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TechnographIllini Union Courtyard Cafe to host poetry slam Friday
By Christine Kim
Posted: 11/4/05 Section: News
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The Illini Union Courtyard Cafe will hold a poetry slam featuring the Welfare Poets and DJ VerACEcious Friday from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m.
There is a $2 admission fee for the general public and free admission for University students.
The poetry slam, which is hosted by Blue Room, an open mic poetry set by La Casa Cultural Latina, will offer an open mic feature and a performance by the Welfare Poets, a group of activists, educators and artists from New York.
The Welfare Poets have traveled over the country for 15 years, teaching workshops, doing poetry readings, and performing music that incorporates Hip Hop, Bomba y Plena, Latin Jazz and others.
"Through artistic expression, whether it's poetry, art, dance, or music, they convey their world views in a unique manner others can relate to," said Heidy Valenzuela, junior in LAS and member of La Casa Cultural Latina.
The Blue Room hosts two poetry slams a month, usually at the La Casa building. However, the Illini Union will be holding the first one in November.
"Coordinating with the Illini Union will bring a different crowd," said Veronica M. Kann, assistant director of La Casa Cultural Latina. "We might get people who wouldn't think about going to a slam with poets. I think by holding it in the Union, we are widening a potentially larger audience."
Former University students Teresita Ayala and Cristina Pacione-Zayas founded the Blue Room in 1999. Although it died out last year with no events occurring in the fall, this year Blue Room hosted several poetry slams and are collaborating with other organizations to co-sponsor events.
"We use the Blue Room not only as the events that occur on Fridays, but also as an umbrella for other poetry events that we sponsor or co-sponsor," Kann said. "It's important for us to do events with academic units ... and student groups."
Poetry slams provide an aspect of an open mic poetry set, which is different from other performances and events.
There is a $2 admission fee for the general public and free admission for University students.
The poetry slam, which is hosted by Blue Room, an open mic poetry set by La Casa Cultural Latina, will offer an open mic feature and a performance by the Welfare Poets, a group of activists, educators and artists from New York.
The Welfare Poets have traveled over the country for 15 years, teaching workshops, doing poetry readings, and performing music that incorporates Hip Hop, Bomba y Plena, Latin Jazz and others.
"Through artistic expression, whether it's poetry, art, dance, or music, they convey their world views in a unique manner others can relate to," said Heidy Valenzuela, junior in LAS and member of La Casa Cultural Latina.
The Blue Room hosts two poetry slams a month, usually at the La Casa building. However, the Illini Union will be holding the first one in November.
"Coordinating with the Illini Union will bring a different crowd," said Veronica M. Kann, assistant director of La Casa Cultural Latina. "We might get people who wouldn't think about going to a slam with poets. I think by holding it in the Union, we are widening a potentially larger audience."
Former University students Teresita Ayala and Cristina Pacione-Zayas founded the Blue Room in 1999. Although it died out last year with no events occurring in the fall, this year Blue Room hosted several poetry slams and are collaborating with other organizations to co-sponsor events.
"We use the Blue Room not only as the events that occur on Fridays, but also as an umbrella for other poetry events that we sponsor or co-sponsor," Kann said. "It's important for us to do events with academic units ... and student groups."
Poetry slams provide an aspect of an open mic poetry set, which is different from other performances and events.
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