Missing in Action, but I'm Baaaack :-)

I know it's been a few days since I went on that blogging spree on Sunday but I have been attempting to knock out graduate applications, statements of purpose and whatnot and have unfortunately been standing in my own way. Well, sort of.

Last night I had the pleasure to stop by a FREE reading of "Getting to Happy," Terry McMillan's new book, the sequel to "Waiting to Exhale" read by known other than Ms. Terry McMillan. She was awesome, her 'fro was tough and and red and she looked FABULOUS! Her mannerisms reminded me SO MUCH of my mom. She seems like a together lady, TOUGH.

Fortunately and unfortunately I jam packed my evening chock-full of free and free-to-me activities and they were all fabulous.  Had to leave Ms. Terry's function early in order to get over to Common and Kurtis Blow over at Lincoln Theatre. Words, Beats & Life and the National Museum of African American History and Culture (the museum I want to stand at the helm of someday) sponsored a discussion of "Anthology of Rap" by Andew DuBois and his co-author and they welcomed to the stage Kurtis Blow, Kurtis Blow, Jr. and Common to speak on the artform, their own artistry and the stories and experiences that influenced them. It was phenomenal. I invited Brandy Jackson to be my guest and as luck would have it we ran into a  fellow fabulous Fiskite, Michelle Overstreet. I think it's safe to say we had a BALL.

I could tell you how amazing Common looked or I could show you. I'd prefer to just show you and I'm sure you'd prefer it too. All photographs are my own and the video was shot by yours truly as well.

While being asked about his song, "I Used to Love H.E.R.," the beat dropped and the song began to play. Common began to tap his toe, bob his head on beat and mouth the words. The audience did the rapping and it felt great. Common laughed to himself saying, "I don't know man, it's hard for me to just sit here and listen to myself, to my own rap when I'm accustomed to actually rapping it." "Well why don't you?" DuBois posed. And with that Lonnie Lynn picked up his mic and delighted the audience with this.

[still trying to upload the video :-( it's a no go at the moment but I'll continue trying]

The night ended with poetry at my favorite spot, Busboys and Poets. My girl, Janelle Naomi sang and her friend ripped the mic as well. There were also some very talented brothas (one white, one black) from Graffiti DC and they drove the crowd NUTS! Bomani Armah of the YouTube sensation, "Read a Book" fame  (Read a Book the Clean Version or Read a Book, Dirty Version) usually hosts but another brother by the name of Drew hosted and blew it all away! Bomani did come by at the end of the night and dropped the song and I for one lost my daggone mind! Please support him, not only is talented as all get out he also has quite possibly the CUTEST kids I've EVER seen. His website is www.notarapper.com