Student life: Fall 2014 Poetry Slam

CU-Boulder's Program Council, Dennis Small Cultural Center and CU Late Night will host the Fall 2014 Poetry Slam on Friday, Nov. 14, at 8 p.m. in the UMC room 235. The event is free and open to the public.

The event will be hosted by Denver slam poet Suzi Q. Smith, who has been writing and performing poetry since her teenage years.

Ten CU-Boulder students will compete in the slam: Tolu Obiwole, Mike Malpiedi, Emily Connelly, Mark Gould, Heidi Weingardt, Lucas Peel, Ryan Ellis, Thiti Thananchapornsakun, Penelope Baggs and Topaz Hooper.

Gould answered a few questions about what drew him to slam poetry:

Q: What inspired you to start writing slam poetry

A:  I was inspired to write slam poetry because I often find myself too quiet and reserved in my daily life. The stage gives me the ability to unleash my inner passion. Poets such as Anis Mojgani and Andrea Gibson (Boulder’s finest) have also been a huge inspiration.

Q: Who do you hope to impact with your poetry

A: I can only hope that anyone out there finds my voice in a similar fashion as I’ve found so many poets before me. 

Q: The theme for this years slam is old school hip hop, who is your favorite old school artist? 

A: Having grown up in Brooklyn during the 90s, I consider it to be the only true form of hip hop. My favorites are Mos Def, Notorious BIG, and A Tribe Called Quest.

Photo: Mark Gould performing slam poetry on stage. Photo courtesy of Gould.