The Tea Party
(NYC Soul Guide, Winter 1998/1999) Brooklyn's cup of tea.
Dig,
if you will, the scenario:
You’re
lost in a desolate place where nightclubs resemble meat markets and
chicken coops—and open mikes are being bum rushed by wannabe poets
who think that the spoken word scene began with Love Jones.
Suddenly, the dust clouds clear, and you stumble upon a Sunday evening
oasis—where pretentious attitudes are knocked to the side by a
down-to-earth, jeans-‘n-tee shirt vibe that lets you know you
don’t have to fake the funk. In other words: The Tea Party.
Held
every Sunday evening at Brooklyn’s YWCA and hosted by its founder,
artist/DJ Ian Friday, the Tea Party tends to stand out from other
open-mic spots. Perhaps it’s the feel of the spacious,
candlelit old theater space it’s held in, or the heads who aren’t
trying to have any worries as they dance to the bass of soulful house,
classic soul and hip-hop pulsating throughout the place. Maybe
it’s the Circle at the open mic’s start—where everyone joins to
give thanks, shout-outs and positive energy. Performers such as
Erykah Badu, Saul Williams, jessica Care moore, and Basheba Earth have
blessed its mike with their performances.
“Performing
[at the Tea Party], I felt that I was at home,” says Earth. “The vibration there is wonderful, and it allows artists to express
and be themselves rather than compete with other poets to see who’s
‘the best.’”
The
Tea Party began at Frank’s Lounge (located in Fort Greene, Brooklyn)
in October 1994. Since 1992, Ian Friday and his friends had been
having “expressions” get-togethers where everyone would share
poetry, song and food. Then came a successful fill-in DJ gig at
Frank’s, and he was able to combine the two into what became the Tea
Party. “I felt an urge to bring these different people and
aspects together, and I finally had the opportunity to do it. I
thought partying on a Sunday was cool, a little ‘bohemian.’”
In June 1997, it was moved to the YMCA.
Since
then, the actions of Tea Party members have spoken just as loudly as
the words of the poets. Along with sponsoring ongoing food and
clothing drives, its director’s board and committee collaborate with
collective DeeperLite, whose vendors sell everything from snacks and
vegetarian dishes to incense and jewelry during the Tea Party.
Other entrepreneurs are in on the business action, as well; the Tea
Party also displays their books and artwork for purchase, in return
for a percentage of the sales.
“The
essence of the Tea Party is to nurture people and their art,” says
Mia McCloud, Treasurer and Director of Operations. “It’s a
way for people to put their stuff out there, and have it exposed.”
Officially registered as a business under the name Tea Party, Inc.,
its bard is also in the process of having the place registered as a
non-profit organization.
If
the Tea Party’s vibe is similar to that of an exuberant Sunday
church service (without the preachiness), then spoken word is the
religion here—every poet’s piece gets love from the audience;
whether it’s an arguable classic or an unfinished, somewhat awkward
work in progress.
“One
of our trademarks was that we were a place where people who’d never
read poetry before would feel comfortable enough to get up in front of
everyone and read,” says Shelley Jefferson, Media Director. “I think that’s a very important aspect of what the Tea Party’s
about; that people can come, learn and hopefully be inspired.”
And
if one listens closely, a collective sigh of relief can also be heard
from newcomers discovering refuge from spots overrun by psuedo-mack
daddies and “yo, baby” types. “The Tea Party’s not made
out of the regular ‘club/lounge’ mold,” says Friday. “We
want people to talk to one another and meet others minus the ‘meat
market’ atmosphere, and this environment supports that. The
idea is about nurturing creativity—an exchange, if you will.”
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