The island will be introduced to a literary genres and art form previously unseen on Orcas on April 24 at 7 p.m. at Doe Bay Resort café.
Artsmith, an Orcas nonprofit supporting writers and visual artists, will feature three experienced performance poets from Seattle in a poetry competition, or poetry slam.
“Poetry slams are great because they’re so no-holds-barred,” said Artsmith assistant director Jennifer Brennock. “It is simply not your standard snooze poetry reading. You never know what you’ll hear that will shock or shake you.”
The three poets competing are Greg Brisendine, Maya Hersh, and Steven Wilbur. All three frequent the Seattle Poetry Slam.
“It’s extremely rare to see these poets in one sitting without being in a major city,” Brennock said.
Brisendine has competed in three consecutive Seattle Grand Slams. His chapbooks are called “One Lap Around” and “A Cautionary Tale.” Brisendine says his poetry will make you better at parallel parking and appreciate yogurt more – the fruit on the bottom kind.
Wilbur’s sharp reflections on childhood have been described as graceful and “dope” by slam organizers. Wilbur is known for his philosophic and unwavering discussions of truth.
Originally from the East Coast, Hersh is a co-champion of the 2009 Seattle Grand Slam and has competed twice on a National Poetry Slam finals stage. She has been featured in Pangaia magazine and on NPR. Hersh has performed at venues across the United States and Canada and has four chapbooks and a CD of her work.
Local writer Carlos José Camblor will serve as slammaster for the event and will host a writers’ open mic in addition to the slam. The audience will determine the winner.
Because it is an open forum, adult language is expected at the poetry slam. There is no admission, but donations will be accepted to help defray travel costs. For info about all Artsmith literary events, call 376-2025 or visit http://www.orcasartsmith.org.
Check out Greg Brisendine performing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2R_6lanS0Ps&feature=related
