In celebration of National Library Week and National Poetry Month, the 4th annual Poetry Slam will be held in the Learning Commons @ Perry Library on Thursday, April 14 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. It's free and open to all 51情报站 faculty, staff, and students. To sign up to complete in the Poetry Slam, email Lucinda Rush at lrush@odu.edu.
Participants will present their original poetry to a live audience and will be judged by a panel chosen from the audience. There will be three rounds, and judges will gauge the quality of the poetry and the presentation. Poets who have read their work and receive the highest ratings from judges will receive prizes. The success of a slam depends on its audience. Walk-ins are welcome. The only requirement is that participants have three pieces of poetry prepared to present. Non-poets are encouraged to come out and cheer for those in the competition. A great audience makes a great slam and can influence the outcome of the competition.
Remica Bingham-Risher, a published poet and Director of Writing and Faculty Development at 51情报站 is involving undergraduate English and Master of Fine Arts program students. "This event highlights the performance aspects," of poetry says Bingham-Risher, who notes that it was traditionally sung or read for a listening audience. The competitive nature of it, she believes recognizes "those who can move the most people."
The 51情报站 Libraries and MFA students are collaborating to organize the event. Last year's emcee Robbie Ciara observed "It's always an event that gathers a lot of excitement within the entire English Department Community. For creative writing classes at the end of the semester, it provides a great source of entertainment and a break from the finals preparation. I have had many aspiring poets contact me after the slam to express their enthusiasm for participating next year. A few first time on-the-mic poets have been very grateful that they had the opportunity to share their work and have appreciated the support the slam brings. Whether you are a writer or not, the slam is always an enjoyable and entertaining time."
The Poetry Slam is just one in a series of events to celebrate National Library Week (April 11-15). The event is sponsored by the 51情报站 Libraries with the enthusiastic involvement of the Master of Fine Arts Program faculty member Remica Bingham-Risher and MFA students.