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Tai Mesches, December 2014

Fireflies

in a poet’s realm of tender azaleas ‘n’ timid twilight surroundings
only does one slightly recognize the fireflies around him
but to be kind ‘n’ not to frighten with love, is a practice at best
to softly spark the creatures’ heart that brightens their chests
a delicate rhapsody painted in a scene of midnight navy blue
where spray paint ‘n’ poetic pages set the stages for me-muse
with a tongue coated in venomous desire ‘n’ a serene drip of intrigue
the fireflies ignite my static mind ‘n’ rev up my electricity
my pen extends a breath, under their fragile-flapping wings
just enough to express, the brightness they be craving
by saying laced fragrant phrases ‘n’ explaining my motives
the fireflies shine in my rhyme, earning this poet’s devotion
so slow they coast to my riveting lips, imprinting an impression
forever melting my dark silence away with their romantic connection
the setting blushed with stark urgency, yet to unfold at a steady flow
only to test my stretched penmanship, as each one, with me, glows
the fireflies of my dreamy being, compete to sit in my hands
for the ones i catch, the ones i select, are the ones that want to land
to stand still ‘n’ just radiate my euphoria, captures their curiosity
as their bodies shake for attention, love is what they want from me
my pockets full with already kidnapped sirens ‘n’ melodies of throats
only do the most beautiful fireflies, fly to what this poet has wrote
i don’t know if they know, but it’s my choice to choose
which bright-winged insect today, i choose to seduce
the fireflies come smooth to me, as i stick out my tongue
‘n’ let their glow follow my poetry, for this is where they belong…

Tai Mesches
prosperus11@gmail.com

Huashan Reading Festival, September 2013

rr-header-12Red Room was invited by Alleycats, a supporting sponsor of the Huashan Reading Festival, September 2013. Red Roomers Zach Touzen, 
David Gentile
, Holly Harrington
 and Manav Mehta represented the Red Room.

Holly gives an account of the evening:

On September 9, we had the honor of representing Red Room at a special Alleycat’s-sponsored book and poetry reading at Huashan, part of the 華文朗讀節 Chinese Reading Festival. With Manav as our emcee and lead presenter, David Gentile, Zach Touzen, and I had the unique experience of sharing some of our favorite works in Chinese, English, and French. With few familiar faces in the audience comprised almost entirely of Taiwanese in all age ranges, and with the pressure of presenting mostly in Chinese, I’m sure I don’t just speak for myself when I say that the experience was a tad more nerve-wracking than a typical relaxed Saturday night at Red Room. However, it was most definitely rewarding and encouraging to hear the laughter and applause of dozens of people who perhaps have never heard of Red Room before. Hopefully, we did Red Room proud, and we will soon have some new book lovers joining our community!

在 9/9 我們很榮幸的在『華山1914文化創意產業園區』與『Alleycat 餐廳』共同贊助的個【華文朗讀節閱讀季】上分享了紅房。除了 Manav 我們的主持人,還有 David,  Zach 以及我一起分享我們最喜愛的中文、英文和法文作品,這是一個很特別獨特的經驗。在分布極廣年齡層聽眾裡面我們也看到了熟悉的面孔,伴隨著用中文演說的壓力,我敢說有別以往在 Red Room 輕鬆週六夜晚,這次是即為不容易的與讓人稍微傷腦筋。但是呢!當我們聽到觀眾的回饋,他們從來不曾聽過紅房的大夥們的笑聲與掌聲,就覺得這一切非常值得了。希望我們可以讓紅房為傲,也很快的,我們將會有更多愛好書籍朋友們加入我們的紅房社群。From Holly.

Translation by Edward Chiang

 (c) Copyright 2013 Red Room.  Material on this site is the property of contributing members of the Red Room Community. Please do not copy any part of this publication. Thank you.

Kolkata ADDA, August 2013

rrkas30Red Room made its way to Kolkata with Manav Mehta, Disha Patel and Marina Shifrin when the three of them went for a visit to Kolkata this month.

manav-3Manav reflects, “Making this trip and entering the world of India with family & friends could not have been a better decision and Red Room’s first Kolkata-based event was filled with warm-hearted and cheerful individuals”.

Manav Mehta
Host & Co-ordinator, Red Room

disha patelIt is difficult finding a synonym for “adda” (pronounced AHD-da). Some call it an agendaless gossip period, an intellectual discussion, New York City in the 1950’s, a never-ending exchange of views all rolled into one. In hindsight, it is equally as challenging to describe the essence of Stage Time and Wine. Now imagine combining these two indescribable oral cultures and blending them in a unique way that’s both stimulating and cerebral…

Disha Patel
Assistant Co-ordinator Red Room

 

Click here for photos from Kolkata Adda

Manav Mehta, August 2013

Sharing is Caring

“Sharing is Caring”, thats what they say.
Being reserved & withholding is considered selfish play.

Whether you’re whimsical or sturdy,
extraverted or nerdy,
splash words with flavour; we’re all ears,
smells linger for us to savour.
Juicy shrines that serve as feasts to the eyes

“Germans like Ringo, or sweet American Pies,
Chocolate cakes layered with marmelaid, thats where it starts.”

Eid is upon us, so throw more words into your grocery carts,
Synonyms, metaphors, analogies & antonyms

Lets wine & dine,
sharing in Kolkata’s newest ADDA, Red Room @ Living Design.

My mother’s birthday brought me home,
where humidity levels feed the frenzied crows.
Bongs, konks & Ambassador honks strum the wind chimes on a sunny day.

Let us mingle within this space,
share chai from mugs of clay.

Doors to India were opened to me by Roma,
Doors to Radical, Ramblin Roma were opened to me by ‘Incredible India’

(c) Copyright 2013 Red Room.  Material on this site is the property of contributing members of the Red Room Community. Please do not copy any part of this publication. Thank you.

Reflections, Manav Mehta, June 2013

manav-3Re-exploring familiar yet surprising territories, many Red Roomers took a stroll down memory lane this June. With the regular party fans coming to pay us a special visit, many crossing distances from Taidung county, Tainan, and even Melbourne, Australia.
The most prominent form of expression at the start of our humid summer, was the power of voice through song.

重新探索令人熟悉又驚艷的領域,眾多紅房朋友們一同在六月份追憶往事。我們擁有來自各地(包含台東、台南、以及墨爾本澳大利亞)夥伴們及朋友們的蒞臨。
在炎熱盛夏的季節,藉由歌曲來凸顯聲音的力量,作為我們最突出的表演。

A Nook for Rhyme Crooks, April 27, 2013

Recap:

The first blot has been dropped, giving birth to our story and our inner-creeping characters. With vibrating silhouettes and blood-pumping words, the Rhyme Crooks introduced our four pragmatists of this upcoming spoken word rhyme-tale. With our artist striking his blank canvas, the evening took form.

As each Crook’s shadow stretched its presence upon the audience, poetry filled up the room. First character to slip into the scene was Giggles, our representation of madness, chaos, and havoc. With a scatter of questioned wordplay and frantic melodies, the audience was thrown into the deep end. With confusion and anticipation buttering up the environment, the audience eagerly awaited the second.

Jezebel, the second character brought to life, slid her wet ways into the scene, representing desire, sex, and lust. The Crooks tossed her threw different perceptions and weaved her further down the page, reminding us that the rush in our veins is there for a reason.

At intermission, keeping true to the traditions of hip-hop, INFITIY and SPACE displayed their talents showcasing their quick-kickin’ grooves by breakdancing for everyone. Mesmerized and entertained, the audience eventually made their way back into the venue to catch the second half.

Welcoming them with calming narration, the Crooks smooth the audience back into their realm. Introducing the third character to the page, Po, the representation of Wisdom, Truth, and Nature, allowed the audience to find their grounding, and start to grasp the concept behind the event. An easy flowing beat coasted the audience further down the Crooks’ thought-provoking journey, setting them up for fourth, and last, of the characters.

Music, the representation of Harmony, True Love, and Peace, breathed life into the audience. Completing the quartet of characters, and setting up the conclusion. As all the characters came to a halt, a realization was unmasked; that each one of these characters lives in the page, and is given life through ink, word, and voice. Now with the four characters unleashed from the essential Ink Blot, they await their next page.

As finale, artist, Steve “SP” Williams, revealed his painting, depicting the four characters and the unmasking of his own inner Giggles, Jezebel, Po and Music. With narration and pieces blended with Chinese and English, silhouettes flickering, and all-original beats by Antithesis, the first chapter of “A Nook for Rhyme Crooks” comes to a close.

Photo credit: Ping Chu and Disha Patel.

the finale, photo by disha patel

the finale, photo by disha patel

What to expect:

Walking into the same setup, a high-caliber artist will, from scratch, create a piece depicting his own interpretation of this next chapter of “A Nook for Rhyme Crooks“.  The Rhyme Crooks, who includes, Antithesis, Lux, OzWonka, MellowJunkie, Limpbizzie, and Prosperus, will come together once again behind the screen, to bring to life our four main characters, Giggles, Jezebel, Po and Music. Representing the four raw emotions; Chaos, Desire, Wisdom and Love, respectively, expect to take a ride through your inner core as we all together journey through a limitless world of rhyme, hip-hop and poetry.

A performance promising to be a visual tease and a jungle of flavorful wordplay, “Nook” will paint and splat its unique story all over the audience’s blank canvas, and give them a sensation that can only be truly captured by spoken word. Featured in a mix of Chinese and English, prepare to stretch your boundaries of linguistic understanding, poetic freedom, and creative acceptance.

A Nook for Rhyme Crooks” will be a monthly event, featuring the artwork of a new upcoming artist, along with the all-original spoken word performances by the ink-slashing “Rhyme Crooks”. Please and come support this new movement organized by Red Room Organization, and prepare to be engulfed by the art of spoken word.

A Nook for Rhyme Crooks” performance will be on May 25th, 2013 at 6:30 pm, at the prestigious Taipei Artist Village on Beiping E. Road. Stay tuned for more details…

第一個故事已經誕生了,生下了我們內心匍匐字符的故事。由每個韻詞者用他們的影子呈現給觀眾們,用詩歌填滿整個房間。

第一個呈現給觀眾的是 Giggle,用瘋狂、混亂、號節方式來分享。

第二個分享者 Jezebel 用個人獨特性格將活生生的將我們帶入她的內心現場,呈現出欲望、性與欲望。

中場休息,Infinity-Breakdance Crew 和 Space-Graffiti Artist 用嘻哈的方式來顯示它們快速歌唱方式來娛樂觀眾們,讓觀眾們開心感覺可以延續到下半場。

第三個角色映入我們的事 Po,用智慧、真理和自然代表性特色,讓觀眾可以找到踏實感覺,並解讓大家可以各種事物背後的概念。

第四個角色 Music 用音樂代表著和諧與真愛和和平,帶給觀眾生動的氣息。

由於這四種角色的融合,讓我們每一個頁面賦予了生命,透過油墨、文字和語言。現在四個大字必不可少的墨漬釋放,等待他們的下一個頁面。

最後壓軸,藝術家 Steve Williams,透過他的畫,將四個角色特色,和揭露出自己的內心笑聲。透過旁白和中文英文表述方式,讓所有原來的節拍可以對仗起來,第一章節的韻詞家的角落活動就此結束。

同樣的環境,同樣高素質的藝術家在下一次樂章,韻詞者將會由我們這四位角色帶給大家 Antithesis, Lix, OzWonka, Mellow Junkie, Limpbizzie 和 Prosperus 表演,一起帶到舞台上。

我們期待你可以帶領內心的心情與我們一起乘坐體驗押韻、街舞與詩歌無線世界的旅程。

韻家旮旯 (A Nook for Rhyme Crooks) 會每個月固定舉辦,請來參加支持這樣的行動,由紅房社群舉辦,來吞沒這些口語的力量的藝術。
下一次時間將會是 5/25 6:30pm,在台北國際藝術村,在北平東路上,敬請留意更多最新消息。

Red Room Screams!!!

sloppy, breezy personal anecdotes of spring screamers forged into real stories
an hour in which stories were told with a musical beat
a fixed feeling of togetherness and connection

~words by disha patel

Red Room was invited by Jimi Mo, the organizer of the annual Spring Scream in Kenting to create a encouraging space where lovers of music and sound could reflect and share their stories.

This was a first for both Spring Scream and Red Room.

On Friday and Saturday night when the music stopped and it was time to wrap up the day, Manav Mehta, Disha Patel, Richard Carlyle and Rene Kamm were the torch bearers for a gathering of Red Room Screams.

www.springscream.com

(c) Copyright 2013 Red Room.  Material on this site is the property of contributing members of the Red Room Community. Please do not copy any part of this publication. Thank you.

ST&W sharing 3.16 Manav Mehta

March 17th, sometime 5th Century

In the promising land, with a not so promising name.
A man was born in KILPATRICK, who preached his way to fame.
His charm was willing yet flexible, knowledge bombs undefendable.
Died south of DOWNPATRICK, today we praise ST.PATRICK.

To quote the merry:
“We raise our mugs to the oldest of drinks,
those who need a hurl look out for clear sinks.
Let’s crunch on Irish bacon, and alcoholic cabbage.
Wear green & rid our minds of all heavy baggage.”

Due to an individual’s existence, we all practice persistence, regardless of where you’re home is ; tomorrow we’re all Irish.

 

(c) Copyright 2013 Red Room.  Material on this site is the property of contributing members of the Red Room Community. Please do not copy any part of this publication. Thank you. 

A Nook for Rhyme Crooks

nooks-posteras the mainstream masses, hack away at the roots
certain tribes ‘n’ clans, crack their hands to prove…that
they use words to bring purpose, delivered in verses
burst wise blurbs as it’s hip-hop we wor-ship
on the surface we work, we grind, ‘n’ we dig
but once you enter the nook, yo, our priority is ink
this joint here is to preserve, a lost ancient art
where the pen bends all lessons as we teach with each mark
this is a duty call for all slippery lyricists, ‘n’ quick-spittin’ beat-boxers
bold-inked warrior poets, ‘n’ wise free-stylin’ doctors
operating by choppin’ blocks of bass with bars that give birth
switchin’ bitchin’ verbs with whispers that’ll quake your earth
we come here to work in a world where wordsmiths roam free
to boast spoken poetry as our form of speech graffiti
hear my fat words swallow fear ‘n’ press a presence upon you
notice my voice ‘n’ my choice, to turn up the volume
this is the grand ball for mad hatters, jesters, ‘n’ dreamers
for prophets ‘n’ fools, for geniuses ‘n’ schemers
but beneath the surface of words, the labels ‘n’ terms
lies a truth so powerful it makes our pages burn
which is earned by preserving this culture to write
ink be our blood as words be our life
so tonight we rise together, ‘n’ around we take a look
ladies ‘n’ gents, welcome, to the nook for true rhyme crooks…

http://www.redroom.com.tw/events/event/a-nook-for-rhyme-crooks-april-27-2013/

(c) Copyright 2013 Red Room.  Material on this site is the property of contributing members of the Red Room Community. Please do not copy any part of this publication. Thank you.

Manav Mehta, June 2012

Stage time and wine

I thank you all for coming tonight, on behalf of the community and i
Say something about a stage time and wine poem..
Moments where we analyze what to do, and what not to do..
Well, screw explaining that I’m up here so that’s what I’m going to do.

I want to tell you all what’s been going on in my mind..
Crunching new grooves with a 19 year old grind..
It gives me headaches, awkwardly personal “proud moment” smiles..
An unorganized database, receiving an endless number of untitled files..
You gel up your hair, your hat cries out “STYLE”
Your body type comes with a variable list of numbers to dial..
I’m working on mine! Jogging mile to mile..
A combined effort at a developing mentality, with assorted perspectives-

Stage time and wine, is a place of…
Well wine-
Something that makes it special..special is what you’ll find..
The word artist holds no boundaries, its not marked by a mustache or a hat…
Those who have both are simply gifted, and well..i didn’t get it so screw THAT!
According to me here, once you’ve entered the red room..planet earth is flat..
The ultimate symbol indicating that we’re all equal ..were all artists here- how about that?

It’s a time for us to share! BYOB should change to BYOSOMETHING TO SAY
Everyone has something to share, its usually the ones who are shy..who sit back and compare..
C’mon guys, that simply isn’t fair- but don’t go as far as saying “I CAN say anything..its not like they care”
WE’RE here to listen, to enjoy, to emotionally react the way you do biting into a sweet chocolate eclaire..

I wake up with theories, which are completely genius..
But as the day ticks along, it deteriorates to something meaningless..
This random rambling is an example of that- but I love the act of performing..(AND YES THIS IS CONSIDERED A PERFORMANCE..).

That’s a fact

Art comes in all different shapes and forms..the ones labeled eccentric or exotic-
Are just ones there are no real words for..
Ever notice the lack of vocabulary we hold to describe certain things of wonder..
Beauty..stimulating and depressing – sigh..
We use our bodies, the tone of voice, our facial expressions-
I was gifted with the control of my eyebrow muscles..and so..tonight I will take the role of goofy.

Stage time and wine..
Time for all of us to shine..
Hence the much brighter lighting –to symbolize the divine..
Bring out the person inside of you tonight- do so through the love for the spoken word..
Mimes are allowed as well..
Like I said artist holds no boundaries or lines..
There are beverages in the back, grapey wine with some chai-ey chai.
Let us all enjoy the night-
In hopes for more random ramblings in sight.

Manav Mehta

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