In the tradition of Lyrical Revolt, the fourth session of the hip-hop and spoken word series brought in a lively crowd of
high school and college students, community members, activists, poets and others. The event was held at a lower east side community garden—Children’s Magic Garden de Carmen Rubio—on Saturday, May 26. It included two live bands and eight spoken word performances.
Kahlil Almustafa
The Children’s Magic Garden was a perfect venue for the event, given its ongoing struggle against developers who want to turn the garden into another condominium. The garden was packed by the start of the show where Alfredo Feliciano, the garden’s co-founder, played the flute and was accompanied by a few friends on drums, guitar and maracas.
Matt Murray, a member of the Party for Socialism and Liberation in Washington, D.C., played bass. Murray was accompanied by two ANSWER Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) volunteers on vocals and saxophone. The trio also provided music for several poets who preferred the tuneful soundtrack.
Among the poets were Kahlil Almustafa, the self-proclaimed “People’s Poet,” 2002 Nuyorican Grand Slam Champion and published author. Frank Lopez, a spoke word and teaching artists, performed several anti-military recruitment poems that celebrated youth.
Kerbie Joseph, a new PSL member in New York, read a piece about a close friend who was shot by an abusive boyfriend. “‘Aren’t you frustrated yet?’ I ask, as she puts on another coat of makeup on her face,” she read.
The night ended on a high note with PSL member Vanessa Alarcon, also known as DJ V—the people’s DJ—spinning on the ones and twos. The night was a success in raising funds for the endangered garden and the ANSWER Coalition.
