Ohio’s first official poet laureate is a nuclear radiologist. Writing, though, was Amit Majmudar’s first love. Gov. John Kasich selected Majmudar for the honor, which was announced on Thursday. “I was a literature person for years before I became a doctor,” said Majmudar, who lives in Dublin with his wife and three children. “Medicine is … Continue reading Ohio’s first official poet laureate says writing isn’t ‘work’ (via The Columbus Dispatch)
Additional Info 24 Hours - Alexzenia Davis Recorded in 2009 [[ http://www.AlexzeniaDavis.com ]] Information courtesy, YouTube
Filipino American poet Isabella Avila Borgeson, a recent UC Berkeley graduate in ethnic studies, is one of four spoken word artists chosen to perform in conjunction with climate talks now going on in Paris. She was chosen from among candidates who entered a worldwide contest sponsored by the Global Call for Climate Action, a coalition of more … Continue reading Poet, alumna: Spoken word on a devastating superstorm (via Berkeley News)
Additional Info For the Spoken Word for the World Competition: On November 8, 2013, super typhoon Haiyan (locally known as Yolanda) hit my mother's hometown of Tanauan, Leyte in the Philippines. This piece, titled "Yolanda Winds" is dedicated to my mother, a survivor of the super typhoon, who struggles to forgive the sea. A reminder … Continue reading (Video) Isabella Borgeson | Yolanda Winds
Sarah Howe has been named young writer of the year for a “luminous” first collection of poetry exploring her dual English and Chinese heritage, Loop of Jade. Howe, 32, was named winner of the Sunday Times/Peters Fraser and Dunlop young writer of the year award on Thursday night. The £5,000 prize, won in the past … Continue reading Poet Sarah Howe named young writer of the year (via The Guardian)
Additional Info Aziza Barnes and Safia Elhillo perform "To The Girl In My Jazz Class" live at AfroPunk AfterDark Presents: The Strivers Row "Black Joy" http://thestriversrow.com/ Information courtesy, YouTube
Two Bangladeshi migrant workers and an Indonesian domestic worker nabbed the top three prizes at the finals of the Migrant Worker Poetry Competition held at the National Library on Sunday. 38-year-old Zakir Hossain Khokon won the top spot, an honour he had also received in 2014 at the inaugural Migrant Worker Poetry Competition. His poem, … Continue reading Talent galore at the Migrant Worker Poetry Competition (via Online Citizen)
Additional Info Javon Johnson, performing during prelims at the 2015 Individual World Poetry Slam. Javon placed 7th overall in the tournament. Follow Button on Facebook: http://on.fb.me/SG5Xm0 Information courtesy, YouTube
Saul Williams’ touching poetry, spun through polyrhythms, electronics and piano passages, makes him hard to place in the hip hop world. The New York-based rapper, poet and author has collaborated with musicians like Nine Inch Nails’ Trent Reznor and, most recently, Emily Kokal of indie-rockers Warpaint, but he never lost touch with his roots. Saul … Continue reading Saul Williams is poetry in motion (via Edmonton Sun)
Additional Info Directed by: Chris Velona & J. Ivy Produced by: Chrisp Productions (Chris Velona & Arthur Jones) Follow on twitter: @J_Ivy @ChrispFilms @Joneseti http://www.J-Ivy.com | www.Chrispproductions.com Information courtesy, YouTube
