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Despite the singles-night-out vibe, this evening is not about the hook-up. A few women sip Cosmopolitans, but the bar is doing only moderate business. Cellphones have been holstered and silenced. Most of all, there is quiet. The only rap going down is on the stage, where a poet who identifies herself as Simply Kat is getting her word on, speaking, eyes closed, of her lover.
"Nobody can love you more than me" she says, swaying as her arms seem to take on a life of their own, her phrasing a rhythmic machine gun as she describes her emotional roller coaster in " ... I love you so much that ... hurts, cant drip teardrops, cause my tears burst."
As her words flow, a man nearby on stage wearing a "No War" T-shirt and jeans, his face bearing more wear and tear than anyone in the large audience, plays with watercolor images on a large plastic covered canvas, illustrating the poet's thoughts with large swirls and images.
The performance kicks off another session of the Flypoet Spoken Word and Music Showcase, and the enthusiastic audience response to Simply Kat is another demonstration of how the talk of the town is becoming more about the talk around town.
By Greg Braxton, L.A. Times Staff Writer
- Los Angeles Times
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Bio
Simply Kat is anything but simple. A mother, student, mentor and poet are just a few titles she holds. Kat Magill AKA Simply Kat came into poetry at age 17 by accident, stumbling across a dimly lit gallery with music pouring from the threshold, she quickly took to the mic and found herself at home. Ever since she has used her distinct love of the arts to better her community. Simply Kat has conducted dance and poetry workshops throughout schools, group homes, detention and rehabilitation centers for adolescents.
Kat took on the role of coach and slam master for the 2009 I. E. youth slam team, which competed at Brave New Voices, and is continuing to mentor and coach in 2010. She has performed at colleges all over the nation with the intent of empowering and encouraging expression through all platforms of art. Simply Kat was able to combine all of her talents in her first full theater production entitled Corner Sweet which premiered in 2008. She was then brought back the following year to produce another show entitled Human.
Simply Kat also has competed in numerous slams, winning spots on the 2005,2006,2008 Hollywood Slam team, 2007 Los Angeles Slam team, 2009 Grand Slam Champion San Diego and is the 2009 West Coast Regional Grand Slam Champion. She is currently ranked 14th in the nation.
Simply Kat has also performed For HBO Def Poetry Jam. She featured in documentary Spit, and has been seen on Current TV. She also has been aired on radio stations in Alaska, Hawaii and Los Angeles.
Simply Kat does not stop in her efforts to help heal through writing. She has worked and volunteered for multiple non profits focused on assisting abused women, an issue close to her heart. She has conducted workshops, performance and lectures at centers located across Los Angeles to raise awareness on Domestic Violence. Simply Kat is a firm believer in adding as many tools as she can to her belt. With a children's book soon to be published and a return back to school, while being a parent she is limitless in her dedication to the arts.
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