PHOTOS 'An Evening of Poetry, Music and the Spoken Word' (Updated)

[Jackeens]

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Eric Lewis, aka ELEW

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Vice President Joseph Biden and filmmaker Spike Lee

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Esperanza Spalding

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'An Evening of Poetry, Music and the Spoken Word' turned the East Room into a jazz lounge with mood lighting for some 200 guests arrayed at cocktail tables .... The guests (business attire) were predominantly youngish (students from Georgetown, Galludet, American and Howard universities, according to the press office) with a few aging hipsters here and there. (Ex-Posties Ben Bradlee and Sally Quinn; George Stephanopolis, former WH press secretary in the Clinton administration).

....Obama took the mike .... and said the purpose of the evening was ``to highlight the importance of the arts. . . the power of words and music.'' He introduced ``the star of the show, a person who brings a lot of poetry into my life, the First Lady.'' Mrs.Obama took the mike and said, ``I wanted to do this from Day One!. . . to stand in this house. . . and hear some poetry and the spoken word.'' ``Enjoy, be loose and let's start the show.''

http://thepage.time.com/pool-report-of-obama-poetry-slam/

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/12/jammin-in-the-east-room/

[BlancheSplanchnik]

1. love these pics!

Before we lived out in the boondocks, I went to poetry slams. Fun!! And so cool!

Ha!, who'd a ever thunk we'd see "poetry slam" and "White House" in the same sentence. Not to mention including the preposition, "at".

:7

[mopinko]

11. hey, if they are from chicago, it had to happen

poetry slams pretty much became an art form here.
we also had to have a pres from chicago eventually, too.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

13. I did not know that!

well, I grew up in New Joisey, so we are waiting our turn... then, Fuhgeddaboudit.

[lunatica]

2. Michelle reminds me of Santana's Black Magic Woman

As soon as I saw these photos I thought of that song. She just dazzles in these pix

[Kdillard]

3. Very cool.

[Sultana]

4. Michelle is stunning

& lil' Sasha looks so cute.

The event looks like great fun.

[a kennedy]

5. The First Lady........what a babe.....

:applause: :applause: :applause:

[alsame]

6. Culture is back! The First Couple look stunning, as always. Thanks. n/t

[genna]

7. I like #17 best because she looks so happy.

My irritation kicked in when I noticed Morning Joe participants could not get behind the idea of a poetry slam. Willie with all his snarkiness did not understand what it was and why it was needed. Git that he is.

[Clio the Leo]

8. Check out the couple in the background of the first pic....

..... I'd love to know what they're saying.

[Cha]

16. Oh yeah, they're adorable, too..

I just didn't see them at first.

[rvablue]

9. Awesome pics! But TIME needs to hire a reporter with a clue!

"George Stephanopolis, former WH press secretary in the Clinton administration)."?!?!?!?!?!?!

George was never a press secretary.


Love, love, love the First Lady's shirt.

[islandgirl808]

10. i didn't know Mayda del Valle was there!

she's amazing, luv her work :D.

ok, now that i've seen michelle's entire outfit, i really like it! still not a fan of the blouse, but somehow she makes it work...very young and fresh :).

[goclark]

12. No fair ~ when can we see the performance on television?

The pictures are beyond lovely.

When will we get to see it -- please say it will be on cable.

I have an idea ~ take Boring Joe and Mika off the air for one day and put this on!

[Jackeens]

14. Hey goclark

I tried to watch it on http://www.whitehouse.gov/ last night but the live streaming was a mess, picture all garbled. But, but, but, today:

"For anybody experiencing difficulties with audio or video, check back in a day or two for full quality video recording of the event."

So, keep an eye on www.whitehouse.gov!

PS Am I completely wrong or did I read somewhere that PBS would be showing it again in the next couple of days?

[goclark]

24. Thanks Jakeens ~ K for answers nt

[Cha]

15. Yay, Spike Lee!

Michelle looks extraordinarily stunning in those pics. Gotta say I'm loving her get up!

[Manifestor_of_Light]

17. Love that weird strange top she's got on!!

And the weird Mother of Pearl earrings!!

And she even looks good in pedal pushers!

Very cool......

[BlooInBloo]

18. I hope Mr. Obama never comes to Seattle - because I'm soooo stealing his wife if he does.

(drools)

:rofl:

[Jackeens]

19. BlooInBloo?

You know the routine - in you go:

[BlooInBloo]

20. You're the one who keeps shoving her in my face!

:rofl:

[Jackeens]

21. WELL, THAT'S JUST.......................... a fair point.

But remember, you're up against it:

[BlooInBloo]

22. :)))))

[demo dutch]

23. Love Michelle's top and earrings