Conversations With Poets
ltab preliminary bout/ Chicago interview/ upcoming events
Earlier this month, Hamilton Youth Poetry Slam launched Canada’s first youth spoken word and hip-hop festival, Louder Than A Bomb 2014 (LTAB) . Modelled after the poetry festival, founded in Chicago by Kevin Coval and Anna West, LTAB was meant to function as an opportunity for Hamilton youth, all originating from diverse backgrounds, to congregate in the downtown core and engage in public discourse under the guise of competition.
Yes, the Slam is technically an artistic competition in which points are assigned to pieces and prizes or bragging rights are often won, however the true prize is the opportunity to speak. It is also an opportunity, for the audience, to hear the eloquent and passionate words of these young poets.
Preliminary Bout
If you were at the Preliminary Bout on May 2nd, then you are aware of just how insightful and profound many of the poets were that night. Reoccurring themes involving mental health, education, and politics, race, and sexuality proved that the youth of this city are often more aware of the issues that directly, or indirectly, affect them. They are so willing to speak honestly, and when they do their words often cause us to reflect on the way that we perceive young people in Canada.
The Preliminary Bout, was an amazing experience, and I look forward to LTAB championships now that the poets have heard each others works and have a chance to respond or share more stories that they believe need to be heard. Regardless of how competitive individuals may be, the end of Prelims resulted in poets beginning to introduce themselves to one another, forming bonds that will only serve to strengthen and unite this city.
Last year’s HYP team (which will be replaced by the 2014 HYP team to be chosen during the May 25, Finals) was ineligible to compete in LTAB 2014. Instead, they were tasked with aiding in the organization of the festival.
During March 2014 , in preparation for Canada’s first LTAB competition, Hamilton Youth Poetry Slam sent two youth poets to Chicago to experience the festival in it's birthplace.
We asked poets Kevan and Eddie to answer a few questions regarding their experience in Chicago, and wanted to share their story with you.
Chicago Interview
1. When you found out you were going to Louder Than A Bomb Chicago, what were your reactions?
Eddie: I was extremely intrigued. I had to heard a lot about LTAB and was excited to see what it was all about.
Kevan: I was elated I couldn’t believe I had the opportunity to experience such a phenomenal festival. I mean it is not often that you get to go to the birth place of spoken word; goose bumps swam up my spine.
2. What were you expecting?
Eddie: I truly tried to go in there with an open mind and just soak in all in.
Kevan: I was expecting to learn; I wanted to learn from the organizers, from the spoken word artist, and from the teaching artist; I was thirst for all the knowledge I could possibly take in.
3. Describe the experience.
Eddie: It was incredible! It was legit the grandest stage I've ever seen for poetry. I instantly became envious of everyone who was able to grace the stage. But it was not only a humbling experience but an educational one as well. I learned so much about establishing the necessary environment so poetry can flourish as much as it has in LTAB communities. I also gained a ton of friends in the progress
Kevan: I fell in love with spoken word all over again! I’ve never seen so much passion contained in one place, it felt as if Chicago became and jar filled with thunder; the energy was truly electric. Each moment became engraved in my memory banks; the workshops were incredibly informative and the performances made every hair on your body standup, while compelling your fingers to snap. All of the youth poets truly poured out their souls every performance; they inspired me to write and perform better. The city itself is a work of art, literally there are unbelievable paintings everywhere; it feels as if you are inside one of Leonardo da Vinci’s dreams. The people are proud but kind; there were several times that I didn’t know where I was going and many strangers leant a hand, pushing me in the right direction. If I had to some up my experience in one word it would be euphoric.
4. What was it like to be in Chicago, with all those youth poets from all over the world?
Eddie: Being in Chicago (birthplace of slam poetry) with all poets from all over the world felt like home. I was able to be my poetic self, talk about poetry all day long and without people thinking I was weird.
Kevan: Being with poets from all over the world felt like I was in an artistic heaven, where I didn’t have to worry about being too weird or going too in depth with my thoughts, for everyone there possessed the same innate traits. It was a truly humbling experience that I wish I could have on a daily basis.
5. What moment during the trip stuck out to you the most? Which poem/poet/team?
Eddie: My favorite moment was actually not a poem, but it was a conversation me and Kevan had about life. It allowed me to se just how important it is to love yourself and help others to love themselves as well.
Kevan: The moment that stuck out the most to me was actually not the poetry ( not to take away from the poetry because it was truly mind blowing) it was late at night when all the poets from all over came together and had conversations and played artistic games. It was a beautiful thing because there we all were, none of us knew each other before that week, but we all had a common love spoken word; showing that writing, poetry, spoken word, and art has no barriers and sees no color.
6. What did you learn from this trip?
Eddie: I learned so much about love, the essence of poetry, and the behind the scenes of poetry and organizing. I'm usually the most competitive person in the HYP family but Chicago allowed me to step away from competing and view the bigger picture.
Kevan: I learned that poetry/spoken word can truly make a change and if used correctly it will impact the world in a way that has not yet been seen.
7. What do you think Hamilton needs to do to be on the same level as Chicago?
Eddie: We are already at the same level as Chicago, we just need to believe in ourselves and by doing that we will eventually get others to believe in us as well.
Kevan: Time and belief, we have everything else and the love from spoken word here is multiplying exponentially !
8. Have you grown due to going on this trip? How so?
Eddie: I grew up so much, I practically learned everything about poetry that wasn't performing and writing
Kevan: It changed me in many ways but my growth as a writer/ performer was greatly impacted; I realized that all of my poems should be used to send a message and to give a voice to those who have been silenced. It also reminded me to stay true to myself and to do everything with love in my heart.
9. What are you personally bringing back from your experience? What should HYP bring back?
Eddie: Personally I'm bringing the tools and the belief that Hamilton is the LTAB Chicago. I believe HYP brought back the same things as well.
Kevan: I brought back the belief that HYP can really do something great to change the lives of all of the youth not only in our community but in Canada. It will take a lot of hard work but it will definitely happen. I think HYP brought back the same.
10. How do you think others will benefit from going to Chicago? How will the benefit from Hamilton’s festival?
Eddie: I think both experiences will be quite similar, both are based on beautiful, organic poetry from youth. Both will inspire and educate audiences. Chicago has just been around longer.
Kevan: They will have a similar experience at both places, it will be an experience that gets them closer to their emotions and it will force them to become more objective thinkers, resulting in their perspective on the world changing.
11. Anything you would like to add?
Eddie: If you don't come out to Hamilton's LTAB you will greatly miss out.
Kevan: Everyone should make the journey to Chicago as it is the Mecca of spoken word.
I think that the words of Eddie and Kevan speak for themselves. If you want to know more about the HYP Slam, feel free to check out the Facebook page. If you would like to hear what the Hamilton youth have to say, below are our next events.
I hope you have a lovely Thursday!
Upcoming Events
May 25: HYP Finals featuring: Mary Pinkoski
May 28: LTAB Championships featuring: Malcolm London
RSVP on Facebook for both events (click events for links). Note that there is a workshop on May 28, 2014 at Hamilton Public Library. Refer to the event for more details. Have a lovely Thursday!
- Jamie Kasiama