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May 2009: Sekou Attends Unprecedented Night of Poetry and Music at the White House How amazing is this?? The president wanted to have a little poetry soiree at his crib so Sekou and few other members of the spoken word community, including Steve Connell, Poetri, and Saul Williams, were in the (White) house, along with a small, exclusive guestlist, including such celebs as Spike Lee, Hill Harper, James Earl Jones, and Power 106's Big Boy for this unprecedented event. It was an honor to watch friend Mayda DelValle spit a poem about her grandmother with her mother in attendance and represent this artform passionately. Other performers included two youth slam champions from Brave New Voices and James Earl Jones reading Shakespeare. The best was hearing Barack discuss the power and importance of words, and Michelle start the party off by enthusiastically saying "I've wanted to do this from day one!"
July 2008: Sekou releases new spoken word double CD, "Poetic License"
Get your copy now at www.cdbaby.com/all/sekouworld
Be sure to visit Sekou's new You Tube page for video samples of his performances
OCTOBER 2007: THE WORD BEGINS, World Premiere in WASHINGTON, DC!!! Here is the link to the official site: Whatever you think you've seen from Steve and I, or from spoken word in general, we are truly trying to take it to another level. We have world class, Broadway designers making our lights, A/V, set, sound, and costumes INCREDIBLE! I'm very proud of this show and feel confident you will walk out of it with fire, inspiration and momentum. What you do with it ... is up to you. SCHEDULE & TICKET DISCOUNTS: We are calling OCTOBER 7th (NOT the 8th) our official OPENING NIGHT now, because that is our PRESS NIGHT and we want a warm crowd in there then. There are also a few options for ticket discounts:
WE DON'T WANT TO TURN ANYONE AWAY BECAUSE OF COST - it is too important to us that our community sees this show. But we also hope that if you CAN pay full price you will, because we depend on full ticket sales and packed houses to see our cut as writers. Contact the theater for regular prices and ticket reservations.
Mind, Body & Soul Retreat returns in June 2009 Join Sekou in Ocho Rios, Jamaica in June 2009 as the "Mind, Body & Soul Retreat" put on by An Elegant Affair returns! More details coming soon! Fore more information on the 2006, have a look at our press release located here.
WRITE A REVIEW FOR SEKOU’S DOUBLE CD! If you have purchased and enjoyed Sekou’s double CD “Afrodeezyackz/The Mumblings of a Madman,” please go to cdbaby.com/review/sekou and write a review of the CD. The more fantastic reviews we get, the more press and sales will follow!
SEKOU NOW ON MYSPACE
ATTENTION: Ladies! Each summer, for the past three years, I perform poetry and conduct seminars at a fantastic WEEK-LONG WOMEN'S RETREAT in beautiful OCHO RIOS, JAMAICA, one of the island’s most beautiful cities. It is called the “MIND, BODY & SOUL RETREAT” put on by An Elegant Affair and this summer it will take place July 18th - July 23rd, 2006. Please take a minute to read through this to the end, I really think many of you may be interested. Let me first answer your frequently asked questions about what this retreat is not: Q: Is it a group of women from one age, income, or marital demographic getting together to bash men for a week? NO!
Q: Is it a meditation-type retreat where you spend all day finding your chi or visiting with your "inner light?" NO! (not that we all couldn’t use a visit with our inner light!)
Q: Is it a "go all the way to Jamaica just to sit at some American hotel or all inclusive resort and leave feeling like you have no idea what Jamaica was like" retreat? NO!
Q: Is it an isolated-from-anything-male, "I-am-woman-hear-me-roar" type retreat? NO…
Okay, below you will find the brochure for you to check out the Villas, select the one you are interested in, and view the prices. You may also reach out to Karen to request a hard-copy brochure be sent to you. Click here for brochure. This is not a cheap, quick getaway. It is a QUALITY vacation for which you'll want to start saving now, and maybe get some of your sister-friends to join in and share a villa with you. But, everyone who attends agrees that the price of the retreat is a complete STEAL considering how much you get and how well you’re taken care of during the week. Remember, prices listed INCLUDE: *roundtrip airfare YOU WILL HAVE A BLAST. After all, if nothing else, you'll have me performing poetry on a warm Jamaican night right next to the ocean... that alone should be worth the price! :) PLEASE CONTACT KAREN CLARKE at anelegantaffair_ja@hotmail.com for booking and info. When contacting her, BE SURE TO USE BOOKING CODE: STM06. And if you can't make it this year, please forward this to someone you think may be interested. See ya in the sun! click here to read the poem inspired by the retreat
HAVING A PARTY, WEDDING, or BUSINESS PRESENTATION? As the different engagements for which I am booked continue to mount, I just wanted to make everyone aware of the types of events to which spoken has proven an ideal fit. In addition to the usual bookings at colleges, clubs, poetry venues, etc., I have also recited at several weddings, small private “living room” parties, large auditorium/club parties, and corporate events. I have performed engaging love poems at weddings as well as been commissioned to write original works for couples’ ceremonies. Parties celebrating any occasion have found spoken word to be a simple and delightful addition to the festivities. And many companies have found that a powerful spoken word performance can add just the unique touch and electricity needed to make their business presentation stand above all competition. So, whatever you’re planning, why not make it even more original by adding captivating and emotive poetry to the event? Email Sekou for prices, info, and references.
Peace Poetry Family, This is just a brief announcement to let you know of another way that you can effortlessly support this poet of yours. I have recently started a new venture as a Referring Travel Agent for my own home travel business - Poetry In Motion Travel. My website is www.poetryinmotiontravel.com I would appreciate you doing me a favor and checking it out (and don't be jealous of my supafly, professional photo either! Don't hate!) :) You'll definitely appreciate my site. It is one of the best travel and vacation websites on the Internet today. And you'll be doing me a huge favor. Anytime you book travel and vacations on my site, you'll get the same or better deals, and I earn a commission. If you book through the highly advertised sites, you merely help them pay for their advertising. When you go through Poetry In Motion Travel, I get paid for my word-of-mouth advertising. And since you have all requested to join my mailing list and have supported me throughout my career, I know the power of this network we have created together. So I know I can count on you to use my site and spread the word for me. For all of my fellow poets grinding away away on the road, check out my website to book your travel for gigs and tours. And for any of you visionaries, entrepreneurs, and hustlers out there who want to find out more about this business, check out the presentation section of my website, and look out for more info to come from me. But for now, remember - the holiday season is approaching, so now is the time to book your travel and vacations. And when you do, make sure you book it through I truly appreciate you. Be safe.
Sekou (tha misfit) is currently setting up college touring for this semester and next semester! If you would like to have him at your school, please email him right away with contact information for the program board, the student activities center or the student union that he should contact and he will have a press kit and reel sent to them immediately. WANT TO REALLY HELP? MAKE SOME NOISE! Colleges are always more convinced when their own students or faculty have seen Sekou on stage and are enthusiastically insistent that he come perform, rather than his agent making a cold call. So contact your own activities center, and warm them up for us: write them a letter, send an email or make a call to get them as excited as you are!
SEKOU (THA MISFIT) HAS JUST TAPED HBO DEF POETRY FOR THE SECOND TIME! This will be the fifth season of Russell Simmons' HBO show Def Poetry. Many talented poets had the opportunity to bless the stage this season. Sekou was happy to be able to showcase his work with writing partner Steve Connell, performing their group piece "Choose Something" in addition to an individual piece each. More to come on which piece will air and when ...
In December, 2004, Sekou (tha misfit) and Steve Connell officially celebrated their new writing/performing partnership with a full showcase of their group work in, what they have been calling, their 2 MAN 0NE-MAN-SHOW. This was a full hour and a half showcase of the best of their individual and group poetry, music, comedy and theater with full lighting design, sound design and an amazing 8 piece non-traditional band - a glass player, violist, harpist, flute/saxophonist, guitarist, DJ, beat boxer and 2 dancers. There were 2 shows (7p and 10p) in one amazing night at Theater 68 in Hollywood! Both houses were packed and had incredible energy from the audience. In February, 2005 they did it again! This time they brought it home to the Greenway Court Theater, home of Da Poetry Lounge, for 3 nights, one show each. Each night was better and better, each house was sold out, and those who came have been talking non-stop about the show. If you missed it, or you want to see it again, here is the status: Sekou and Steve have hired a director and will spend the spring tearing the script apart and rebuilding it as they prepare to take it to the next level, looking forward to a full 6-8 week run (hopefully this summer) and ultimately towards creating opportunities for Broadway, television specials, and film. Thank you all for your support and stay tuned.
January 2004 Sekou (tha misfit) tours the country with the "Declare Yourself" Campaign! DECLARE YOURSELF THE POWER OF Although it is a little-known fact, the Declaration of Independence, the birth certificate of the United States, was intended to be performed aloud. From town to town, the notions of liberty, independence and equality were proclaimed by the revolutionary voices of young radicals using the words of the country’s first spoken word script.” Today, through the performances of the Declare Yourself spoken word artists, the power of spoken word will inspire America’s youth in the same way that the reciting of the Declaration of Independence did more than 225 years ago. The power of spoken word, sometimes known as performance poetry or slam poetry, lies in the authentic thoughts and performances of young people across all racial boundaries, backgrounds, and regions of the country. Spoken word is also more popular – and in an election year, more relevant – than ever. Declare Yourself will harness this energy through the entertainment and awareness-building capabilities of spoken word. Through a nationwide college tour of a live spoken word show combined with voter registration, empowerment meets entertainment in an experience that's part rally, part poetry, part music, part theater, and part contemporary revival. It’s a synergy of the most galvanizing facets of youth culture, converging into one exploding live event. The Declare Yourself spoken word showcase will focus on messages about activism, voting, democracy and empowerment of a new generation -- an experience that can only be described as revolutionary when delivered in a real way from the authentic voices of fresh new talent. In collaboration with filmmaker and stage director Charles Herman-Wurmfeld (“Kissing Jessica Stein,” “Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde”), the Declare Yourself poets will use history to MAKE history by inspiring young voters to become active participants in our country's future. WHERE WE’RE GOING: The Declare Yourself spoken word showcase will travel throughout 2004 on a nationwide tour, visiting 18 college campuses from January through March. These colleges include Keene State College, University of South Carolina, University of Florida, Florida State University, Mississippi State University, University of Arizona, Arizona State University, California State University-Fresno, University of California, Los Angeles, University of Southern California, San Diego State University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Ohio State University, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, University of Pennsylvania, Syracuse University, University of Pittsburgh and Iowa State University. In addition, the show will be a special feature at major concert tours in the summer of 2004. WHO WE ARE: The Declare Yourself spoken word artists, whose members represent a national cross-section of backgrounds and experiences, include: Steve Connell, Sekou (tha misfit), Gina Loring and Marty McConnell: MEDIA CONTACTS: Ryan Schneider / Doug Piwinski For more information on the "Declare Yourself" Spoken Word Tour, click here, or you can visit www.declareyourself.com.
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IMMEDIATE RELEASE AWARD-WINNING KONWISER BROTHERS ANNOUNCE UNDERGROUND POETS RAILROAD TOUR A Hip-Hop Music and Spoken Word Tribute To The Fallen African-American Firefighters of 9/11 New Orleans, LA --- Award-winning producers/directors Kip and Kern Konwiser announce the Underground Poets Railroad spoken word tour, featuring performances by cutting-edge urban poets and hip hop artists, including award-winners Sekou (tha misfit) and Gina Loring (2002 National Poetry Slam Competition), Jerry Quickley (three-time Los Angeles Poetry Grand Slam winner), Steve Connell, Laura Kelly and Jaha Zainabu. Several hip-hop artists will make special appearances along the way, including DJ Jazzy Jeff, Doug E. Fresh, Biz Markie, and Public Enemy's Professor Griff. Footage from this road trip will be combined with scenes taken from a concert held earlier this year in New Orleans, LA (hosted by P. Diddy, featuring performances by Bubba Sparxxx, Jermaine Dupri, Fabolous, and others) , resulting in a spoken word/hip-hop tribute film, with proceeds benefiting the families of the African American firefighters who died during the 9/11 attacks. The ambitious project is equal parts concert film, road trip documentary and, ultimately, a tribute to the African American firefighters who gave their lives on September 11th. The tour will begin in Hattiesburg, MS on September 3rd and concludes on September 11th in New York City. Directed and produced by the Konwiser Brothers, the film explores the question of how people heal from devastating loss and how they can regain the commitment to celebrate life, using stories, insights and performances collected throughout the tour. It will also include interviews with firefighters met during the journey, audience members, and the performers. The tour is designed to evoke the spirit of the Underground Railroad, the network of homes that provided shelter to escaping slaves making their way north toward freedom. The tour's logo is a lantern, the symbol that marked a safe house along the route. Underground Poets Railroad is a revolution through knowledge and a celebration of community, just as the original underground railroad shined a beacon of light for people seeking their rightful place in this nation of opportunity. The Konwiser brothers produced the highly-acclaimed HBO feature film "Miss Evers' Boys," starring Laurence Fishburne and Alfre Woodard. The film won five Emmy Awards, an NAACP Image Award, the 1997 Humanitas Prize, three Cable Ace Awards, Producer of the Year from the Producers Guild of America, and was named the National Education Association's Film of the Year. They also wrote, directed and produced the TNT documentary film "On Hallowed Ground," the story of Rucker Park in Harlem, the most celebrated street basketball court in history. "On Hallowed Ground" won a Sports Emmy for Best Documentary and was awarded a Gold Medal at the New York Film Festival. They teamed up to produce the CD Rom "Herbie Hancock Presents Living Jazz," with Kip as Executive Producer, and Kern as writer/director, and the interactive enhanced CD "Bob Marley: Soul Almighty," which is certified Platinum (Kip as Executive Producer, Kern as Creative Director). Kip most recently ran Mandalay Sports and Urban Entertainment. Kern has produced and directed "VH1 Fan Club: Red Hot Chili Peppers," and is currently producing and directing the ESPN series "Sidelines." The brothers also served as Executive Producer for ESPN's live broadcast of the 2000 Major League Baseball Players Choice Awards. The Konwisers recently launched Konwiser Brothers Entertainment, heralded as a groundbreaking cooperative established to develop, produce, sell, package, and provide global distribution for specialized films. Opening its doors in November, 2001, the company has already been integral in the release of feature film "The Wash" (starring rappers Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre), critically-acclaimed "Focus" (with Laura Dern and William H. Macy) and "Maze" (Laura Linney, Rob Morrow). Konwisers Brothers will handle all distribution for the Underground Poets Railroad tribute film. The Underground Poets Railroad tour will appear in the following cities: September
3 Hattiesburg, MS September
5 Atlanta, GA September
8 Washington DC September
9 Washington, DC September
10 Brooklyn, NY For further information, please contact: Jolyn
Matsumuro Annissa Mason
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Six years after his last spoken word release garnered enough critical acclaim to make Sekou the most awarded artist in the largest independent music organization in the nation, he's back with his sophomore, double CD "Poetic License." The Poetic Disc captures the intensity, energy, and humor of Sekou's live and studio performances, while the License Disc explores a wide range of musical styles, as his poetic verses meld seamlessly with the music to bring an extra dimension to the vivid lexicon of his world. 
