Mark States Oakland Crazy

What the critics say:
"Mark States's new video, Oakland Crazy, is a great
one. Not only does it have fine footage of Oakland
neighborhoods from Lake Merritt to the Avenues, not
only does it have Mark doing one of my favorite pieces
of his, Poetry Readings, Incorporated, but the fact
it's on video means that you can watch it over and
over again and catch more of the subtleties of Mark's
performance, from the cleverness of some of the lines
that need more than one listening to the artful
artlessness of his gestures to the joyful look on his
face when the audience reply comes in on
Madmanifesto. Gritty, real, funny, fun, it's 27
minutes not to be missed." Dale Jensen, The Outpatients

VIDEO ANTI-SUPERSTAR
" Most local TURF music/spoken word video productions
RESEMBLE sincere artists? efforts that have gone awry.
NOW, Mark States has brilliantly turned the tables by
spawning a new music/spoken word video parody genre.
So, journey his urban landscape to experience the
spunky pulse that binds." Diana Q, spoken word artist

"Mark States is the future of poetry!" Anthony R. Miller, slam poet

LINER NOTES BY THE PERFORMER:
Oakland Crazy is among the first multiple-poem
videos by one poet. Slam poetry groups have produced
DVDs and many national-level performers have produced
CDs, however, a mini-feature length video by one
person is a new phenomenon.

Most of the poems were taped at my Birthday Bash
feature last fall in Berkeley, at The Whole Note (many
thanks to host Dorothy Jesse Beagle for her
assistance.) These are performance poems that in one
way or another reflect life and culture in Oakland.

Talking Story was videotaped live at Kwik Way, and
relates the story of three Oakland men (including me)
in line Talking Story about our street life experiences.
This poem is an anti-violence statement
popular at many of Mary Rudge's peace readings. There
are also visual clips of various Oakland landmarks
such as the Grand Lake Theatre, the Lake, and scenes
from the neighborhood in East Oakland where I grew up.

I believe Oakland Crazy is truly cutting-edge in
terms of combining art forms: poetry and video. It is
the next wave in poetry, and I hope this project will
inspire other local poets to take up video cameras and
chronicle their art and experiences. Already,

Talking Story has opened the 10th Brainwash Movie
Festival, where one of the contenders for awards was
"The Question" by the incomparable The Suicide Kings
(Jamie Kennedy, Geoff Trenchard, and Rupert Estalano).
So come see this groundbreaking video and be inspired!
Peace,

Mark States "Oakland Crazy" © 2004 Mark States
produced by The Poet Formerly Known As Mark States for
Dream Boogie Productions

Produced by SF Bay Video with cameos by diana q, Dale Jensen,
Rico the guitarist from the bands "tiny g" and The Jon Roniger Band
music by C. Piddy

For DVD purchase information contact Mark States at dreamboogie@yahoo.com