Poetry writers perform
Slam provides forum for artists
Carla Bradley
Issue date: 4/6/09 Section: Entertainment
Central students, faculty and staff get the chance to present their original works in the first Poetry Slam, hosted by the English and Creative Writers Club in the Student Center.
A poetry slam is technically a poetry competition amongst people. The contestants recite their original works and are then judged by selected members of the audience.
In this case, the Poetry Slam is not a competition but an event where students will be given time to recite poetry for the love of the written word.
April is National Poetry Month and although poetry is the main theme, musicians and artists can contribute their talents to the Poetry Slam.
Eva Terekhova, president of the English and Creative Writers Club, said musicians who play acoustic guitars will play in the beginning. If there are enough participants reading poetry, musicians will play during the intermission as well.
"We also invite any artist to bring their artwork to the event," Terekhova said. "We'll try and accommodate other types of art too."
She suggests that everything students contribute to the Poetry Slam should be original poems, art or music.
"My vision for the event is a big, energetic poetry reading that is 'college' (inspired), activist, diverse, fun and intellectual all at the same time," Terekhova said. "I also hope to somehow promote peace, ecological conscientiousness and diversity without stating that as the theme (of Poetry Slam)."
A few faculty members have been invited to perform original poems and share their love of poetry and literature with students. Some seem to be excited to get the chance to show off their poetry.
"I'm all for poetry slams and hope to see them on our campus," Eric Muirhead, English professor at Central, said. "I have participated in slams around the city in the past, and am certainly willing to read (at Poetry Slam), if I can make the event."
Poetry Slam has no real set boundaries for what students may perform. Terekhova said as long as the works are appropriate to the college setting, free speech prevails.
A poetry slam is technically a poetry competition amongst people. The contestants recite their original works and are then judged by selected members of the audience.
In this case, the Poetry Slam is not a competition but an event where students will be given time to recite poetry for the love of the written word.
April is National Poetry Month and although poetry is the main theme, musicians and artists can contribute their talents to the Poetry Slam.
Eva Terekhova, president of the English and Creative Writers Club, said musicians who play acoustic guitars will play in the beginning. If there are enough participants reading poetry, musicians will play during the intermission as well.
"We also invite any artist to bring their artwork to the event," Terekhova said. "We'll try and accommodate other types of art too."
She suggests that everything students contribute to the Poetry Slam should be original poems, art or music.
"My vision for the event is a big, energetic poetry reading that is 'college' (inspired), activist, diverse, fun and intellectual all at the same time," Terekhova said. "I also hope to somehow promote peace, ecological conscientiousness and diversity without stating that as the theme (of Poetry Slam)."
A few faculty members have been invited to perform original poems and share their love of poetry and literature with students. Some seem to be excited to get the chance to show off their poetry.
"I'm all for poetry slams and hope to see them on our campus," Eric Muirhead, English professor at Central, said. "I have participated in slams around the city in the past, and am certainly willing to read (at Poetry Slam), if I can make the event."
Poetry Slam has no real set boundaries for what students may perform. Terekhova said as long as the works are appropriate to the college setting, free speech prevails.
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