One year ago, Aaron Samuels (who also runs our Business Development @ Blavity) embarked a cross country tour to promote his book. Here is his journey, in his own words. It’s dope.
On August 1st, 2013, I took a six month leave of absence from my job to embark on a continental performance poetry tour to promote my book Yarmulkes & Fitted Caps. Now, in month five, I am tired, smelly, have a sore neck, and no voice left. And I don’t regret a damn thing. Here are the highlights:
Bay Area, CA
It feels like the epicenter of everything I love. I got to perform poems about being Black and Jewish at Be’chol Lashon’s summer camp—one of the only summer camps for Jews of Color in the United States. I also had the opportunity to speak with some Black-Jewish inmates at San Quentin Penitentiary about their journey’s with race and faith. Shouts to Danez Smith, Chinaka Hodge, Cam Awakward-Rich, and the folks at Berkely Poetry Slam.
Washington, D.C.
DC has one of the best poetry infrastructures in the country. There is literally a packed show every night of the week! Shouts to Bloombars, Busboys, and Spit Dat for giving me love. But the most impressive show was the youth open mic I had the honor of featuring at while I was down there. Much love to Jonathan Tucker and the Split this Rock crew.
Chicago, IL
I had the good fortune of stopping a few times in Chicago. The first was as a member of Future Core, helping to administrate Brave New Voices International Youth Poetry Slam. The clear highlight of this experience was getting to watch my younger brother Devin as a first time coach, lead his team to semifinals. I was so proud of him. When I returned to the windy city for my Chicago Book release in November, I was joined by Rachel McKibbens. It was an honor to rock with her. Shouts to Fatimah Asghar, Jamila Woods, and Adam Levin.
Denver, CO
Beautiful. From the top of my friend’s rooftop to my left I could see an entire cityscape. To my right I could see the Rocky Mountains. It was amazing. I also got to go hiking through RedRocks with Amy Everhart and watch Don Jon (the Joseph Gordon-Levitt Movie) on a great bro-date with Ken Arkind. The highlight of the trip was probably ripping my pants planning an epic game of ping pong with my good friend Rachel after performing poetry with a fire spinner (yupp) and a live band. Shouts to Suzie Q and all to the folks at Minor Disturbance!
Ann Arbor, MI
In addition to having fantastic pho with Alex Pan, playing poker with Scott Beal, and listening to the entirety of 50 Cents’ Get Rich or Die Trying with Ben Alfaro and Nate Marshall on a car ride from Detroit, I also read some poems. I had the honor to share a packed auditorium with Kim Addonizio for Poetry Night in Ann Arbor. It was such a privilege to be able to read poems with her. AND THE SHOW WAS LIVE! But the clear highlight was being serenaded live by Fiona Chamness’s new music at 5 AM at the Detroit airport. It was magical. Shouts to Jeff Kass, Carlina Duan, Gahl Liberzon, and the whole Ann Arbor family.
Columbus, OH
How can you not love the home of the football stadium-sized moonwalk! And waffles at north market. But the highlight for sure of this trip was Jenni’s ice cream. I had sweet potato and toasted marshmallow flavored ice cream and it was fantastic. The poetry was great too. Shouts to Will Evans, Ethan Rivera, Rachel Wiley, Hanif Abdurraqib, and J.G. The Jugganaut for showing me such fantastic time.
Twin Cities, MN
Even though it was their fall break, the crew at Macalester was still able to bring out a packed house to my feature while I was out there and for getting some great footage. And they could write! But my favorite show out in the Twin Cities was a secret Rave-style show that Sam Cooke put together for me. The venue was top secret so only those who knew, knew. Shouts to Renee Schminkey, Abbie Shain, Danez Smith, Michael Lee, Hieu Minh Nguyen, Guante, and the entire Button Poetry Crew for showing me a great time.
Bellingham, WA
The Mighty Mike McGee and Erica Reed threw me their world famous Kitchen Sessions House party, which it felt like the entire neighborhood attended. Great food, great poetry! And to top it off they had me stick around to feature at Poetry Night in Bellingham the next day. And the drive from Seattle was beautiful. Shouts to all the folks in Bellingham who came out.
Seattle, WA
In addition to eating Pho for every meal the entire weak, I also had the opportunity to read at Seattle Poetry Slam and Rain City Slam. Both were fantastic communities. But my favorite show was easily the Hootenanny that Sara Brickman hosted for me while I was out there. I prepared my homemade guacamole and got to share the stage with the amazing Raven Taylor (one of the best poets I met this year). Shouts to Hollis Wong-Wear, Rose Mc Aleese, Cecily Schuler, and all of the Seattle fam.
Vancouver, BC
As my good friend Nate Marshall said, “To an American, being in Canada is kind of like inception, everything seems close to reality and then something small will make you wonder if you are dreaming.” I agree whole-heartedly. As my first time in Canada I was struck by how similar Vancouver looked to Brooklyn. Except the nutrition facts on my coconut water were in French. And they play bicycle polo! And don’t even get me started with Poutine (awesome!). Being there made me feel like such an ignorant American. But their poetry was fantastic. Shouts to RC Weslowski, Savannah Rain, and the entire Vancouver Poetry Slam crew! And Thanks to Duncan Shields for taking awesome video!
Portland, OR
It seemed like everything in this city was fermenting—in a good way. While in Portland I had homemade pickles, homemade kimchi, homemade ramen, homemade kombucha, and multiple sour beers from local microbreweries. Every time I ate anything a stranger would lean over to me and say “that’s good for you” or “yum, that’s great for your body” or “you can really taste the probiotics, they are great for you.” But I agree. I feel fantastic. And the poetry was great too! Shouts to my cousin Dave Levi, Robyn Bateman and the folks over at Portland Poetry Slam.
Madison, WI
While my trip to University of Madison was short, it was amazing. Nate Marshall and I got to co-feature at the First Wave Program’s Just Bust Open Mic Series and then lead a workshop the next day. If y’all don’t know the First Wave Program is the first ever Poetry and Hip-Hop based scholarship in the country and these students could write! It was an honor to read with them. Special shouts to Sofía Snow, Jasmine Mans, and Eli Lynch.
Salt Lake City, UT
As my first time in Utah, I didn’t know what to expect. Little did I know that the home of the original Kentucky Fried Chicken, and the funeral potato would have such a vibrant poetry community. It was an honor to lead workshops with the college slam programs and feature at Battle of the Botanica. But my favorite show was Greenhouse Effect. Not only did everyone on the open mic shut it down, but they stuck around for an hour after the show to cypher. Shouts to Willy Palomo, RJ Walker, Jesse Parent and the crew at Westminster College and University of Utah.
Now 5 months and 69 shows later, I have traveled the country lost my voice, eaten all the pho, drank all the Kombucha, and I am ready to enjoy the peace and quiet of New York City (ha!). Until next time.
-Aaron
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