10 years of cultivating voices through writing, publication, and performance education. Through creative writing, Hamilton You Poets helps people from all backgrounds to understand the importance of their own stories and those of others, so that they can pursue the path they choose and work to make their communities more just and equitable. For a decade, HYP has seen the transformation that occurs
when a person is given the opportunity to tell the world who they are. Shaping their experiences into a poem helps folks from all highways and byways see themselves more fully; sharing those experiences helps others see them more fully, closing the distance between people who are not typically in proximity with one another. To this, we aim to provide
* ARTISTIC LEARNING AND EXPRESSION: Create art that tells authentic stories
Think critically about works of art. Recognize and employ literary techniques
*SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING: Be empowered. Contribute to an environment where people from all backgrounds feel welcomed and respected. Recognize the importance of all personal narratives
* ACADEMIC SUCCESS AND FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS: Engage in learning. Turn an idea into a completed work
Each month we provide a series of community workshops, events, and a poetry slam
Whats a Slam? : A competition where you perform original work and are scored by random audience members. Once a month HYP holds a slam where our community can express themselves in a supportive environment. Note:
Youth should have at least three poems prepared to perform. Two for the slam and one just in case there needs to be a tie-breaker. Random judges will be assigned from the audience and will score you. Remember have fun and be yourself! :)
POEM CONTENT, FORM, STRUCTURE:
1. All poems must be the original work of the poet(s) performing them. Plagiarized poems will be disqualified (i.e. Note: direct quotations, allusions, or clear inspiration typically do not count as plagiarism. When in doubt, message us or check with the Slam Master before the slam begins.
2. Content matter should not exceed a PG-13 rating, i.e. avoid excessive violence, s*xually explicit content or language, profanity, discriminatory language, or language which is degrading to any group of people. Poems may still deal with the ideas or notions of violence, s*x, profanity, discrimination, or degradation (and so on), but should not perpetuate such things. Each content violation, as determined by the slam master, will result in a 0.5-point penalty to the score
(reminder: poets may protest penalties or the lack thereof).
3. Poems may last up to 3 minutes and 10 seconds before time penalties are assessed. Time penalties shall be 0.5 points for every 10 seconds over the time allotment (rounded up). After 4 minutes and 10 seconds, poems will be disqualified (receiving a score of 0.0).
4. Poets may not feature props, musical accompaniment, or costumes. Poets may, however, stomp, clap, snap, sing, beatbox, etc., so long as all noises are created by the interaction between the poet’s body, the stage, and/or the microphone.
5. Beyond these rules, there are no restrictions placed on the form, content, or structure of the poems or the performances thereof. There are prizes to be won and friends to be made at every slam...
So come out and get your slam on!! HOW AWESOME IS THAT? It's only $5
If you want to volunteer at the show as a scorekeeper or timekeeper or have an idea, want a specific workshop... or just want to say hi
Contact Tee for more info
HYPSLAM [email protected]
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