B. Talented~The Midst of the Storm

Days 1&2: So You Think You Can Spit

Day 3: Dodging a Bullet

Day 4: Mic Check Group 1 

Day 5: The Midst of the Storm

Monday, 11 July 11,

Okay, so there was a LOT that went on in the past week and I have no clue if that was a good thing, or if it were a bad thing. I can’t even tell you if I am okay with it or not. But in the midst of it all I still put a foot forward and kept it moving, I’m just praying that it is one of my better feet.

Also, I became confronted with issue of writing HONESTLY. *Sigh* I have to admit that I sold out. I am more upset at the fact that I chose not to write about the bad side of things and only reflect on the good. Every fiber in my body is telling me that I should say it… but I wont. Maybe one day… but not today. But please know that I spoke up and mentioned my concerns. I blame Iyanla Vanzant….I’m reading her books and learning not to hold things in. I wonder if she wrote a book on filtering what you issue back out. Hmmmm.

Any who. We got the email on WEDNESDAY of last week telling us who the groups would be. Thankfully…. I wasnt on it. Well, not yet anyway. I got an email about 45 minutes later telling me that there had been a change in plans and that I would be performing after all. So I went to work.

The theme for this week was Racism. I decided that I would create something WITH my partner. Everyone who knows my work knows that I have poems about racism up the whazoo…but I wanted to stretch myself and do something different and creative. I got paired with TJ Turqman, he plays the bass, and we spoke for an hour brainstorming what we would do. I thought….here is this opportunity to write a piece from the viewpoint of both he and I. it is infused with elements of him, that work with what I am saying and I loved it. He and I vibed very well.  There are definitely an element of surprise in a few areas of our performance, and I suggest you get there by 7pm to Union Station in D.C. in order to figure out what they are. We went outside of the box, painted it, and then jumped back in so that people would see it as a gift and come open it.  I think we touched on several sides of racism and what it is….and what it is not.

I literally am scared out of my mind, but TJ keeps me calm and reassures me that everything will be okay. I mean, he helped me stay focused in the wake of my car being stolen, me finding it, my every day stresses, and my want to be creative. We found inventive ways to rehearse and learn from one another and I appreciated that greatly. With him living in McClean, Virgina and I in Prince Georges Count, Maryland……we took turns biting the cost of gas to get to one another to rehearse. Maybe it was meant to be for he and I to become partners… because I like the ideas he fed and the way we vibe. He’s pretty awesome! You should check him out!

Well, the show starts at 7pm tonight. I will get there EARLY as usually…after all, they did say that being on time and in order is of great importance, didn’t they? I hope that you are there and I look forward to any critiquing that will come from the process. I just pray that I am AT LEAST one of the 2 groups that move on to the next round tonight. God knows that is my prayer!!!

B. Smith's B. Talented contestants & judges w/ Ms. B. Smith

Sincerely,

~*My Mother’s Daughter*~