Behind the Scenes with Regie Cabico
- By admin
- 15 November, 2010
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Meet Regie Cabico, who is, among many other things, a former Nuyorican Poets Cafe Grand Slam Champion, a 3 time National Poetry Slam Finalist, and a performer on 2 seasons of HBO’s Def Poetry Jam.
So when did Regie first start perfecting his craft? What is he up to now? What is his theme song? Sulu DC asked, and Regie answered:
1) Memorable experience/event as a performer/attendee? Or the moment you knew the performing arts was for you?
I was enraptured by Disney storytelling records and performed for family audiences at 3. I knew the Wizard of Oz and played all the characters. My uncles playing mahjong gave me a dollar for my “shows” and I’ve been entertaining crowds for dollars ever since.
2) You are a spoken word pioneer and icon, being the first visible API face in slam poetry and spoken word. We hear that you’re also the “fairy godmother of poetry” around DC. With being such a force in the arts, what’s your vision/hope for the next generation of API poets and artists?
I want Asian American artists to be give-backs to our various communities: youth, women’s empowerment, queer, political & the disenfranchised. Ultimately, we are all servants of the word & the “world.” I hope younger API artists get to “read,” take risks & to elevate this new genre of spoken word slam poetry- which is an American art form just like jazz.
3) What’s the best part about being a touring artist? The worst?
The best part is getting all the mileage points from American Airlines! I get reinvigorated by what I hear. I recently came to Seattle and recived the 2010 BENT MENTOR AWARD. I performed for a queer community who loved poetry and heard incredible work by trans poets. The worst is getting new silk sheets, cleaning your room and then having to leave. I love cooking and during winter months prepare new dishes. You’ve got to try my buttermilk pancakes. I can be domestic, so any guys out there interested in me?
4) In which city does your spirit thrive?
HAHA! I love Washington, DC and have made that my base! If I cheated on DC it would be with Montreal and New York and Philadelphia and maybe Calgary because my s(wife) Sheri D Wilson lives there.
5) Your theme song/poem?
1. DONT RAIN ON MY PARADE (Lea Michele)
2. FAME (Irene Cara)
3. DIM ALL THE LIGHTS (Laura Branigan)
4. POEM: for colored girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow was enuff (the entire book)
6) Random fact about yourself that not many people know?
I have worked as a tour guide for DC tourmobile & was a Haggan Daaz ice cream scooper.
7) Upcoming events/performances? Any projects or collaborations in the works?
I have been commissioned to do a work with Manchester, England’s CONTACT Theater. A Skype one on one date with Regie Cabico.
8 ) Other interests/projects?
If I had the time and money I’d get my MFA in musical theater composition. I love being in the theater.
9) Where to find you online?
Facebook Page and all over.
10) Anything else you’d like to add?
My goal is to get my book of poetry together. I have a publisher and also I would love to release my CD, a live recording at Seattle’s BENT SHOWCASE.
Make sure to catch Regie at Sulu DC’s One Year Anniversary Show presented by Sol y Soul and Sulu DC!