Poetry New York

Review of Open mic @ Harlem Jazz club

04/30/08

You walk in with no expectations except to hopefully be somewhat entertained not sure what to expect you site down at the candle light table next to a man you don’t know, quickly to be approached bye a waitress asking what you would like to drink. You explain to her that you don’t have any money and she reassures you telling you its donation only. While sipping of your drink the MC grabs the mic and the show is on. This is just the beginning of what ended up being one of the best nights I have experienced in NYC. Trying to place the atmosphere that was in that little unnamed jazz club turned hip-hop, poetry for the night is not something you can create over. The day had been filled with sorrow, anger, pain and fear as the results of the Sean bell case came out “not guilty”. The tension in the air was strong and emotions ran high no one was really sure how to feel but what was obvious was that we were all feeling it. The MC began with his own free flow on how he was feeling about the whole thing and the room automatically was there with him. I have never been to an open mic were the love in the room was so loudly pronounced, and being an outsider I did not expect complete respect. To my surprise the second my lips took the mic I was family. Id like to believe I said some of what was needed to here reading a piece called “blank skin” explaining how far from equality I know we are but how open being an example of that I am willing to be. The jazz setting of the crowded little venue was comfortable even with the close quarters, with more people still coming in and out. Leaving before the night was over purely because of the time, I am sure the place was still hopping till 3 or 4 am. I would recommend this open mic to anyone who is looking for a little escape from there day but not from the reality of the world we live in.