Part the third in an [undetermined number]-part series follows the continuing adventures of Mav and the Open Mic night at Tia Chucha’s Cafe Cultural.  This part happened just this evening and yes, I’m still all aglow from the events!

Tonight a friend of mine came with me; he is a budding poet and is doing well in finding his voice both on the page and in front of the mic.  I am so proud of him for his courage to challenge himself by sharing and availing himself of such rich inspiration.  What a gift to be able to spread the joy of sharing poetry out loud!

We walked into a totally packed house.  I saw some of my friends from my first venture.  I was greeted with warm embrace by the emcee and we found some seats next to my Aztec-calendar-deciphering friend from last time.  He told us that tonight was a special event because Luis J. Rodriguez was there doing an interview for television and because John Densmore was also there and would be sharing some poetry and drumming at the Open Mic.  Wow!  Okay, now I was SUPER nervous.  I had planned on sharing the poem I wrote about the Cafe and the founder and author and PERSONAL HERO of Mav’s was there, in the flesh, this very night!  *Deep breaths…in…out…aaaaaahhhhh

We signed up on the clip board being passed around and waited our turns to share.  My friend was amazing, he has a great sense of humor and a natual talent for audiences so he won them over quickly with his wit and held their attention with his poetry.  Oh, and did I mention that the news cameras were rolling the whole time?  Yeah, and he was interviewed briefly at the end.  Not to shabby for a rookie poet!

During the break time I decided to introduce myself to Luis and shared with him my utter admiration for him and thanked him for sharing his story which has continued to inspire and challenge me in my current work and in my dream and vision planning.  He even offered to sign my copy of Hearts and Hands.  I told him a bit about my dream and said I hoped I could invite him to my cafe’s Open Mic night some day; he said he can’t wait!  Wow, what a night!

My turn was later in the evening after the talented Mr. Densmore and various other phenomenal artists who shared songs and poetry.  I did an encore reading of On My Relationship With God and read my new poem, On My First Visit to Tia Chucha’s. Before reading the second poem, I shared with the group (which was probably at least 50 people or so strong–much bigger than the 10 people gathered in the local coffee shop where I regularly host my Open Mics) that Luis was one of my heroes and I shared super briefly about how I came to be inspired to write the poem.  I felt an intensely strong response from the audience and received amazing affirmation after my readings.  At one point, the Maestro (he is the elder and master painter who had done the exquisite murals around the shop and the art Maestro for the local art students) came up to me, clasped my hand in his and said, “I love those words of yours.”  My heart filled to the brim and overflowed with such sweet words of affirmation and acceptance.

This is indeed a sacred space.  A place that gives me life–a straight shot directly to my soul.  A place where I have found kin.  A place where I have found acceptance.  A place where I am utterly honored and privileged to be welcomed and invited to sit among other dreamers, poets, and visionaries.

Thank you Tia Chucha’s, thank you Mr. Rodriguez, thank you to all my other new friends, you have given me a gift more precious than I could ever find words adequate enough to describe!  May I be faithful to cherish this gift and give generously of it to others.

Before the end of the night, I wrote a personal note on the Tia Chucha poem and then gave it to Luis as we were leaving.  He thanked me and gave me a warm embrace saying he hoped to see me back there again.  Oh, I’ll be back!