Wednesday, January 25, 2012

New Perspectives


Greetings Everybody,

You know, I’ve expressed to those closest to me that I really and truly believe that 2012 is going to be a very transitional year for a lot of people. I’ve already started to see it in a number of my peers. New opportunities are taking shape and new ideas are formulating. It’s an inspiring and (a little bit) frightening time, but I’m glad to be a part of the experience.

Looking back, 2011 didn’t end at all how I anticipated. A lot of things beyond my control shifted, and, to be honest, the sum of those things really took me by surprise. Today, I realize that those things changing were necessary to give me the perspective I currently have and to make me aware of how fortunate I am and what a tremendously privileged place I currently find myself in. I feel humbled, open, and aware. As both an artist and a human, it’s a beautiful feeling.

I know none of that probably makes any sense to anybody reading this, but I had to get it out there. lol. With that said, I have a lot of wonderful projects that have started taking shape. I would love to elaborate on all of them, but rather than jump the gun before things can be finalized and ironed out, I’ll hold off, but I GUARANTEE satisfaction.

I’ve been working on new poems for MANIFEST: The Beautiful Nights Poetry Show. I’m confident that I’ll get, at the very least, a few bits of fresh ink that no one’s heard. The show is going to be great. I’m inspired by the new poets we’ve got on the bill and what they’re going to add. I’m excited about getting L-Poole back into the fold (we haven’t shared a stage in about a year). Above all else, I look forward to the fun we’re going to have – and I mean the poets, and the audience. It’s going to be a treat, and I really hope that you and yours will come and experience what we have to show you.

Switching gears, for the first time in my life, I have readings and performances booked for the next six months. I’m very pleased about that, and I’m also looking forward to some out of the state excursions that I’m hammering out.

Well folks, that’s all I want to badger you with for now. In the meantime, be good, and keep on keeping on!

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Watch This & Thank Me Later


I came across this recently and I'm very glad that I watched it. It's given me a lot to think about as I move forward personally and professionally. Hopefully, it will do the same for you. Let me know what you think.


PressPausePlay from House of Radon on Vimeo.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

MANIFEST Offers a Beautiful Night


Christian J. Collier’s MANIFEST series will feature The Beautiful Nights Poetry Show on February 11th at The Camp House (1427 Williams St.). Several of Chattanooga’s youngest and brightest poets including L-Poole, LaJuan White, Marcus Ellsworth, and more will take to the stage and explore both the highs and lows of love in dynamic fashion. 

Doors for MANIFEST: The Beautiful Nights Poetry Show will open at 8. The event will get underway at 9. Admission is $8 at the door. For more information, Christian J. Collier can be reached at thespeakeasypoetry@gmail.com.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

The Ides of January


Hey Everybody,

MANIFEST: Distant Relatives was HUGE fun. I got a call from Noah shortly before I stepped out to drive to The Camp House, and he told me that he couldn’t swing the show. He had a situation that popped up and demanded he handle it (which I completely understand). So, I started calling several people to see if they could fill the slot. As fate would have it, Ms. Amber Fults agreed to play.

The second MANIFEST we did in 2012 featured Dana, Amber, and Holly McCormack. I don’t think any of the ladies have played together since, so a) it still kept within the theme, and b) provided a really interesting and unexpected dynamic to the show.



The whole night, the crowd and I were treated to fantastic songs, but we also got to see two of the finest musicians I’ve known just have FUN. They cracked jokes, vibed off each other, etc. It was something special, and I was proud with how things eventually turned out.

If you’re the praying type, please pray for Noah and his family. If you’re more of the thinking type, please keep Noah and his family in your thoughts.

Once again, next month’s MANIFEST will be on SATURDAY NIGHT instead of Friday, so mark it on your calendars now. We’ll be back to dish out the love (and anti-love) poems on February 11th. As always, I guarantee a good time. I hope to see you fine folks out there. In the meantime, stay warm, be safe, and enjoy the rest of this month as much as you can.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

What’s Good


Greetings! It has certainly been an interesting and surprising week. One of my artists (yes, I’m claiming him!) for tomorrow’s MANIFEST: Distant Relatives just had a baby! Mr. Noah Collins and his lovely wife welcomed a baby boy into this world earlier in the week. I’m very proud for them and their family.

Also, I posted on here before that I had a piece of erotic fiction published a few months back. The same day that Brother Collins had his child, I finally received my check for the story. It was a good day all around.



Making things even more phenomenal, I found out that At the Drive-In, one of my favorite and most influential bands, is reuniting. Man, Your Friendly Neighborhood Christian was ECSTATIC!

Switching gears, I’ve lined everything up for February’s MANIFEST. I figured we’d do our second love-themed poetry show. It’s fitting for the season. We’ll have some new faces (and voices), some familiar ones, and at least one that’s been away from the fold for far too long.



Keep in mind that, starting in February, MANIFEST will be making the jump from the second Friday to the second Saturday of each month. New Year, new night, big baby. Mua ha ha!

Well, that’s all I’ve got for now, folks. Be good, stay warm, and I’ll, hopefully, see you out at the show tomorrow night.

Blessings

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Thank You, Dahlonega!


Hey, everyone. On Thursday night I drove to Dahlonega with my good friend Marcus Ellsworth to perform. It was an absolute adventure and it gave the two of us stories upon stories that not too many people would believe.

The drive, in itself, was a quest. Driving through mountains, lengthy stretches of road and darkness, and the most rural of locales made a two-hour trip feel more like eight. There were several times where Marcus and I felt like characters in a horror film.

We saw so many fascinating things. I’d have to say that THE most exciting one was when we passed a guy who was driving a tractor. On the front of the tractor was a block of hay, but lounging on top of the hay was a dog (no jive). A live dog… surfing on hay. It was fantastic!

When we finally arrived in Dahlonega, I was really surprised by how beautiful the little part we occupied was. It was close to the college and VERY well-illuminated. Honestly, it reminded me of The Majestic, the Jim Carrey film (check out the picture above and see if YOU agree).

Anyway, we found the venue and got settled upstairs… while receiving some pretty interesting looks (it happens more than you know). We managed to get seats next to a really nice woman and were treated to some grand stories and poems.

Marcus and I closed the night, and we had a good showing. We both got down and received great receptions. It was extraordinarily affirming. I love the feeling that comes from being able to transcend race, age, etc. and just connect. Friends, that happened on Thursday.
 
Dahlonega treated us incredibly well, and we will definitely be back at some point in the future. Thanks, Dahlonega! You’ve already given me my first highlight for 2012.

Monday, January 2, 2012

2012


Happy New Year, everybody! Hopefully, 2012 has started off well for you and yours. Your Friendly Neighborhood Christian almost got run off the road by a redneck yesterday, but it is what it is. I’m alright, the car’s alright. I’m solid.

So, I’m gearing up for my first performance of the year. It’ll be in Dahlonega, GA. Marcus Ellsworth’s making the trek with me. I really don’t know what to expect from Dahlonega, but that’s part of the allure for me. It’s been quite a while since I’ve not known what to expect. I’m anticipating a good, fun time.

Also, I’ve been in workshop mode with these new poems for the manuscript. I’m going to be attending a workshop tomorrow, so hopefully I’ll come away from it with a more definite direction for some of the pieces. Yesterday, I had a very long meeting with Marcus, and we discussed the stuff that we were working on. It was also very useful. Sometimes, having a sounding board who’s on a similar path is what you need.

Lastly, you probably noticed the changes I’ve made on here (if not, you’re BLIND! j/k). You can expect some other new things as well in the near future. In the meantime, thanks for checking the blog out, reading my posts, and being interested in what I have going on. I appreciate it… sincerely.