Doors + bar @ 7pm - Music @ 7:30 - $25 in advance - $30 at the door
Three talented and inspiring Detroit artists return to The Alluvion for a very special night of poetry, music, and improvised collaborative performances. We are honored to invite these artists back to Traverse City to deliver what they do best once again.
Catch a glimpse of this collab’s last show on Instagram.
Get the scoop:
Award-winning spoken word artists Joel Fluent Greene and Peace Bell take our stage with Tariq Gardner’s Evening Star, one of Detroit’s hottest hip hop/jazz fusion trios (think: Yuseff Dayes, DOMi & JD BECK, Nate Smith, Robert Glasper, Hiatus Kaiyote, Chris Dave). The vibe will be a throwback to the early 70s - the Last Poets and Gil Scott Heron - when poets and MCs were takin' it to the streets to rap about life in the inner city.
Joel Fluent Greene and Peace Bell write and freeform spoken word about life in Detroit these days: the realities, the hope and pride, and the personal challenges from gender issues to caring for a parent with dementia. This special evening will engage and entertain, make you think, make you laugh and maybe tear up and definitely fill your hearts with love.
And speaking of love, these passionate purveyors of spoken word arts are conducting poetry workshops in TCAPS schools on Wednesday & Thursday and a performance with Evening Star at TC Central High School on Friday, all sponsored by Building Bridges with Music.
— Jeff Haas
Want to stay in the loop for upcoming Alluvion shows and events? Be the first to know what’s happening next by signing up for our email updates here: Join our email list
About the artists:
Joel Fluent Greene: Poet. Author. Event Producer. Detroiter.
I am one with, a son of, Detroit. My beloved home. Once I turned 18 years old, the city and its culture became my obsession. The goal was to attend every open mic, Hip Hop concert, whatever cool event. Walking to The Hip Hop Shop on Saturdays. Catching the Dexter bus from the WestSide to downtown to host at Cafe Mahogany on Tuesdays. I was the cool, open soul that would sit on the pyramid at Hart Plaza with a notebook and pen. Still that same person. The son of a Jazz Pianist. I am an instrument of bronze flesh. Syllables be notes. Drum, trumpet, piano. I want you to hear Jazz, Hip Hop, African drums. I write in the spirit of Paul Laurence Dunbar. My most prized possession is a first edition copy of his book, Candle-Lightin' Time. First released in 1901. Classic. I would say Dunbar is my biggest influence as far as poets go. I love how he mastered writing in dialect and classic poetry styles. He wasn’t afraid to write like his neighbors talked. To tell their stories. A huge part of my work is speaking for the people I grew up with. I think there is nothing more beautiful.
Peace Bell: Is a national Slam Poet, lyricist, mother, creator, facilitator, mentor, and a student.
Evening Star: Is music from some of Detroit's finest up and coming musicians. It's a modern feel and sound that blends jazz, neo-soul, hip-hop, funk, and fusion led by drummer Tariq Gardner. Featuring bassist Caelin Amin, and Leroy 3 on keyboards.