Saturday, February 5, 2011

Wanda Sabir's 21st Annual Poetry Reading at West Oakland Library



Wanda Sabir's 21st Annual Poetry Reading at West Oakland Library

Saturday was the 21st annual poetry reading at the West Oakland Library, across the street from Defermery or Bobby Hutton Park. Mama Geri Abrams gave a spirited libation. The reading was honored with the presence of professor emeritus Dr. Wade Nobles and his queen. Poets present included Paradise, Future, Sharron Williams, Jasmine Hudson and Tiara, a poetry/jazz ensemble with Lewis Jordan, alto sax, Henry Mobley, bass, and poet Raymond Nat Turner. Marvin X also performed, followed by the Right Reverend Paradise Jah Love.

Wanda Sabir brought on Marvin X with a poem of her own detailing her recent visit to the Motherland. Marvin read two of his entries in the Journal of Pan African Studies, plus one by Nuyorican poet Shaggy Flores. Marvin stumbled through the Spanish but the audience was with him as he read Negritude by the highly rhythmical Flores.

Marvin used the occasion to announce his project on February 19, the Bay Area Black Authors and Post Newspaper Group Poetry Festival and Book Fair. The Poetry Festival celebrates the release of the Journal of Pan African Studies Poetry Issue, Guest Edited by Marvin X. The Book Fair honors the memory of slain Oakland Post Editor Chauncey Bailey.

The Joyce Gordon Gallery, 406 14th Street, downtown Oakland, Saturday, February 19, Noon til 6pm. Admission free. The event is a fund raiser to get books to juvenile hall, jails and prisons.
The Post Newspaper Group is purchasing a number of books by each of the 15 authors participating in the book fair and call upon the public to do the same. The Post Newspaper Group is proposing Bay Area Black Authors compile an anthology of essays on Chauncey Bailey.

Marvin X has agreed to edit the anthology. Wanda Sabir called upon someone to edit an anthology of poetry from the 21 years of poetry presented at the West Oakland Library. Marvin X is willing to edit it as well.

Videographer Ken Johnson, journalist/poet/professor Wanda Sabir and Marvin X.

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