Spoken Word Blog

If you write poetry, I suggest you record yourself performing it. You do not need expensive equipment. You can probably use the camera on a cellphone, or borrow a camcorder from a friend if you do not have one yourself.

You do not need to have experience. At the very least, simply read your poem while taping yourself.

Then you can post it on YouTube, or send me the video and I will post it on this website. If you post it on YouTube, send me the URL of the video, and I will post it on this website.

You can get feedback doing this, which will help you improve your performance ability.

If you write poetry, why not perform it? Why not take the chance to express yourself and share your art? Artistic expression makes the world a much better place in my opinion.

What do you think?

I have received many requests from people seeking spoken word artists and performers for various events around the country. Today I want to make a recommendation to anyone who plans to organize an event. I suggest you find local artists and performers.

As people say, when looking for something, you can often find it right under your nose.

Even if you do not know any famous performers locally, I think you may want to consider enlisting new artists and performers. Many people write poetry, and many people like to perform. Think about how many everyday people enlist in a talent show. Well you can probably get people to perform at a spoken word show in a similar way. Encourage people you know to perform at the show even if they do not have a lot of experience.

What do you think?

In the following video, slam poet Patricia Smith performs her poem Sixth Grade Class at the National Poetry Slam:

She performs very powerfully. I like the poem. I like how she connects the idea of poetry with the children’s view of death. I shuttered at the imitation of children almost excitedly raising their hands about knowing someone who died.

What do you think?

I just read a good article by Brother Said about writing performance poetry for poetry slams.

He first points out the need to write a dramatic poem made for performance.

He also mentions how some people dislike performance poetry for its focus on performance rather than the written word. I guess some people see that as a perversion of poetry, but Brother Said points out that historically poetry started out as an oral tradition based on performance and dramatic structure.

He also offers some advice for constructing good performance poems. He stresses the need to make the poem dramatic.

What do you think?

I have just been notified about an event being hosted by a group of teens called T-Yo. The event will consist of teens performing poetry, music, and such. The event will take place at the Jewish Community Center in North Berkeley on Saturday, March 8th, 2008.

They would love to have some spoken word performers to go. If this interests you, please tell me and I can put you in contact with the coordinator.

Big Lou told me about two YouTube videos each with one of his songs. They are more hip-hop music than spoken word, but they are deep and poetic. I love both songs, and I highly recommend you watch the videos.

The first one, entitled Stop Hittin Me, deals with domestic abuse:

The second video, entitled Crack Head, deals similarly with serious real life issues in a powerful way:

Like I said, I love both the songs. They are catchy and cool like the type songs you would hear on the radio, but these Big Lou songs are so much more real. This is what hip-hop is really about, in my opinion. What do you think?

I received a message from a student at Chapman University in Orange, CA, who wants a spoken word artist to perform on February 19, 2008 at their 1st annual “Rock the Piazza” multicultural concert event.

The concert is a celebration of diversity featuring various styles of dance and culture, as well as a fundraiser and tribute to Michael Belay, founder and CEO of Hands Across the Planet to Poor Youth (H.A.P.P.Y.), who sold his home in California and used the funds to build a school for children in his hometown in Ethiopia, Africa.

The event is scheduled to take place from 4-7pm on Tuesday, February 19, 2008.

If you want to perform in this event, I can email the the student for you.

Today, let me make a few suggestions for how you can find spoken word venues and events.

For around the United States, I found two lists online of spoken word venues and events. Firstly, I found a map which lets you click on your state to see nearby spoken word venues. Secondly, I found another web-page listing spoken word events in a few different places in the United States. I don’t know if those listings are kept up-to-date.

My best recommendation is to go to use craigslist. Craigslist lets you read and post free local classified ads. You can look for listings about spoken word or poetry on there, but more importantly you can post a classified ad asking where you can go locally to see or perform spoken word.

I made a YouTube video about world hunger yesterday. It is not spoken word or even poetry, but it is art, I suppose. Check it out:

What do you think?

I have completed the second step of my plans for this site.

When viewing the artists page, people will be shown only the listings that have an audio and/or video sample. However, viewers can choose whether to view all listings or only view the ones with samples. But by default only the ones with samples will be displayed.

This will be convenient for people who do not want to be overwhelmed with a bunch of text-only listings.

If you notice any errors, please tell me. If you have any suggestions, please post them. Thanks!