A&E

Lafayette poets head to national slam contest

by Dominick Cross

At the Festival Slam, 10 poets, five per team, recited their original works. The artists each had their own unique style in their writing and presentations, which made for a very entertaining and engaging competition.

In an upset during Festival International de Louisiane, the Lafayette Poetry Slam Team topped the highly acclaimed New Orleans Poetry Slam Team and will now participate in the National Poetry Slam set for in Charlotte, N.C., in August.

Lafayette's team is made up of Grand Slam Champion Yahfu "the Prodigal Son," Hungry-Hungry, Spirit Soul, Peaka and Traverse.

At Festival, Spoken Innovation Literary Organization, which promotes the creation and performance of poetry in our community, hosted a Poetry Slam (contest) downtown.

At the Festival Slam, 10 poets, five per team, recited their original works. The artists each had their own unique style in their writing and presentations, which made for a very entertaining and engaging competition.

Thought-provoking themes, inspiring anecdotes and the rhythm of the word moved a standing-room only audience. Interestingly enough, it is members of the audience who do the judging. Since Poetry Slams began in the 80s, it is customary that the judges be picked randomly from the audience. They are given a front row seat and take their task very seriously.

The Blumenthal Performing Arts of Charlotte was instrumental in bringing the 23rd annual program to their city which will attract over 5,000 poetry lovers from NYC to Honolulu, Toronto to Houston, as well as book publishers, talent scouts and Hollywood agents.

For more information go here.