Sleepy and root chat with Jean Marie McKee, the current Artistic Director of Naked Angels. Founded in 1986, Naked Angels is a New York City theater company with a focus on community outreach through theater and the arts. We discuss Naked Angels' evolving work over the years in New York City's theater world. We talk New York City and changing landscapes, Jean Marie's personal work as Artistic Director, free weekly development sessions for script writers and actors, outreach in alternative schools in NYC, challenges and successes, and future outlooks. How do we create a world where "Artist" is an accepted middle class profession? Much more. Visit the Naked Angels website here to learn more and support. More Denver Tea Party clips from 1/5/24 - Why is art important? – Questions? Comments? Conspiracy theories? Let us hear 'em by emailing [email protected] – YouTube - @blackbirdrenaissance Instagram - @theblackbirdrenaissance

Sleepy and root chat with Ricardo Bogaert-Álvarez, Ph.D about his life and experiences as an émigré of the Dominican Republic. We talk about the history and politics of the Dominican Republic, including the rise and fall of the dictator General Rafael Trujillo, the current political landscapes of both the Dominican Republic and US of A, hopes and concerns for the future, and the difference between Renaissance and Revolution. Denver Tea Party Clips probably recorded on 1/5/24 at the Mercury Cafe. Doctor Ricardo J. Bogaert-Álvarez is a retired Dominican-American chemical engineer and award-winning poet. He was born in Santiago, Dominican Republic and grew up in a hacienda. He obtained his B.S. in chemical engineering at the PUCMM in Santiago. Then he attended the University of Delaware where he graduated with his chemical engineering masters and PhD. He has lived in the United States since 1981 and resides in Denver with his beloved wife Laura. He has published poems in the “El Sol” newspaper and in the magazines “The New Press” and “Ribbons” among other publications. He taught chemistry and chemical engineering in several universities. He has published four bilingual poetry books: “The Samurai Poet”, “The Dance of the Phoenix,” “Romance and Haiku Elixir” and now “Chronicles of a Young Dominican.” In those books, each poem is in Spanish and English. He is a member of the Columbine Poets, Inc, which is a poetry club at the state level in Colorado. In poetry contests of this club, he has won several awards. He also presented several workshops in that club. He’s also a member of the Tanka Society of America. He’s the treasurer of the Colorado Alliance of Latino Mentors and Author (CALMA). Ricardo is currently working on revising Chronicles of a Young Dominican as well as multiple new collections of poetry. – Questions? Comments? Plans for establishing and defending a small island nation? Let us hear 'em by emailing [email protected] Youtube - @blackbirdrenaissance Instagram - @theblackbirdrenaissance

Sleepy and root chat with Shawn Spain about the Selective Service. We discuss the draft: what is it? Is it required? What does it mean to be "government property"? We also talk war more generally, the role of money and much more in the whole sordid affair, and we get Shawn's take on the potential onset of WWIII. If you're interested in contacting Shawn you can do so by email at [email protected] Denver Tea Party Clips are from some night at the Mercury Cafe (possibly January 5th, 2024) Question: Why is art important?

Sleepy and root chat with Lincoln Rice from the National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee (NWTRCC). NWTRCC is an organization providing factual, actionable information about how to resist and protest your tax dollars funding US wars across the globe. Turns out, you may have to pay some taxes still (bummer) but visit NWTRCC's website at nwtrcc.org to learn much, much more about the possibilities, avenues, and potential risks of War Tax Resistance. You can also find more from NWTRCC on their YouTube channel here. As always, if you have questions, comments, recipes, or just want to chime off at us, email [email protected] Fuck war. We love you. Denver Tea Party - Clips recorded 12/15/23 at the Mercury Cafe Art Market.

Sleepy and root sit down with Dan of Wolfwere fame, and Mike from Roller Coaster (album Now is Different available on Bandcamp) and The Gluons. We chop it up about Denver's music scene, Nicolas Cage's lawyer, independent music--how to do it, and how to fail--as well as evolving music landscapes and the up and coming generation. Denver Tea Party clips recorded at Mutual Aid Monday in Denver on 11/20/23 Questions? Comments? Hate mail? All inquiries will be read-- email [email protected]

We're joined by Tariq, Ari, and Mike to discuss our understanding of the ongoing conflict in Israel and Palestine. This conversation was approached with the desire to learn and to inform, and to encourage more conversation. Note* at one point we discuss Senator Bernie Sanders' position on a ceasefire in Gaza. Turns out, his positioning is more confusing that what we unearthed in our brief search during the episode. For more recent reading on Sanders' position: https://www.thenation.com/article/world/bernie-sanders-gaza-cease-fire-israel-palestine/ https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/news-sanders-urges-president-biden-to-withdraw-support-for-10-1-billion-in-military-aid-to-israel-and-support-un-efforts-for-a-humanitarian-ceasefire/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/11/14/sanders-israel-gaza-cease-fire/ As always, we encourage you to do your own reading and come to your own conclusions. Denver Tea Party - Clips recorded 12/15/23 at the MC Art Market, Question: Why is art important?

Sleepy and Root chop it up with Old Turtle and Loki. We discuss herbalism, what it is, what plants can teach us, tinctures, clinical herbalism, incorporating more plants into your life, and much much more. Note: this discussion is intended for educational purposes and isn't clinical advice. You should always consult with an herbalist before taking medicinal herbs. Denver Tea Party clips were recorded at Mutual Aid Monday in Denver on November 20th, 2023. Stay tuned for more to come. Old Turtle can be reached for inquiry at [email protected] to book a session or simply connect. Old Turtle also shared some more resources with us to spread around: https://clinicalherbalism.com/ https://essencementoring.com/open-circles-essence-community/ Questions? Comments? Just need to vent? We're here for you. Email us at [email protected] Follow us @theblackbirdrenaissance on IG and @blackbirdrenaissance on YouTube (MUCH more on that front soon, so stay tuned.)

Sleepy and Root chat with Benjamin Dunning, founder of Denver Homeless Out Loud, an activist group for homeless rights and services in the city of Denver. We talk homelessness and homeless activism, what works and what doesn't, as well as the legislation and programs that matter when it comes to this work. Find more about some of the programs, groups, and information we talk about in this episode at the following links: Get Loud Magazine Strengthening Neighborhoods Right to Rest Legislation Vacancies in Denver Economics of Homelessness How much money it would take to fix the problem Colorado Village Collaborative Denver Vacancy Registration

Sleepy and Root interview Ari and discuss Denver's activist scene in the 90s-2000s. Organizing, networking, being surveilled by the police, and much more. Also, some throwback Denver Tea Party clips because the laptop died (if you know, you know.) If you'd like to support You Be You Early Learning (discussed first thing) their fundraiser is here, along with more information about the organization: https://www.coloradogives.org/organization/Youbeyouearlylearning Cheers and thanks for listening.

Root and Sleep go back to the roots and simply chop it up. Reminiscing on our humble beginnings, the group, the impact of public interviews, corruption, insane society, real competition as a remedy, a David Goggins inspired astrology consultation.Questions, comments, death threats? Email us @ [email protected]