Our third announcement of the day is the award-winning, world renowned Mingo Fishtrap. With influences from Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone, Otis Redding, Ray Charles, James Brown, Maceo Parker, Earth Wind & Fire, The O’Jays, Aretha Franklin, Tower of Power, Little Feat, Dr. John, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, New Orleans funk/soul, Parliament Funkadelic, Average White Band, G. Love and Special Sauce, Professor Longhair, The Meters, Ozomatli, Al Green, Billy Preston, Marvin Gaye, Kool & the Gang, Slick Rick & Doug E. Fresh, The Brand New Heavies, Beck to name a few. Is Joaquin Zihuatanejo the Best Slam Poet Alive? Yes!
Joaquin Zihuatanejo doesn’t look like the #1 Ranked Slam Poet in the World, BUT HE IS! Joaquin doesn’t wear tattered clothing, sport a long beard, or have hair like Jesus. What he does have, is the power to make you question, dream, hope, believe, and aspire to be more.
Calling Texas his home, it doesn’t matter that he does not hail from any exotic place or fit the stereotypes that we’ve chosen to embrace regarding what a poet looks like. Joaquin has the keen ability to remind us that there was a day when poetry was actually about WORDS!
We caught up with Joaquin outside the Dallas Poetry Grind Slam held @ Rembrandt’s Dutch Pub just a few minutes after he closed out the show as the feature for the night. Enjoy…
RTR: What’s the future of spoken word (slam poetry) and what role will you play in it?
Joaquin: The sky is the limit. With shows like Def Poetry and events like PSI’s National Poetry Slam, I think it’s an art form that’s going to be around for a while. I just want to give back. This year I’m volunteering as an MC at nationals. Mark Smith, [the man who created the artform of slam poetry 22 years ago in Chicago] always says “Pull the next one up.” If we can keep doing that, this is going to be around for a long time.
Just point your iPhone, BlackBerry or Android device to the website and we'll have everything ready for ya. We'll be updating the site through spectacle so you can keep on top of where it's going down.
ADVICE FOR SELF PUBLISHED AUTHORS AND DO YOUR SELF CD MAKERS
CUTTING OUT THE MIDDLE MAN TO BE PROFIT FROM YOUR CRAFT!
By Mike Guinn
All I know is that I cut out the middle man and keep 100% of my profits by producing chapbooks, cds and dvds on my own.
In the past 6 months, I've moved over 2100 cds at $15 each and chapbooks at $10 each. I have 2 Quailty CDs (Design and presentation is stellar) onloy $1.49 each to make. (Profit $13.51)
Also My chapbooks are higher quality and only cost .25 cents each to make..
($9.75 Profit)
I think folks put too much value on getting published, when self publishing is the best way for artist to keep all their profit. And if you are savvy, have great internet presence and are willing to beat the bushes, you can have great success getting your book in the hands of folks who don't cater to barnes and nobles, waldens, borders etc.
Book clubs, conferences, symposiums, open mics, and other public-private gatherings are a great way of getting your product in the people's hands.
I do the math and know that after the, cost of production, distributors, bookstores and agents who take their cut, you barely get 4 dollars a book. I am my own agent, promoter, distributor, and because I have the energy and internet presence I am one of the busiest poets on the planet or should I say in the underground.
DFW Writers, PST and other literary organizations are a great way to cross over, but you have to be able to have two versions of your work. Spokenword Slam Poetry and Academic Main Stream Poetry.
Its almost like speaking ebonics when you're among the homies and bringing that Formal Register when you speak to a more academic audience.
That juggling act of versatitlity takes time and talent to master.
But when you do it pays mad dividends that yield both Artistic and Professional rewards
My advise is always to be professional in your presentation, your product and your appearance. Be on time, be cordial and be corteous always.
INTRODUCING THE LOVE OF MY LIFE! Ms. Manaiya Nevaeh Guinn
HI EVERYBODY! MY NAME MANAIYA!
MY DADDY LOVES ME!
A Proud Father
MONDAY'S
PERFORMANCE POETRY WORKSHOP Next Session Summer 09 6:30PM - 8:00PM or 1:00PM - 3Pm Weekends Now Accepting New Writers-Poets-SpokenWord Artist for 09 This is an interactive workshop designed to sharpen your performance and writing skills. FREE ADMISSION: DONATION IF YOU'RE ABLE! Workshop Includes workbook, free admission to public events and guest presenters Hosted By Internationally Known Spoken Word Performance Poet: Mr. Mike Guinn ......... 4 life changing sessions....
TUESDAYS
FORT WORTH POETRY SLAM & OPEN MIC Hosted By- Michael Guinn &Anthony Douglas Featuring All Of DFW's FINEST SPOKENWORD PERFORMERSWith D.J. BIG ANT SPINNING CONCIOUS HIP-HOPNEO SOUL AND R&BWITH A LIVE TAPING OF EACH OPEN MIC WEEKLY! Free Admission-Free Parking-Freedom Of SpeechCoordinated- Promoted By Mike Guinn and D.J. Big Ant EVERY TUESDAY NIGHT: 9 Years and Running....(214) 878-3548 or (817) 412-3964BE THERE! & BE BLESSED!
THURSDAYS
(EVERY 3rd THURSDAYS) We Take It To The Stage SOUTH DALLAS CULTURAL CENTER 3400 Fitzhugh - Dallas Texas. 7PM - 9PM FREE POETRY OPEN MIC ******************************* Hosted By Mike Guinn
FREE ADMISSION
FRIDAYS- LOVE JONES IN ARLINGTON AT THE INC LOUNGE-SEE FLYER!
SATURDAYS
MONTHLY POETRY OPEN MICS
THE ARKANSAS GRAND SLAM
THE BIGGEST POETRY SLAM IN THE WORLD
THANK YOU FOR VISITING THE MIKE GUINN WEBSITE .... We'll see you soon.....
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