For Immediate Release
Contact: Paul E. Nelson
Global Voices Radio/SPLAB!
Slaughter, WA 98002

253.735.6328


Global Voices Radio / SPLAB! E-Fishwrapper


In this E-Fishwrapper, Sekou Sundiata's Passing, August Poetry Postard Fest, SPlabman Reads in Snohomish TOMORROW, David Rizzi in Duvall, Bioneers in Seattle & more than you'll actually read.

1) From: Cathy Zimmerman [ mailto:cathy@multiartsprojects.com ]

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

It is with deep sadness and the heaviest of hearts that we inform you that
Sekou Sundiata, the eloquent and much loved poet, performer, artist activist
and educator, passed away this morning July 18, 2007 at 5:47am at the age of
58 due to heart failure.

Sekou Sundiata fell ill earlier this month as he was preparing for the
European premiere of his latest epic music/theater piece, the 51st dream
state, at the Stimmen Festival in Germany. In early June he performed,
blessing the boats, at the Spoleto Festival in S.C. and delivered a keynote
presentation at the 13th Annual Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed
International Conference in Minneapolis. He leaves behind a full schedule of
performances, community residencies and keynote speeches.

Mr. Sundiata's untimely passing is a profound loss not only to his family
and innumerable friends, colleagues and students but also to all of the
individuals and communities whom he touched and changed through his
performances, music, writings, public talks, interviews and conversations.

Mr. Sundiata is survived by his wife, Maurine (Kazi) Knighton, daughter
Myisha Gomez, stepdaughter Aida Riddle, grandson Amman and his mother
Virginia Myrtle Feaster, two brothers William and Ronald and lots of nieces,
nephews, aunts and uncles. Cards can be sent to Maurine at 296 Stuyvesant
Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11221. Donations in memory of Sekou may be made
to the National Kidney Foundation at 30 E. 33rd Street, Suite 1100, New York
NY 10016. Details regarding funeral arrangements will be forthcoming.

We have attached here some additional information about Sekou Sundiata and
his work. Please feel free to contact us for further information.

In the words of Sekou,

All of a sudden.,
Cathy, Ann, Jordana, Milka and Emily
MAPP International Productions
Tel: 646-602-9390

excerpt from the 51st (dream) state by Sekou Sundiata:

What if we were Life
Or Liberty
Or the Pursuit of something new?
Between the rocks below
and the stars above
What if we were composed by Love?
And what if we could show
that what we dream
is deeper than what we know?
Suppose if something does not live
in the world
that we long to see
then we make it ourselves
as we want it to be
What if we are Life
Or Liberty
and the Pursuit of something new?
And suppose the beautiful answer
asks the more beautiful question,
Why don't we get our hopes up too high?
What don't we get our hopes up to high?
High!


2) August Poetry Postcard Fest

Lana Ayers and I have almost 90 folks agreeing to send a poem on a postcard each August day this year. We've constructed three lists and poets from as far as London, Reykjavik, The Netherlands, Ottawa, Nanaimo and Slaughter are in on this. More details at http://www.poetrypostcards.blogspot.com. There will be a September 22 event to discuss the project and share some of the best work and we'll let you know about that as we line up the venue. We have room for two more poets.

3. Paul Nelson reads in Snohomish Tomorrow Night. (Thursday, 7.19.07)

Wired and Unplugged is a reading curated by Jack McCarthy
717 1st Street, downtown Snohomish.
Parking is easy.

Paul will have freshly burned copies of his CD A Time Before Slaughter and Other Poems.


4) David Rizzi Featured also Up North,eh?


From Roy Seitz: ANNOUNCING THE 4th MONDAY POETRY READING, July 23 AT P&G SPEAKEASY CAFE IN DUVALL.
15614 Main St., Duvall, WA 98019, (425)-844-2766 www.pandgspeakeasycafe.com


just under the surface

of our street we hear rumor

that our race is almost done



I find David Rizzi's poems haunting, provocative, sometimes humorous. David is a storyteller with poetry and knows the importance of the apt phrase. He is wonderful to listen to. I've b! een looking forward to this for a long time. Come willing to fall under his spell. Open mic sign-up starts at 6:00. Reading starts at 6:30. Featured reader at 7:00
P&G has excellent food and is known as a relaxed and friendly venue for artists throughout the region. Order food and drink and support a rare business whose heart and soul is local artists.

David Rizzi writes poetry, solves technical issues, plays drums, peers into cracks in the earth behind the barn. He has a fixer upper house and two maybe one cat(s). His book of poetry, vibrant city of Bones is currently available, and another book, meeting with the machine is coming soon. David is also the author of the 39 part poem 39 boys on ground. More information on www.davidrizzi.com

Marching again

lay down your arms

come into bed

we shall lick ice cream

until glass melts

& all our amphibian lust is gone

then we will come to our senses

put our Monday morning shoes

over Sunday socks

& climb elevators

to an important office

counting clouds

never have we seen

the sky from above the sky

as a solar wind passing

to Orion

always we have trundled

with coats and hats

(natty hip hop hats whispering our wit)

over suit and tie

& briefcase badgering

to perform and

leave our dreams smoldering

just under the surface

of our street we hear rumor

that our race is almost done

this shall be the l! ast time

we trip on chains

cracking our leg on cement benches

no more putting trust

on the shelf to fester & rot

Spring is a rushing freight train

full of grapefruit and Texas sunshine

and Winter a broken wing bird

unable to fly from the cross ties

where it has fallen


© 2007 David Rizzi


5) Bioneers


Dear Bioneers,

We would like to invite you to submit a proposal to present at the
first annual Seattle Bioneers Conference, October 19 - 21, 2007. The
conference is a mix of the keynote speakers from the national
Bioneers conference live via satellite and local speakers live in
person at the Seattle Center.

The Seattle Bioneers Conference will draw hundreds of active and
informed leaders from around the region to share knowledge and wisdom
related to the pressing environmental and social challenges of our
time. The conference educates, inspires, and strengthens community
among those who care for the Earth.

I hope you will take this opportunity to be a part of this historic
event.

Speaker info: http://nweec.org/seattlebioneers/get_involved-speaker.php

Conference info: http://nweec.org/seattlebioneers/index.php

Please feel free to contact me anytime with questions or comments.

In community,

Shannon Luoma
Outreach and Environmental Education Manager
Northwest Environmental Education Council, 501(c)(3)
Fostering an ecologically sustainable world through education
650 S. Orcas Street, Suite 220
Seattle, Washington 98108
v: 206-923-1980
f: 206-762-1979
c: 206-856-6708
www.nweec.org

The news about Sekou Sundiata is difficult for me to relate to you. He was an amazing human, performer and writer and will be missed. I saw him in Taos and at the Skagit River Poetry Festival and had a chance to spend a few minutes with him. Few poets ever get the essence of Jazz into their work. He was one. I'm sending healing thoughts to his loved ones. See
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWhnZPeW644 if you don't know his work.


Looks like I'll be the next Board President of the Washington Poets Association. Any feedback you'd like to give on WPA is welcome, as are potential Board Members who want to work to help support poetry though this 36 year old organization. It is evolving quickly and Burning Word V next April promises to be the best one yet. Details soon.

It is later than you think. Be well.

Paul E. Nelson, M.A.

Paul E. Nelson, M.A.

Global Voices Radio
SPLAB!
American Sentences
Organic Poetry
Poetry Postcard Blog

Slaughter, WA 253.735.6328 or 888.735.6328

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