In Their Own Words – Student Poetry Slams Take on Concerns
Release Date: Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Contact: Erica Fields, Human Relations Council, 937-333-1403
The Dayton Human Relations Council, Dayton Public Schools and Metaphorically Speaking are partnering to host poetry slams for students at seven Dayton high schools, with a slam scheduled next for Monday, October 28, 6:00 p.m., at Ponitz Career Technology Center (741 W. Washington St.).
The slams are forums for creative expression about gun violence and other issues of personal, community and world concern. The slam series is designed to encourage students to think critically about their lives, their communities and their world. Community members are welcome to attend.
The top three finalists from each school will compete at a culminating grand slam scheduled for April 25, 2014. The grand slam winner will have opportunities to perform at venues around Dayton and will receive an all-expenses paid trip sponsored by the Boys and Girls Club of Dayton to a national
youth poetry competition in Chicago.
Each participating school will host workshops featuring artists from Metaphorically Speaking to help students with writing and performance skills in preparation for the poetry slams.
The partnership of the Dayton Human Relations Council, Dayton Public Schools and Metaphorically Speaking is one of many supporting the work of the Community Initiative to Reduce Gun Violence (CIRGV) and the Community-Police Council (CPC) in speaking out against gun violence.
The program kicked off October 4 with a poetry slam at Dayton Business Technology High School, a public charter school.
For more information, contact the Dayton Human Relations Council at 937-333-1403.
Following is the schedule of upcoming slams:
Ponitz Career Technology Center
Monday, October 28, 6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.
Belmont High School
Friday, November 22, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Thurgood Marshall High School
Friday, January 31, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Meadowdale High School
Friday, February 28, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Dunbar High School
Friday, February 21, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Stivers School for the Arts
Friday, March 21, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Grand Slam: Friday, April 25 (location to be announced).