January 27th – The WordSmith Poetry Jam @ 7:30, Random Row Books, 315 West Main Street

January 30th – UVA Poetry Slam – Para Coffee on the Corner. Show Starts@ 7:30 pm

2010 Poetry Jam Dates:

1. 1/27/10
2. 2/24/10
3. 3/31/10
4. 4/30/10* Soecial Friday Night Fundraiser
5. 5/26/10
6. 6/30/10
7. 7/28/10
8. 8/25/10
9. 9/29/10
10. 10/27/10
11. 11/17/10
12. 12/15/10

CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE  9/11 PEACE CONCERT

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11th  4:00pm – 7:00pm

WordSmith Poets Gary J, Bernard Hankins and Suzanne “Comma” Saxon will be performing at 6 pm.

@ CENTRAL PLACE (THE FOUNTAIN) ON THE DOWNTOWN MALL, CHARLOTTESVILLE

The concert will take place on  and will feature performances by The John Wyant Band, Laurence Elder, the Music Resource Center, plus a special contribution by the Wordsmith Poets. There will also be free face-painting for the kids and participation by local celebrities and elected officials.

This is the third year that the City of Charlottesville has participated in this international event to form the largest free concert offered across the world.

The public is encouraged to join members of City Council and the rest of the community for the free concert of diverse music to promote peace through mutual respect, understanding and cooperation… one individual, one community at a time. Seating will be available and the event will be held rain or shine.

Last week, Feedback made his first trip to a Wordsmith Open Mic Poetry Jam, a monthly reading series organized by the meltingly charming Ebony “Black Violet” Walden. After a few months at Bel Rio, Walden hosted her first poetry jam at Is last week and brought in a packed house (yet again) and, based on what Feedback heard, one of the more varied collections of performances to grace the Black Violet’s stage. In fact, Bernard Hankins—typically found keeping beats in local band The Hill & Wood—brought down the house with a hearts-and-hand grenades slam poem.

Excerpt From C’ville Weekly 8/3 Edition