There is no hiding that I am a huge Christa Bell fan. She is National Poetry Slam champion, an educator, and a spoken word artist; a true “mystic” of sorts. On April 18th, National Record Store day, she will be able to add “Deejay” to that list as well. National Record Store Day is an event that celebrates the independent music store, the vinyl music format, and the “spirit” within that keeps both of these from being antiquated in a corporate and digitally dominated era.
The Electric Tea Garden (1402 E. Pike Street) and Recordheadz are hosting a huge vinyl record sale and DJ events on April 18th and 19th. Part of the fun will be the “open Tables” sessions were we are inviting DJs of all skill levels and music styles to take over the “decks” and spin a short vinyl music set for our event. I am sure the clips will be posted on Youtube or Electric Tea Garden’s website (www.electricteagarden.com).
If Christa Bell’s DJ set is anything like her spoken word, the audience will have a quasi religous experince. Her poetic performances are a display of her mastery of the rendering of emotions from sounds and words. She deals with subject matter that is common place within the spoken word circuit; society, misogyny, self-hate, spirituality, sex, and love. With each of these subjects she is able to paint new portraits and vivid landscapes upon the worn canvas of spoken word cliche. With a palette of “virgin” metaphors mixed with “ancient” messages and imagry; her delivery is as if it was channeled from the spirits of all things “divine”.
I watch the Youtube videos of her interacting with the live crowds and was truly amazed. It is clear that the audience, regardless of age, race or gender are interacting with her energies as she performs. The effect of which is like an “Immaculate Conception”, as her words impregnate her audiences; giving birth to new thoughts that may be crucified at first, but will be canonized as they become memories.
Recordheadz, the sponsor of the event hope that other artist and Dj will take part in the “open table” session that weekend. All you need is headphones, your own needles, and of course…your own records. Typical sets will be between 15 and 30 minutes. A person can definately “spin” for shorter…and longer slots will be availible depending on demand. The event is both April 18th and 19th from 10 am till 6pm at ELECTRIC TEA GARDEN 1402 E. Pike Street (above the Artifical Limb Co., Across from Chop Suey). We hope to see you there! -Patrick Mouton
**We have not figured out the exact time, but we are please to have Christa come out and support Recordheadz.com and the Electric Tea Garden during this event. Time slot: TBA *will be posted on ETG website.
Record Store Day: Christa Bell’s Live DJ Performance Saturday, April 18th
