April 14, 2011 12:04 PM
To: slampapi@slampapi.com
Subject: Enjoyed Meeting You
Hello-
Again, I really had a great time at the slam Sunday night. I was only able to catch the last half the evening because of other commitments. I just wanted to let you know what I’ve been working on in my small town to get people more energized about poetry and how you were key to my own interest in poetry.
I read the book The Spoken Word Revolution when I was in college and loved it! I finally found poetry that I felt like I could connect to, that I wanted to savor. Being introduced to poetry that seemed alive shaped my direction as I continued into my graduate work in English. One of my professors had monthly slams in Laramie (where I was at school) and even challenged me to write a little too.
When I moved back to Nebraska (and small town Nebraska at that), I really missed the atmosphere. I refocused my Intro to Poetry class around poetic movements so that we could end with the spoken word movement and our class project – putting on a poetry slam. My students arrange the whole thing: location, featured artists, advertising, etc. It has taken a couple of years to get people really on board, but this year, I really think they nailed it! I felt like I was back in grad. school at our slams.
We have a new space being renovated with plans to incorporate a monthly poetry slam.
I can’t wait to get back to Chicago and be able to come back to the Green Mill Lounge. It was very revitalizing for me to be there, and it was great to finally meet you!
Megan Friesen
English Instructor
MCC Webzine Sponsor
SMAC Sponsor
McCook Community College of
Mid-Plains Community College
