12 Books Poetry and Hip Hop Salon, Sorrento Hotel

Seattle secret events? Not really. Even if I only happened to find out about this event the morning of. Free is always appealing to me and when I heard some of Seattle’s best emcees and poets would be there experiencing something new like this might be kind of nice. Turns out it was part of paying tribute to Seattle’s longest running luxury hotel, Sorrento, celebrating 100 years. I arrived 8pm sharp and already was the room beginning to fill. Seats were all taken so I propped myself onto the ground, front and center. I was curious by the diverse group of people who attended the show and was anxious to see what talent would be filling the seats that faced the crowd. All in one room were some of Seattle’s most brilliant and creative minds. Different atmosphere from what I am used to seeing; emcees with a mic in their hand and loud bumping speakers behind them. Nope, that’s not what you would find at this event. A more intimate feel, with the dim lights to set the mood right.

Just to name a few of the people who took part in the event were Karen Finnyfrock, Gabriel Teodros, Larry Mizell Jr, D.Black, Fatal
Lucciauno, Canary Sing, L.A., Ruth Forman, and my personal favorite Geologic from Blue Scholars. It was great to see these artists in a different light, but still do what they do best! It’s awesome that our city offers us these events and I’m so happy that I went out and caught this one. I got to hear new material or “leaks,’ as some might call it and be exposed to a new kind of art. Just think, my Monday night in Seattle was eventful, no “case of the Mondays” for me. I even heard that the room reached capacity and had to turn people away. It’s these events that make Seattle so special, something amazing is always taking place out there, you just got to go out and find it!

Article and Photo by: Faye Farrales
April 26, 2010 (4/26/10)