An Open Letter from August Rush concerning the Future of the Expressions Poetry in the Pub Series

This past week Linisa George posted to the Expressions Poetry in the Pub facebook group, an open mic series that has brought many new voices forth over the past seven years, that they were taking a break. The series is produced by August Rush – a professional and artistic partnership between George and Zahra Airall. But they both need a break to pursue other projects. I can relate and the best answer at such times is, I understand. Below is George’s full message (reposted here with her permission).

Linisa George.

Hey Expressions’ Poets, Patrons, Friends and Family,

We know many of you have been waiting with baited breath for the new season of Expressions: ‘Poetry In The Pub’ to begin. We are eternally grateful for the continued support that both performers and audiences have shared. This is why, with a heavy heart, we announce that we have decided to delay Season 8 of our open mic night. We will be embarking on personal creative projects that will prevent us from efficiently managing Poetry In The Pub over the next year.

We’ve been back and forth on the issue as we struggled with whether to bring Poetry In The Pub to a complete end or turn over the franchise to another entity. We started Expressions because we were passionate about developing and exposing the authentic and unique talents of writers, poets, spoken word artists, musicians, visual artists and other creatives that stretch across the island. After 8 years, we are still committed to that goal.

We would like to shout out Shirlette Thomas and her team at Heavenly Java 2 Go for not only providing us with a home for Expressions, but for also going above and beyond our expectations. Java 2 GO has been our home away from home, and the hospitality and support from Shirlette and her staff fuels that comfort. August Rush would also like to thank Fred and the rest of SpillingInk for providing the sound system equipment for Expressions for the past two years.

We would also like to thank EVERY performer that has stepped on stage, especially our regulars who’ve been with us from the beginning. We’ve watched so many of you step up to the mic and find your light and voices. From becoming authors of multiple publications, to gracing the stages locally and regionally, to branching off and developing your own creative initiatives, it brings us immense joy to see each of you flourish. We remain forever committed to supporting and spotlighting your amazingness. To the attentive audience members that show up every month to cheer on the artists in addition to our numerous supporters and private sponsors and donors, you form part of the development of the art and culture scene in Antigua and Barbuda. Your support is invaluable.

Expressions Poetry In The Pub will return on Tuesday 9th October, 2018. During that time our Facebook page and Twitter will remain active sharing literary news and happenings from across the island. Our Expressions: Poetry In The Pub group will remain open to all the blogger, poets, spoken words artists who want to share their work. All three pages will still be managed by us.

Although we will be on hiatus for a year, there are still many opportunities for you to get your creative fix. Please don’t forget to support the Wadadli Pen Open Mic which happens ever 2nd Saturday in the month at The Best of Books Bookstore. Do check out The Captain’s Monthly Wine-tasting & Poetry at the Captain’s Quarters Restaurant & Bar which begins on Wednesday 29th of November, where you can enjoy performances from many of our Expressionists. We are also looking forward to the 5th anniversary of Soothe happening early 2018.

Thank you all for your patience as we made the decision to take this year break. Your understanding is greatly appreciate. We will be back, better than ever, with an even greater experience for everyone.

‘Til then, continue to make loud and beautiful Expressions!!!

Linisa x Zahra
August Rush Productions Co-Founders

Expressions: Poetry in the Pub

Expressions: Poetry in the Pub is an Antiguan and Barbudan open mic staple produced by August Rush – that’s writers, activists, and women of the arts Linisa George and Zahra Airall. If you check the Expressions page on facebook, you’ll see there is quite a bit of anticipation by young wordsmiths around this twice monthly (second and fourth Tuesday) event. Anyone can stop by Heavenly Java 2 Go in Redcliffe Quay on either night and step up to the mic. Open mics have come and gone over the years but Expressions keeps ’em coming. Here are some reasons why:

“…you hear me, I does not mind people’s business
But if me did do…”

“…as you say what must be said
even as it goes through and over certain heads…”

“…all she has are Motown blues, Kitchener calypsos and Short Shirt’s Muse…”

“…with pen in hand my mind filled with words fighting to be released, to be written…”

words, good vibes…and did I mention laughter:

Notice re Expressions 2013-2014 Season

Expressions is open to persons age 18 and older. Artists are not limited to any topic, however August Rush Productions does not condone derogatory and/or discriminatory remarks and attacks against any social, cultural, religious or ethnic group. Persons interested in performing can sign-up in advance by emailing augustrush.antigua@gmail.com or calling 783-4120 or 779-6634. Poetry In The Pub takes place every second and fourth Tuesday in the month, and will run from September 2013 to June 2014.

Poetry Season Opens in Antigua and Barbuda

Two of the more popular and consistent literary arts activities in Antigua and Barbuda begin their comeback.

The mic is once again open at the Best of Books (St. Mary’s Street), which begins its new season of the Wadadli Pen Open Mic this Saturday 8th September. The topic for this session is: An Open Mind. So write, come, and share. Session begins at 7:30 pm.

Meanwhile, Season 4 of Expressions is getting ready to jump off and the August Rush team behind the popular series wants to know, are you ready? It’s the second and fourth Tuesday of every month and the new season comes with new features. Stay in the loop by sending a request to augustrush.antigua@gmail.com to be a part of their mailing/newsletter list. For more info call us 783-4120 or 779-6634 or email them.

It’s happening! The literary arts are alive and well in Antigua! Step up to the mic or just come out and soak up the vibes!

Highlights of the latest August Rush Newsletter

There’s so much goodness in the April 23rd edition of the dynamic duo (August Rush)’s newsletter, I just had to share some of it.

…Expressions: Poetry In The Pub continues Tuesday 24th April at our Heavenly Java 2 Go home at the boardwalk at the Redcliffe Quay. The night get’s going at 8pm. To sign-up in advance to perform, email us at augustrush.antigua@gmail.com or call 783-4120 or 779-6634.

…It’s that time of the year again, when Women of Antigua (WOA) has everyone moaning. This year the organisation celebrates their 5th year of existence with a bang as they will be staging two different productions; The Vagina Monologues on Saturday 26th May and When A Woman Moans on Saturday 27th May. Both productions will begin at 8:05 pm. Tickets are $40 per night, and $70 for both nights ($10 discount). Stay tuned for the early bird special when you can pay $60 for both nights…After this year’s performance, WOA will be taking a hiatus from the shows in order to focus and produce other activities in an effort to empower people and end violence in Antigua and Barbuda, one of which will be the One Billion Rising campaign…on 14th February, 2013… ‘Like’ The WOA page ‘When A Woman Moans 2011’, and stay tuned into all the organisation’s activities including Campaign Moan, which is designed to raise awareness and also promote the show. WOA is asking the public to answer a simple question: “Why do women moan?”.  Answers are to be written on a manila or sheet of paper, held up in front of the individual and a photograph taken and emailed to campaignmoan.anu@gmail.com. Photos will be posted on the When A Woman Moans Facebook page, where the public can vote for their favourite answer. The winner will receive tickets to this year’s productions…Another promotion this year, is the production of WOA TV, which grants the public a behind-the-scenes pass to rehearsals and cast members. Videos can be seen on the Facebook group page as well. For further information or to get involved you can visit the Facebook page ; email woa.vday@gmail.com or call 779-6634, 723-6934, 772-7913 or 780-7754.

…The Just Write Retreat is the first of its kind in Antigua and Barbuda – a weekend for established and new writers looking for space to write, get ideas and insights into their craft. An island as small as ours means that fund raising is limited to the same corporations that fund cultural, sporting and educational events – this money will assist 12 writers and three tutors as allow for two of the tutors to share the experience with inmates in the island’s, small, yet over crowded prison. As much as most of the sessions will be voluntary – it is not sustainable as writing time costs money. A donation of U$25 will buy writing equipment such as journals; US$50 will pay for a day of the three day writers retreat. A donation of US$100 will cover two days at the retreat. Your money will help make writing accessible, it will help to build a sustainable writing project that is annual. Donate today by clicking here.

 

They also included a little big up re my launch but I clipped it. You can see launch coverage here, and purchase the book here. And you know you have my sincerest thanks; right?

Expressions Returns

Just passing on this note posted by Floree Williams to the Expressions page on Facebook.

HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone!!!! Expressions Season 3 will reconvene on Tuesday 10th January from 8pm. It’s been a month since we’ve seen you guys and we are excited to hear what you have to say. ‘Poetry in the Pub’ promises to continue to be a unique environment that encourages the freedom of creativity. Poets, writers, singers, musicians and dancers are all welcome to perform. Gleanroy Aaron’s art pieces will be featured once again, and those of you that have prepared poems for the challenge piece we chose, will be given an opportunity to share with everyone. A gift certificate from Heavenly Java 2 Go will be up for grabs for the winner.

We would like to take this time to thank every one of you for your ‘word-of-mouth’ advertising on our behalf. You have contributed to our success and the increase in attendance with each bi-monthly Tuesday. Continue to tell a friend or two.

As we stated, in our previous email to you, this year we will be launching some new initiatives that will assist in promoting the work of Expression performers and aid in reaching a wider audience both here and outside of Antigua. We will be announcing some of these ventures in the coming weeks, so stay tuned in.

Once again THANK YOU for your support and encouragement thus far. We welcome your thoughts and ideas on how we can improve Expressions. If you would like to contact us, or sign-up in advance of next Tuesday, email us at augustrush.antigua@gmail.com or call us at 780-7754 or 779-6634.

CHEERS TO 2012!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lit News – a mini update

1. The local literary community made out okay at the National Youth Awards this past Saturday. Congrats to Tameka Jarvis-George, Brenda Lee Browne, and the Best of Books. Jarvis-George received the Literary Arts Award, Browne received a Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Best of Books rceived a Corporate Award. It was a good night; congrats to both winners and organizers (on a totally self-indulgent note congrats also to my niece D’jeri for her sports award). Here’s more.

2. Emile Hill’s Angels Project launches this coming Saturday at the National Museum, 8 p.m. Looking forward to it. Congrats to him as well.

3. You have to check this out.

4. And don’t forget all the other fun activity: Mixing poetry and moonlight are Expressions and the Wadadli Pen Open Mic especially – the former the second and fourth Tuesday of every month at Heavenly Java 2 Go and the latter the second Saturday of every month at the Best of Books on Friars Hill Road, #1 Village Walk Mall. No word yet on the December Open Mic theme but I can tell you that Expressions is planning a special screening for its last session of the season, December 13th.

Open Mic action

‘School Dayz’ – That is the next theme for the Wadadli Pen Open Mic on Sat. 17th of September….tell a friend…Best of Books, #1 Village Walk – 7:30pm…it’s kid friendly. Usually the second Saturday of every month.

Also, don’t forget Expressions (by August Rush) …poetry nights… fiction and other forms of oratory welcomed as well…second and fourth Tuesday of each month…at Heavenly Java 2 Go…in Redcliffe Quay…it’s a different grown up vibe.

Both of these are good limes and have been consistently active over the past year (in fact, this is the third season of Expressions while Wadadli Pen’s Open Mic is one year old) even if you don’t read, you can listen…check ’em out.

Expressions Open Mic

August Rush Productions is inviting all poets, spoken word artistes, singers, musicians and dancers to take the stage on Tuesday 22nd February at the Heavenly Java in celebration of Black History Month. Themed ‘Black Magic’, this special installment of Expressions; ‘Poetry In The Pub’ is open to all performers from age 18 and above.

Artists interested in taking the stage are asked to register by Friday 18th February, by calling 780-7754 or 779-6634, or emailing augustrush.antigua@gmail.com for more information. ALL participants will be asked to perform their pieces from memory.

The evening’s event will begin promptly at 8 pm, and there is no entrance fee. Everyone is encouraged to come and be entertained and enlightened by the power of the performing arts as we pay tribute to the struggle and triumph of our black heritage.