So I just sat down to upload a few pics from the CD Release Party last night and say "Yah!!!!" to a beautiful, colorful, amazing evening of wonderful people and great jams. And..then right as I sat down here and opened my computer, I noticed the TV my grandpa is watching said at the bottom: POETRY JAM. Apparently, last night Barack and Michelle Obama hosted a night of poetry, music, and arts at the White House last night! How about that for synchronicity!
So I looked up the story online, pretty freaking awesome! (I'd like to see some video clips of it!) Check it below:
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary___________________________________________________________For Immediate Release May 13, 2009
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENTAND THE FIRST LADYAT POETRY JAM
May 12, 2009
East Room
7:50 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Hello, everybody. Hello, hello, hello. (Applause.) Thank you. Thank you so much. Please, everybody be seated. It is a great pleasure to welcome all of you to the White House for an evening of music and poetry and spoken word -- (applause) -- from some of our nation's most gifted performers, both distinguished veterans and up and coming young talents.
We're here tonight not just to enjoy the works of these artists, but also to highlight the importance of the arts in our life and in our nation -- in our nation's history. We're here to celebrate the power of words and music to help us appreciate beauty, but also to understand pain; to inspire us to action, and to spur us on when we start to lose hope; to lift us up out of our daily existence -- even if it's just for a few moments -- and return us with hearts that are a little bit bigger and fuller than they were before.
The great jazz musician, Louis Armstrong, once said simply, "What we play is life." What we play is life. And that is what these artists do -- they express the joys and hardships of life and remind us how much all of us have in common. It's a great gift and a great responsibility. And we're honored to host them here at the White House tonight.
I now have the privilege of introducing the star of the show, somebody who brings a lot of poetry to my own life -- the First Lady, Michelle Obama. (Applause.)
MRS. OBAMA: Good evening. And again, welcome to the White House. We are so pleased to be hosting an evening of poetry, music, and spoken word. So you just want to clap -- (applause.)
Tonight's event is really just another way for us to open up the White House and once again make it the People's House -- to invite people from all different backgrounds to come and share their stories and speak their minds; for all of us to learn about different forms of communication and to be open to hearing other people's voices. For it is one thing for people to tell their stories in their own spaces, and quite another for those stories to be welcomed in this space.
Barack is President today because many people who thought their voices didn't matter or wouldn't be heard decided to show up on Election Day and vote anyway. And that's the beauty -- (applause) -- and that is the beauty of our democracy. And we have to remember that democracy is really, really big. It has room for lots of voices, which sometimes take us out of our comfort zones, but that's what makes it so meaningful.
And that's one of the reasons why I am so excited about tonight. Let me tell you, I have wanted to do this from day one -- the notion of standing in this room and hearing some poetry and spoken word. (Applause.) But it's important for us to remember that this White House is committed to maintaining this openness and making this place a place where all voices can be heard. And the President and I are so proud to welcome this group of talented performers and we're just excited to welcome this audience here tonight.
So please enjoy, have fun, be loose -- (laughter) -- and let's start the show. Thank you. (Applause.)
END 7:56 P.M. EDT
Office of the Press Secretary___________________________________________________________For Immediate Release May 13, 2009
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENTAND THE FIRST LADYAT POETRY JAM
May 12, 2009
East Room
7:50 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Hello, everybody. Hello, hello, hello. (Applause.) Thank you. Thank you so much. Please, everybody be seated. It is a great pleasure to welcome all of you to the White House for an evening of music and poetry and spoken word -- (applause) -- from some of our nation's most gifted performers, both distinguished veterans and up and coming young talents.
We're here tonight not just to enjoy the works of these artists, but also to highlight the importance of the arts in our life and in our nation -- in our nation's history. We're here to celebrate the power of words and music to help us appreciate beauty, but also to understand pain; to inspire us to action, and to spur us on when we start to lose hope; to lift us up out of our daily existence -- even if it's just for a few moments -- and return us with hearts that are a little bit bigger and fuller than they were before.
The great jazz musician, Louis Armstrong, once said simply, "What we play is life." What we play is life. And that is what these artists do -- they express the joys and hardships of life and remind us how much all of us have in common. It's a great gift and a great responsibility. And we're honored to host them here at the White House tonight.
I now have the privilege of introducing the star of the show, somebody who brings a lot of poetry to my own life -- the First Lady, Michelle Obama. (Applause.)
MRS. OBAMA: Good evening. And again, welcome to the White House. We are so pleased to be hosting an evening of poetry, music, and spoken word. So you just want to clap -- (applause.)
Tonight's event is really just another way for us to open up the White House and once again make it the People's House -- to invite people from all different backgrounds to come and share their stories and speak their minds; for all of us to learn about different forms of communication and to be open to hearing other people's voices. For it is one thing for people to tell their stories in their own spaces, and quite another for those stories to be welcomed in this space.
Barack is President today because many people who thought their voices didn't matter or wouldn't be heard decided to show up on Election Day and vote anyway. And that's the beauty -- (applause) -- and that is the beauty of our democracy. And we have to remember that democracy is really, really big. It has room for lots of voices, which sometimes take us out of our comfort zones, but that's what makes it so meaningful.
And that's one of the reasons why I am so excited about tonight. Let me tell you, I have wanted to do this from day one -- the notion of standing in this room and hearing some poetry and spoken word. (Applause.) But it's important for us to remember that this White House is committed to maintaining this openness and making this place a place where all voices can be heard. And the President and I are so proud to welcome this group of talented performers and we're just excited to welcome this audience here tonight.
So please enjoy, have fun, be loose -- (laughter) -- and let's start the show. Thank you. (Applause.)
END 7:56 P.M. EDT
_________________
Cool, huh?? Well I am thrilled and proud to have been a part of last night. The beautiful Crystal Stafford opened the show with original songs, my current favorite of which is called "Become You." Then three amazing men came up and joined us for a tune of mine, "The Call," which she I and I sang in harmony together. Then me and the boys (all amazingly talented and on top of that staggeringly handsome!) played a number of my original tunes. Todd Lombardo, my friend from way back when (1999-ish?), who is now playing for tons of people as a professional musician based in Nashville, happened to be here for this night(!!), was rockin the guitar. Daron Baker, a talented and versatile full-time local musician, jammin it on the bass. And Michael Tillis, graduate of UNF's Jazz Program and also a pro, was making it happen on the drums (great listening and intuition with my sometimes bizarre sudden time changes). The second set went even better than the first. A couple of musicians sat in for tunes. Chris Atkins (pro guitar player and teacher, especially jazz) on "All of Me" and Jeremy Kairalla (full-time with Lions of Jah based in Jax Beach and dear friend of mine!) on "Is This Love." It was so cool what uniqueness each musician brought to the sound and texture of the music!
Now as far as all of the people who came to support, celebrate, hang out, listen and enjoy.....it blows my mind and touches my heart. Zhanra's was packed! It was delightful to see sooooo many people there, many dear friends, both old and new!!!! I am truly blessed and we are all truly blessed to live in the presence of so many beautiful souls!! It was so special to feel the support and love of so many fantastic human beings, all dancing the dance, doing the thing. I love you all eternally!!!! Thank you for allowing me to entertain you a bit, to dance my dance, and do my thing! Most of all, thank you for your love!
And I certainly hope that you get some enjoyment out of the CD! By the way, shout out to Jim Stafford, Harmony Stafford and Krysta Brown at Eclipse Studios- a great place to record and publish your musical art! Another to shout out to Jigga Jill, Jberry (thanks 4 ur help with equipment), Tbone, dad, mom, Heidi, and FiFi, you guys are like my biggest fans! Also those who couldn't make it person, i love you too. P.S. If you would like to order an "Of the Resurrection" CD of your very own, I would love to send you one, please send me an e-mail at therealanastasia@bellsouth.net . =)
