From 2007 to 2010 I participated in numerous SLAM competitions, sharing the stage with some of the best slam poets locally and nationally. I grew from a young writer-poet who knew absolutely NOTHING about the competitive side of poetry to a slightly older one who had learned quite a bit through her travels; slam rock-stars, ma’ams, veterans, and friends; and countless ‘bouts.’ I learned how to engage an audience in 3 minutes and 10 seconds (sometimes less) through words and body movement. I learned how to synchronize those words and body movements… How to be comfortable and confident in what I was saying… How to place nervous energy into the performance of my pieces… How to NEVER take pulling the 1 or 2 too seriously. Lol! I became fairly decent at slams, winning a few here and there. What I did not learn, however, was how to engage my audience beyond this.
In slam there is no talking, no introducing your poems or the inspiration behind them. You do not have to find commonalities between poems to link poems in a 3-round bout, you just spit and sit down, spit and sit down, spit and sit down. On the other side of slam, there are features. Features can range anywhere from 20 minutes to 1 hour and are very different in that you have to do more than JUST poetry. There’s the in-between/ the monologues/ what you’ll say to your audience before and after you’ve recited your poem so not to bore them, and this must be just as engaging as the poem itself.
I was asked to do a 20 minute set last Friday at an event in Stone Mountain, Ga. The event was DOPE! My performance was pretty good… well, that’s what everyone told me. Lol! If you ask me, it “felt”, hmmm... okay (I’ve yet to watch the video recording of it. There’s just something about watching myself that is a bit unnerving). It was the in-between/ the monologue, etc. that kinda threw my mojo off in the beginning. One would think that talking to a group of people—especially for someone whose performed in front of various size crowds—is fairly simple. It’s just talking, right? WRONG. I waited ‘til the last minute to prepare. Rushing through my talking points while taking shower, getting dress, curling locs. Needless to say, I stumbled through the in-betweens at the beginning of my set. It wasn’t bad, but it was noticeable.
On the other side of slam, features aren't JUST about the poem. It's also about how personable you are with the crowd--whether or not you can connect with them in some form or fashion beyond 3minutes and 10seconds. I think many slam poets forget/ don't realize this.... that this too is apart of the performance, and is the piece apart of the whole that makes for a great set. And it still requires preparation & practice as well. After all, you are still on a time constraint--wouldn't want to go off into a rant.
As I lay low from the slam scene for a while, I've come to realize that this side of poetry is a little different than what I'm use to, but I'm looking forward to growing and learning more--again through travels; spoken word artist/poet rock-stars, veterans, and friends who do this on a regular; and countless of opportunities!
So, (*raising wine glass*) here's looking to the other side of slam. ;-)
Hope Springs Women's Retreat - 2011
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| Hope Springs |
Earlier this week, I was asked to participate in a video project for a fundraising campaign for Hope Springs Institute’s Women’s Poetry & Performance Retreat. What would I say, I thought, about this space that has, for the past two years, been a safe haven for me… my sanctuary and refuge?
Hope Springs sits at the foothill of Ohio’s Southern Appalachian Mountains. It reminds you of the country in the deep south (before technology)… your grand-mama’s house equipped with hammocks, back-woods, good eating, wise-women, and valuable lessons. Just thinking about this place brings me to tears. It’s that deep.
I was sent a list of questions to think about prior to the recording.
1. What did you gain from the retreat?
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| Spirit House |
Because of the type of environment the retreat is held in and the energy that is there, it allows a lot of room for reflection. The Sprit House and Labyrinth, for instance, are great spaces for this and has provided me with priceless moments.
Last year on the very last day of the retreat I was sitting in the Spirit House and this song, “wait in the water, wait in the water children, wait in the water…” kept rising up in my spirit. I didn’t know why, but felt the need to sing it aloud. I did. A few weeks later, I was called into my boss’ office for an emergency meeting. Immediately, this song rose up in my spirit, again, and I was taken back to the Spirit House and there was a sense of peace that came over me. The meeting turned out to be about a major shift that would increase my work-load tremendously. Had I not gone to the retreat weeks prior, I probably would have flipped out.
I’ve also gained invaluable friendships. The women that I’ve met through this retreat are simply wonderful and so very dear to me.
2. How has the retreat changed your life?
The retreat is like an annual cleansing for me; I feel rejuvenated whenever I leave. It has placed me on a path of healing and has also birthed in me a determination and courage to face my fears.
Before the retreat I was ANXIOUS (i.e., worried about something). Now I am AT PEACE.
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| Labyrinth. (After walking the labyrinth last year I recieved a message to "Excel." I realized that I was so afraid of my own self it prevented me from fulfilling my purpose) |
Every year I’ve gone to Hope Springs’ Women’s retreat, I was dealing with some issue—sometimes consciously, sometimes subconsciously. Either or, the retreat was just what I needed as it helped me to work through whatever issue I was going through at the time. Opposed to keeping bottled up, it allowed a SAFE space for me to open up and talk about it, write about it, sing about it or whatever with people I knew without a shadow of doubt I could trust.
4. If you have never attended a retreat, why is it important to have spaces for women writers?
At the last retreat, one of the facilitators, Jessica Care Moore said, “I am a writer and I am relevant.” Spaces like Hope Springs are extremely essential to women writer’s and women, in general, because we have a voice--often times lost in a patriarchal society--but nonetheless, a voice and it is significant and needs to be heard.
I also want to note here that this retreat is not ONLY for women writers/poets. We ALL have voices that are pertinent to the society we live in and the people around us. I’ve seen women from all walks of life--old and young; Black, Italian, and White; from doctors to secretaries attend this retreat and walk away feeling restored.
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| Rocker - Hope Springs Farmhouse proch Photo by MeaLee Thomas |
I hope something in the answers I’ve decided to share has inspired you to check this retreat out. I LOVE Hope Springs and the Women’s Poetry & Performance Retreat there’s nothing else like it in the world!
This year’s theme for Hope Springs’ Women’s Retreat is, “I am deliberate and afraid of nothing.” In previous years, Hope Springs has taught me, and I’m sure others, that nothing is a mistake. We all have a purpose and must walk in that purpose without fear. I understand that this is easier said than done. Maybe because you’re not sure what your purpose is. …And maybe you are, but fear is in the way. Either way, I recommend this retreat to set you on the right path to being who you are purposed to be.
Registration BEFORE May 1, 2011 is only $400.00. This includes: room & board; breakfast, lunch, and dinner; and any supplies you may need during workshop time. You CAN'T beat that for $400.00--anywhere!
Please stay tuned for more information about Hope Springs’ Women’s Poetry & Performance Retreat Fundraising Campaign through Indiegogo. In the meantime, visit Hope Springs’ Website to learn more about the space and the retreat. You may also visit Hope Springs’ Women’s Poetry and Performance Retreat on Facebook.
THIS FR!DAY - APRIL 15th
We have HBO Def Poet Jon Goode, Slam Poet April Ap Smith, Comedian Tim Murray, Black Top Comedy Improv,
DJ Genius, Comedian C Davis, Food, Vendors, and Great People!
http://hollalujah.eventbrite.com/ for tickets!
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