Poetry Extravaganza to Benefit Haiti/Chile

Please come to -- and/or tell your Bay Area friends about -- this astonishing and rare line-up of poets and performers. Your contribution will help Haiti and Chile recover from their recent earthquakes.

I'm honored to participate!

MUCHAS VOCES / UNA VISIÓN • MANY VOICES / ONE VISION
Collective Poetry Reading by More than 35 Bay Area Poets

A Benefit for the Relief Efforts in Haiti
by Doctors Without Borders / Médicins Sans Frontieres

Also Dedicated to the Victims of Chile's February 27 Earthquake -- And Celebrating César Chávez Day!

Sunday March 28, 2010
7 - 10 p.m.
La Peña
3105 Shattuck Ave. Berkeley, CA 94705
(510) 849-2568
$10 suggested donation - No one turned away for lack of funds www.lapena.org

Guest Poet:Diane di Prima, San Francisco Poet Laureate

and reading/performing for only 5 minutes each!

Adrián Arias • Alejandro Murguía • Al Young • Boadiba • Carlos Barón • Daniel del Solar • Devorah Major • Dorinda Moreno • Evelie Delfino • Fernando Torres • Francisco X. Alarcón • Francisco Letelier • Genny Lim • Geri Digiornio • Graciela Ramírez • Jack & Adelle Foley • Jack Hirschman • Jennifer Andrea Porras • Jennifer Fox Bennett • Jewelle Gomez • JoAnn Anglin • Joyce Jenkins • Katherine Hastings • La Tigresa (Donna Nieto) • Lisa B (Lisa Bernstein) • Lorna Dee Cervantes • Lucha Corpi • Mamacoatl • Marc Piñate • Mary Rudge • Nicole Limón • Nina Serrano • Nellie Wong • Odilia Galván Rodríguez • Paul Lobo Portugues • Rafael Jesús González • Roberto Vargas • Rosa Escamilla • Samuel Iñiguez • Sharon Doubiago

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www.itunes.com/lisab
www.cdbaby.com/Artist/LisaBLisaBernstein

"I heard a Fly buzz -- "

Taught my 4th-grade poets Emily Dickinson's great poem

"I heard a Fly buzz – When I died

The Stillness in the Room

Was like the Stillness in the Air –

Between the Heaves of Storm – ..."

They thought it was weird & unsettling. Right! They were more inspired than I'd ever seen them after we wrote a poem together on the board and then wrote in pairs. It's starting to happen. Better to begin in 2nd grade, tho'.

;-)

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www.itunes.com/lisab
www.cdbaby.com/Artist/LisaBLisaBernstein
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"My Ship"

A couple of weeks ago the poet Garrett Hongo commented on Facebook that he was listening to "Miles Ahead + 19" and that his favorite song was "My Ship" by Gershwin/Kurt Weill.

Some of the lyrics go like this:

"My ship has sails that are made of silk / The decks are trimmed with gold / And of jam and spice / There's a paradise in the hold // My ship's aglow with a million pearls / And rubies fill each bin / The sun sits high in a sapphire sky / When my ship comes in..." (I like that the paradise in the hold consists of jam and spice!)

I love the song and loved that he was writing about it (although actually, I don't think he was was focusing on the lyrics but on Miles' instrumental version). I had to comment:

"Heard that around the house a lot growing up plus my Mom's out-of-tune a cappella singing of it. Hence had to learn it once I became a singer.

"I felt it was really about singing (= lyric = poetry)!

'I do not care if that day arrives / That dream need never be / If the ship I sing / Doesn't also bring...'

I don't think it's just a scanning problem that led to not saying 'the ship I sing OF' but instead 'the ship I sing' — I prefer to think that one is really singing that ship into being."

Despite her utter untunefulness, my Mom sang its first couple of lines with heart and just the right mix of fervor and wistfulness — and then stopped, implying the rest with her bright-eyed expression.

Gotta remember to sing that ship into being — the only way it's going to get here.

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www.itunes.com/lisab
www.cdbaby.com/Artist/LisaBLisaBernstein
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Lisa B's 3-Dot Journalism for February

Dear Friends,

Bucking the trend of producing a beautifully designed, relentlessly self-focused newsletter, I decided to send out something including the cool happenings of some other creative folks in my immediate universe…(and I always loved those Herb Caen columns)…

Jamie Fraser, the hip-hop dancer in my recent music video for “The Poetry of Groove” (let’s face it, my only music video) will be competing on MTV’s “America’s Best Dance Crew” this Thursday Feb. 11 at 10 p.m. with his crew BreakEFX. Watch — and text or phone the show — to vote for them. A sweeter dancer-teacher cannot be found.

…And does anyone want to invite me over to see the show? As some of you know, I don’t subscribe to TV shows, not only to save the expense (forget the antenna idea, it’s completely beyond my skill set and would pick up only a few stations), but also to allow time to watch the uncountable number of DVDs supplied by my beloved father…

Speaking of which, I was happy to recently share some of these DVDs on jazz and Latin music with my good friend and very first music mentor since I became a grownup, the Latin jazz wonder Wayne Wallace, to show in some of his classes this semester. Wayne has produced a dizzying number of CDs recently, well worth checking out.

…About that same music video: Its L.A. director/cinematographer Royce Dudley also recently shot a wildly different piece called “Mind of the Demon: The Larry Linkogle Story” — which just won the Audience Award for Best Documentary at the 2010 Slamdance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. The film also was awarded Best Documentary at the Bel Air Film Festival. It explores the psyche of the dirt-bike legend who helped kick-start the freestyle motocross revolution, then battled problems with drugs and violence. I must say I’ve known folks who faced the latter, but who knew there was a motocross revolution?

…I was thrilled to have two very different kinds of interviews in the past couple of months, one by MSN Messenger — which method allowed both spontaneity and increased written eloquence – and the other by phone (for an online radio show) – which allowed my and the interviewer’s mutual female enthusiasm to bubble up complete with vocal nuance. The first, with the delightful writer Jordan Richardson, he titled “Lisa B on Assertive Women, Poetry and Monk’s Genius” and is at http://blogcritics.org/music/article/interview-lisa-b-on-assertive-women/ . The second, with the vivacious and talented singer Carmen Milagro, can be downloaded or streamed at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/carmen-milagro . Both are very off the cuff, not that I have cuffs.

Francisco Alarcon kindly invited me to participate in a reading to benefit Doctors without Borders’ Haiti relief efforts. It’s at La Pena in Berkeley on March 28, 7 -10 p.m. An extravaganza of more than 30 poets reading for 5 minutes each, including Al Young, Diane DiPrima, and many others. I’m hoping to perform to one of the instrumental tracks from my recent “The Poetry of Groove” CD to add a shot of poetic spoken-sung experience to the proceedings. Francisco and I were published together in “Red Dirt”’s inaugural issue of 1991, edited by Lorna Dee Cervantes…

…I enjoyed catching my friend Daria and Roberta Donnay, the two Lickettes for Dan Hicks’ recent show at Oakland Yoshi’s — not least because they were so funny, especially Daria. I didn’t expect that from her other performances. It’s a real talent to be a momentarily goofy comedienne who also sings so richly and hiply…

Also unexpected was the January 28 review of my new CD by Mark Saleski, in which he likens me to “non-standard” female vocalists Bjork, Kate Bush, and Meredith Monk but contrasts me with them because I lack any “perceived strangeness of presentation.” (He hasn’t seen me in the morning.) He describes the record as “spoken word beautifully sung excursions…in a bunch of snazzy grooves that vary from hip-hop to slinky jazzification” and calls it spiritually uplifting, evocative, hopeful, funny, and sexy.

…I’m back since October at Emeryville’s Anna Yates Elementary School teaching poetry-writing as a weekly volunteer, having graduated from my 2nd- and then 3rd-graders (I taught the same group for two years) to start anew with a rambunctious and sweet 4th-grade class...

One of the then-3rd-graders, whom I’ll call Star, wrote a thank-you at the end of the last school year that I only recently received. It’s one of my favorite responses ever. I was struck by her ability to look outside her own experience to insightfully portray and evaluate a grown-up: “I like the way U…/Use your colors./Always have Energy./Present your self,/And what you stand for./Out of know where come up with a rhyme.” The kids did work with color in their poem-writing, but I feel she also saw my use of color vibrations as a clairvoyant reader (which she knew nothing about) and my focus on “energy.” And I really like the spelling of “know where.”

...If you're a musician/songwriter and would like to collaborate, please get in touch and let's explore...

For your valentine or yourself, you might want to give “The Poetry of Groove” or the very pink and amorous “What’s New, Pussycat?” Aptly, the 2-for-1 holiday sale is still in force (get a free CD for buying one via PayPal). Delivery is rapid, and you will be hugely appreciated not only by the recipient but by me (demonstrated by a kiss if you want it or whatever inscription you specify). Links to retailers are at http://www.lisabmusic.com/cds_books.html

So out of "know where," I wish you a love-filled and rambunctious February. Thanks, Lisa B (Lisa Bernstein)

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www.itunes.com/lisab

www.cdbaby.com/Artist/LisaBLisaBernstein

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"Lisa B on Assertive Women, Poetry and Monk's Genius"

I had the honor and fun of a long interview, before the turn of the year, with Jordan Richardson of both Blogcritics.com and Canadian Audophile's Reviews and News. Check it out at http://blogcritics.org/music/article/interview-lisa-b-on-assertive-women/.

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www.itunes.com/lisab
www.cdbaby.com/Artist/LisaBLisaBernstein
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Free-Wheeling Radio Interview Yesterday with Carmen Milagro

Really enjoyed this free-wheeling interview yesterday with the vivacious Carmen Milagro on how I became a poet and singer, using social media, coaching kids, advice to musicians seeking gigs (i.e., advice to self), making a living, using different sides of the brain, the biggest risk I ever took, and more. Stream or download from link.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Carmen-Milagro

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www.itunes.com/lisab
www.cdbaby.com/Artist/LisaBLisaBernstein
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Nice To Be Compared to Bjork and Kate Bush

Grateful for Mark Saleski's new review! I really enjoyed being likened to "nonstandard" singers like Bjork and Kate Bush but contrasted with them because of not seeming initially strange or inaccessible.

Plus he calls the CD sexy, funny, spiritually uplifting, evocative and more: "On 'The Poetry Of Groove,' Lisa B takes her spoken word beautifully sung excursions and wraps them up in a bunch of snazzy grooves that vary from hip-hop to slinky jazzification."

Check it out! http://blogcritics.org/music/article/music-review-lisa-b-the-poetry/

It's so good to have someone (else) get the record and describe it so articulately and entertainingly! I'm thankful.

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www.itunes.com/lisab
www.cdbaby.com/Artist/LisaBLisaBernstein
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Winter Solstice

Today is the Winter Solstice, the year's shortest day. A magic day that's the foundation of all winter holidays.

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"I do not know which to prefer,
The beauty of inflections
Or the beauty of innuendoes,
The blackbird whistling
Or just after."

And

"When the blackbird flew out of sight,
It marked the edge
Of one of many circles."

--From Wallace Stevens, "Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird"


Enjoy your many magic circles.

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www.itunes.com/lisab
www.cdbaby.com/Artist/LisaBLisaBernstein
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Focus on "The Poetry of Groove"'s Spiritual Content in Amazon Review by blogger/journalist Michael E. Ross

I was grateful to be reviewed by blogger/journalist Michael E. Ross on Amazon, and especially pleased by the fact that he focused on the CD's spiritual content:

“On ‘The Poetry of Groove,’… Lisa's signature alto, by turns smoky and lapidary, awakens us to her spiritual travels with infectious rhythms and witticisms that are seductively inviting…

She brings a refreshingly maverick cadence to the spoken-word experience...

In ‘The Poetry of Groove’ and ‘Get the Signal,’ Lisa explores the record's central themes: a call to spiritualism and more reliance on our deeper, more humanistic inclinations. But this ain't no lecture: Lisa brings the musical passion behind her spiritual manifesto… with her love of jazz, Latin rhythm and hip-hop's lyric sensibilities...

The remix of ‘Virtual Kiss’ [has]… nothing missing in terms of its nervous, thoroughly modern dissonance. Hearing it today, more than 10 years after the first version, Lisa's lyrics ring eerily prophetic; this clever take on the persistence of technology and how the ways of the heart struggle to rise in a digital, cubicled world has more pertinence now than it did a dozen years ago.

Lisa's inclusion of a remastered version of ‘Night and Day’ (from ‘What's New, Pussycat?’) may be the best distillation of where she's at as a singer and, more basically, as an evolving artist. This combination of a faithful vocal reading of the Cole Porter classic with her own feline-inspired poetic interpolation remains a reminder of what makes her so fiercely original.

…the jazzy-chill edit of the title track, which closes the album…[w]ith its lush string accents and a deft balance of vocal and instrumental prowess… shapes up as the perfect closing statement… on an album that capably and joyously brings the talents of a true musical iconoclast front and center again.”

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www.itunes.com/lisab
www.cdbaby.com/Artist/LisaBLisaBernstein
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Great New Reviews for "The Poetry of Groove"!

Really happy about the new reviews that have come in! Here are excerpts:

Chris Spector, Midwest Record:

Three years ago, B established herself as our fave Catwoman since Julie Newmar and now we find her moving back to her writer self and bringing her poetry slam side to the fore. Much more Jill Scott than Rod McKuen, B continues to ride the progressive tip with a creative abandon that makes it seem easy to break convention and get away with it. As sexy as you can sound without being a ...70s diva."

http://midwestrecord.com/MWR123.html

I Hear Sparks column by Jordan Richardson, blogcritics.com, December 2, 2009:

Funky, fresh and sexy as all hell, Lisa B’s The Poetry of Groove is an impressive collection of remixes and new pieces… seamless blending of jazz, hip-hop, soul, spoken word and popular music. Her approach to her craft is invigorating… an artist excited to take risks and make moves that other artists might stray from....it’s a mischievous and blistering compilation of work that forms the perfect vibe to warm up a cold winter’s night.

"Lisa B’s command of lyricism is manifest with each piece… [She] paints pictures… to tell entire stories.

"The title track… 'Jazzy Chill Mix' starts the record off with polished beats and Lisa B’s spoken word vocals. She’s alluring, venturing through various tones and moods throughout the course of the song… while the 'House Mix' packs in a danceable beat.

" 'Be Electric (Electronica Remix)' is a sophisticated, sleek cut that makes great use out of Lisa’s hushed, breathy tones and funky witticisms. The remastered 'Trane’s Ride (Naima)' is my favourite song on the record. It uses Coltrane’s piece to underline Lisa’s deeply seductive lyrics… [On} 'Get the Signal' and 'Virtual Kiss'...she shows off her jazz pipes, gracefully dancing through various tones and moods with delight and style...

The Poetry of Groove is a sexy and exciting collection of tunes from one of the most daring and deft performers I’ve come across in a while."

http://blogcritics.org/music/article/i-hear-sparks-lisa-b-the/

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www.itunes.com/lisab
www.cdbaby.com/Artist/LisaBLisaBernstein
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