Readers take note! To celebrate the upcoming performance of spoken word artist, poet and writer Shane Koyczan in Cranbrook, the Cranbrook Townsman/Kimberley Bulletin is hosting a poetry contest.
Koyczan, an internationally renowned spoken word artist, poet and author returns to perform at Key City Theatre in November. With his rhythmic verse in high gear, he navigates his audiences through social and political territory with a furious honesty and a tender humanity that has brought audiences to their feet in New York, London, Edinburgh, Sydney, Stockholm, and Los Angeles, just to name a few.
He has received five-star reviews for his performances around the globe. Winner of the US Slam Poetry Championship and the Canadian Spoken Word Olympics, Koyczan is an extraordinary talent that has blown the dust off of the traditional designation “poet”.
And we have three sets of tickets (two tickets each) to Koyczan’s show of Wednesday, November 1, at the Key City Theatre, for first, second and three prizes for the winning poems. So get writing, get slamming.
The poems themselves can be in any style, but wait — they must be written with performance in mind, and the performance or recitation of a poem must take no more than 60 seconds.
Submissions will be accepted, by email, fax or handed-in hard-copies. You may enter up to three poems. The poems will be judged here at the Townsman by numerous judges and lovers of poetry. The winners may then be recorded reciting their poems for videos, to be posted on our website. If you as the poet are uncomfortable being filmed “slamming” your poem, an actor will do it for you. The public will then be invited to vote for the winning poem. The winner will receive two tickets for what bodes to be a mind-blowing Shane Koyczan concert.
Like Van Morrison said, “Poetic Champions, Compose!” Read your poem out loud at regular speed to make sure it’s 60 seconds or less and then send it to barry.coulter@cranbrooktownsman.com, or drop them off at 822 Cranbrook Street North, V1C 3R9. Deadline for entries is October 13, 2017.
For examples of poets reciting their own work, check out the excellent PBS series “The United States of Poetry” https://vimeo.com/channels/984822/107367741 or check out the Man himself at www.shanekoyczan.com.
