JUNE 2010 VOL 1 ISSUE 5

The Official Spoken Word Newsletter of the Lowcountry!

 JUNE 2010
Two Years and Counting, and the Pancakes are
4
Still
Coming!
It‟s that time again…time for P&P, but not just any Poetry and
Pancakes, it is our two year anniversary. Mackenzie and I are
so pleased to know that Beaufort has accepted our zany idea
of serving pancakes while listening to slam styled poetry, and
have helped us to make this venue into a true artistic
presence here. Thank you Beaufort!
But an anniversary is just another reminder that time is
moving…continually moving along with us, or in some
instances, passing us by. An anniversary is the culminating
moment of reflection of the year that has gone. What has
changed? What were the good moments, the bad? Who
made us laugh, and the moments we cried. Our favorite
features, and some not too favorite. And the moment we
realized that we were changing the scope of our community.
Or the moment that we figured out you guys really like us.
An anniversary also does a fine job at eliminating any notion
of invincibility. For an anniversary is just a reminder that the
person or event has been around, but like all things in this
world, they/it will come to an end. That‟s the moment of
clarity for me. It‟s funny, Mack and I, like any regular
business folk, have already begun planning our exit strategy,
for that day when it is time to say, “this is it folks…I hope you
all have gotten your share of pancakes!” We marvel in the
blessing that we have been around for two years, and we
pray for more to come. Yet we know that show will end, one
day.
I still remember that first Poetry and Pancakes. We held that
event June 2008. I was working with a group of local rappers
by way of our recording studio, Paper Route Productions, all
of whom helped Mack and I put the show together (Skooby,
Pro, Juice, I miss you guys). About 30-35 showed up. We
were at the Sea Island Conference Center, a building we
chose for the event because the ambience was so befitting.
Mack and I were so proud. We watched something we had
conceived in the limited spacing of a college dorm bloom into
this amazing night.
But I must admit, I was tripping hard. I was so nervous, that I
began fussing at Mack about the type of syrup she had
purchased only hours before the event. I was so angry, I
asked her to return the syrup to the store…well if anyone of
you know Mack, you know she didn‟t. And you probably
know, she put me in my place.
That first Poetry and Pancakes was a far cry from what we do
today. I used to bring my studio equipment and use it to
provide sound. And we didn‟t have a feature. I was the
unofficial feature, and just an open mic. But the love in the
room, the automatic familial feel, provided the magic. As
Natalie Daise later wrote in Lowcountry Weekly regarding
that initial P&P, “it wasn‟t just a Friday night in a small hall on
South Carolina‟s coast. It was a salon in Harlem and
Langston Hughes was crying, „I, Too, Sing America.‟ It was a
house party in Brooklyn and James Baldwin was leaning on a
kitchen counter a cigarette in his lips, reading an excerpt from
„Go Tell It on the Mountain.‟”
VOL 1 ISSUE 5
I remember revered educator and local author Lynn
Markovich-Bryant reading a poem by her son who could
not be in attendance. I recall the young dancers who came
out and performed while I did an emotionally moving
piece. I remember us starting at 7:30; but waiting until
8:30 for people to show up!
We have forged friendships, business and creative
relationships. We have been humbled by the various
forms of spoken word art that we have experienced. And
we have learned...to trust our dreams.
From there, we saw our one year anniversary last June, in
which Basik Knowledge from HBO‟s Def Poets came and
helped us celebrate. He honestly was our first “real”
feature. And if I recall correctly, that was the first time we
used the band. Immediately following that anniversary,
Mack and I created LOUD, Inc., our very own non-profit
which teaches youth music and poetry. A year from that,
we were blessed to find a new location after all of you kept
telling us that needed a new building many moons ago
due to the crowd becoming larger and larger. In the
process, we also watched some of the young people we
worked with, graduate from high school, and begin
pursuing the rest of their lives. And in some, we even
sparked the interest to begin to put their ideas, the
dreams, and their lives in prose.
So as the tide turns again, and we encroach upon another
year on June 25th, I do think of the day when the show will
end, but relish in the magical moments we have had on
this illustrious ride. You have provided Mack and me an
extended family – one of diversity, and rich expression.
Thank you, we love you, and look forward to partying with
all of you on the 25th!
Our third P&P ever. Me on
stage with many of the youth
who came out to support
 JUNE 2010
spit that
‘ish poet
Poetry and pancakes
POETRY AND PANCAKES 2 YEAR ANNIVERSARY IS
TH
JUNE 25 2010 at 1211 Harrington St in Beaufort (right
across from the Cricket Telephone Store) at 8:30pm! We
will feature Christopher K.P. Brown, an established stage
poet from Philadelphia, PA!
Our last P&P was filled with so much excitement and such
wonderful prose! Thank you to all who came out, especially
considering the many other events that were occurring that
same night.
Our May feature, educator, poet, and activist Theresa
Davis did a phenomenal job! She is such a dynamic orator!
And we finally had another slam! Props to all of our slam
contestants: William Smalls, Justin Blackburn, Alexis
Lynah, and Noel Scales! Congratulations to our new Slam
Champ, Ms. Scales who is a Temple University Student!
Huge shout out to JJ Keyser/JJK4 Productions and to
Southern Treasures Productions, two video recording
outfits that were in the building to capture all of the magic!
And of course, thank you to all who came out to support.
And thank you to The Boys and Girls Club Teen Center for
letting us use their space.
Just a reminder, the admission fee for the anniversary
is slightly higher than regular monthly admission fee.
Admission is $12.00 in advance, $15.00 at the door.
Anyone who wears a “Spit that „ish shirt” receive $5.00
off!
If anyone is interested in participating in our next P&P as
an artist, or wish to make reservations, please call Jamie at
(843) 476-9738 or Mackenzie at (843) 521-7354.
If any person or group is interested in volunteering at P&P,
call Jamie or Mackenzie or email Mackenzie at
mmgrew@tcl.edu. SPIT THAT ISH POET!
Atlanta, GA
Poet
Theresa Davis
May 28th Poetry and Pancakes
VOL 1 ISSUE 5
Spotlight…
4
In August of 2000, Christopher K.P. Brown self-
published his own collection of poems, Content, and
sold over 200 copies at $20 a piece. He was only 16
years old.
“I was never into poetry,” says Brown, who at the
young age of 13 entered his first ever poetry contest
st
and won 1 place. “Winning felt great, but expressing
exactly what was on my mind was felt even better.
Within 2-3 months, I had written over 100 poems.”
Born and raised in Pine Bluff, AR, he moved to Macon,
GA upon graduating high school to attend Mercer
University. “I went to college in Georgia because I was
looking for a bigger poetry scene,” Brown recalls. “I
ended up staying in college, instead of dropping out,
because it was the students at my college who
supported my poetry at the time. Poetry is my life.”
KP cites rappers such as Common, Andre 3000, and
Talib Kweli as his first influences regarding poetry. It
was this particular style of rap that heightened his love
of the spoken word and introduced him to authors
Langston Hughes, Amiri Baraka, Sonia Sanchez, and
activists Marcus Garvey and Malcolm X.
Since then he‟s written two collections of poetry and
recorded four spoken word albums, and has
established his company, 2 Pens & Lint, as a well
known and respected medium that concentrates on
building poetry as an industry in which poets are able
to become financially stable through their art.
His favorite collection of his poetry is a book he
authored upon completing graduate school at Temple
University, entitled, Harlem 65. In it, Brown poses the
question, “What defines Blackness today?” He
describes this line as being derived from President
Obama‟s election, and the significance of this historical
moment. “Obama had just been elected, but at the
same time, Oscar Grant [a man of color], had been
killed by police in California…we‟d gained a victory, but
we were still living in the harsh reality of America.”
This is KP‟s second time at Poetry and Pancakes! He
is definitely a crowd favorite! Be sure to check him out
th
on June 25 at 1211 Harrington St, in Beaufort!
“If [the crowd] takes my words with them and apply
them to their lives in a positive way, then I'm satisfied.”
 JUNE 2010
Do not follow
where the
path may
lead. Go,
instead,
where there is
no path and
leave a trail.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
As off all of you know, this month is generally the
month of high school graduations. To commemorate
some of the young folks that Jamie and I have been so
fortunate to work with, I decided to post a quote.
Something simple, easy to remember, but all so true. I
remember high school graduation, I was so eager to
be an adult. Then I entered university overseas and
remembered how fun it is to be young. Graduate
school also reminded me to enjoy these times,
because they will be short, but they will have provided
me with some of the best moments of my life
(spending days in Harlem with Jamie, dance clubs,
poetry spots). But these times and moments paved the
way for me to become a community member of the
world, and to seize my dreams. So, congratulations to
all of our community‟s graduates, (Tessa, Grace,
Ricky, Chris, Jazmyn, Dwayne, Palmer, Ahbosi,
Brianna, we are so proud of you!) and to those
graduates afar. And don‟t be timid of those dreams
that are unchartered. All the answers are within you.
The world if yours for the taking!
Thank you to the following businesses that supported
our 25x25 Campaign so far this month:
Shoes for the Soul
Ultimate Creations Hair Salon
Panini‟s Café
Law Office of Bernard McIntyre
Rita‟s of Beaufort
Profiles Mastectomy Boutique
25x25 is a campaign in which we seek $25.00 from
25 businesses in which these funds allow us to
continue to assist in the funding of LOUD, Inc. $25.00
is all it takes to help make an impact on a young
person‟s life forever. To check LOUD out, visit
www.facebook.com/livingouturdreams.
VOL 1 ISSUE 5
4
I BOW TO YOU
She's showing off for her...he's showing off for him
And at da end of the game, don't neya one y'all win.
Cuz y'all don't get that what holds the most appeal
is to just be...who...you...are!
to just "keep it real", for real.
Y'all don't understand that there is only one YOU
that not another walkin' 'round can do THAT like you do.
See, y'all blend in, tryna be like the next
same hair, same clothes, same words, same text
But some of y'all don't even know what you talkin about
Rap lyrics and slang flow so free from yo mouth
Using other folks words, leads to thinking other folks thoughts
What not what those before us, so bravely sacrificed &
fought...for
Sooooo much more
is what it's about
Stand strong
Stand tall
Stand up
STAND OUT!!
The you that you are is da you that you should be
Realize that and then you hold the key
...to your future
...to your happiness
...to your goals
...to your dreams
Cuz just as you are, you are
Kings and you are Queens
and I BOW TO YOU.
- Melissa Ellis
Hope you all enjoyed this piece submitted by
Melissa Ellis. Ellis is a P&P fixture. You can see her
perform during the open mic portion at the Two Year
Anniversary Poetry and Pancakes. WE EXTEND AN
INVITE TO ANY POET WHO WISHES TO HAVE A
PIECE FEATURED IN WORD TO SUBMIT THEIR
WORK TO JAMIE FLEMING OR CONTACT HIM
VIA EMAIL AT jamieramie@yahoo.com .
 JUNE 2010 VOL 1 ISSUE 5

The Exchange
Hot Venues and Community Events in and around the Lowcountry
4

 Every Tuesday – Plums Restaurant (Beaufort)

Open mic beginning at 10pm
 Every Wednesday – Kathleen‟s Bar and Grille
(Beaufort) Karaoke with Steve 8:30pm-12am
(843)524-2500
 June 11-12, 17-19 – Misspent Youth
Productions presents Talking With…
(Beaufort) at the ARTWorks Black Box Theatre.
th
8pm, with a 3pm matinee on June 13 .
$15.00/$10.00 for students. (843)379-2787
th
 June 11 – 5Q School‟s Out Summer Jam
(Savannah, GA) Open to all middle and high
school students. Live gospel hip hop, music, free
food and giveaways. 9pm-11pm. 9700
Middleground Rd. (912)927-8601
th
 June 13 – The Sentient Bean (Savannah, GA)
Big Tree, a blues, ambient, modal jazz band will
be performing. 8pm. FREE.
th
 June 15 – Jinx (Savannah, GA) Every
Tuesday, HIP HOP Night, late night open mic
MC freestyle battles and breakdancing with M.C.
Basik Lee of Dope Sandwich.21+, Doors open at
10pm.
th
 June 16 – Book Signing: Mark Finlay

GET
(Savannah, GA) Finlay will do a reading and sign
copies of his new book "Growing American
Rubber: Strategic Plants and the Politics of
National Security," a look into our national
dependence on another petroleum-based
product. http://thebookladybookstore.com/ 6pm.
FREE
YOUR
SHIRT
th
 June 17 – Joyful Noise Jazz Café (Savannah,
GA) Jazz and Poetry. New Covenant Church
Bull Street at 38th 8pm.

NOW
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 June 20 – The Sentient Bean (Savannah, GA)
AWOL Open Mic Poetry Night Presented by All
Walks of Life, Inc. FREE. 7pm.
nd
 June 22 – Beaufort Writers (Beaufort) Lady‟s
Island Airport Conference Room. FREE. 5:30pm You can purchase a “Spit that „ish
th
 June 25 – Poetry and Pancakes 2 YEAR
ANNIVERSARY! (Beaufort) Featuring performing
poet! ™” tshirt now! $10. 00! And
poet, Christopher KP Brown at 1211 Harrington wear it to Poetry and Pancakes and
St $15.00 at door, $12.00 in advance! Wear SPIT
THAT ISH SHIRT and receive $5.00 off of
receive $5. 00 off admission for the
admission! Doors open at 8pm. Show starts at two year anniversary! You want your

8:30pm. (843)476-9738 for more info.
th
June 26 – A Musical Health Affair Of Gullah shirt? Email Mackenzie at
Folk Music With Singer/songwriter Osalami mackmcgrew@ hotmail. com All orders
Lamoke and Percussionist Baba Ode
(Beaufort) Art of preparing living foods. Benefit to of 3 or more shirts receive one for
support Healing Haven Organic Foods. In the free!
Artworks Black Box Theatre. $10.00. 3pm.
(843)838-8099
 JUNE 2010 VOL 1 ISSUE 5

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1. Flyer for first ever Poetry and Pancakes, June 20th 2008. 2. Sonya Clemons at September 2008 Poetry and Pancakes. 3. P&P Slam Champion Fancy Taylor at Poetry and
Pancakes September 2009. 4. Maskil performing at Poetry and Pancakes September 2009. 5. Flyer for One Year anniversary June 2009. 6. HBO’s Def Poetry Basik
Knowledge, June 2009 Anniversary feature. 7. Mr. Tony Settles performing at Poetry and Pancakes May 2009. 8. Christopher KP Brown performing at October 2009 Poetry
and Pancakes. 9. Flyer for October 2009 Poetry and Pancakes, the first time KP came down. 10. November 2008 Poetry and Pancakes; Jamie inviting all audience members
under the age of 18 on stage. 11. Q. Wiley performing at Poetry and Pancakes October 2009. 12. Mr. Roger Harrison participating in open mic at P&P May 2009. 13. Born
Ready (John Smalls and Tony Mulligan) performing at USCB Poetry and Pancakes November 2009.
 JUNE 2010 VOL 1 ISSUE 5

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14, LOUD students at Poetry and Pancakes October 2009 15. Mackenzie modeling Spit That ‘ish Shirt December 2009 16. Poetry and Pancakes November 2009 featuring
Moody Black and Kimbi of Greenville< SC (Wits End Poetry Collective) 17. December 2009 Poetry and Pancakes with DJ Sonar of Spaced Invaders. 18. Melissa “Mookie”
Ellis performing during open mic at April 2010 Poetry and Pancakes. 19. Crowd at September 2008 Poetry and Pancakes. 20. LOUD students at April 2010 Poetry and
Pancakes. 21. Grace Glasson performing at April 2010 Poetry and Pancakes. 22. Local Amanda Diaz performing at April 2009 P&P. 23. Jamella Taylor dressed in costume at
October 2009 P&P. 24. Crowd watching feature at April 2010 Poetry and Pancakes. 25. Christmas flyer for December 2009 P&P.