What’s Happening at Slam High?

Slam Finals

Dear Fans of Slam High and of Spoken Word poetry:

HERE is your chance to strut your stuff and support our teens!

This Friday, July 11, at 7 p.m.,
you can have 4 minutes of Microphone time...and if you wish, a chance to be judged by the Rochester Teen Slam Team to be named Slamathon Champion 2008!

What do you need to do? Raise at least $25 in your own money or in pledges to get your slot in the lineup to burn up the microphone! Every poem honored,
be it close observation, sexy sizzle, philosophical musing, political rant, romantic meanderings...You name it!

Click here for a flyer to gather sponsors.

If you can’t perform, at least support!

The Rochester Teen Poets Win Second Place in the Regional Teen Slam!    

The Rochester Teen Poets traveled to New York City on Saturday, June 14th to compete in the Northeast Regional Teen Slam. The six-poet team placed second in their preliminary against UrbanWord NYC, Providence, RI, and City University of New York. They advanced to a final head-to-head bout against UrbanWord NYC, New Jersey and Philadelphia where they placed second to Philadelphia, the 2007 National championship team.

The Rochester team, housed at Writers & Books, is made up of students from various high schools that competed in the Rochester Grand Slam Off on April 26th: Charnequa Cook (Wilson High, Senior), Mike Gerbina (W. Irondequoit, Senior), Odyssey Harris (Edison Tech, Senior), Elliot Powless (Edison Tech, Junior), and Shanterra Randle (Wilson High, Senior) coached by Reenah Golden and Robert Ricks.     

Throughout the event which was sponsored by UrbanWord at the historic Nuyorican Poets Café in Manhattan’s lower east side, the Rochester team also registerd new voters as part of their “one mic. ond vote.” campaign. Afterwards the teams went out for pizza, bonding, poetry ciphers and an exhilarating discussion of poetry and politics.    

The coaches were very pleased with the results. “Traveling outside of Rochester to allow these young poets to share and experience the power of spoken word continues to be one of our most fulfilling experiences at Slam High. I think the teens get so much out of hearing other teens create art and address issues and having audiences hear and respond to their personal contributions as well,” said Reenah Golden who founded the program and serves as Artistic Director.    

Next stop: Washington, D.C! The teens head to the Brave New Voices International Youth Poetry Slam Festival, July 15 – 20 as one of 60 invited teams competing and participating in a weeklong conference hosted by YouthSpeaks and to be filmed by HBO. The team also continues to perform and fundraise locally. If you would like to contribute to the expenses for this exceptional group of teenagers and help underwrite their travel, their training, and local appearances, you can send a check to: Writers & Books, “Slam High,” 740 University Avenue, 14607 or call the front desk (585) 473-2590 x 107 to charge it. DVDs are now available for the 2nd Annual Rochester Grand Slam Off at Hochstein. Get your copy today for $15!! To learn more, visit: www.wab.org <http://www.wab.org>  and click “Teen Slam.” To book the team for your event, write: slamhigh@frontiernet.net.       

The 2008 Slam High Team has been chosen and are ready for bookings for your event. Please email Reenah Golden @ slamhigh@frontiernet.net call 473-2590 x 10_?? for bookings.

Team ‘08

Charnequa Cook (Wilson High, Senior)
Elliott Powless (Edison Tech, Junior)
Mike Gerbino (West Irondequoit, Senior)
Odyssey Harris (Edison Tech, Senior)
Shanterra Randle (Wilson High, Senior)
Sharese King (School of the Arts, Senior)

Additional 2008 Finalists who may perform:
Agapé Towns (East High, Junior)
Allen Williams (School of the Arts, Senior)
Ja’Daiza Johnson (Brockport High, Junior)
Kara Alexander (School of the Arts, Senior)

Coach/Artistic Director, Reenah Golden
Assistant Coach, Robert Ricks


Additional funding and support has been provided by
University of Rochester Warner Graduate School of Education, Teen Empowerment and Partners for Arts Education


Upcoming Appearances

Westside Farmer’s Market, 841 Genesee Street - Tuesdays, 6-8pm

3/31, 10 – 3 pm Salon De Mayo @ Westside Farmer’s Market, 841 Genesee Street

6/7, 1:00pm Aberdeen Square Fair, Aberdeen Square Park

6/14, 3 – 6 pm 2nd Annual Northeast Regional Teen Poetry Slam, Nuyorican Poets Café (New York, NY)

7/3, 6 – 8pm, 10TH Annual Maafa: Day of Remembrance “To Build a Better Come-Unity, Durand Eastman Park-Shoreline

7/14-7/19 Brave New Voices 11th Annual International Youth Poetry Slam Festival (Washington, D.C.)

If you would like to contribute to the expenses for this exceptional group of teenagers and help underwrite their travel, their training, and local appearances, make a donation by check to:
Writers & Books, "SLAM HIGH," 740 University Avenue, 14607 or to charge it call the front desk (585) 473-2590 x107

2nd Annual Rochester Grand Slam Off at Hochstein DVD now available!
Get your copy today at the Writers & Books Bookstore. $15 +plus tax!!

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