i have been heavily influenced by the music and poetry of the amazing sinead o'connor. say what you wish, but she is undeniably talented and demonstrates genuinely that she is a human being, just like everybody else. and of course, there is HOUSE music, which i have always loved, but did not understand just how much until i met pablo. he is so passionate about house and that passion, as well, has a profound influence on me. undoubtedly, my grams, has been and continues to be the single most influential person in my life. since her passing in 2004, i am even more inspired by her every day when i remember and reflect upon moments whose significance i was often unaware of at the time.
“I write for the masses/no discrimination between classes.”
lisa "luscious" tai is a spoken word poet & vocalist who has been writing since grade 3, performing in various capacities since elementary school, and specifically performing poetry since 2002. A passionate Piscean and a devout daydreamer, her creative style is versatile and textured. Rhyming with honest emotion, her delivery is intelligently seductive with a hip-hop edge and jazzy smoothness. Using thought-provoking lyrics and witty wordplay, she speaks candidly about relationships, sexuality, spirituality, positivity, social consciousness, and self-awareness.
Shortly after appearing on Toronto's spoken word scene, she immediately undertook the challenge of hosting and promoting “contact high” a successful first event showcasing poets, rappers, musicians, and djs of various styles and genres within one space. Since then she has been hosting events in the GTA including fundraising initiatives. Her goal has always been to bring poetry to the foreground and demonstrate that it can be fun, exciting, seductive, educational, and entertaining, even all at the same time.
A graduate of York University, she was a Women’s Studies major and the Editor-in-Chief of the second largest student publication on campus. Her poetry was included in the anthology DiVerse Voices of Black Women, First Nations Women & Women of Colour. Her poetry and articles have appeared in various publications.
Introduced to the poetic works of Dr. Louise Bennett at a young age by her Jamaican grandmother, who was also an avid storyteller, lisa came to understand the significance of the oral tradition. As a writer of Chinese-Jamaican heritage, she organized a spoken word stage at the first ever Caribbean Festival in Markham. She has contributed to and participated in the Alchemists Arena, a spoken word and acoustic stage at the Om Festival. She was a co-organizer, workshop facilitator, and performer at the Kimbercote MusiChaos Festival 2004. She has performed as a guest poet for the Diaspora Dialogues literary series, which supports the city's culturally diverse art. The highlight of her career thus far: performing at the same show as acclaimed slam poet Saul Williams.
Currently, she hosts a monthly series called “underground sounds” featuring spoken word artists & house music DJs. Her recent funding from the National League of Canadian Poets will allow her to present a project for this year's National Poetry Month, which further demonstrates her passion and support for poetry and house music.
This year, lisa will finally begin work on her first CD.
Hope the holiday season is treating you well! I thought I’d let you know that I have a new Poetry CD coming out next year featuring translations of the Chinese master poet Du Fu. The label that released it is offering a pre-release digital preview to accompany my book Facing the Moon. Details can be found at http://brokenelectric. com/merch. htm
THE NOW PROJECT @ the NOW Lounge 189 Church Street, Toronto
Sunday November 25th @ 8 pm
w/ special guests : Linda Stitt, poet Jeff Burke, bassoon Ann-Marie Boudreau, vocals
The NOW Project is blessed by the Goddess ! Nigel Wolf’s Tantric Rap is inspired from his journey as a Kundalini Yogi. This talented ensemble of musicians will begin with a theme – often inspired by Nigel’s spoken word -- and from there explore textures of sound & rhythm, interwoven in an astonishingly seamless fashion ! Their music mixes elements of jazz, funk, reggae & groove. Each performance, as their name suggests, is new and original, alive with possibilities.
"MOON DAY LOVE::The Soulful After-Work Social" w/Dj Black Lotus & Sean Sax
Real Love. Real Soul. Real Friends... EVERY MONDAY @ China Doll!
Black Lotus Media, Soul On Ice & Fusicology present "MOON DAY LOVE::The Soulful After-Work Social", every Monday @ CHINA DOLL Bar & Lounge, 587 College St. W. (3 blks. W. of Bathurst).
Feel free to come after work from 8 pm. Arrive EARLY! Relax, dance and/or network. Get closer to that special someone, discover someone special and remember how special YOU are. Monday nites have never been better or sweeter!
This event is hosted by spoken word recording artist HAJILE KALAIKE and featuring music by DJ BLACK LOTUS & SEAN SAX w/special guests - spinning the best in: 70's classics, deep neosoul, jazzy hiphop, soulful house, lovers rock/dancehall.
DOORS 8 PM. COVER: FREE B4 11/PWYC AFTER ($5 suggested).
"MOON DAY LOVE::The Soulful After-Work Social" w/Dj Black Lotus & Sean Sax
Real Love. Real Soul. Real Friends... EVERY MONDAY @ China Doll!
Black Lotus Media, Soul On Ice & Fusicology present "MOON DAY LOVE::The Soulful After-Work Social", every Monday @ CHINA DOLL Bar & Lounge, 587 College St. W. (3 blks. W. of Bathurst).
Feel free to come after work from 8 pm. Arrive EARLY! Relax, dance and/or network. Get closer to that special someone, discover someone special and remember how special YOU are. Monday nites have never been better or sweeter!
This event is hosted by spoken word recording artist HAJILE KALAIKE and featuring music by DJ BLACK LOTUS & SEAN SAX w/special guests - spinning the best in: 70's classics, deep neosoul, jazzy hiphop, soulful house, lovers rock/dancehall.
DOORS 8 PM. COVER: FREE B4 11/PWYC AFTER ($5 suggested).
The good people of Soul on Ice (who brought you Eric Roberson, Maya Azucena, Havana & more) will be presenting the 3rd installment in their What Is Soul? Series, featuring former Loud Records recording artist Davina (www.myspace.com/idavinamusic). Davina will perform LIVE on Thursday August 23rd @ the Lula Lounge in Toronto - her first ever Canadian appearance!
It's been nine years since her debut album Best Of Both Worlds was released, and after such stellar tracks as "So Good" and "Come Over To My Place", Davina will do her thing onstage for her first time before a Canadian audience. She will showcase tracks from her new independent and self-produced release, Return To Soul v.1, on Soul Line Associates/Hustle Mode Records. Featured special guest that evening will be Toronto's own Ayah (www.myspace.com/ayahmusic), with DJs Sean Sax (Soul On Ice, WBLK, Solar Radio) and La-Z-E (CKLN's UK Spectrum) rinsing the best in soulful tunes.
Limited $17 advance tickets are available, and admission @ the door is $20.
For more details, contact info@soulonice.net or 416.731.4976,
Check out some tracks from Davina (including "So Good" and "Let's Stay Together") @ www.myspace.com/idavinamusic, and from Ayah @ www.myspace.com/ayahmusic.
Also remember to check out:
"MOON DAY LOVE" The Soulful After-Work Social
every monday @ China Doll 587 College St. W. (3 blks. W. of Bathurst St.)
Brought to you by Black Lotus Media, Soul On Ice & Fusicology
w/DJ Black Lotus & Sean Sax
lush lounge vibes with music from the 70's soul era, deep neosoul, jazzy hiphop, soulful house, lovers rock & dancehall
gracias por el posto... LOL Do you book DJs, or just a music fan, if either stop by my page and check out my Tao of Pisces Mix, you can access it from the Discology Section. Cheers Have a Great event!! DJ SOMA
Thanks for the add.
Feel free to drop a line any time.
P.S. check out our latest interview on our blog.
Enjoy the music.
Sincerely,
T.J.
Secret Suburbia
Lisa, Thanks for adding me. I caught your performance with DD last year and I really enjoyed it. Look forward to seeing you, sometime soon, in Toronto.
to accompany my book Facing the Moon. Details can be found at 
