BPAC LOVE

6th Anniversary (3/11/2011)

“My lovely, dear BPAC. Though I first officially met you at the Boston Summit in 2005, I’ve known some of you for a decade, and some for only a couple of years, and yet you are all still like family to me. At the Summit in ’05 I knew that there was something very special here, something unique to the culture of Boston but something interconnected with the like-minded communities across the country. BPAC, the most North East stop on the Underground Railroad for Asian American artists; shelter for a weary traveler; a nest and wetland for those migratory birds known as poets; an open stage; an open door; an open mic for the inquisitive and insatiable souls; an artistic home for those far, near and yet there. No frills, and no fear here. I love this space, and I love it’s members. Happy Birthday BPAC and congratulations on turning 6.” 
-Taiyo Na

“Don’t take this the wrong way, but you all make me excited about getting older. Me and the crew from Brown have been coming to East Meets Words semi-regularly for about two years now and every time on the train ride home, we’re always talking about how amazing it is to see another generation of Asian Americans still ripping it on the mic and organizing and getting angry about injustice. You’re an inspiration to us and a constant reminder that getting older doesn’t have to mean losing your creativity or suddenly being complacent.

Also, I would freestyle with y’all until the post-racial era hits. And you know that ain’t gonna be for a long ass time.

Happy Anniversary to you and you and you.” 
- Kai

“There are few crews, squads, ceremonies, and traditions in the old-young life of our lost-found Asian American nation that are sacred to me. I can name a few of them: IsangMahal. Two Tongues. Summit. Boston Progress. East Meets Words. Thank you for holding the strands of our shredded hearts tight. Thank you for being home. I wish you love and light. I miss you.”

With love,
Dennis Kim, sometimes known as Denizen Kane.
But always–always–your brother.

“Congratulations to the Boston Progress/East Meets Words crew for 6 years of art, community and love. You’ve always welcomed this jaded New Yorker with open arms and always, always sent me off with a full heart and stomach. Wishing I could be there to celebrate with you but please believe that my thoughts and spirit are with you kinda like Obi-wan & Yoda at the end of Return of the Jedi. Looking forward to the next time I can come hang out with you all. Much love and thanks always.”

-Mas Yamagata

“East Meets Words is the epicenter of Vibe. We’ve performed at a ton of places all over the US, but few can match the energy and love of the bookstore. This will always be like a second home to us. HAPPY BIRTHDAY EAST MEETS WORDS!”

-Theresa Vu/Magnetic North

“To the BPAC Fam,

Don’t take this the wrong way, but you all make me excited about getting older. Me and the crew from Brown have been coming to East Meets Words semi-regularly for about two years now and every time on the train ride home, we’re always talking about how amazing it is to see another generation of Asian Americans still ripping it on the mic and organizing and getting angry about injustice. You’re an inspiration to us and a constant reminder that getting older doesn’t have to mean losing your creativity or suddenly being complacent.

Also, I would freestyle with y’all until the post-racial era hits. And you know that ain’t gonna be for a long ass time.

Happy Anniversary to you and you and you.”

-Kai

“Dear BPAC,

Happy anniversary!

I’m not exaggerating when I say this: the members that comprise the Boston Progress Arts Collective have shown me what it means to be Asian American. Before I was just making it up as I went along. Thank you for the past six years’ worth of love and magic!”

-VyVy Trinh

an anniversary limerick:

“there was a collective called BPAC.
you know that they never could be wack.
love my asian-am crew,
their words ring so true,
and their dashing good looks sure don’t detract!

seriously, though, boston progress, you are my heart and s(e)oul.
you’ve created such a beautiful space for asian american artists, and
i feel so lucky to have been able to spend a little time there. thank
you so much for welcoming me into the community. you make me excited
for what’s up ahead. much love and happy anniversary!”

love,
franny choi

“East Meets Words, happy six years full of spoken word, music, poetry, storytelling, visual art, performances, expression, crazy humor, heartfelt laughter, collaborations, inspiration, dedication, community, and Asian American boys/girls, ladies/gents debuting their voices for the world to hear their prescence. Thank you for inviting me on your beautiful journey.”

-Jess Man

I was gonna make my note: “DROSE 4 MVP” but i figure that that would not be appreciated in Boston.

how about this:

“East Meets Words is our soul’s volcano– may it burn brightly, forever”

-Pushkar Sharma, of Brownstar!

“My lovely, dear BPAC. Though I first officially met you at the Boston Summit in 2005, I’ve known some of you for a decade, and some for only a couple of years, and yet you are all still like family to me. At the Summit in ’05 I knew that there was something very special here, something unique to the culture of Boston but something interconnected with the like-minded communities across the country. BPAC, the most North East stop on the Underground Railroad for Asian American artists; shelter for a weary traveler; a nest and wetland for those migratory birds known as poets; an open stage; an open door; an open mic for the inquisitive and insatiable souls; an artistic home for those far, near and yet there. No frills, and no fear here. I love this space, and I love it’s members. Happy Birthday BPAC and congratulations on turning 6.”

-Taiyo

his is so very exciting!!! please send my love to EMW via the following message (written from the New York Supreme Court where I’m serving jury duty):
“Happy Anniversary East Meets West! I was raised in a city less creative than New York, less diverse than Chicago, and less Asian than San Francisco. But yet, this tiny little bookstore has managed to bring together a community that supports our voices and our art – at a national level!
Thank you for turning Boston into a city I’m very proud to hail from!”

-Melissa Li

“i was given an amazing opportunity with my classmates to be featured at the bookstore. it was such a fabulous night where i could feel the support of everyone in the room and how encouraging people there were for one another. i am very happy to see this space be a home to many performers, community members, students, and more. big thanks and hugs for the hard work and effort to the people behind the scenes in sustaining this welcoming space. keep going strong! thank you”

- chu huang

“happy sixth and congrats bookstore! thanks for all the work you do, holding it down for the asian american community. i feel like i grew up with the bookstore, and still can’t believe you let me feature!”

-molly higgins

“happy 6th birthday! will be there in spirit, sending positive vibes all the way from Colima, Mexico”
-Pete Shungu

“Happy anniversary to East Meets Words and thank you for continuing to provide a supportive space to share our thoughts and talents!”

-Conchita Campos

“Dear east meets words folks.

Ya’ll give me fuel to keep going.

Ya’ll inspire me to do more.

Ya’ll share what helps me grow.

Ya’ll be an example for what I still need to develop.

Ya’ll make me smile like the world has a chance at a mo bettah future.

Be well. Take care of each other. What ya’ll build is greater than what obstacles there r in building that.

Congrats n’ love.”

Love, beaunez

“Congrats East Meets Words on your 6th year! I’ve been lucky enough to perform/facilitate my MY OWN STORY (MOS) workshops in Boston since 1999 and Boston has always been my 2nd home all these years. One of the reasons why is East Meets Words and the awesome bookstore! Giles and all the wonderful folks I’ve met and had a chance to work (I performed there in summer ’06) have been amazingly supportive and kind. I’m with you all in spirit tonight and here’s to another 6, 10, 20 years!! Seriously wish I was there tonight!! MUCH LOVE & RESPECT!”

-ALEX LUU
solo performer/MOS workshop facilitator/teacher

Hey Dave,
Here’s mine, I hope it’s not too late!!
“East Meets Words and Boston Progress are huge, giant columns holding up this nationwide rooftop we’re all shouting poetry from. Thank you for making yourselves so strong for so long! Big hugs (and much love and beer) all around!!”

Hug,
Ed Bok Lee

This is the note I was supposed to send BEFORE the open mic on Friday: Much love to BP for 6 years of radical APIA movement-making, expression and voice!

“People pulling up presence, politics, and pride
Reaching, relieving, receiving reverence for realness
Optimism obfuscates obsolete obstacles
…Greatness guaranteed given grand gaggle of goodness
Reservoir of revelation, revivification and resources
Each elucidation exacts example of egress
Silly, seductive, sentient, stimulating stanzas and songs
Secure sanctuary for spiritual striving and sociopolitical sojourn

Miss you guys and thank you so so much ”
-Kelly Zen-Yie Tsai