On Father’s Day weekend, my friend Shannon Leigh was victim of a cave diving accident in Florida that has left her- as of this writing- in critical condition.  I met Shannon one year earlier in Columbus at the 2007 Rustbelt Regional Poetry Slam where she competed as a member of the team representing the Art Amok slam of Decatur/Atlanta.  Later that summer at the National Poetry Slam in her hometown of Austin, she finished 3^rd in the Individuals competition.  The Webmistress and I had the pleasure of hosting her in Chicago when she was here on tour last autumn. Almost needless to say, she has become a good pal.  She has shown herself to be an excellent person as well as performer and I am saddened that such an accident would befall someone with seemingly so much life in front of her.  Shannon loves a challenge so now she has one of, literally, a lifetime.  Please join Candy, Art Amok, the Palatine Poetry Slam, Mental Graffiti, PolyRhythmic and the rest of the spoken word community in wishing her a fast and full recovery.

The “HipHoppers Guide To The Galaxy Tour” is on a summer hiatus as I prep for this year’s N.P.S.  My Mental Graffiti/Chicago teammates and I will square off in the annual Chicago grudge match series against our rivals, Green Mill’s Uptown Poetry Slam.  Of course you can always find me at Safe Smiles with PolyRhythmic and guest-hosting In One Ear at the Heartland Café. Later this summer I’ll make my 3^rd annual appearance at the Bucktown Arts Festival on the ‘Go’s north side

(not pictured: Dan Sullivan)

 

First grudge match: Mental Graffiti - July 21^st at Funky Buddha Lounge.  Second grudge match: The Uptown Poetry Slam at the Green Mill Lounge, date TBA.  The National Poetry Slam/Lyrics On The Lake: August 4-9^th in Madison WI.  The point is not the points, the point is community

Looking to book the HHGTTG in your town, venue, school? Check out the press kit built by Webmistress Candyce. 

Coming soon from Checkthebackpack recordings: Karmaquarius Presents Syllaballistics 102, another mixtape by DJ Risky Bizness. The second installment will feature 7 pieces by yours truly. In addition, I’ve added rare HipHop gems from Channel Live & Rhymefest and some of my favorite performance poets; Talaam Acey, Aricka epiphany Foreman, JW Baz, Andi Kauth and Kevin Coval.