When I was a kid I LOVE LOVE LOVED to read. It was my favorite escape. I learned so much about other cultures, different places and had a very vivid imagination. I’d save my money for book fairs and ordered books through the Scholastic reader programs. When I got punished from TV, my family would still allow me to read. Reading was so fundamental as part of my early life.
Last year, I volunteered at the first annual 2-Cent Listen Festival. This event was basically to give kids free books. 
Sounded up my alley! I was overwhelmed by the amount of books, cool activities for kids and live performances that filled the day. I made a mental note that if it came back around again I’d definitely be in attendance. Well tomorrow is the day! The 2012 2-Cent Listen Literacy and Arts Festival is on! I attended a volunteer meeting last night and found this year’s festival has grown immensely! Beginning at 12 noon at 2523 Bayou Road in New Orleans, this year’s festival has all sorts of activities to stimulate the youth in a positive direction. BRING ‘EM OUT!!!!!!
I’ve always wanted to be a writer…one of my proudest moments was in the 9th grade when Ms. Simms handed me my essay and said, “You’re a good writer.” Another was when this super hot, intellectual Kappa guy wrote an editorial in the Southern University Digestabout how campus beauty queens were basically whack. I, a proudly elected campus queen, wrote a reply that was published and people responded favorably. A final memory was when I was selected Editor in Chief of a law school paper. My final editorial raised hairs, causing my Dean to not acknowledge me at graduation. I realized a long time ago the power of my written word. But I was hesitant to say I was a writer.
I remember telling my friend Holly over brunch that I wanted to write more. She said I had to meet her friend Jewel. I checked out Jewel’s blog and was immediately intimidated. She was a WRITER writer-as opposed to me, a person who liked to write. Jewel and I kept in touch and she invited me to a gathering of writers of color in New Orleans. Her goal was to create a space for writers in the city where we can cultivate our stories. This meeting was full of heavy hitters and we had to share something we had written. My favorite Times Picayune writer Jarvis DeBerry was there and he read from a piece I had read in the paper. His wife Kelly recited an original poem that was amazing. My now friend Kasimu there and he shared a post Katrina story that was hilarious and melancholy all at once. Nik Richard was there and read from his PUBLISHED book. My now friends Gian, Jamey, Maurice, Jeri and Jewel (and many others)…we all went around sharing these stories. I was OVERWHELMED with the talent in that room. I felt like I was among great writers and awaited them to tell me thank you for your interest but you’re not ready yet. That never happened. Instead they embraced me and have been nurturing my writing ever since. When it was time to produce my play, it was my writer’s group that helped iron out the kinks. I am a part of a something bigger than myself and we are sharing our stories.
Now everyone can see what we’ve been up to as our group gets ready to host our first summer reading series! I’m OVERWHELMED with emotion as I share this with you. I’m daily realizing my dreams and this is yet another reason why I am so grateful my journey found its way through New Orleans!!! Save the dates so you can come share our stories!
I love Drake and The Weeknd. They have great sounds that blend quite nicely. So while the Canadians’ song CREW LOVE doesn’t quite define what I’m speaking of here, the cool beat, unique sound of The Weeknd’s crooning and the catchy chorus makes it today’s Motivational Music Monday song of the day! I’m fortunate to have some really good, solid, long lasting friendships in my life. I’m also VERY grateful for the love of my crew(s)! Since I’ve moved to New Orleans, I’ve found several groups that I ride with! There’s always someone (or group of someones) down to hang and have a great time. Life can become so routine with work and goals to accomplish but I’ve found that having a crew provides great balance to the hectic-ness of life. So without further ado, enjoy the song and some images of me and some of the folk from some my crew(s).
On Friday I came to the conclusion I want to climb a tree.
This realization came on Friday evening around 7pm when I was at work. I was planning to go to a Curren$y concert that night if I got off in time…actually I was hoping my current boo-thang would want to hang out and I was going to skip the concert and be in his presence. He didn’t which made me grumpy and I started acting out. I remembered I hadn’t finished watching this Tony Robbins video from Oprah’s Lifeclass I had pulled up earlier in the day. In the clip he was talking to Oprah about how she had walked across fire as part of his “Unleash the Power Within” seminar. Robbins uses overcoming the fear of walking on fire to help people overcome their biggest fears. That’s when it hit me – I am afraid of climbing trees and I will climb a tree to set myself free. I’ve never climbed a tree-as a kid it seemed so scary. I have always wanted to be adventurous enough to just do it but I was afraid of breaking my arm. (Funny story I have a great little white lie story I tell about jumping out of trees attempting to break my arm in the 4th grade but I digress.)
There was one small issue with the timing of this revelation. It was on Friday…April 20th…4.20 and I was going to a Curren$y concert…yeah so let’s just say as I tried to tell people how I wanted to climb a tree to set myself free, it wasn’t coming off quite the way I had intended. I did find one great listener (asides from my girl Tori who was bout it the moment the idea struck), this awesome WTUL radio personality Miss Lilly was the only one down for my adventure (I think my friends Brit and Nicoya thought I was ON ONE lol). On Saturday morning when I woke up all I could think about was climbing this tree. I’ve been reading up on it and driving around looking for the perfect tree.
I, DaVida Chanel Smith, vow to climb a tree as I attempt to free myself from fear and really live the life I envision. Season one of Lifeclass taught that I’ve always had the power…climbing this tree will teach me that I believe in that power. Oprah said, “The only courage you ever need is the courage to fulfill the dreams of your own life.” I’m summoning the courage…
Last fall I was thrilled to produce my first stage play HIP HOP IS ALIVE for the New Orleans Fringe Festival. It was an exciting, amazing experience that strengthened my belief that I AM a producer! My play was strongly drive by music, the hip hop soundtrack to my life. The festival recognized that and now I get to speak about how music plays a part in my creativity in this month’s after the fest convo!!! I’m BEAUCOUP (look it up) excited!!! All of my creative ideas start with music! And I can not wait to share how! So if you’re in New Orleans on Tuesday, April 17 , come check me out at the Fringe Fest’s Pillow Talk at the Lost Love Lounge from 7pm-9pm!!!!!
Tonight I’m going celebrate in literary style!!!! My friend L. Kasimu Harris, a talented photographer and writer I met in the fab New Orleans Melanated Writer’s Group I’m proud to be a part of, does an awesome blog for the Oxford American! (Yep you remember correctly-he’s the fab photog behind my bday brunch photos!!!) So exciting since in our first meeting he stated his goal was to tell stories with both his pen and camera and focus on things he loves. And if you’ve met Kasimu you know he’s got a “thing” for style!!! CONGRATS to him! In New Orleans? Come check him out at the party tonight! If not, check out the blog anytime by clicking here. Au revoir! (It’s my Parish Chic ta ta for now! LOL!)
I’m always sharing things I like but let me tell you I am LOVING this new Trombone Shorty cd! Background, if you don’t know Trombone Shorty, stop what you’re doing and allow yourself to find out who he is right now! He’s an amazing artist from the world famous Treme neighborhood in New Orleans. He’s been playing trombone since he was like 4 or something crazy like that and has been all around the world selling out shows. I love to see him play and since he’s a NOLA native he does shows here a couple times a year. When I go see him I feel like I’m witnessing something unique and very special. It’s hard to describe something you’ve never experienced before but if I had to I guess I’d say he’s like a young James Brown meets Miles Davis(yeah he plays trumpet just as well as the instrument in his moniker) meets Lenny Kravitz (who he played with) meets all the Neville Brothers meets Rebirth Brass Band. It feels like if you threw some contemporary jazz, rock, soul, funk, hip-hop, New Orleans brass band and even a bit of gospel together. It’s so hard to describe what it is but I can guarantee it feels GOOD!
On yesterday his new CD, FOR TRUE came out and I must say it is remarkable. To pick a favorite song is difficult but he has “Then There Was You” with the extremely talented Ledisi on vocals that is surely destined for a Grammy nomination (oh yeah he wrote it). Another I think will garner praise is UNC because it sounds so vibrant and the energy is electric. He teams with Kid Rock on Mrs. Orleans which is a fun, cool song and “The Craziest Thing” is one of those songs that describes how silly we can all become when really into someone. Every song on the CD is a great song but my descriptions would do no justice, you’ve simply got to hear to believe. If you are a late nighter, tonight he’ll be on the Jimmy Fallon Show playing with The Roots. The CD is avail on Amazon and iTunes. Get it! You’ll love it! FOR TRUE!!!
I remember this time of year from my many many years as a student. Summer is just a few weeks away but between the break and you stands killer exams. You study your tail off hoping for a break…well if you live in New Orleans and are experiencing those woes, tonight is your night! 
Tonight the St. Charles Room at Loyola University will be host to the release party of emcee/poet, TheSeKondElement & drummer, Bettis’ collaborative studio effort, The Korner of Ahmir and Hillman.
This live music mixer will be taking place from 7:30-10p and is free to the general public.
“Study Break!,” as the release is entitled features live performances by the album’s artists, as
well as local rising stars Riva, Chelsea Blanco, Geo & Ado, and other poets, singers, and
musicians, plus a live band. Doubling as a release party and mixer, fans from all over will be
able to enjoy the music of the moment and more importantly, the message within the music. AND if that’s not enough the food is being sponsored by Pinkberry and Panda Express!!! Good music, good food, good times-what better study break!
Last year HBO premiered a drama series called Treme, created by David Simon and co. (you know those guys from The Wire and my many admiration posts for the work they did there but I digress). At the time I didn’t have HBO and was super sick that I didn’t get to watch the series. I vowed at my new place I’d get “good” cable so I could be on top of it. I spent the last week watching the 10 episodes that comprise Season 1. I love this show and it has The Wire type potential. As I write here often, I love love LOVE New Orleans and Treme is a great look at this great place I love to call home. My lovely friend works on the show and invited me to the Season 2 premiere. I was elated and we got treated to two sneak peak episodes. While I can’t say too much I will say the show remains great and the rich characters still please. So this Sunday, when all the Easter hoopla is complete, pop a squat and check out the great show, Treme!
Never saw it? Check out this recap of Season 1!!!
I am in love with the city of New Orleans. This is my favorite time of year to be here. It’s festival season!!! For me festival season kicked off earlier this month with the French Quarter Festival. JazzFest starts at the end of the month. There’s Essence in July and Voodoo in October culminates the season…oh wait how could I forget?!?! New Orleans Film Fest rounds out the year in November. Anyway in between there are so so many opportunities to go out and here really awesome music and most of the time it costs little to nothing!!! A couple of weekends ago I went out to the FREE French Quarter Fest and danced the day away! My favorite Trombone Shorty was awesome. I got to hang with coworkers and my friends. I love this town!
Click here to see some pics from the French Quarter Fest.
