Listen & Be Heard Network Arts News

Go Slamming

Normally, I receive invitations from theatre companies to see their productions in order to write my favorable opinion about them.  This week, my article has a different spin.  On Monday evening, I had happened to wander in the Joseph Room at the JFK Library in Downtown Vallejo.  First of all, I never knew about this wonderful performance space located on the top floor across from the library.  Secondly and mostly, I walked into the middle of a poetry slam.  I was entertained and moved.  It was a theatrical experience of its own kind.

Usually, I review more conventional forms of theatre.  This was a great introduction to a fast growing art form.  Six different artists performed their individual and contrasting pieces.  They were all under the age of 30.  As 41 year old, I appreciated “learning” about their views of the world, politics, relationships, life, and themselves.  They each rhymed in their own rhythms.  Some captured the flavor of the word in elongations or quick utterances. At times, a pause at the end of a phrase would cause the listener to sit in attention.   I was sitting at the edge of my seat, waiting to hear the next word, thought, and expression.  

The rounds were emceed by a Vietnamese-American poet by the name of “Go.”  You can catch him on his website www.ArtisticInsomnia.com.  He appointed several audiences members to judge each poet.  After each poem performed a piece, the judges were to raise number cards with “10” being the highest.  The first place winner received thirty dollars. 

 Though I immensely enjoyed each poet, a few stood out in memory.  The first place winner, “Lucky 7”, had beautiful movement with her arms.  She was strong, yet graceful.  Her movement with her words had contrasting dimensions from sharpness to fluidity.  I spoke with her briefly afterwards.  She graduated from UC Berkeley with a minor in Dramatic Arts and a major in Psychology.

A young woman from Sacramento, “Aria,” stood out for me.  I suppose that it was because that I personally felt connected to her piece about body image.  She described that she didn’t love herself for her curves.  Later, she began to embrace her wonderful human imperfections.  Young women struggle to accept their own physical uniqueness.  I feel that Aria’s piece should be performed for both middle and high school female students. Aria has a background in opera.  She started to express herself in poetry at Listen & Be Heard Poetry Cafe. 

The emcee had performed his work.  As a mother of a three year old, his startling piece ignited rage, anger, and sadness in me.  It reminded me of the brutal reality of the millions of children in modern day slavery.  As now that I am watching my son joyfully playing, I can’t help reflecting on the unfair exploitation of children.   But, I, also, value my time even far more with my son.   Go’s piece has great potential to motivate people to speak up about issues.

 I look forward to experience more poetry slams in the future.  JFK will host another poetry slam on Monday, August 26.  That event will feature teen poets of Vallejo.  Perhaps, the school can catch on this new wave of literacy.  Perhaps, Vallejo residents will realize the richness that already exists in this city.  We have some many great young poets and street dancers in our city.  People of all ages and backgrounds can appreciate them.   They are our modern day Shakespeares and Martha Grahms, after all.

I was not asked nor invited to attend this event.  However, I decided that I must write about it.  Vallejo should feel some pride about this untapped wave of talent.  It is a priceless venue that speaks well of Vallejo’s diverse cultural.  So, let’s slam!

Vallejo Teen Poetry S-L-A-M

John F. Kennedy Library

Joseph Room

Monday August 26

6:30-8:30 PM