Hip Hop, Poetry, Art, Music, Flaming Cars, and Cheesecake

I can't make my life up. It's an adventure. In all the ways.

Last week—or nah, must’ve been two weeks ago—I went to the Loft / Open Book (one of my favorite places to hang out in Minneapolis, because books! because art! because book art! because writing!) for the Truartspeaks 50th anniversary Hip Hop celebration. And it was 🔥. I met some of the luminaries of the Twin Cities Hip Hop scene, the OGs who’ve been around since before I secretly fell in love with my first (of a lifetime’s worth) rap song. Myc Dazzle was there doing some live painting. Herb Johnson III (aka JDot Tight Eyez), DJ Neekasodope, Tish Jones (poet extraordinaire), St. Paul Slim, and way too many more to name. Also some dancing, later, featuring Yoni Light and Cecil “Virgo” Neal.

Scenes from 50th Anniversary Hip Hop Celebration

There was an open mic — as I posted previously — at Open Book last week. The Heartbroken Open Mic, and it was heartbreaking, and it was also healing. I read some poems — four, if I remember correctly — and listened to some poems, and a couple songs. And met some new people. And we all sang a song together at the end. You know how I know it was amazing? (Besides the memories, of course.) Because I didn’t take any pictures. Too wrapped up. Grey Doolin — also on Substack — was the host, and they will be hosting one every month. And I’ll be there every single time I can make it. Next one is September 13th.

Went to an art salon the next night, hosted by the Hennepin Theatre Trust. Read a couple poems, got to say hey to the illustrious Antonio Williams, among others, and met some new people, including Daniel the Violinist (which sounds a little bit like a comic book name, which is kind of cool). I also listened to the music of Monica LaPlante. I’d never heard it before, and it was way too loud (or maybe I was sitting too close), but by the time they were done playing I had a serious crush on it. (The music, that is.) So that was a lot of fun. Oh, and a whole crew of artists! Hosted by Public Functionary, and working out of their studios. I may or may be able to post a picture and/or video of myself reading poetry soon. Working on it 😊.

Art Salon, Hennepin Theatre Trust

Unrelated to art or poetry, except in the sense that it feeds it, I guess, this happened right outside my window:

Small car did not make the corner at speed; hit the wall, burst into flame while the two inside ran away. Thankfully nobody was injured.

Boredom is not a thing around here.

And to leave you with a sweet taste in your mouth (is that sugar? or is it envy? 🤤), here’s something I whipped up the other day.

Strawberry cheesecake. With strawberries on top. And homemade whipped cream.