Colorscape welcomes nationally-known poet

NORWICH – Open up that notebook of your old and new poems, stand in front of the mirror and recite your words with passion and conviction, and get yourself ready for the 7th Annual Poetry Slam Competition on Saturday, September 6, at this year’s Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival in downtown Norwich.

What is a poetry slam? If you’ve never seen or participated in a poetry slam, it’s probably not what you’d expect. It can make you laugh, cry, or ponder this world and our existence in it; a poetry slam is entertaining and inspirational, theatrical in many ways, with a spoken word vibe that takes you on an emotional roller coaster. And, of course, at this year’s Colorscape, as always, it’s absolutely free!

“Performance poetry has been growing by leaps and bounds across the country,” says Richard Bernstein, Norwich poet and teacher and organizer of the event. “Each year has seen an increase in our attendance. The reason is that we’re fortunate to combine local talent with some of the biggest names in performance poetry.”

This year’s Slam features Roger Bonair Agard, a native of Trinidad and Tobago and a Cave Canem fellow. Co-founder and artistic director of the louderARTS Project, Roger is author of two collections of poetry, “Tarnish and Masquerade” (Cypher Books, 2006) and “GULLY” (Cypher Books, 2009). He is a two-time National Poetry Slam Champion, has appeared on HBO’s Def Poetry Jam and the MacNeil-Lehrer NewsHour. He has been published in several journals and anthologies and been featured in festivals throughout the world.

“People not experienced with performance poetry, or appreciative of poetry itself, may not fully grasp the caliber of talent that our Slam brings in. But you don’t have to be a poet to enjoy the shear entertainment value of a Poetry Slam,” says Bernstein.

The Colorscape Poetry Slam will be held at the Blarney Stone at 26 South Broad Street in the center of downtown Norwich. The Slam kickoffs at noon with featured performer Roger Bonair Agard, along with the Oneonta State University National Poetry Slam team, which placed fourth in the country at the 2008 National Collegiate Poetry Slam, as well as members of the Highway Poets Motor Cycle Club, featuring local biker-poet J. Barrett Wolf.