Performance poetry competition features current, two-time national champion

NORWICH – As thousands gather in Norwich’s parks in September to take in displays of art and music at Colorscape Chenango, another art form will be featured just down Broad Street.

Poets of all ages, backgrounds and levels of experience will be competing for $300 in prizes on Saturday, Sept. 8 during the 6th annual Performance Poetry Slam competition at the Music Shop Pub, 26 S. Broad St.

“Colorscape’s Poetry Slam is fast becoming one of the premier poetry slams in the country,” said the event’s organizer and local poet and teacher Richard Bernstein.

Nationally competitive poetry slam teams from the State College of Oneonta and Ithaca College will be competing, as well as poets from Syracuse, Binghamton, Salt Lake City, Colgate University and Buffalo.

This year’s slam features a special guest performance by Anis Mojgani, the current and two-time National Poetry Slam champion. Mojgani has been featured on HBO’s Russell Simmons “Def Poetry Jam” and has appeared at slam venues throughout the world. He is an independent visual and performing artist and a graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design. Mojgani has written and performed the spoken word for nearly 10 years and has represented slam teams of New Orleans and New York City in past national competitions.