Poetry and Art in the Museum of the Living Artist with Michael Klam

Poetry and Art in the Museum of the Living Artist (SDAI). Featuring Al Howard (hip hop/spoken word), Elena Velasquez (poetry), and Maria Teresa Fernandez (photography).

Poetry and Art is a quarterly museum series dedicated to giving people an opportunity to express themselves in a variety of artistic forms and styles. It is a free speech event, open to general audience, all ages, with the purpose of exposing the diversity and the greatness of our region\'s artists. Audiences will hear poetry and prose in dialogue with painting, photography, sculpture and other art forms. The three featured artists (see below) serve not only as entertainment but also as inspiration for developing artists. The open mic portion of the show is for all artists and performers to strut their stuff. There will be music throughout, performed by Israel Maldonado (guitar) and Shannon Bates (saxophone). Contact Michael Klam at 619-977-2494, klamshak@cox.net or Kerstin Robers, 236-0011, admin@sandiego-art.org, for more information.

Our first feature of the night will be Elena Velasquez (www.vozalta.org), San Diego writer and co-host of 3rd Word open mic at Voz Alta. Elena has this to say about 3rd Word: "Our wonderful house band grooves with poets on stage, and fuses the two art forms. The mic is open, and our mic is your mic." Al Howard, of Alfred Howard & the K23 Orchestra will be the second feature of the night: "I personally feel that fusion, whether in music, art, food, or culture is a key step in evolution and innovation. Bringing unlikely elements together has lead to many of humanity's finest expressive achievements." The border photography of Maria Teresa Fernandez will also be on display. Maria Teresa has spent a decade, documenting la frontera between San Diego and Tijuana. So, come on down and join us for some funk fusion, poetry and art! If you'd like to perform on the open mic, signups start at 6:00. Bring your artwork to share, verses to read, or simply come and enjoy the show.

The Museum of the Living Artist, 1439 El Prado, Balboa Park.