PHILADELPHIA — Spoken-word poet and community activist Michelle Myers kicks off her 2013 book tour on Friday, March 22, with a dynamic performance of poetry and storytellingat Asian Arts Initiative. Myers, co-founder of the Philadelphia spoken word duo Yellow Rage and co-host of Asian Arts Initiative’s Family Style Open Mic series, wrote The She Book to celebrate how women’s powerful voices can build communities.
Born in South Korea and now living in South Jersey, Myers explores personal experiences from her life, as well as an array of political situations and mythical images, through poetry. Audience members should expect storytelling, spoken word poetry and song in Myers’ performance, which is dedicated to honoring the whole-self identity of women.
“It’s about celebrating the strength and beauty of women, especially in their most vulnerable moments,” said Myers, whose children created the book’s cover.
One poem in The She Book, “She Home-Bound,” explores immigration and otherness:
But this place could not be the
land in which She was born for
restless feet had carried her from post-war
Korea, fatherless and therefore nameless,
a might-as-well-have-never-been-born existence,
on child-sized feet that bore witness to
moving spaces to which She had
no connection.
In giving shape and life to these vibrant stories, Myers hopes to build a community united in the restorative energy of love, acceptance and personal power. All proceeds from the book will be donated to aid anti-trafficking efforts and community building in Haiti and Cambodia. The She Book is available for sale at the event and online.
About Michelle Myers
Myers has been a professional spoken word poet for 13 years. She is an assistant professor at the Community College of Philadelphia, where she serves as the faculty adviser for the Spoken Word Poetry Club. Her spoken word poetry performance group Yellow Rage is best known for appearing on the first season of the critically acclaimed HBO television series Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry and performing in the first live Def Poetry Jam show in Aspen at the 2001 HBO U.S. Comedy Arts Festival. As a solo artist, Michelle is dedicated to raising awareness about social injustices and building positive relationships across communities.
Event Details
Friday, March 22
The She Book Reading by Michelle Myers
7:30 p.m., $10 General Admission ($8 for students)
FREE admission for anyone who brings a copy of The She Book to the door. Copies of The She Book will be available for purchase for $15 each; purchase of the book includes admission to the show.
The reading takes place at Asian Arts Initiative, 1219 Vine St., Philadelphia, PA 19107. In addition to this event, Asian Arts Initiative hosts exhibitions and ongoing youth workshops. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday, 12-6 p.m., and by special appointment. Admission to the gallery is free. For more information, call 215-557-4055 or visit www.asianartsinitiative.org.
