

Mish Mosh Mishkebab Moomerloomers says: (23:06:57)
comin up

Mish Mosh Mishkebab Moomerloomers says: (23:11:41)
ok sooo...

Mish Mosh Mishkebab Moomerloomers says: (23:11:44)
dont talk to me then

yem says: (23:15:45)
i was away..it's not personal.

yem says: (23:15:50)
im 1st undergrap...just finished exams...thank god.

Mish Mosh Mishkebab Moomerloomers says: (23:16:24)
good for u

Mish Mosh Mishkebab Moomerloomers says: (23:16:30)
i still havae them comin

Mish Mosh Mishkebab Moomerloomers says: (23:18:32)
have*

yem says: (23:19:46)
good luck mate...i feel your pain.

yem says: (23:20:06)
u on myspace?

Mish Mosh Mishkebab Moomerloomers says: (23:20:16)
erm

Mish Mosh Mishkebab Moomerloomers says: (23:20:19)
i dnt think so

Mish Mosh Mishkebab Moomerloomers says: (23:20:22)
i should b

Mish Mosh Mishkebab Moomerloomers says: (23:20:28)
but i cant get ma pics on there

yem says: (23:21:16)
yea. u gotta use a hosting service

yem says: (23:21:27)
http://imageshack.us/ is free it's pretty simple.

Mish Mosh Mishkebab Moomerloomers says: (23:21:44)
i dnt no that i had to do that

Mish Mosh Mishkebab Moomerloomers says: (23:21:51)
it jus says add pics

Mish Mosh Mishkebab Moomerloomers says: (23:21:55)
and it wont let me

yem says: (23:25:11)
oh...dnt know bout that. try deleting the profile and starting again. Myspace is cool but it has its f**k ups. the forum has answers 2 most problems.

yem says: (23:25:39)
im gonna be offline in a sec.. nice meetin ya.no doubt we'll speak again...

Mish Mosh Mishkebab Moomerloomers says: (23:25:52)
y

yem says: (23:25:53)
good luck with exams!

Mish Mosh Mishkebab Moomerloomers says: (23:26:02)
y aint u gunna b talkin to me again

yem says: (23:26:20)
u mean now?

Mish Mosh Mishkebab Moomerloomers says: (23:27:47)
u jus sed that u wont b talkin to me again

Mish Mosh Mishkebab Moomerloomers says: (23:27:50)
y is that

yem says: (23:28:52)
i said 'no doubt we'll speak again'. As in there is no doubt..or definitely we will.s

yem says: (23:29:11)
didnt mean to confuse.

Mish Mosh Mishkebab Moomerloomers says: (23:32:36)
ok

Mish Mosh Mishkebab Moomerloomers says: (23:32:41)
i thought that u dnt want to talk to me

yem says: (23:36:35)
I'm up 4 talkin 2 anyone I'm off 2 bed, that's why Ieaving!

Mish Mosh Mishkebab Moomerloomers says: (23:37:41)
ok but

Mish Mosh Mishkebab Moomerloomers says: (23:37:47)
i dnt get u

Mish Mosh Mishkebab Moomerloomers says: (23:37:47)
lol

Mish Mosh Mishkebab Moomerloomers says: (23:37:50)
bye bye