Mid-Jan What Up! E-blast

Friends & fam,
A mid-January update because there seems to be always much to share. You should start an email list, if only to step back and go, ah ha! So THAT is what I’ve been filling my days with! I’m glad to have you taking this ride with me.

Here is why I’m writing to you:

I have a show Friday that I’d love to see your fine lil’ face at. Maybe you can toss me a wink from the audience and make me feel cool. It’s at Le Poisson Rouge and I have a twenty minute set, alongside fabulous wordsmith’s Kelly Zen-Ye Tsai, Shanelle Gabriel and BYung.

In addition, I’d like to share the following:

1) An interview I did with Wrong Lips blog this month
2) An upcoming show with Bisco Smith & Core Rhythm at Santos Party House
3) A lesson you should steal to engage your youth with Haiti efforts
4) A project I lended my graphic efforts to that I deeply believe in, #dearbarack

Scroll if you have a mind to scroll, and ingest.I have a gift for you coming soon. Be patient. Please keep being fabulous and I will try too.

Hugs when you need ‘em and big cheek kisses,

MamaCaits
www.caitsmeissner.com
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UPCOMING SHOWS:
> Jan. 29, 2010 Feature: The Inspired Word @ Le Poisson Rouge

FRIDAY JANUARY 29, 2010
THE INSPIRED WORD @ LE POISSON ROUGE

Caits Meissner will be featuring with a 20-30 minute set alongside friends & fellow poets Shanelle Gabriel, Kelly Zen-Ye Tsai & B(rook) Yung.

Date: Friday, Jan. 29th
Time: 7-10pm (really more like 7:30-9:30)
Place: Le Poisson Rouge
158 Bleecker Street, New York, NY 10012

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> Feb. 6, 2010 Special Appearance: Santos Party House

I am so super honored to have been asked to write a collaboration piece to be unveiled at this show. Two of my favorite folks have just dropped CLASSIC albums (which you should cop, links below, trust me, I really do not say those words lightly) and they are celebrating on February 6th at Santos Party House. What are you waiting for?

1) Cop Bisco Smith: The Broadcast here.

2) Cop Core Rhythm: The Ecology here.

3) Come out February 6th:

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INTERVIEW WITH WRONG LIPS BLOG

I’m so incredibly honored to be featured along side my sister Maya Azucena at my other sister’s, Sarah White & Lichiban’s Wrong Lips blog! Here are the answers to their lovely mad libs, and you should really visit their site live in action, because it’s packed with goodness at http://wronglips.blogspot.com.

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STEAL THIS LESSON:
ENGAGING STUDENTS WITH HELPING HAITI

The earthquake hit Haiti during the last week of classes at Facing History High School. Knowing I’d get some grumbles, I decided to forgo a party, and take some action. With one class period of the semester left, it had to be something that could happen in an hour and 10 minutes.

I did some thinking about how to most effectively engage youth in relief efforts, knowing that:

a) most youth are not making much money and

b) won’t be traveling and

c) asking other people to donate is fine, but they are their own “target donation audience.” plus,

d) it is empowering to be able to make the contribution out of your own pocket, which often youth aren’t able to do.

Click here to see photos from my class & read the full lesson!

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DEAR BARAK (WRITE YOUR LETTER!)

My good friend and visionary kahlil almustafa recently released a book called “From Auction Block to Oval Office,” and it contains 100 poems within the first 100 days of Obama’s presidency within its covers. This is my turn to brag! I designed the book and I feel deeply connected to the project. I also happen to believe that kahlil’s words are important and moving and that you’d think so too.

kahlil also just launched a project called “Dear Barack”:

“Dear Barack” is an invitation to the people of the United States to write Barack Obama a letter to open an intimate conversation between the president and the people who elected him. Our goal is to collect 30,000 letters and deliver them to the president, continuing the call for dialogue he began during his campaign. These letters are an opportunity to re-engage with Barack Obama, the president, with the same passion and purpose as we did Barack Obama, the candidate.

So, what I want you to do, in two parts:

1) VISIT THE DEAR BARACK SITE & WRITE A LETTER: