BEAT: The Performance Poetry of Chasen Gaver

A video by Jamie Walters, VEE Productions, 1988.
This compilation of performance videos and interview clips, by and about poet Chasen Gaver, is an interesting and offbeat look at the way one man gets his artistic and social messages across. Using a combination of Motown and punk rock, everyday props and precisely orchestrated delivery, Chasen has fun (often biting fun) with humankind's foibles in: "The Boat", "Do You Feel Fat?", "Fresh Out of Ideas", and, in front of a young audience, "Political Climate"-in which he demonstrates to students how weather can be used as a metaphor for nuclear weaponry.
Film includes:
E. Ethelbert Miller, Howard University: 01:59
Chasen Gaver 02:18
Craig Gibson 02:45
“The Boat” 03:30
Barry Bellinger 05:15
Emily Cravedi 06:52
Gideon Ferebee 08:14
“Take Someone with you” and “Amtrak Papers V” from …
Judy Byron 11:52
“Fresh out of Ideas” 15:44
Colevia Carter, DC Dept of Corrections 17:19
Dorthea Hunter, Librarian 22:15
“Under Suspicion” 23:46
Supported in part by grants from:
The D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities;
The Painted Bride Art Center, Philadelphia.

[@thatgirl9759]

My first thought while at the beginning was, WTF? After a minute or two, I really found this guy pretty entertaining. Thanks for sharing!