Back in 2006

Whoopdie whoop
it's a beautiful day
I'm In the Now ^{not actually @inthenow because Heavy Metal tho 👀}
and it's #ThreeTuneTuesday

So I read a post this morning by @nonameslefttouse. Oh this human makes me happy!

But he's also a pretty good Slam Poet as it turns out. ^{who knew?}

Great post. But what I also came away with was a memory. And it's a good 'un!

When I was a lass...

 
I used to party like there was no tomorrow.

Literally like there was no tomorrow because I'd have random drinking outbursts ^{that make for some pretty fine stories that all led to a somewhat sad ending} and I'd wake up either too sick to go to work, or sit at work with a blinding headache and a stormy stomach for the day.

One such day after, I was sitting at my stall on the market ^{at work, yes} and reading the daily Newspaper. Back when I still tried to keep in touch with the "News". This must have been during one of my daughter's holidays with her dad because I'd clearly been out hard the night before ^{and she visited him on a Wednesday night during the week} but didn't want to go home, with the now almost six hour comedown, to a dark and empty nest.

And so it was, that I began to scrounge through the entertainment section to see what was happening in town that night. Could there possibly be another Gig to get to, so I could avoid myself for just a liddle bit longer, I wondered?

Not much happening that evening in Cape Town on a Thursday night. But was it a Thursday night?

These days, I check my facts.

Urban Voices 2006

 
I know it was a Thursday night, now, because I just researched this so that I could tell you this story. This was also back in 2006.

So a Thursday night in 2006.

And I know it was the third of August because the only thing happening that I was vaguely interested in attending to avoid myself that night in Cape Town...

was a "Slam Poetry" event at the Baxter Theatre.

Also convenient because it was on the way home.

I'd never heard of Slam Poetry or Spoken word before this evening, by the way. I've just always been into literature and poetry generally turns up around those parts quite a bit.

I had my favourite poets...

mostly long dead and gone. I liked the classics and used to read them at night, at times, from my old Uni first year poetry book.

Norton's Anthology.

It's one of the only books I kept.

Now gone.

And I don't even know where or how... ^{I can't imagine ever having shed that book so...😢}

Anyway... just stuff so on we go. ^👣

Off I went after work. On my own. With no reservation. I mean no ticket. ^{but also no reservation}

I bought one ticket at the theatre booth and sat down, in my jeans and t-shirt because because market stall trader, with my throbbing head and looked around. Glamourous couples and parties abounded. It was a big night out, apparently.

I sat there wondering if I'd make it through the show. I hadn't been able to eat properly because of the hangover and my headache seemed to be going up a notch with the stage lights and the buzzyness of the excited crowd.

I considered leaving, actually.

But then... a person walked on to the stage.

Within a few minutes I forgot all about that headache.

When I spoke to my mom about that event she smiled and said, "That must have been Sekou Sundiata!"

My mom knows her stuff when it comes to theatre, music and (apparently now) performance art! Yet another thing I never knew about her because, I guess, we children are pretty self-involved until we become parents ourselves. It didn't even strike me to ask her how she knew (off the top of her head) that it was Sekou Sundiata I fell instantly in love with that night!

Fortunately for me she is still around to ask. And I'm going to do that right now.

brb.

_{I do know she was an activist in her wild (but not misspent) youth and was arrested, one night, for standing in front of people's "shacks" in a nearby location. These were the Apartheid years in South Africa. And she was active in trying to change that shit. They stopped the police from bulldozing many familys' only homes that night. Seems a worthwhile exchange. ^{proud daughter}}

Every one of those poets was mesmerizing.

Headache forgotten entirely.

But this one poet.

A man walked out, second to last performance if I remember correctly. Or third, perhaps. And as soon as he began to speak I fell in love him.

The only way I can describe it, is that his voice was golden. It was like having honey dripped all over my soul, even though the words he spoke were gritty and real to their utmost core. And pierced straight to my heart.

Blown.

Away.

I'm an auditory soul, by the way. Mostly.

If I meet someone online and there's a possible connection, I must hear their voice before I can commit to further exploration of "us". If a voice doesn't resonate with me it's pretty much over before it begins.

But, I suspect, most people who celebrate #TTT are the same...

For years I simply accepted that my mom was right.

These days, I check things out for myself because only human. Of course.

All of us, I mean.

It seems she was right! ^{this time 😉}

More... I sit here today, slightly embarrassed ^{but over that in a heartbeat - see only human again} that I had no idea (all these years!) of the level of artists I was privy to witness that evening. So randomly in my dirty old market jeans and t-shirt.

Because when I searched for the event and did more digging I found the actual line-up and holy moly!
 

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_{Original image and article source}

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_{Connection and curiosity creates "magic". Thank you for sharing @nonameslefttouse and fuck am I glad I read your post. And today of all days... huh? "Synchronicty" or "divine intervention"... I guess we will never know^Truth But boy do good things happen when we are trying to be honest.}

I had to, then, check out whether it wasn't Saul Williams that I'd fallen in love with, over some spoken words, that night. And had been mistaken for almost twenty years because I hadn't bothered to fact check. ^{of course}

And so, today, I discovered Saul Williams. In full, that is. I remember his performance that night. Now. But only Now do I appreciate what he was saying all those years ago.

I guess we find and hear things when the time is the right time. ^{huh, @stdd - this happened just after our convo 😁} Or, perhaps, when we are ready to see and hear things that have been around us all of the time anyway.

But even cooler than this... ^{yes I know I'm old}

Somehow, the first video I went to watch, of this very talented artivist, completely "fits" with my current curiosity and exploration!

How marvelous is this thing we call "Life"?! ^😮

It kinda makes you wonder a bit...

_{The first poem is what I refer to... I had goosebumps most of the way through and almost cried. I had to stop there and will watch the rest when I've integrated the first one fully. This is a powerful voice!}

But what does this have to do with the inimitable @ablaze 's Three Tune Tuesday, you may be wondering 'round about now...

?

Well, the little I knew about Slam Poetry is that (apparently... because I haven't research this part but want to go and see some sunshine now and still have to clean the house ^{and listen to all the tunes around here today while I do it - bonus and best way to clean!})

... what I think I know (until I research for myself) is that Rap was developed off the back of this stuff. Originally politically motivated "street" poetry, it was then transformed into a style of music. But I stand to be corrected as haven't done due diligence on this. If anyone wants to jump in and save me time please do.

I did discover that Saul Williams was actually a musician first and then turned to poetry. I dug up some of his music and you can find it if you're curious. I think he aged well and prefer the him that he is now. But we have to work through our anger to find the gold and offer it to the world in a way it can be heard.

I think he's found a better artistic medium to do this, for himself. ^{but "good" art is always only opinion, so...}
 

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_{Original image and article source}

But, in honour of the great artivists of Slam Poetry, My Mom and all the music and freedom fighters out there...

here are some cool tunes for today. ^{that mean a lot to me, personally}

One of which is some really groovy rap stuff. ^{in my opinion, of course!}

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^{Get yer tissues out but this is the best performance I've seen of this song... found... you guessed it... accidentally. I never even knew I liked this song until just now.}

_{Edited to add Sekou Sundiata - duh}

Don't forget to get some sunshine today... ^{it's a beautiful thing🌹}

^{Happening slowly behind the scenes...}

 

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_Aweh

Eternal Seeker
Hardened Dreamer
Mother
Peaceful Warrior
Determined Dancer
and Stargazer

still...

Beyond fear is freedom

And there is nothing to be afraid of.

_{To Life, with Love... and always for Truth!
Nicky Dee}

_{www.mettame.art}

_{All images not sourced directly are my own. Original Aweh (meta Verse) illustration created with Photoshop. Original illustration used original source unknown. Gif created using Canva. Feature image original foot icon source. All photo editing done with GIMP.}