Once again it is time to celebrate the voices of 21st century St. Albert youth.
The second annual St. Albert Library Teen Poetry Slam is on Saturday afternoon with a dozen teens – artists and leaders – taking the stage and using their words to speak the power of truth.
Returning to the podium is last year’s champ, Grade 11 student Deen Nault, a nominee at the 2014 Mayor’s Celebration of the Arts Awards.
There are limited activities for youth with a literary bent, and as a writer, poet and slam performer, Nault was immediately attracted to the inaugural poetry slam.
“Last year a lot of people went to watch and ended up reading. The environment was so easygoing. A lot of people who came ended up writing in other places. It was a good place to be inspired by other people. It was incredible to see the event put on and see the community develop before your eyes and being part of it,” said Nault.
His winning poem last year was Time, a work that describes how time places limits on people.
“Time personifies the enemy you fight against until you realize time is everywhere and you have to deal with it,” he said.
Geoff Manderscheid, library assistant and slam organizer, witnessed Nault’s performance and was floored.
“He put his heart on the line and it happened to be very powerful and moving. I was pretty blown away. It was an electrifying day. Just the style and how he read the poem was full of confidence. He was someone who understands what it takes to be a performance artist,” Manderscheid explained.
“There was a bit of swagger and he had the ability to verbally box with his opponents. It was not a narcissistic rambling of his life but a sharing of the times and what goes on in the community.”
Nault, who is shocked by the high rates of teenage suicides, plans to perform a slightly more political piece at this year’s event.
In addition to Nault, students from Bellerose, Paul Kane, St. Albert Catholic High, and W.D. Cuts school will reveal their most personal thoughts and feelings.
“You’ll hear from the weird, the foolish, the lovers, the artists, the meek, the confused, the angry and the confident,” Manderscheid noted.
Judging the event is performance artist Troy Sherdahl, Karen Moore-McIntyre and Edmonton’s poet laureate Mary Pinkoski.
“And we expect our audience to be interactive. We want them to roar for the poets they like and stomp their feet for the poets they pretend to hate,” Manderscheid said.
Local businesses Glasshouse Bistro, Jack’s Burger Shack and Cloud Nine are donating various prizes. The winner takes all with additional prize draws.
The slam runs from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in St. Albert Public Library’s Forsythe Hall.
St. Albert Library Teen Poetry Slam<br />Saturday, April 26 from 2 to 4 p.m.<br />Forsythe Hall in St. Albert Public Library<br />Free
