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The Drawing Room Project

@thedrpja

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*Poetry Fellowship Review * The April 29th gathering of the Poetry Society of Jamaica bid a temporary farewell to Millicent A. A. Graham – a staple member of the community – who is embarking on a literary residency in France. As customary, the open mic segment and its accompanying grill warmed up the platform before her featured performance. Chris opened with his memory burnt to a crisp, of a warm kitchen turned cold, while Andre Barrett spread the image of a new bed as not all that sweet amidst a dirty reality. Political commentary was also on a high, as Take gave us ‘Puppet Views’, Patricia Byrd shared ‘Oppression of a Nation’ and Gilroy examined unbalanced equations. Closing the open mic, Watchensee offered ‘The Birth of the Rolling Calf’, a poem drenched in cultural richness and stark imagery. Then a serene breeze accompanied Millicent (affectionately called Milli) as she floated to the stage. Founder of The Drawing Room Project, she reminisced on the fact that the Poetry Society actually supplied her first set of workshop attendees. ‘That Life’ was her opening read from her debut poetry collection published in 2009 – ‘The Damp in Things’. Interestingly, Millicent then introduced the ‘Off-the-Page’ performance quartet, directed by Carolyn Allen and comprising; Javoniel Trowers, Rolando Alberts, Gregory Slater and Jomo Tafari Dixon. The group had the audience dumbstruck. Their reflection on the Kendal Railway tragedy offered complex, almost realistic, emotional insight into the experience of those present. Millicent then ended the night with love. She gave us gems such as ‘Transplant’, ‘Lament of the Morning Dove’, and the popular ‘Fatty’. All in all, we feasted on a deep appreciation for her heart-strumming work and bid her godspeed on her journey to France. - @cedella__
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Artsy April moments 😇 1. “Tun Up Di Mic” event at @deptlitsinenglish w/ @nadjawrites_, Dr. Alexis Samuels, and Kim Robinson-Walcott. Thank you Nadja for organizing + for the invitation! 2. @djsinista1 and I cooking 🧑‍🍳 3. The @ichs_so’s “Classical Harmony” concert. Always a joy to hear them perform and witness my former violin teacher Mr. Woodham in his element! 4. Reading at “Tun Up Di Mic”, photo creds to the lovely @sdramba 📸 5. @groundingswithmysisters screening of “Grassroots”, their documentary on artivism. V excited about the work @morghansfieldnotess, @chinellex, and @thatsricag are putting in! 6. Dr. Carolyn Cooper in conversation with Zadie Smith at the @calabashfestival launch 7. Vibing @secondsundaysbykola w/ @suelynchoo, @kokab.zd, @bydanafletcher, @randyrandeh. Video creds @menonmala 🙏 8. Lovely vibes at the @st.marylitfestjamaica book launch w/ @jaikupoetry: @kacy.garvey + @brittonwritespoetry 9. Millicent Graham’s reading at @poetrysocietyja was incredibleeee 🥹 Big up @thedrpja every time 10. @offthepageja w/ @kwekutafari, @tallawahpoetry, @socratesbeard, and fourth friend whose name I need to find out did an amazing rendition of Millicent’s Kendal sonnets
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Books! Yes, Books written by Jamaicans! I am a writer, and so I read. I also write book reviews, which I post on my blog. #Kingston was designated a #CreativeCity of Music by #UNESCO but it is creative in other ways, too. #Kingston has a thriving literary scene. The #DrawingRoomProject hosts summer workshops and retreats with Jamaican writers annually. The online lit magazine #Pree has a writers, studio coming up with award-winning novelist #MarlonJames and others. I did a quick smash-and-grab in our chaotic bookshelves and came up with this very mixed bag of memoirs, poetry, children’s books and a stack from Jamaican writers overseas. Yes, Jamaicans write. Do read! #diaspora #poetry #womenwritersofinstagram #womenwriters #poetsofinstagram #Oranesiblings #motivational #youngadults #Jamaica #dayinthifeofgv #instagv ... I am Emma Lewis (@emma5804), blogger and writer. I write about Jamaica/Caribbean for #globalvoices and am posting photos and videos to the GV Instagram account about life in the capital city this week.
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