you are now rocking with Black Star
Yesterday I spent the day in the city. It was the best day.
I spent a lot of time in Borderlands, talking to the guy who was working there and browsing. The express purpose for the visit, and the reason I bussed it all the way over there, was a Poppy Z. Brite chapbook called The Feast Of St. Rosalie. However I walked away with not only that, but a signed copy of a rare hardcover of hers called The Value Of X. It cost more than I've ever spent on a book, but I couldn't help myself. Free with it came another chapbook, Used Stories. Yay. [Sadly, the hairless cat was on vacation so I couldn't meet her.]
Back downtown, I ate lunch at Mel's Diner and read. A parade of blue people passed by. I don't know why they were blue or what they were parading for. Then, about an hour before the Take Back TV event was to open, I strolled over to 2nd and King. I got there at just the right time because the line was down the block a few minutes later.
This was pretty much the best free thing I've ever been to. I had so much fun.
Mos Def hosted and was onstage for most of the event. He is such a funny guy. [And so sexy. Damn.]
They showed clips of the sort of thing that is going to be on the new network, which is called Current. It's all short-form and youth-based. It seems that it is going to be actual youth, not the wholesome alien youth that used to host the Nickelodeon things when I was a kid, or the reality show whore youth that they have on MtV.
Michael Franti & Spearhead performed. I don't like reggae but I'm not sure this classified as reggae. Either way, I really, really enjoyed their set and will probably check out their stuff.
Some poets from Youthspeak did their thing. It was awesome.
We all got herded over to a smaller stage where special guests were introduced. I had been at the front of the big stage, and then managed to be in the front and over to the side of the smaller stage, which was a good place to be as I got a great picture of Mos with some people [still didn't get to talk to him, though - dang] and was right on the walkway where the special guests walked up. These special guests turned out to be Al Gore, Gavin Newsom, Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn. It was some crazy surrealness.
Al Gore did his official announcement thing about Current, and press took pictures. A drum circle happened. An artist was doing some live painting.
As he was leaving the stage, Al Gore walked right by me and I said, "Mister Vice President, can I shake your hand?" and we shook hands. Madness.
Then everybody was herded back to the big stage. I don't know why they planned the event this way. Anyway, this time I wasn't so lucky and ended up back by the sound guy. Still a good spot but eh, not so much because I am short.
Another act was going to come up [or so we thought!] and then the drummer started playing the beat to Sex, Love & Money.
!!!
Mos was actually going to perform! Woo!
He did a few songs, and then Talib Kweli joined him. Blackstar was going to perform!
Sadly, they only did a few songs, but it was kickass nonetheless. Then Crown City Rockers came on and played for what felt like 2 seconds, and then the night was over. I took the train home and was ecstatic. There was an afterparty but I didn't feel like going, or spending the money to get in, or worrying about a ride home later. So that's the second party of this nature I have skipped. What a loser I am.
Also, at one point during the evening I had tripped on a grate in the sidewalk and seriously hurt my knees and sprained my hand. Didn't feel much like dancing. That was the only mar on the evening.
And I swear, the next time Mos comes to town and I get a flier for an afterparty I am going. I'm 21 now and I should be going to things that I can get into.
Anyway, my hand hurts so work was slightly difficult, but it was a good shift and I am still happy.
I spent a lot of time in Borderlands, talking to the guy who was working there and browsing. The express purpose for the visit, and the reason I bussed it all the way over there, was a Poppy Z. Brite chapbook called The Feast Of St. Rosalie. However I walked away with not only that, but a signed copy of a rare hardcover of hers called The Value Of X. It cost more than I've ever spent on a book, but I couldn't help myself. Free with it came another chapbook, Used Stories. Yay. [Sadly, the hairless cat was on vacation so I couldn't meet her.]
Back downtown, I ate lunch at Mel's Diner and read. A parade of blue people passed by. I don't know why they were blue or what they were parading for. Then, about an hour before the Take Back TV event was to open, I strolled over to 2nd and King. I got there at just the right time because the line was down the block a few minutes later.
This was pretty much the best free thing I've ever been to. I had so much fun.
Mos Def hosted and was onstage for most of the event. He is such a funny guy. [And so sexy. Damn.]
They showed clips of the sort of thing that is going to be on the new network, which is called Current. It's all short-form and youth-based. It seems that it is going to be actual youth, not the wholesome alien youth that used to host the Nickelodeon things when I was a kid, or the reality show whore youth that they have on MtV.
Michael Franti & Spearhead performed. I don't like reggae but I'm not sure this classified as reggae. Either way, I really, really enjoyed their set and will probably check out their stuff.
Some poets from Youthspeak did their thing. It was awesome.
We all got herded over to a smaller stage where special guests were introduced. I had been at the front of the big stage, and then managed to be in the front and over to the side of the smaller stage, which was a good place to be as I got a great picture of Mos with some people [still didn't get to talk to him, though - dang] and was right on the walkway where the special guests walked up. These special guests turned out to be Al Gore, Gavin Newsom, Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn. It was some crazy surrealness.
Al Gore did his official announcement thing about Current, and press took pictures. A drum circle happened. An artist was doing some live painting.
As he was leaving the stage, Al Gore walked right by me and I said, "Mister Vice President, can I shake your hand?" and we shook hands. Madness.
Then everybody was herded back to the big stage. I don't know why they planned the event this way. Anyway, this time I wasn't so lucky and ended up back by the sound guy. Still a good spot but eh, not so much because I am short.
Another act was going to come up [or so we thought!] and then the drummer started playing the beat to Sex, Love & Money.
!!!
Mos was actually going to perform! Woo!
He did a few songs, and then Talib Kweli joined him. Blackstar was going to perform!
Sadly, they only did a few songs, but it was kickass nonetheless. Then Crown City Rockers came on and played for what felt like 2 seconds, and then the night was over. I took the train home and was ecstatic. There was an afterparty but I didn't feel like going, or spending the money to get in, or worrying about a ride home later. So that's the second party of this nature I have skipped. What a loser I am.
Also, at one point during the evening I had tripped on a grate in the sidewalk and seriously hurt my knees and sprained my hand. Didn't feel much like dancing. That was the only mar on the evening.
And I swear, the next time Mos comes to town and I get a flier for an afterparty I am going. I'm 21 now and I should be going to things that I can get into.
Anyway, my hand hurts so work was slightly difficult, but it was a good shift and I am still happy.