|
10/22/2020 0 Comments October Member Meetup Recap: Zopen Mic
Thanks to all members who participated in this month's virtual open mic meetup! Lots of heartfelt and poignant pieces were shared, covering an array of topics like love and acceptance, social change, processing time and anxiety during a pandemic, and more. In lieu of a community gathering this month, we thought we'd share some of the pieces that were performed on this public platform. Read on for a partial replay and discover if any of these artists' words or music resonate with you!
Julia Sage
Original Song: Here Comes the Clock
Bonnie Nicholls
Original Song: Nothin'
Dishes in the sink, evidence of drink In bottles and cans near the door Unanswered texts, unrelenting requests To see if I've got off the floor All I wanna do is nothin', lie around and give in to the fear All I wanna do is nothin' and slowly disappear Curtains drawn, weeds in the lawn Detritus on the porch Bed unmade, bills unpaid The whole place should be torched 'cuz All I wanna do is nothin', lie around and give in to the fear All I wanna do is nothin' and slowly disappear No energy left to explain the entropy inside my brain Inertia is the only thing that moves me now All I wanna do is nothin', lie around in bed all day All I wanna do is nothin' and slowly slip away Slowly slip away, and slowly slip away Susan Lipson
Original Song: Let's Reframe
Complacency is how things go from bad to worse
And it really is a curse When silent shrugs are all we show. Standing by, not standing up Is the reason things don't change For we ALL must rearrange The status quo. The worst of history repeats Unless we stop the trend. It's up to us to end The unjust treatment we allow. We can say it's not our fault, That we've done nothing wrong, But we owe more than a song; We've got to act and stand up now. Chorus: Who are we? Let's reframe As if viewing Earth from space We're just multicolored folks-- The human race. Who are we, staking claims Based on pigment in our skin When the color of our blood Is just the same?! We're part of systems that allow Injustice to exist Now it's time we all resist The -isms hidden in our laws. No human merits privilege More than any other, We ALL come from a mother-- To grow in peace is our shared cause. Only what we add in goodness Can measure human worth For we're all here on this Earth As vital cogs in a machine. So, if some of us are broken Then ALL of us must fix The social structure, adding bricks To build foundations not yet seen. Who are we? Let's reframe As if viewing Earth from space We're just multicolored folks-- The human race. Who are we, staking claims Based on pigment in our skin When the color of our blood Is just the same?! Until we give up stupid notions That anyone's worth more, We ALL know what's in store: More of the same. Unless we teach our kids that they are No better and no worse, We'll maintain the racist curse With no one else to blame. Who are we? Let's reframe As if viewing Earth from space We're just multicolored folks-- The human race. Who are we, staking claims Based on pigment in our skin When the color of our blood Is just the same?! Chorus repeats Astra Kelly
Original Song: Heavy
Heavy, unsteady Waiting for voices to follow Heavy, unsteady Searching for words I can swallow The rain came to shatter, pouring down pain Drowning perceptions we had Waiting, unchanging I won't give in to the madness Chorus: Heavy, heavy I can't carry this weight Steady, steady now Lean into faith, til we break Through Thoughts come in like tremors Sirens signal the storm The rain came to shatter, reflections of me Pieces of the puzzle to place Heavy, yet ready Guide me into grace Chorus: Heavy, heavy I can't carry this weight Steady, steady now Lean into faith, til we break Through Bridge: Dreaming of finding home, safe from the storm Be weightless my soul, when fear lets me go Chorus: Heavy, heavy I will carry this weight Steady, steady now Lean into faith, we will break Through Lindsay White
Original Song: A Little Piece of Quiet
It's like the windows in my spirit and my soul have all been painted over It's like the locks in my heart were changed, and not by me and no one made me a key It's like I'll never know what could grow outside these gates What kinds of fates would await me It's like these poison clouds are shrouds upon my ears It gets harder and harder to hear I just, I just need A little piece of quiet Turn it down Shut it out Gimme more of that sweet silence ​It's like more people just keep dying all the time with bigger numbers come smaller headlines I make a fist, resist, but this twisted mind it binds my wrists I exist in fits Is this all there is If I killed this sound Would I drown or live Repeat Chorus Cathryn Beeks
Original Song: This Time
let's face it
we're not gonna change some people's minds they weren't raised right taught to kill and fight you know the kind and all I can hope for is their children will see the light look with your heart, kid You know what they're doing ain't right this time we are living in makes me wanna give in and die but this rage keeps me living injustice makes me wanna try I don't understand how some folks can turn a blind eye no more will I ignore I aint letting up this time It's now or never I ain't ever seen it this bad so many years of pretending what we had now everything's broken and every one is the glue If you won't join us I will fight harder than you let's face it we're not gonna change some people's minds they weren't raised right taught to kill and fight you know the kind and all I can hope for is that their children are not blind look with your heart, kid we'll make it better this time
Thank you, readers, for stopping by and lifting up our members by bearing witness to their work! Community members and prospective members, please check out our FAQ pages if you are interested in being a part of the Lady Brain fam!
0 Comments
Thanks to all who participated in June's Creative Process collaborative journal series - if you missed any of the entries, please click on the pictures below to read the work of members who contributed their writing, poems, music, etc. Don't forget to join us in July for Queer Voices, an interview series featuring some of Lady Brain Collective's LGBTQ+ members. Image description: Two rows of three photos each. Top row, left to right: Lisa Brackmann, Susan Lipson, Lizzie Wann. Bottom row, left to right: Lindsay White, Tori Roze, and Mary Hamer. Click on individual image to see full blog and full image description.
Welcome back to “Creative Process" our month-long community gathering featuring written work from members of the Lady Brain Collective. Today we'll highlight a several original poems and a song from member Susan Lipson.  image description: colorful writing pens overlaid on photo of Susan Lipson reciting poetry from her book Disillusions of Grandeur. original photo credit: Darci Fontenot “The Misalignment of Cogs" by Susan Lipson (4/28/2020) While some human cogs resist the forces of cooperative movement, complaining about restlessness, anxiety, dwindling funds, unemployment, having to adapt to remote work, boredom, lack of variety in their refrigerators, lack of products at grocery stores, delayed and limited deliveries, cabin fever, overgrown hair and nails, bare skin longing for tattoos, inadequate subsidies, discomfort of masks, exhaustion from preventive measures, lack of antivirus protective gear, internet slowness, missing travel and concerts and plays and restaurants and parties and 3-D interactions and visible smiles from strangers and hugs; and even complaining about their work being deemed “nonessential,” Others grit their teeth and bear isolation, due to their “essential,” risky-to-others, daily public service; quarantine, due to exposure to COVID-19; fear, due to sudden separation from a sick loved one; helplessness, due to hospital rules against visitors; terror, due to sirens blaring, people coughing through thin apartment walls, sudden fevers, or lack of taste and smell; pain, due to the virus or their empathy for the pained ones in their care; exhaustion, due to inadequate oxygen intake; drowning, due to dysfunctional airways; or death, due to an unchecked virus-- which might have never reached them if more people recognized their role as human cogs in a social structure bigger than any one of us.  image text: Racism is not a congenital defect, but an acquired virus, caused by miseducation, spread by willful ignorance, and exacerbated by hatred. Children aren't born racists. @susanllipson “Springtime Coronation" by Susan Lipson (2020) (listen to a capella recording on Soundcloud) We’re spending springtime in isolation throughout our nation; And we are One with the whole world. Thank no messiah for this illusion; Fear and confusion that both unites and divides us now. (Chorus) Ironic that a microscopic crown Can bring a planet down, Dropping to our knees. Ironic that respect does not unite as well as this great fright born of a disease. Folks hoarding products and foods for living, Taking not giving, Will feel the loneliness set in. Meanwhile Italians see from many balconies their neighbors singing and they step out to sing along. (Chorus) Ironic that a microscopic crown Can bring a planet down, Dropping to our knees. Ironic that respect does not unite as well as this great fright born of a disease. Bridge: Behind each tragedy Is a lesson in disguise-- Though that changes no demise-- I really hope we’ll see That we owe it to each other To separate now for the sake of health and unity. We’re feeling humbled now As we all face the crown That made us subjects, Of its harsh, random decrees. We’re cells and nothing more, No one knows what’s in store; We must be One before We can defeat this awful coup. (Chorus) Ironic that a microscopic crown Can bring a planet down, Dropping to our knees. Ironic that respect does not unite as well as this great fright born of a disease. I hear the silent prayers Of worldwide neighbors Seeking great saviors To bring us health and peace again. As we all wait in vain The skies are pouring rain, As if in sympathy They clean our windows to the world. (Chorus) Ironic that a microscopic crown Can bring a planet down, Dropping to our knees. Ironic that respect does not unite as well as this great fright born of a disease.  image text:
@susanllipson Indelibility Antiracist words that lead to no actions or changes are like skywriting by planes: they seem grand until they fade into misty trails of nothing. Let us amplify our calls for justice by tattooing their many hashtags behind our eyelids, metaphorically, so we will see them any time we close our eyes. We had such a wonderful day at yesterday's community gathering! Special thanks to the Lipson family for hosting us at their beautiful home, to all our featured performers, guest artist Amanda Pulis, and to Susan Lipson for facilitating a wonderful creative writing exercise for all attendees. We work hard to build safe spaces for our members and the community to create, connect, express, and be vulnerable with each other. Mission accomplished! The theme of this month's gathering was A Way With Words - each performer was asked to share not only their work, but also the inspiration and stories that inspired each piece. We heard about several topics ranging from mental health to grief to aging and more. The common denominator was that each artist combined creativity and resilience to process, heal, and help others. What a beautiful way to cope and connect!  Community gatherings are special because we get to showcase our members' work to the community and because we ask guests to tap into their own creativity. It was wonderful to see so many attendees not only participate in our writing exercise, but also jump up on the mic to share their newly written pieces. Don't miss out on the next community gathering! We hope you'll join us for next month's holiday party and clothing drive on 12/8 at The Holding Company in Ocean Beach. Want to know more about our showcases? Be sure to sign up for email updates, plus you can also always find showcase info on our homepage. Lastly, if you believe in our cause, please consider becoming a Lady Brain Lover or sponsor so we can continue bringing these awesome events to San Diego!
Greetings, friends! Welcome to our new series Talking the Talk. In each interview, we ask Lady Brain Collective members to talk about the personal, professional and creative walks they walk. We'll chat about their passions and pursuits, entrepreneurship efforts, and more. We hope you'll follow along and discover your next favorite artist! First up, an interview with author, poet, teacher, and songwriter Susan Lipson. In addition to curating, hosting, and performing at this month's community gathering entitled “A Way With Words," Lipson will also be facilitating an optional creative writing activity for all attendees. Read on to learn more about this kind, creative soul.  Lipson repping Lady Brain merch at the first annual Lady Brain Fest. (click image to purchase hat) LB: Tell us a little bit about yourself. How is creativity at work in your life and/or career? SL: As I’ve stated on my website, I work at “inspiring awe for words and awesome writing.” In addition to teaching creative writing lessons and workshops for over 20 years in San Diego County, and doing occasional freelance editorial work for other authors and agent-clients, I regularly write poetry and poetic prose for kids, teens, and adults. I have published three books (one children’s novel, one instructional text for teachers of writing and their students, and one poetry book), and have edited and coached many more works into print as a freelance editor and former literary agent. Although I have composed dozens of songs, I have never mastered music theory or played any instrument well, and yet a few of my spiritual songs have found their way into synagogue and interfaith music programs in which I have sung them as a soloist, sometimes backed by a choir. I also write two blogs, “Writing Memorable Words” and “Writing for Students and Teachers.” As a mom, I poured my own creativity directly onto my three kids, now all in their 20’s, all multi-talented creative artists in LA. LB: What made you want to be a part of the Lady Brain Collective? SL: I attended the Lady Brain Festival last summer and felt the tangible supportiveness for fellow artists in the air, even as I felt blown away by all the talented women striving together to fill hearts with their music. I then decided to lend my voice to Lindsay White's group recording of “Let Love Lead the Way,” and even brought one of my singer daughters to sing with us, too. That joyful experience made me want to become more involved. Unlike other professional artist groups I have joined, I detected no competition among these women, and no wariness of my enthusiasm for supporting my fellow artists. I may be older than many Lady Brains, but I have a forever-young spirit, and I hope to deepen my connections with other Lady Brain artists through attending more events in the future.  Lipson performs work from her new book at the September Community Gathering. LB: You've performed at a community gathering before, but this time you are also hosting and were involved in the planning of the showcase. Thank you for contributing so much to the collective! For those unfamiliar with community gatherings, how would you describe them and why should people attend on November 17? SL: I am thrilled to host a community gathering, which enables artists to share their passion-powered works with new audiences, in intimate settings, and to broaden their fan bases by personally connecting with people whom they might never have met without their fellow Lady Brain connections.  Limited seating. Please RSVP online for address. LB: What new releases or projects are you currently working on? Where can people find more information? SL: I recently published a book of poetry, Disillusions of Grandeur—and Other Eye-Openers, which I have been reading from at poetry open mic nights in the past month since the book arrived. The book is available exclusively from Amazon, or from me personally (for an autographed copy), and I promise that you need not be a poetry scholar or even a regular poetry reader or a to connect with my poems. I write poetic words to move you, not impress or confuse you. I also maintain an active poetic presence on my Instagram, @susanllipson, often pairing my poetry-evoking photos with short poems or poetic thoughts. Please buy my book and follow my poetic meanderings online!  10/28/2019 0 Comments Brain Candy - Lady Brain November NewsWelcome to this month's Brain Candy - here are our picks for the greatest gigs/events happening around town this month! Saturday, November 2 - Tori Roze at Vanguard Culture's “Future" Themed Event An avant-garde “Future" themed costume-filled evening of world class spoken word, live music, dance performances, visual art, wine, craft cocktails, and delicious edible treats! This quarterly Spoken Word Series is themed around moments in the history of art, fashion, science, music, pop culture, and more. Partnered with presentations and performances by the FLEET Science Center, UCSD Neuropathy Research, CityFX special effects makeup, Veteran Couture, Chef Daniela de la Puente, Psychic Artist Crystal Daigle, photographer Josue Castro, and renowned spoken word artist Gill Sotu - this night promises to be thoroughly engaging and inspiring. The event is 7-10pm @ IDEA1 (899 Park Blvd 92101, use F St. entrance). Tickets are $25 for industry professionals (show your business card at the door) and $40 general admission - friends get a 25% off discount with code TORI. Avant-garde “Future" themed costumes encouraged (steam punk, etc.). More info  Sunday, November 3 - Gratitude: A soulsong.life Transformative Songwriting Workshop with Astra Kelly at Gypsy Magic in Talmadge Experience growth, healing and connection through music by tapping into the creative source. As a group, we will explore the theme of gratitude in depth and write a song together that reflects our shared experiences. No musical experience required. 2-5p, $75. Advance registration required. More info/Register  Sunday, November 17 - Lady Brain Presents: A Way With Words Interactive Storytelling Showcase Join members of the Lady Brain Collective for an interactive storytelling showcase featuring poetry, prose, music, and art. After the showcase, author/poet Susan Lipson will facilitate an optional creative writing exercise for all attendees. Light lunch will be provided. Space is limited - please register online to reserve your seat. More info  Friday, November 22 - Julia Sage and The Bad Hombres at Bar Pink Start your weekend party early! Have a nice drink while listening to some SouthAmericana™. Julia Sage and The Bad Hombres hit the Bar Pink stage at 7pm! More info  Saturday, November 23 - The Spiritual Motels Album Launch Party at The Merrow, with Lindsay White and the Becca Jay Band Bring all your friends and experience a Lady Brain-tastic extravaganza of an evening with the launch of the debut album from The Spiritual Motels, a band which deeply values and actively supports the life of the Lady Brain Collective (and includes LB member Amy Day). The evening will include full band performances by Lindsay White (with Jules Stewart) and the Becca Jay Band (which includes Mikayla Beaulieu and Paige Miller), and both Jules and Becca will be sitting in on various songs in The Spiritual Motels' set. And there will be a singalong for all! You can also find the album everywhere that same day, or pre-order it on iTunes beginning Nov. 8. The show begins at 9pm. Tickets $7 adv/ $10 door, 21+. More info  We're excited to announce our next community gathering! On November 17, we invite you to join us for a storytelling showcase featuring lyrics, poetry, and prose from several members of the Lady Brain Collective, including Lizzie Wann, Lillian Lefranc, Becca Jay, Lisa Brackmann, Abby Dorsey, Mary Hamer, Bonnie Nicholls, Lindsay White, and Susan Lipson. Our exhibiting artist will be new Lady Brain member Amanda Lea - her work is unreal! In addition to the showcase, we will be offering an (optional) creative writing activity for all attendees, facilitated by our host Susan Lipson. The event will take place at a private residence in Poway, and seating is limited, so make sure to RSVP as soon as possible to reserve your space!   Please Join us on Thursday, September 26 for an evening inspired by death, dying, grief, and existence. This special gathering will feature a variety of music/spoken word/visual art from many of our Lady Brain members, including:
Marlo Smith Golden Howl Lindsay White Veronica May Marie Haddad Astra Kelly Carissa Schroeder Julia Sage Ren Daversa Barbara Rutherford Jacqueline Jax Silva Busy Buckley Susan Lipson Gaby Aparicio $10 Suggested Donation - Private Sunset Cliffs Residence- RSVP here Beverages/small bites available for small donation (A portion of proceeds will benefit Leukemia & Lymphoma Society) Folks are encouraged to stroll to Sunset Cliffs to enjoy a 6:30 sunset. Then join us for social hour/art viewing. Performances begin at 7:30pm Guests are welcome to bring: -Blanket or chair (there will be some will be available) -In addition to beverages/small bits provided, folks are welcome to BYO -There will also be an interactive community art installation. If you'd like to participate, please bring a photo, trinket, or offering of sorts in memory of your loved one(s). You can take these items home with you at the end of the night. There will also be some supplies available to leave a message/make an offering if you forget, or are unable to bring something. Please dress appropriately for a beachy autumn eve! |
Archives
May 2021
CategoriesAll Abby Dorsey Alexis Tia Alisandra Del Nero Allegra Duchaine Alyssa Douglas Amanda Lea Amy Day Anna Zinova Art Around Adams Astra Kelly Barbara Rutherford Bar Pink Becca Jay Belly Up Bonnie Nicholls Boss Ladies Brain Candy Busy Buckley Busy LBs Calamity Cardinal Moon Carissa Schroeder Catherine Barnes Cathryn Beeks Celeste Barbier Chloe Lou Chloe Lou And The Liddells Chris Avetta Christina Bernard Cici Artemisia Claudia Russel Community Gathering Corina Rose Creative Process Cristina Cooperr Danielle Angeloni Dawn Mitschele Dixie Maxwell Donna Larsen Emma Byrd Gaby Aparicio Ginger Cowgirl GoFundMe Golden Howl Gretchen DeVault Heather Marie Jacqueline Silva Jean Mann Jessica Lerner Jessie Lark Jill Badonsky Jules Stewart Julia Sage Julie Albright Karen Lindenberg Karina Frost Karina Frost Moreno Karyn Ann KC Deichler Kinnie Dye KishaLynn Elliott Lady Brain Fest Lady Brain Film Fest Lady Brain Lift Up Lady Brain Presents Laura Jane Willcock Laura Payne Lauren Leigh Lillian Lefranc Lindsay White Lisa Brackmann Lisa Sanders Live Music Lizabeth Yandel Lizzie Wann Lori Addis Lorri Sulpizio Marcia Claire Mariah Priddy Marie Haddad Marlo Smith Mary Bee Mary Hamer Mayzie Jean MC Flow Melanie Medina Meraki Cafe Michele Palmer Miki Vale Mona Tavakoli Naiomi New Music New Video Nisha Catron Paige Miller Patric Petrie Podunk Nowhere Press Queen Be Queen Mab Queer Voices Rachel Riba Ramona Ault Rebekkah Darling Ren Daversa Ren Diversa Reviews Rika Rai Rika-Rai Roni Lee Rosa's Cantina Rosy Dawn San Diego Music Awards Sandi King Shannon Oshea Sharisse Coulter Shayna Soulsong.life Stacey Barnett Steph Johnson Support Susan Lipson Sycamore Den Sydney Prather Talking The Talk Thea Tochihara The Banduvloons The Bold Vocal The Holding Company The Resizters The Riviera Supper Club The Spiritual Motels Tori Roze Tricia Lynn Trish Naval Unison Colthurst Veronica May Voxy Whitney Shay Women's March San Diego Workshops |
RSS Feed