By: Susan Spit-Fire
Hey everybody, what’s happening? Hope life’s treating you well. Our next installment of Open Mic Night @ The Inn on Thurs., June 23rd (Doors-8; Show-9) is going be one you don’t want to miss!
We are featuring the magnetic and very creative Poet, Spoken Word Artist, and Model Kristy “Lightning” McKeown. Well known for her spirited spoken word performances, her poetry contains challenging and uplifting messages, particularly for young women - focusing on issues such as self-respect, empowerment, love, and promiscuity.
Kristy’s performed at Legacy Books & Cafe, Red Sea, Club Viva, St. Louis’ Finest Bar & Grill, Bar Italia, Black Label, and The Cigar Inn and has opened up for many comedic acts, including nationally acclaimed Comedian Michael Coylar. She’s been featured in Chicago, Memphis, Atlanta, Indiana, Arkansas, and Kentucky. Kristy’s a professional Model for plus size clothing line Fat Cat Clothing (www.fatcatclothingco.com) and is working on a book entitled Light of Lightning.
She graduated from Harris-Stowe State University and is the Regional Director of Sub-contracted Services for ABM Janitorial Services. Nominated for "Poet of the Year" at the 2008 Traffic Music Awards, Lightning’s website is http://www.myspace.com/poetlightning.
Warming up the stage for Ms. McKeown will be popular Poet, Author, and Spoken word Artist Teddi B’ Poetic (Christopher L. Vaughan). A Four-time St. Louis Poet's Awards nominee, this gifted writer penned his first poem at the young age of 7. In early 2009 he took his passion and hard work to the stage and became a skilled and highly acclaimed spoken word artist. He has performed all over the greater St. Louis region and in neighboring cities and towns as well.
Teddi B's first CD, Radio Silence: I am Teddi B Poetic, was released in January of last year. It was nominated for “Best Spoken Word CD” in the 2009 St. Louis Poet's Awards. Chris’ inspirations include influential poets like Maya Angelou and Edgar Allen Poe. But he has also been heavily swayed by music, including such artists as Matchbox Twenty, DC Talk, Boyz To Men and Garth Brooks. His much anticipated second CD, Love Lessons, is scheduled to come out sometime in mid to late 2011. He currently resides in the city of St. Louis.
And veteran community Actor, Producer, and Comedian Patrick Donnigan will be here. Past roles include Count Orsini-Rosenberg (Amadeus), Teddy Slaughter (Full Monty), Dr. Lyman Sanderson (Harvey), The Old Man (A Christmas Story), and Chester Marvel (The Wizard of Oz). He directed Brighton Beach Memoirs, Dancing at Lughnasa, and the musical Red Head. Plus he appeared in the films Joint Body, Sex Dolls From Outer Space, (he swears this isn’t a porno) and Up in The Air (he played an extra later cut from the movie-he says he was within spitting distance of George Clooney, and that George did in fact spit on him a few times).
He has an Associate of Arts from Shawnee Community College and a Bachelor’s in Business Admin. from SEMO. He’s performed at theaters across the U.S., including at SWIC, where he morphed into 9 different characters for The Producers. He also performs his own uniquely hilarious version of stand-up, once again putting his acting abilities to good use. Patrick was recently featured at The Cigar Inn and Comedy Etc. II.
Brilliant young Poet, Writer, and Spoken Word Artist Julius Butler will grace the stage as well. Butler, a St. Louis native, is attending St. Louis University where he is pursuing an education in Theatre Arts, Music, and African American Studies. He graduated from Carnahan High School, where he became interested in Sports, particularly boxing, as well as politics and the literary arts.
Julius is an intense and emotionally engaging spoken word performer, touching on and transcending mature subjects such as fatherhood, loneliness, loss, identity, and the heartbreak of broken families. He has been featured at many resident hotspots, including Legacy Café & Books, where he recently commanded the stage at the Urb Poetry Slam (hosted by Louis Conphliction). Among Julius’ influences are Tupac Shakur, Malcolm X, Thomas Hobbs, Jamie Foxx, Cypress Hill, KRS-One, Eazy E, and Biggie Smalls. We are pleased to be featuring him for the first time!
Susan Trowbridge Adams will be our Special Guest. Originally from Seattle, Adams recently moved to St. Louis in pursuit of love (her boyfriend Musician Ted Moniak), and has since fell in love with the city, even dedicating a poem to it called “Bedtime in St. Louis”. Since arriving the award-winning Author, Poet, and Editor has thrived in the local Arts scene.
Susan’s work is sharp, clever, and on the cutting edge, and her performances riveting. She’s performed in Seattle, Oregon, and Georgia, and at local venues such as the Stone Spiral Coffeehouse and The Cigar Inn. She was just featured at Kristin Sharp’s Poems, Prose, and Pints, where she delivered a gripping performance. Her pieces cover topics like love, desire, and grief, and are always intriguing. Susan went to Seattle Central Community College, where she attained a degree in Chemistry. Her influences include E.E. Cummings, Amiri Baraka, Gwendolyn Brooks, Pablo Neruda, A.A. Milne, Anne Sexton, Federico Garcia Lorca, and Robert Frost.
Can’t wait until then, it’s going to be another stellar line-up!! We will have some sick drink specials, free Wi-Fi, nice cigars, and an Open Mic Session free to those who want to participate. Plus we have the friendliest staff around, so come on down and chill with us! Last time it was crazy busy so get here by 9 if you want a seat! Peace y’all! And thanks again for all your love and support!!
Love & Hugs, Spit-Fire
