#aFrankieTale RED-clusive: A “Red Word” with The Wordsmiths of FLo’Pocalypse

First of all, shout out to The Westside Gazette & Positivity Pays….for allowing me to circulate this story! I have been writing about it so much….I saved MINE for last!! Check out the Articles I Wrote For them at these Hyperlinks— https://thewestsidegazette.com/south-florida-poet-brings-poetry-to-broward-arts-center-with-a-full-lineup-of-spoken-wordsmiths/ (The Westside Gazette) and of course Check Out— https://positivitypays.com/blogs/news/south-florida-poet-brings-poetry-to-broward-arts-center-with-a-full-lineup-of-spoken-wordsmiths (Positivity Pays Positive Press Blog) …..& be sure to check out the article below this series of interviews. All Written By: Ya Favorite Chika Frankie Red

After the show, I got a chance to chop it up with 3 of the cast mates that are so dear to me: Quick The Poet, Kay Sey Speaks, And Salem The Poet. For the first time EVER on my Blog, I published the interview….literally Interview Style! Look forward to more of these In the future, But for now…get into what THEY HAD TO SAY…Starting with THE VISIONARY….Quick THE POET!!!

Red: What is the most compelling part of your show?

Quick: “The most compelling part of my megaFLO' events is how it all around unite & ignites the Poetic Artists & FLO'natics with an explosion of love. I love that no other Poetry & Spokenword event in existence is like it in the world. The are far from just being artistic showcases. The megaFLO's [ #flopocalypse #annifloetry #FLOTheLoveOfMusic #futurefloristic #quomedy] are one of a kind strategically formated uniqu artistic soul fulfilling experiences.”

Red: What is your poet selection process? What do you look for in your spotlights/ Features?

Quick: ”The megaFLO' selection process is very simple for anyone. If anyone that are artistically interested submit the following to floetryentllc@gmail.com:

*MegaFLO of interest

*Short Bio [1-2 paragraphs]

*2 pictures [1 head shot]

*1-2 performance links

All Artists are selected based upon submission timing, artists style need of event, & much more. The ultimate deciding factor is based around those specifics and so on. If an artist is selected, they will be contacted directly. Artists can be selected a year or more in advance. It is very competitive process. Regardless, we encourage EVERYONE to submit to be a part of the exclusive megaFLO platform at the world famous @browardcenter. Ultimately, we look for UNIQUE STYLE TALENT & CONFIDENT CHARISMA. "BE YOU..." is what I'd advise all Artists that submit.”

Red: You’ve been doing this show for a decade now- how will you say it varies year to year?

Quick: After doing the events for a decade, the biggest variance is making sure that all 5 megaFLOs are not only different from every event - but that they are 100% different from one another. EVERY YEAR... is a DIFFERENT megaFLO'event series.

Red: Flopocalypse has become a staple in the poetry community- tell us what it means to have so many supporters both in the audience and on the stage?

Quick: To be a born & raised native of Fort Lauderdale, FL... a kid proudly representing the inner city dwellings that successfully made it from the bottom to a top 10 arts entertainment venue in the world is one of the most priceless feelings ever achieved.

Working hard, surrounding myself with the right people, & never giving up on bringing people together artistically has been worth every second over decades invested chasing this dream achieved. To have people pour in from my neighborhood, S. FL community... & from around the world is astonishing. I couldn't have done this alone. Diversified love united from the audience to the stage has been a huge win for not just me, but everyone in the world.

I'm just a kid from Fort Lauderdale, FL that wanted to leave an unFLO'gettable platform & peaceful entertaining place for EVERYONE to evolve in. Hence why I always say, "TheRIDEcontinues..." For us all. I look forward to seeing everyone at all future exclusive megaFLO's. #beREADY

This is what some of the home team looks like: Yours Truly….Positivity Pays Director Frankie Red (The Spirit), Positivity Co-Founder Brandon Freeny (The Brains), Founder of The Mega-FLO’s and Flo‘etry Sundays Quick The Poet, & Positivity Co-Founder Ramon Robinson (The Heart).

Next, I chopped it up with Kay Sey Speaks. Now one thing about the South Florida Poetry Scene, is that there are aren’t “sooooo” many of us….but we are still a niched and well-knit community. Everyone pretty much knows everyone if you’re on the open mic and Feature scene. In South Florida, there aren’t many of us to begin with. But I’ve always heard of this poet and have ran into her so many times, but truly never recall seeing her perform. And though I might have, this is exactly why its so important to keep up and stay in touch with others in the circuit.

Red: What is the most compelling part of performing?

Kay Sey: The most compelling part of performing was feeling free in the moment to share my story through a gift a know God gave me. Knowing that fear was not an option once I stood before everyone and allowed myself to be myself, my authentic self.

Red: What type of selections did you perform this evening and what made you choose those specific poems?

Kay Sey: With the type of selections, I chose three very poems that portrays very unique components of myself. The first one, which was an excerpt from my poem “Goddess Amongst Mortals” embodies my firm belief in being a Child of God. The title stems from that knowing and the way I see it is if I’m a Child of God then, in theory, that makes me a goddess and I walk amongst mortals who need to hear the messages God gives me to serve them. Whether that’s my story or a lesson or a part of my story that teaches a lesson. The second piece is called, “Celestial Waters”, this poem was inspired by Proverbs 31 in the bible….hahahahahaha….so within this chapter it speaks on the ideal wife for a man. I wrote this piece thinking about my future with the man God decides to assign to me and wrote that as a way to say ‘I am your safe place and I want to make sure you know that.’ The poem is erotic in nature which is so taboo for many. With that, sex is a natural thing and God created it as something for us to be able to enjoy when the time is right.

The last piece was inspired by a situation with an ex-boyfriend. It’s called “Adamic Nos” (you know the stuff that car-fanatics put in their cars to make it go really fast). The title comes from an understanding that sometimes we succumb to our “fleshly” desires and life can move really fast as a result. What I wanted to convey from this poem is what lust of someone can do to your well-being from an emotional and mental standpoint. I hoped the audience was able to follow the journey of me reminiscing and also feel a sense of heartbreak from this piece.

Red: What made you want to perform for this show?

Kay Sey: What made me want to perform for this show…?? Man…so I had been to two Mega Flo’s prior to performing at this most recent one and was amazed at the cohesion of the show and the talent that performed at each one. I had been praying for God to give me an opportunity to share my story the only way I sincerely know how and that’s through my gift of Spoken Word Poetry. I simply wanted to serve others with a gift God gave me. The same way I witnessed these other phenomenal people had done. I just remained patient and focused on my academics as well as other priorities. I received a call from Quick the Poet and simply answered the call and was able to be of service to the world with my gift.

Red: Describe your experience at Flopocalypse.

Kay Sey: I can genuinely say there is NOTHING out there, that I’m aware of, that can compare to the energy that Flopocalypse carries. Quick the Poet has tapped into the vision of what God gave him and understood the assignment. He has a created a space where anyone and everyone can be their authentic self. The world couldn’t ask for anything less than that.

Last, but certainly not least, I was able to chop it up with Salem The Poet— who frankly, is someone I truly love to watch perform. His delivery is raw; cut-throat; and full of raw emotion. I love to see poets perform from the heart…and this brother right her truly embodies that. Take a look into what this Chicago-Native Poet had to say at his first time performing on a MAJOR stage in South Florida.

Red: What is the most compelling part of performing?

Salem: For me, there are a few things. It’s knowing that you will reach or teach someone by the time you’re done. It’s the power that words and the voice alone has. More than anything, it’s knowing that you never perform the pieces the same way and every performance is different.

Red: How does it feel being from Chicago and Featuring amongst Florida Poets?

Salem: Being from Chicago, I already know that I have a image painted before I get a chance to open my mouth, in most cases. Getting a chance to perform amongst these Florida poets is a blessing and a humbling experience. They could have treated me like an outsider, but they embraced me while giving me a lane with them. Honestly, I’m honored.

Red: What made you want to perform for this show?

Salem: I got a chance to attend one MegaFLO, and it was an amazing event that sparked my interest. Months later, a call was made telling me that I was being given a opportunity to be in the line up. Throughout the entire call I was constantly told, “Be READY!”. The want really started there. I wanted to expand my brand, I wanted to impact people, I wanted to make sure I didn’t disappoint, but most importantly I wanted everyone to know that it’s not ON me it’s IN me. I stay ready.

Red: Describe your experience at Flopocalypse.

Salem: FLOPocalypse was like no other show I’ve done before. The check ins leading up to it, the rehearsal, the way the artists are catered to, the thought process of Quick The Poet when big changes had to be made last minute, the set of the performance aspects, choreography, the crowd…I can go on and on, but if I had to sum it all up, I would say breathtaking and beautiful. It brought new elements and thought processes to me as an artist and taught me a lot as a curator. I can say so much about the event, but it still doesn’t do any justice for what it really was/meant to be in that space. You just HAD TO BE THERE!

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South Florida Poet Brings Poetry To Broward Arts Center with a full Lineup of Spoken Wordsmiths

If you’ve never been to one of Quick The Poet’s Mega-Flo’s, then you haven’t experienced the true essence of Spoken Word in South Florida. For 10 years, Quick has been curating shows that leave audience members moved, captivated, and with the desire of wanting more. Each year, the show’s theme, mood, tone, and even acts vary. Ensuring each show is different from the last and keeping innovation and creativity at the forefront and core of each production’s mission. With so many amazing moving parts to this dynamic and unique event, it is without a doubt it had become a staple amongst the south Florida poetry scene and community.

The Mega’Flo events are broken down into a variety of quarterly shows. Ranging throughout the course of the year. Some of the past productions include AnniFloetry- which is a celebration of Floetry’s Annual History; Flopocalypse which is typically the Summertime show which we are currently covering in the confines of this article, Future Floristic Funclusion which is an all-new concept between local community partners that puts together a talent showcase of sorts for special needs and disability children and teens; and lastly FloTheLoveOfMusic which is Quick’s rendition of a Jazz in The Gardens Concept. Combining elements of musical talents by local musicians and instrumentalists. His most recent concept “Quomedy”— bridges the gap between comedy and spoken word and is set to debut next year.

Feature Carlos Robson with audience member and 15-Year Old Flanagan Sophomore Poet Devin Modia.

The event took place Saturday evening July 9th, at The Broward Center For The Performing Arts. Upon entering the stage area, uplifting musical sounds by Dj Sco kept the energy in the room up and the vibes flowing. Poetry Lovers, Community Leaders, Friends, Family members, and even other renowned South Florida Poets and Artists were all in attendance to support this annual event. With every show varying from the last, you never know what you’ll get.

Quick’s show is consisted of a collection of poets from South Florida and around that country, that submit for a chance to be selected. Acts are first selected based on theme, concept, and development of show and are then vetted based on submissions. Ultimately, Quick and his team look for Charisma and to capture the essence of the acts being their authentic selves. In many cases, acts can even be selected up to a year in advance. But all acts are carefully vetted through a committee and are then contacted directly to partake as part of the lineup.

Host & Founder Quick The Poet, FloPoc Feature Carlos Robson, Cup of Jo, Chicago- Native Poet “Salem The Poet”, South Florida Poet Kay Sey Speaks, 15- Year Old Flanagan High School Poet Devin Modia. 

This year’s Flopocalypse opened with a poem by Devin Modia, a 15-Year High school Poet from Flanagan High School. Bridging the artistic gap across generations in the spoken word and creative space. The night then opened with a small preview from all featured artists. Artists came out one by one to share a variety of one-liners and punchline deliverables with audience members as Host Quick Introduced them each by elements of our planet: Earth; Sun; Moon; Water, etc. Giving each poet their own identity for their poetic style and niche.

The depth and range in this show’s set was truly felt with each individual poet, as the themes ranged poet to poet. However, Headlining Poet Carlos Robson, shared pieces with great range and perspective that covered an array of topics from veteran awareness; to racial injustice; to even mental health. And though these topics are gut-wrenching and heavy-loaded, Carlos delivered them with such power and conviction; but eased the audience into the seriousness of these subject matters— through elements of comedic relief and creating almost a foil-like character to offset the gloom and darkness of the poems delivered. It was an amazing site to see. Think of it like a Comedic-Poet.

It’s safe to say that Quick The Poet’s shows are not only unique, but cater to vast variety of markets. Creating a safe space for both artists and artistry lovers to coexist. Whether thats through music, poetry, comedy, or a combination of curated arts— his Flopocalypse show lineup highlighted topics relating to love, sex, betrayal, rebuilding, violence, the black plight, race, culture, socioeconomics, education; politics; womanhood; amongst others. There is a message for everyone.

This is what THE COMPLETE home team looks like: Positivity Co-Founder Ramon Robinson (The Heart), Artist & Brand Positivity Pays Ambassador D-Maye, Founder of The Mega-FLO’s and Flo‘etry Sundays as well as Positivity Pays Ambassador Quick The Poet, Yours Truly….Positivity Pays Director Frankie Red (The Spirit), & Positivity Co-Founder Brandon Freeny (The Brains).

For More Information about future MegaFLO events and programs, Email FloetryEntLLC@gmail.com