From early Greek playwrights to contemporary rappers, the power of words has been used to highlight issues and instigate change. The third annual St. Albert Library Teen Poetry Slam is on tap for Saturday, April 25.
From early Greek playwrights to contemporary rappers, the power of words has been used to highlight issues and instigate change.
The third annual St. Albert Library Teen Poetry Slam is on tap for Saturday, April 25. There is a call to all high school lyricists, poets, rappers, writers, spoken word artists – any clever wordsmith that has a gift for creating imagery and rhythm – to sign up.
Words indeed, are louder than a bomb. For teenagers poetry can be heady stuff, and a poetry slam is a great platform to articulate issues in life ranging from dating, romance, parental divorce and death to drugs, alcohol and environmental issues.
It's one of the best avenues to express emotions – abuse, fear, anger, love, joy and wonderment. They are all part of the spectrum poetry slammers dive into.
Organizer Geoff Manderscheid says that with each passing year, the teen wordsmiths have grown stronger and bolder and as a result, the slams are more exciting.
“The kids are being recognized as artists. They're bringing culture to the city. This isn't just someone reading a poem. It's performance poetry. There's a message in the text and art in the performance. It's for the audience. It's not about your moment on the stage. It's about giving the audience your best. That changes the context as opposed to going up and doing a rant. And it's a competition,” says Manderscheid.
So far, about 14 students have signed up from Bellerose Composite High, Paul Kane High and several surrounding area schools.
“One mother whose daughter is doing home schooling called. Her daughter is in Grade 7 and wanted to compete. She's younger than most of the other kids, but this is her thing. I was pretty surprised but it's the best news I could get,” he adds.
Several of the Bellerose competitors, coached by Karen May Healey, are so serious about poetry slams, they are travelling to Calgary this weekend to compete in Can You Hear Me Now?, Alberta's provincial school poetry slam. They are some of the best performance poets competing for $500 in prize money.
“We're going to form a caravan going to Calgary. I want to see what a professional poetry slam is like and I want to see what I can bring back to St. Albert.”
“Together Paul and Karen are pretty much the driving force. They've made such a difference and such a contribution. The kids want us there and we're going to perform.”
In addition to exhibiting the power of poetry, singer-songwriter Emily Green has been invited to present a set. The Bellerose High acoustic soloist will be spliced down the middle of slam.
“She lays down some soulful music. About a month ago, she was playing at a coffee shop and it stopped when she started singing.”
Three local businesses have stepped up with prizes: Jack's Burger Shack, Glasshouse Bistro and the Art Gallery of St. Albert gift shop.
To register call Manderscheid at 780-418-6621.
