WordXWord brings high octane performance poet Robbie Q. Telfer and two signature WXW events to the Berkshire Museum this weekend, July 18 and 19. The weekend kicks off Friday, July 18, 7P with a WXW Story Slam and an open mic for teen poets. Saturday, July 19 will feature a performance by Robbie Q Telfer and a WXW Poetry Slam.
Guest host and featured performer Robbie Q. Telfer is the co-founder and curator for The Encyclopedia Show, a live literary variety show being staged independently in over 10 cities around the world. He’s been in two documentaries (from HBO and Siskel and Jacobs) for his work at Young Chicago Authors where he organized the world’s largest teen poetry festival called Louder Than A Bomb. He’s written on two video games and in 2007 was an individual finalist at the National Poetry Slam. His first published book of poetry, Spiking the Sucker Punch, was released in 2009 from Write Bloody Publishing, and he is Poet-in-Residence in the Poetry Center of Chicago’s Hands on Stanzas program.
“All told, Spiking the Sucker Punch reveals Telfer as a smart, funny poet who understands, above all, that laughs never come cheap.”
– Small Press Reviews
Both July dates include WXW qualifying events – or preliminaries – for the story slam and poetry slam semi finals during the August festival. Storytellers, poets and teens interested in participating should visit http://wXw365.org for more information and to preregister (required).
WXW events are free and open to all ages (parents of younger children are advised that the evening may include “salty” language and/or adult themes).
Story Slam + Teen Open Mic, Friday, July 18, 7P hosted by Robbie Q Telfer
Berkshire Museum, 39 South Street, Pittsfield
Without notes or props, and with a four minute time limit, storytellers tell fantastic, true stories based on a theme. An open mic session for teen poets will get the evening started.
Poetry Slam, Saturday, July 19, 7P featuring/hosted by Robbie Q Telfer
Berkshire Museum, 39 South Street, Pittsfield
Poets have 3 minutes to perform a poem of their own composition without notes, accompaniment or props. Performances are judged by volunteers from the (sometimes rowdy) audience. Top two poets will move on to the Poetry Slam Semi-finals and a chance to qualify for the WXW finals in August.
These free events are presented in partnership with the Berkshire Museum and with the support of Greylock Federal Credit Union, Lead Sponsor for WordXWord Festival 2014.
WordXWord celebrates diversity, the creative use of language and the experience of community – using spoken word, poetry and storytelling in celebration of the individual, to bridge differences and connect people. WordXWord is a 501(c)3 non-profit.
