I’m cheating like nobody’s business. I had wanted to write this long blog full of unadulterated admiration of Nikki Giovanni in the hopes that she would see it one day, but alas, she was beaten out. My post this week isn’t about my favorite poet. This blog is about the arts.
Last night, I attended the Harmony Magazine release party. There were 12 or 13 of us readers, and the setting was Casa Libre en la Solana, a writer’s retreat snuggled amidst the craziness which is Fourth Avenue, one of the local shopping districts and hang out spots in Tucson. Several of the attendees, including myself, remarked about how we had never even seen the place even though we’ve driven, walked, biked past it several times over the past. But it’s there, a little haven in the middle of the city, and honestly, once I stepped foot in the place, I didn’t want to leave.
Around 7:30 when I arrived, there were maybe a dozen or so people milling about, drinking wine or chugging their beers. The atmosphere was mixed with artistic pondering as people wandered about looking at the paintings, and photographs or sat clustered in pairs or small groups discussing whatever needed to be discussed. I, of course, am interviewing Casa Libre. I’d been planning on applying for the writer’s retreat for some time now, over a year, and to me it was more than a lucky chance that Harmony had chosen the place to host their event. I was being allowed to step inside of Casa Libre and find out what the hype is about, if it’s truly as great as all the reviews proclaim.
It is.
But I’m trying to un-infatuate myself with Casa Libre enough to talk about the artists… it’s been a long time since I’ve been grouped with such talented writers. We had essays about cunts and crazy people, poems about a whole range of things, my own Cosby Kid Wisdom in the mix. We heard short stories and memoir pieces. Indeed the reading section was too short for me. I could have listened and listened and listened.
I stayed long after the reading was over, mingling, talking to people who genuinely wanted to know about art, my art, their art. Exchanging ideas with people who love words as much as I do. It would have been a perfect evening if just one person had come up to me and said, “you know that one line… I don’t think it suits the vibe of that stanza,” but there is no thing as perfection. Anyway, I probably would have died from over excitement at that point, so it’s a good thing that did not happen.
I met a lot of wonderful people. I met many talented writers and poets. And I hope to have entered a network of people whose work I enjoy. I am lucky enough to work with someone I consider a wonderful person as well as writer – she has become my first “writer friend.” It seems there are more out there. I hope I can tap into those resources and soak up the spirit that surrounded me last night.
Thank you to all who shared your words with me last night. Thank you Casa Libre for hosting a wonderful event and also for the great things you do over at your retreat. I will be seeing you soon.
1 Comment
July 2, 2007 at 8:50 pm
Hey Monique! I miss you! I was looking for your blackberry email address and found this blog. I know I’m “the person at work” and of course I loved that part. I’m going to send you something I wanted to give you on your last day but I thought it was too cheesy and wasn’t finished. It’s still cheesy but I’ve decided it’s as finished as it’s going to get. Watch for it by email.