Romance Slam Jam 08!
Wow!! How do I begin to talk about the gathering of over 200 folks to celebrate Black Love?! I mean, I've been to two Slam Jams and I always walk away feeling all warm and fuzzy! But this Slam Jam was particularly special to me for it was in my hometown of Chicago and I was honored to be a member of the host committee, as well as the MC for several events during RSJ. And for those of you who know me well, know I gots the gift of gabbanation! This sister loves to talk (know that I had me a sore throat for a couple of days after).
But I have to tell you that when the idea was first entertained to have Chicago host RSJ 08 I was worried - scared actually, for Donna Hill had laid the gauntlet - it needed to match, if not exceed the RSJ from New York! And I heard that that Slam was the BOMBDIGGITY! I was not in attendance, but you know word of mouth. And second, when you are part of a committee you need a strong leader and I'm not one (honestly). So, when Deatri stepped up and took the lead I cannot tell you how relieved I was. And though Dee can be blunt and brutally honest (I ain't ever mad), it was what was needed to pull off a class act affair! And when she calls you at 11 at night you just respond and don't ask a whole lotta questions!
When I arrived at the hotel on Thursday, I was sooo proud - I mean my pulse was racing and the adrenalin was pumping! To see the organization and my fellow author friends and sisters was all that. The shirts, the bags, the badge holders, the goodies - all spelled classy and organized and this is due to selfless acts of the committee as a whole.
Now I've got to say that even though I enjoyed all of Slam Jam, I must admit that my two favorite events was the party on Friday night (Due Damage you ain't S@*T!) and the Emmas. First, the party.
Who'd a thunk that Dyanne Davis could sing Jimmy Mack, that Wayne Jordon could blush a deep crimson and that my partner in crime, Earl Sewell, is actually a super freak? LOL! And then I laughed till I was hurting as we rushed forward to twirl our make-believe longer that long hair (Kim had hers) to Proud Mary or trying to keep up with the words to Rappers Delight. You really had to be there - but if you saw some of the pictures and clips from Urban Reviewers then you do know that Karaoke was wayy too funn and we sang out hearts out. I can't carry a tune in a basket. Now, I did get a complaint about the DJ - but know this: I TOLD HIM WHAT TO PLAY AND HE'DA GOT SHOT HAD HE PLAYED BIGGIE SMALLS OR TOO SHORT! Know this for fact.
The Emma Awards. It always does me proud to see so many beautiful black faces in one room celebrating the thing we love to do most - celebrate black romance writers! The sweep by my girl, Beverly Jenkins, was one of the greatest highlights of the evening. Shoot, my sister is the only one right now writing Black historical romances (if you haven't picked up one - you need to) and like I said to the crowd: I'm Theresa July! Everyone was dressed to the nines, the food was really good, the ambiance just right, and the judges stepped up and gave a real air of mystic as they announced the nominees followed by the winners. And the award itself was simplistically gorgeous.
To be surrounded by women, my contemporaries is hard to describe. But most of all, being surrounded by those who take the time to buy my work and read it is more than I can even hope for!
My only down comes from my not having time to sit and really chit-chat with folks. My dear friend and mentor, Rochelle Alers was in da house and all we got to do was hang for a half-hour, if that. And then there was Pam Yaye, who'd traveled from Canada and she and I only got in a hug here and there. As there were several others folks I got a chance to meet for the first time and a few I remembered from past Slams as well as the crazy book club members from Milwaukee (make some cookies and I'll be there!) that I got to hang with a bit.
In the end, I had wayyy too much fun, talked wayy too much, and hung out wayyy too long - but I wouldn't trade any of it for the world. Thank you to my fellow sister-/brother-authors, RAWSISTAZ Chicago Book Club and the readers/book clubs for making this a Romance Slam Jam to remember! I'm looking forward to next year! See ya in Cali! Oh, Jackie - if you get Idris Elba to come and act as a co-MC with me you will be my bestest friend for life!
But I have to tell you that when the idea was first entertained to have Chicago host RSJ 08 I was worried - scared actually, for Donna Hill had laid the gauntlet - it needed to match, if not exceed the RSJ from New York! And I heard that that Slam was the BOMBDIGGITY! I was not in attendance, but you know word of mouth. And second, when you are part of a committee you need a strong leader and I'm not one (honestly). So, when Deatri stepped up and took the lead I cannot tell you how relieved I was. And though Dee can be blunt and brutally honest (I ain't ever mad), it was what was needed to pull off a class act affair! And when she calls you at 11 at night you just respond and don't ask a whole lotta questions!
When I arrived at the hotel on Thursday, I was sooo proud - I mean my pulse was racing and the adrenalin was pumping! To see the organization and my fellow author friends and sisters was all that. The shirts, the bags, the badge holders, the goodies - all spelled classy and organized and this is due to selfless acts of the committee as a whole.
Now I've got to say that even though I enjoyed all of Slam Jam, I must admit that my two favorite events was the party on Friday night (Due Damage you ain't S@*T!) and the Emmas. First, the party.
Who'd a thunk that Dyanne Davis could sing Jimmy Mack, that Wayne Jordon could blush a deep crimson and that my partner in crime, Earl Sewell, is actually a super freak? LOL! And then I laughed till I was hurting as we rushed forward to twirl our make-believe longer that long hair (Kim had hers) to Proud Mary or trying to keep up with the words to Rappers Delight. You really had to be there - but if you saw some of the pictures and clips from Urban Reviewers then you do know that Karaoke was wayy too funn and we sang out hearts out. I can't carry a tune in a basket. Now, I did get a complaint about the DJ - but know this: I TOLD HIM WHAT TO PLAY AND HE'DA GOT SHOT HAD HE PLAYED BIGGIE SMALLS OR TOO SHORT! Know this for fact.
The Emma Awards. It always does me proud to see so many beautiful black faces in one room celebrating the thing we love to do most - celebrate black romance writers! The sweep by my girl, Beverly Jenkins, was one of the greatest highlights of the evening. Shoot, my sister is the only one right now writing Black historical romances (if you haven't picked up one - you need to) and like I said to the crowd: I'm Theresa July! Everyone was dressed to the nines, the food was really good, the ambiance just right, and the judges stepped up and gave a real air of mystic as they announced the nominees followed by the winners. And the award itself was simplistically gorgeous.
To be surrounded by women, my contemporaries is hard to describe. But most of all, being surrounded by those who take the time to buy my work and read it is more than I can even hope for!
My only down comes from my not having time to sit and really chit-chat with folks. My dear friend and mentor, Rochelle Alers was in da house and all we got to do was hang for a half-hour, if that. And then there was Pam Yaye, who'd traveled from Canada and she and I only got in a hug here and there. As there were several others folks I got a chance to meet for the first time and a few I remembered from past Slams as well as the crazy book club members from Milwaukee (make some cookies and I'll be there!) that I got to hang with a bit.
In the end, I had wayyy too much fun, talked wayy too much, and hung out wayyy too long - but I wouldn't trade any of it for the world. Thank you to my fellow sister-/brother-authors, RAWSISTAZ Chicago Book Club and the readers/book clubs for making this a Romance Slam Jam to remember! I'm looking forward to next year! See ya in Cali! Oh, Jackie - if you get Idris Elba to come and act as a co-MC with me you will be my bestest friend for life!
posted by Barbara K. @ 10:27 PM
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