In the meantime, the WordSmith Poetry Jam will not be occurring on its regular monthly schedule. The next event will be in conjunction with the Father’s Day Festival on Saturday, June 19th, 2010. Visit http://www.charlottesvilleabundantlife.org/main/FathersDay# for more details.

Stay tuned for further notice.

WordSmith Poetry Jam Founder (that would be Ebony Walden) is embarking on an international endeavor to travel the world, write poetry and volunteer in developing countries — The Poetic Justice World Tour (www.poeticjusticetour.com).

Friday, April 30th is Ebony’s last poetry jam of 2010, going away jam and fundraiser to benefit the world tour. It will be a dynamic evening of moving and inspirational words featuring 10 of C’ville’s favorite slam poets followed by soulful sounds from local musicians. You dont want to miss this.

Why should you be there?

To say goodbye to Ebony before she leaves and hear about what she will be doing
This will probably be the best poetry jam to date
Good Poetry & Good Music….need I say more
Help me raise $$ to make a dream project a reality.

FAQ?

Where is it? THE BAPTIST STUDENT CENTER (1500 Jefferson Park Avenue) @ the Corner of JPA & Brandon Ave

What time do doors open? 7:30/Show @ 8pm-11pm

How much does it cost? $10 (its a fundraiser, all proceeds will benefit The Poetic Justice World Tour). There will also be a silent auction so bring extra cash or your checkbook.

Where can I get more info? email Ebony at wordsmithpoetryinc@gmail.com

Where can I park?

In the rear of the Baptist Student Center (Its directly across from student health)
On Brandon Avenue (on street parking)
There is a complex at the end of Brandon (Brice Building) on the right (with free parking after 5)
The Nursing School Parking Garage (Turn left on Lane road if you are coming from downtown, its at the corner of Crispall) the Bapstist Student Center is two blocks away.

Its also directly across from a Trolley stop

Written into existence on a blazing summer evening in May, Christopher J. Johnson (Chris) is one of the hottest entertainers to exist in his age group to date. His God given and self polished talents in the Arts has led him to use stages across America (big and small) as his canvass. He has painted many smiles on young faces and inspiration inside the hearts of his endless spectators.

Chris has achieved an enormous amount of individual and group success including recently; performing on Broadway in 2009 and winning 1st place at the “Soundbites Poetry Festival”, with his hometown-National Poetry Team, “Slam Nahuatl”.

He was also earned the honor of Slam Nahuatl’s Grand Champion in 2009, after winning the vigorous 6 month competition against some of Virginia’s top poets.

Chris currently works as a Teacher and Counselor for at risk youth, while steadily taking college class to become an Art Therapist. He also works with the Virginia Commission of the Arts as a Creative Writing Instructor at Richmond City Public Schools such as, “Boushall and Thompson Middle school”, where he aims to improve; writing skills, SOL scores and English Proficiency.

“John “Survivor” Blake enters a place in his writing that few others I know dare to. With a pristine voice of epic magnitude, Blake’s words pull the reader or listener into the heart of his raw, fragmented truth of unshakeable power. He understands the incredible responsibility of being an artist; as much as anyone I have ever known.” – Carlos Andrés Gómez

Visit http://www.myspace.com/httpwwwmyspacecomsurvivor for more info.

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

Location: Random Row Books (315 West Main Street). Its on the corner of Main and McIntire across from Greyhound.

Time: 7-10pm – Open Mic Sign Up Starts at 7pm. Show Starts at 7:30pm. Open Mic All Night

Cost: Just $5

Expect some of Charlottesville’s most dynamic poets and spoken word artists all night.  We will also have soulful selections from Lester Jackson & Naughty Dynamic and the Design.

This month’s feature is upcoming actress and poet Sabrina Gilbert. Sabrina  has performed at college conferences, venues and theaters along the east coast and in the Midwest. In 2008 she became the Grand Slam Champion of Slam Richmond’s 2008 team, making her the first woman to do so! She also helped start Lyric Ave in 2003, which today is the largest poetry show on the east coast (consistently serving an audience of over 800 people). Her debut album ‘Come Get Me’ took her colleagues by storm with it’s electrifying tracks and powerful messages!!! The album (executive produced by Ainsley Burrwos) has earned rave reviews from several internet radio shows, magazines and has not only touched fans in the U.S. but also those living in Toronto, Paris, London and Germany.

Sabrina is definitely a hard worker as she is currently on a 2009 tour (that started in the U.S. and will extend to the Canada and Europe) while writing her first book (to release in the winter of 2009/2010) and preparing for the world premiere of the play ‘Great George’ which is scheduled to run in early 2010. Visit www.burrowsink.com for more information.

WHERE IS THAT? This is the new used bookstore on the corner of West Main and McIntire Road (Directly across the street from the Greyhound Station). 315 West Main Street.

WHEN? WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28TH, 7-10PM. DOORS 7 – SHOW 7:30

WHAT TO EXPECT? A ”meltingly charming” host, music from DJ Double A I K, great poetry, a dynamic feature spoken word artist and even musicians, singers and emcees.  Show starts @ 7:30 and its $5 (only $5!!!).

WHO IS THE FEATURE? Nikkea Smithers is a  Spoken Word Artist, Celebrated Award Winning and Essence Magazine Best Selling Author. Nikkea Smithers  has performed in front of crowds of thousands! She is the author of two poetry books, Reflections of a Woman & Attitudes of a Woman, two anthologies, Bedtime Stories & Afterdark Delights and four novels, Gold Diggin’, Keith’s Story, Sweet Dreams & On The Flip Side.   Nikkea began self publishing her work in 2003 and has been performing spoken word for more than a decade. She has performed from NY to LA and has shared the same stages as poetic geniuses Taalam Acey and Sunni Patterson. For a preview of what you will see visit www.youtube.com/auset360   To read excerpts from her books visit www.nikkeasmithers.com

Lee “Narrator” Jones is an M.C., Spoken Word artist and member of Lyric Ave, the nations biggest poetry based variety show and  Slam Richmond’s Poetry team for 4 consecutive years.  Lee has been in numberous poetry ensembles and comedy skits for the last five years. His accomplishments include:   07 Grandslam Champ, the 08 Grandchamp of the sister Richmond team,  Slam Team Semi Finals in NPS 08,  3rd in Southern Fried 09 and the Just Poetry Slam Champ twice.

WordSmith Poetry Jam= One Mic /25 Poets * The power of words expressed through performance