Student poetry club holds opening ceremony to meet with interested members, practice performing and announce new events.
For nearly a decade, Verbal Blend Poetry has recruited students to write, perform and compete in spoken-word poetry. The group kicked off its first event of the semester on Wednesday with performances from both returning and new members.
Coordinator for Student Engagement Cedric Bolton founded the organization in 2007, and has planned writing workshops, open mic nights and poetry slams for this year.
The spoken word program encourages SU student poets to think, write and share original works.
Every week, for six weeks, a group of students gathered in the main lounge of Boland Hall, formed a circle and began to talk. They talked about anything — self-image, relationships, school, politics, social issues, life. Then, they used their spoken thoughts and crafted them into poems.
"Take the Mic" pits poets against poets in a verbal slam contest.
17 poets. Two rounds. One winner.
The battle for the “Take the Mic” poetry slam is this week and contestants will be on fire as they scorch their competition with words. Each poet will recite their best original material for up to three minutes in front of five judges. Points will be awarded for stage presence, content, deliver, originality, and time.
Although the top three poets walk away with prizes, only one will be victorious.