Sunday, November 4, 2007

Nuyorican Poets Cafe


As I said in the blog prior to this one, I went to the Nuyorican Poets Cafe this weekend. I saw a live jazz band. It consisted of a piano player, a bass guitarist, and a drumb/cymbals player. They were phenomenal, and the atmosphere was stimulating yet relaxing. As things happened, I took note of them in this journal I carry around.. just sharing my experience:

***A man was on the mic singing to a song the band was playing. He decided to dance with a young woman in the audience. An older woman in the crowd approached him with all the grace in the world and (out of nowhere) burst out with a bunch of dips and spins you could never imagine. She was just vibing to the music doing a type of jazz dance, making me wish I was born in her generation so I could physically express myself in such a way. All my generation knows is pumping, slow grinding, and booty claps.
***Initially, I wasn't allowing myself to enjoy the cafe. I was with my ex-boyfriend, and I wasn't sure how he would respond to my enjoyment of the setting we were in. It's true what they say, there's strength in numbers. His cousin is a major music buff, and sat with his eyes closed, playing imaginary keys. Seeing his response to the band, made me feel more comfortable. Imagine that. Me.. of all people.. cheating myself of a good time, in the environment I was made for.
***My eyebrows were constantly raised with anticipation, wondering when the drummer was going to end the mellow drum roll he had began.
***At one point, the host asked where all the lovely ladies were in the house. That's not really my thing, and I'm nowhere near reserved, but I chose to keep my hand down. A lady seated in front of me with a thick Jamaican accent encouraged me.. "Guhl, put ya hand up!" Her friendliness touched me. Everyone just seemed so connected.. meanwhile an older lady in the back was waving her hand like crazy. Free spirits have it best.
***The bass guitarist and the piano player were so in tune with each other. It's as if their chemistry was created through the music notes. The piano player could start hitting the keys to a song the bass guitarist didn't know, the bass guitarist would watch him play for a bit, and just jump in when he felt comfortable.. you would never be able to tell he didn't know the tune, had he not had to look at the piano player in the beginning to catch on.

Nothing major, just some notes I jotted down during the event. The entire environment was so tranquil. I highly encourage others to go and check it out. You can see when they are having different events at their website, nuyorican.org.

2fingers and blessings,
B

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