Though she humbly downplays it in the episode, Lizzie Wann was an integral part in bringing the slam poetry scene to San Diego it in the late 90s /early 2000s. She also was one of the first people to start a series of house concerts with local acoustic acts-- an event that paved the way for many similar series (some of which are still active today). Without Lizzie Wann, it’s hard to say what these scenes in San Diego would look like today. Ask around, you’ll find the same answer: she was a key member in making it all happen. She was in SD during the peek of its coffee house music scene, which gave her the perfect opportunity to start the Live Out Loud Series.  Aside from reading some heart-wrenching poems, Lizzie talks about the spark that initially drove her to launch the literary and music projects that she did as well as where her relationships with poetry and music stand today. Though she’s not necessary rockin’ poetry slams (Lizzie was on the Laguna Beach team in 1999), she makes an effort to support what she essentially helped to create. Years later, she takes comfort in seeing some familiar faces still out there, and enjoys hearing fresh new talent carry on a continuingly thriving scene.

MUSIC: The music featured in this episode is “Fleur De Lis” by Berkley Hart, the folk duo staple of the house concerts Lizzie used to put on.

Subscribe, download, and rate! Check out Say Something, Anything on Facebook! 

Exuberant in his performance style, perceptive in his discourse, and unusual in his coffee preference. Both funny and insightful, SAMSI is a writer (or, as he puts it, more of a conceptual explorer) who has spent many years hitchin’ and hoppin’ around the United States. It stemmed from a life-altering epiphany atop the Golden Gate Bridge. He’s been everywhere man… New Orleans, Hawaii, Montana. Now he’s posted back up in San Diego, California (for a bit), before heading off the Portland to join, SHANGA VISION, a new film production company. SO: Is it possible to find the deeper meaning of life without travel? And when is the right time to stop and stand still? (Aside from on a highway in the middle of a traffic jam.) And what is it with writers and their issues (namely why do so many have so many?) All this and more discussed + some jazzy-soulful-electrifying poetry. PLUS intro and outro music provided by one of Samsi’s own experimental bands.

Music: “Slipping Slowly” by Astral Travel Agency

Check some more of Samsi’s work: alteredwaltzer.wordpress.com

A music video by Shanga Viasion for the band THE SHIVAS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWGiQMwsRNU

And if you want to catch him in person, stop by the Red Poets Society open mic on Wednesdays:  https://www.facebook.com/sdredpoets

Don't forget to download + subscribe to SAY SOMETHING, ANYTHING on iTunes and like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saysomethinganything

Tazha Williams wonderfully hosts the Red Poets Society weekly open mic, so we let her do the talking on this one. Tazha = poet + artist + sustainable farmer. And studied Fine Art Painting at California College of the Arts in the San Francisco bay area. And she has won various awards. And her artwork’s been featured in the San Diego Union Tribune, on The Today Show and on KUSI news. And she lives in a sustainable co-housing community. So being surrounded by creative environments almost comes naturally to her. But even for those creative souls who don’t know how to starts, she suggests just reaching out and seeing what’s going on around you, because if there’s something you’re thinking about doing, chances are others in your community are interested in the same thing. The open mic is every Wednesday, 7 – 10 at Kafe Sobaka. Check out Tazha’s site as well to see her incredible artwork and learn more.

Red Poets Society: https://www.facebook.com/sdredpoets

Tazha’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tazhawilliamsart?fref=ts

Don’t forget to download and subscribe to SAY SOMETHING, ANYTHING on iTunes and like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saysomethinganything