Samiya Bashir's Blog, page 13

Goodbye Peter Cottontail

I saved walking the glassbox labyrinth for last. My way out of the
forest and back into the world.

The world includes you, dear readers, who informed me clearly that
abandoning this space is not an option for me.

So pack it up, kiddos! Next stop: we're going to New Yawk City!

I'm hoping it's restaurant week when I get there. After all, dear
cottontail, I hear you are simply delicious.http://scryptkeeper.blogspot.com
www.samiyabashir.com

Blackademics Review Gospel

In Alexis Pauline Gumbs' new Blackademics.org review of Gospel: poems, the issues and themes lovingly treated in the book get serious consideration and a rave response:

"Set in the mouths of crows, on the edges of couches and dirty tables, and in the hands of the dispossessed, Bashir’s poems awaken a desire to caress the mundane," said Gumbs, "hoping your fingers will find divine crumbs of revelation."

"Bashir’s project, inhabiting the tradition of black gospel music’s straddling contradiction, st

Missing Pënz | Pënz Lives On!

Awwww!

So I just got off the phone with an academic genius I know up at University of Pittsburgh who just informed me that she's doing her disssertation on -- you guessed it -- Pënz (it's pronounced pants)!!




"It was my church," she said. And yes. I agreed. Mine too. And then The Good Rev came in and she agreed too. It's so so exciting her approach to the work, it's all deep and intriguing and I can't wait to read it!

So then of course, I went to review The Art Year that was 2008 due to Pënz. And t

Some great pictures from the debut performance of Gospel: The Reading

Much love and thanks to the inspiration, direction and support of Sharon Bridgforth, the delicate eyes and fingers of Lydia Martes of love and camera, the boutit boutit of Kiyana Horton on love and stuff-management, Matt Richardson who is featured as Crow, Dr. Omi Oshun Olomo / Joni Jones, The Austin Project, and the University of Texas' Warfield Center for African & African American Studies for their support in making this performance happen.http://scryptkeeper.blogspot.comwww.s...

Don't Sleep: 2009 Cave Canem Award Judged by Yusef Komunyakaa

2009 Cave Canem Poetry Prize

Award: Winner receives $1,000, publication by Graywolf Press, 15 copies of the book and a feature reading. Two finalists receive introductory readings.

Final Judge: Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Yusef Komunyakaa. Judge reserves the right not to select a winner.

Eligibility: African American writers who have not had a full‐length book of poetry published by a professional press. Authors of chapbooks and self‐published books with a maximum print run of 500 may apply. Simult

VOD: Go Alexis Page!

"The reward from courage ... is that you get more courage!"
--Wendy Hilliard

Now that's what I'm talking about. Support the Wendy Hilliard Foundation, and make sure that more kids like this get a shot at their dreams!http://scryptkeeper.blogspot.com
www.samiyabashir.com[image error]

VOD! Performance - Moonlight Brew: Time to get ready for love

The preceding was a portion of a performance of The Austin Project: Jam Sessions Performance/Poetry/Movement with:

Samiya BashirStephanie LangLidia MarteSenalka McDonaldElvia MendozaMatt RichardsonJacqueline SmithCzarina Thelen
TAP performed with the legendary Laurie Carlos who presented her show, Washed, on April 18, 2009, at the University of Texas @ Austin

Producer: Joni L. Jones/Omi Osun OlomoAnchor Artist: Sharon BridgforthDirector: Florinda Bryant

Thanks to Sharon Bridgforth for her simpl

Don't Sleep: Fire & Ink opens its doors to Cotillion!

Fire & Ink III: Cotillion Registration Now Open!

Writers and readers and lovers
of the word take note:
Shake out your finest words.
Get ready to shimmy
’til your line breaks.
Fire & Ink III: Cotillion
is almost here!

Go here to register securely online; debit and credit cards accepted.

Then go here to book your rooms at the Hilton Austin, Fire & Ink's conference hotel for Cotillion. We encourage you to come on out with a friend.

Stay tuned for more info in the next couple of weeks about our exciting progr

Don't Sleep Atlanta! Check out tonight's fiery event

Okay, so yes. I'm a little jealous of you, Hotlanta, because tonight you're getting just a li'l bit hotter.

Some of the stunning poets, artists, and writers who have contributed to this feee-rce new journal, Aunt Chloe: A Journal of Artful Candor will be reading at tonight's launch party. I'd like to especially shout out the stunningly beautiful cover art of poet and photographer Rachel Eliza Griffiths, and the work of my sisterfolk Francine Harris, Ashaki Jackson, Juliet Howard, Nandi Comer, &

Don't Sleep: Tune in Tonight on Sippin on Ink | BlogTalkRadio

Listen up!

Tonight I'll be on Sippin On Ink, BlogTalk Radio's funky fierce, deliciously queer literary radio show.

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Tune in, call in, ask questions, join the discussion or just bend your ear -- and please spread the word - we love interactive realness!

Wednesday, April 15th
8:00pm Eastern
Call-in Number: (646) 378-0402

Can't wait to feel you on the airwaves!

Catch it right here on Scryptkeeper using the player above, or catch it here: -- Sippin On Ink | blogtalkradio.com/sippin-on-inkhttp://scryptke