[Wholesome Roc, Chicago, IL. Poetry Tostada 5/21/88 Tape #2]

Opened in 1987, Holsum Roc Gallery and Cafe was an alternative art space that hosted exhibitions and events with and focused on queer Black artists in Chicago. This video is the second of two videos documenting a live poetry reading event called the "Poetry Tostada" in the gallery space.

00:03Copy video clip URL Video begins. A man reads poetry from a notebook to an audience at the Wholesome Roc art gallery. The camera pans the room, zooming in on people in the crowd and writing in the man’s notebook. 

08:38Copy video clip URL Host of the event speaks and introduces a poem contest, dubbed “Rocket Pocket”, to the crowd and asks for three contestants to write a limerick (a five-lined poem that rhymes). The camera pans around the space for a little while.

11:10Copy video clip URL A second person, Rick, takes the floor to read. He gives an explanation of his writing, stating “It started with the idea that if infinity exists, then creation does not. . . they sort of cancel each other out. And then it led to Genesis and obviously to male and female roles. . . to a lot of different concepts. . .” 

15:07Copy video clip URL Rick’s reading begins.

26:41Copy video clip URL Host appears again and reminds guests of the limerick contest. 

27:16Copy video clip URL Camera pans to the next reader, Dana, who first invites the audience to an upcoming event called the “Third World Women’s Poetry Contest” as the camera zooms in on the flyer for the event. She then reads a few poems on the subjects of Black womanhood, her ideal man, and sociology. 

34:31Copy video clip URL Back to the host who invites the fourth poet, Vince, to read. He reads a poem about Voltaire. 

38:56Copy video clip URL Vince continues reading, a saxophone player joins him as he reads his poem titled, “The Gray Bowl”

45:34Copy video clip URL The fifth reader, Dera, takes the floor to read five short poems, saying “The first one is about a situation I was born with, which is lousy eyesight. This [one] is about of dreams and things I’d love to do, it’s called ‘Blurry Tomboy'”. 

51:26Copy video clip URL Host takes the floor, calling for three contestants to submit to the “Rocket Pocket” contest. Everyone takes a brief break.

54:50Copy video clip URL Cut to host welcoming the audience back to Wholesome Roc Gallery & Cafe, he then invites those entering the contest to come up. Owen, Dera, and Inzinga recite their limericks. The audience votes based on who cheers the loudest. Owen wins the contest. 

1:02:50Copy video clip URL Another poet, named Manuel, comes up to read, while the camera pans over the the window and shows the view of the night from the top floor, there’s sounds of a saxophone being played in the street. 

1:03:43Copy video clip URL Manuel’s reading begins. Various poems are read on the subjects of science fiction, societal critique, and morbidity. 

1:12:40Copy video clip URL The last poet of the night, Owen, comes up to read.

01:23:46Copy video clip URL Host thanks everyone for coming.

1:24:18Copy video clip URL Static end.