Monday, November 06, 2006

Hello my fine friends,
I am in Philly, gearing up for another open mic competition tonight, this
time at World Cafe Live. This little tour started off with 600 miles to
drive in two days, and a little show in DC that was fun and friendly. I've
been in Philly with friends since Fri, and I'm actually getting to rest
during this part of the tour! Wow! A rarity for the Kristibird. And I've
even been a bit of a tourist this trip, visiting art galleries and
monuments in Philly. The most powerful for me was the Irish Memorial, a
relatively new monument telling the history of The Great Hunger. It is so
important to me to learn about my ancestors. And it is utterly ironic to
hear Americans complain about immigration, considering the fact that
unless we are Native American, we are ALL immigrants or the children of
immigrants in this country! One of my hosts, Tamara Diaz, has her
paintings all over the apartment I am staying in. One of them is called
Chicken-American. The chicken in it is trying to speak to us and none of
us can understand her. But she is still very proud of who she is and of
her American presence. There is a liquor store near my house that, until
very recently, had a tall plastic chicken statue out front. I used to give
people directions with the "chicken licka stow" as a landmark. But the
chicken's side read, "USA: Love It or Leave It!" I believe we can love it
and have a right to it, even if we don't agree with all its politics, even
when its officials fail us, even when we hate the oppression and hunger we
see in its people daily, even when we see its racism and classism and
sexism reflected even in our own actions, even in our own eyes. Make your
every action sacred. Go vote for who you believe in. Or don't go vote,
because you don't believe in the people and system in place at this time,
and instead do your part to change our place into a place you love
wholeheartedly.
See you out there.
Be peace y'all,
Kristi


--
avant-soul piano diva
"a fine musician...incomparable!" -- Utah Phillips

Sealed Lip Records
www.kristimartel.com