A poet gets into it at The Literary Cafe and Poetry Lounge. Photo courtesy of Will Da Real One.
Related Links
One night stand: Literary Cafe open mic
By Dinkinish O'Connor
"Mr. Good D**k." Oh no. Is this going to be one of those literarily-sterile open-mic sessions with people ejaculating thoughtless rhymes about junk and/or the lack thereof? That was my first thought when this ditty opened up The Literary Café and Poetry Lounge's first anniversary celebration on April 5th. But, as much as I hate to admit it, the poem was funny as hell.
Then there was Gabriel. Now, this cutie is a poet. Looks like Gael García Bernal and his style is the Book of Psalms meets A Tribe Called Quest's Midnight Marauders. Hip-hop would be proud, as the young man described how "Doug E. Fresh went stale" in a chorus of beatboxing reminiscent of Yo! MTV Raps.
The Literary Café feels like the open-mic scenes in the movie Love Jones -- artsy people dipped in tattoos wearing everything from fedoras, head wraps and locks to tight jeans, flowy goddess dresses, oversized shirts and slick pimp suits. Decor-wise, it's like stepping into someone's bachelor pad: bar tables, stools, sofas and toffee-colored walls dressed with images of featured poets. Situated on top of a bodega, the Literary Café's view from the 2nd floor at night is almost Paris-romantic. A welcomed retreat from the Starbucks-and-overpriced-art invasion.
The pièce de résistance is DJ Make It Do What It Do, because he does just that. The music is just right -- Common, A Tribe Called Quest, Dead Presidents. And Biggie: "It was all a dream. I used to read Word-Up Magazine..." And Nas: "If I ruled the world..." You feel me.
And the owner? Will Da Real One Bell. He'll ask the DJ to play a serious Holy Ghost-friendly gospel tune while he closes his eyes like a fully-absorbed Pentecostal pastor. The man's deep, bringing it from the Liberty City projects and dropping it on HBO's Def Poetry Jam.
If you've got a few lines scribbled on your Wal-Mart receipt and your poem's sounding more like "Cobwebbed Crotch" rather than "Mr. Good D**k," stop by Literary Poet's café and get your pen wet.
The Literary Café & Poetry Lounge, 1350 N.E. 125th St #202, North Miami; 786-234-7638; 305-981-4724; for more info, visit myspace.com/literarycafepoetrylounge
Been to this event before? Leave a review!
Published: 4/08
| Average rating based on 1 review. |
|
Recent Reviews
See all reviews- Current 82.4 °F
- It's a club night
- Find an outdoor dance floor
Still thirsty?
-
Take a club tour, haunt a happy hour or check out the latest concert news in Nightlife.
I has a good time @ Literary Cafe and enjoy the staff great attitude. Hope to join in again real soon.
Simply Tobie
Posted by: Tobie on Sat, 2008-06-21 13:22