WORD UP! 2012 Kicks Off January 21 with Spoken Word Poets Showcase

Spoken word poets from around the region will perform their original works to kick off the WORD UP! 2012 Fifth Anniversary celebration. Shaunteka Curry, Will Gillette, Glennwood, Jerri Hardesty, Huggybear Da Poet, Matt Layne, Eric Marabale, and Illyshia Parker are scheduled to perform. There will also be evening programs celebrating the WORD UP! anniversary on Tuesday, March 6, 13, 20, and 27 at 6:30 p.m. (details will be posted closer to the event dates).

A teen poetry workshop led by Real Life Poets will follow the showcase.

Details
WORD UP! Kick Off
Central Library, Arrington Auditorium
Saturday, January 21, 2012
2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.

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WORD UP! is a poetry slam for high school students (grades 9-12) in Jefferson County hosted by the Birmingham Public Library. The students will write and perform an original work inspired by the theme "Milestones." The participants in WORD UP! will be the winners from each school's contest. Each school is responsible for holding its own contest.

The 1st place winner will receive $300; 2nd place $200; and 3rd place $150.

The deadline for schools to sign on to participate is January 31, 2012. Tell your teacher or school librarian that you want to participate. The next slam will be Sunday, April 1, 2012, at 3:30 p.m. at the Central Library, Arrington Auditorium.

For more information call 226-3670 or e-mail hm@bham.lib.al.us. You may also visit http://www.jclc.org/wordup.aspx for details about the contest.

View past WORD UP! performances on YouTube

This program has been made possible by grants from the Alabama State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.