Last night of Winter’s Words promises to be explosive.
Event organizer Lysanne Charles said that the theme of the last night would be The Naked Truth: Sounds and Fury. The featured poets are all expected recite several poems in line with that theme, though they do have some liberty to deviate in order to read other pieces.
The poets scheduled to perform are Sharella Richarson, Roberto Arrindell, Stephen "Stretch" Rodney and Lucinda "LaRich" Audain.
"Last week's theme was just The Naked Truth and Giovanni "Gino" Olivacce and I performed. I have to say for the both of us, I think that night we stepped up both our poetic games and opened up to our audience in new ways," Charles said.
Charles said the poems of the night had covered education migration, love lost, healing, molestation, and mental illness and noted that the audience had really responded well to both performers.
"For me it was the first time performing all my pieces to music and trying to do something tangibly different with my performances. I loved it and I enjoyed the feedback so I think I will do more of that in the future and of course encourage the other poets to do so as well. Gino was explosive as as expected and really delved deep into issues many people would shy away from. His delivery as well as his content was powerful," Charles said.
She said that she was in discussion with Clara Reyes of Imbali Center for Creative Movement to have several workshops with the poets to further develop their spoken word and performance skills. These workshops would most probably take place between March and April of 2012, but definitely before July's Summer Speaks.
Charles said that during the open mic parts of the evening one of her PSVE students Gabriella Pensa had recited a poem she had written for the school's upcoming fourth form showcase themed Our History. Marianne Tefft had also performed several pieces to the delight of the audience. Audience members were also treated to songs from rising local singers Morenika Arrindell and Julia Bates.
"We really opened up the show to the full participation of the audience and everyone had a great time at the end of the night. We had a really delicious, abundant hors d'oeuvres plate and some drinks at the beginning of the night prepared and served by Top Carrot's Peter and Lydia Bonev.
Charles encouraged all poetry aficionados to come out and support the poets on Wednesday night.
"Unfortunately this is the last night of the season, but already I know of some poetry events in the works, both on the Dutch and French side with Lucinda "LaRich" Audain and Melissa "One Poet" Fleming, so we, as local artists are doing our part and now we need publics to do their parts and support the efforts," Charles said.
Cost of the evening is $15, which includes a great platter of food and one drink of choice. Reservations should be made with Charles at 586-1266 or at Top Carrot Restaurant at 544-3381.