Seeking local poets to perform during Open Mic
KINGSTON, R.I. — November 1, 2001 — The University of Rhode Island will present a poetry slam on Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. in the Independence Hall auditorium as part of its fall Honors Colloquium. The event, called “Poetry in Motion: A Sustainability Potion,” is free and open to the public.
“For those who aren’t familiar with poetry slams, it’s been said that they’re part poetry reading, part theater and part game show, and to that I’d add part revival meeting,” said Todd McLeish, public information officer at the University of Rhode Island and coordinator of the event. “The slams I’ve attended have been incredibly fun and powerful entertainment.”
Poetry slams pit poet against poet in a judged, competitive event. Judges are selected randomly from the audience, and heckling of the judges (but not of the poets) is encouraged.
Master of ceremonies for the event will be Ray Davey, the poet laureate of Providence and former coach and captain of the Providence Poetry Slam Team that competes annually at the National Poetry Slam Championships. He is also a speechwriter for Providence Mayor Buddy Cianci.
The URI event will begin with an Open Mic segment, during which local poets and those who’ve never before performed in a poetry slam are encouraged to participate. Poems are limited to three minutes in length and must address an environmental theme. No props or costumes are allowed. A limited number of Open Mic slots are available, so interested poets should contact McLeish at 874-7892 or tmcleish@uri.edu to register.
The highlight of the slam will feature experienced performance poets, including members of the Providence Poetry Slam Team, battling for cash prizes. The Providence team won the national championship in 1998.
For more information about the many other events of the URI Honors Colloquium, visit www.uri.edu/sustainability or call the Honors Program at 874-2303. The major sponsors of the colloquium are The Providence Journal and the Rhode Island Committee for the Humanities.
For Information: Todd McLeish 874-7892