Program Overview

The third annual SAY WHAT? spoken word event. Come and hear the Charlotte, NC Slam Team take on the Tampa Bay Slam Team. Enjoy dance, youth slam, featured poets from here and beyond as well as paintings. There will also be a fashion show, rope art, and music at the Day of the Dead Party. Plus, bring your mother or share a mother at the Day of the Mother’s poetry and pot luck. 

Performers



Under the direction of photojournalist Beth Reynolds, the program has grown from a small class of photography neophytes to a robust curriculum with opportunities for photographers of all skill levels to develop their artistic vision and technique, to learn about different photographic media, and to perfect skills in both the traditional darkroom and the new digital studio. Learn more.

The inherent design and intent for the nation of poetry is to provide artists with a means to express and experiment within their chosen vocation of expression; providing a chance to step beyond the comfort zone and facilitate free experiment within and outside a wide range of artistic meduim. Learn more.

Event Host

Pedro Jarquin

Born in Managua, Nicaragua, Pedro was born with poetry laced into his bloodstream. At an early age some of his family members began calling him “Darillito,” after the great Nicaraguan poet Rubén Darío, due to his love of reading, reciting, and eventually writing poetry. He grew up in the Washington D.C. area and spent most of his life on stage, whether in choir, theatre, learning and teaching dance or performing poetry. Now a resident of the city of St. Petersburg, Florida, he has behind him a long list of accomplishments in the spoken word world, including opening up for Russel Simmons “Def Poetry Jam” at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center; organizing the first local poetry based TicketMaster event in Tampa Bay ("Foolish State"); as well as planning, hosting, and or performing at various venues around the Bay area and beyond. Amongst many, he has done shows through The Studio@620 in St. Petersburg, where he currently hosts a monthly poetry and mixed medium open mic.; a yearly week+ long poetry festival called “Say What,” celebrating the Spoken Word and one of the places where he has put on a few original Spoken Word plays.  Other venues include The Pier Acquarium in Downtown St. pete; the Palladium Theater, also in downtown St. Pete, where he has performed with various talented musicians including local jazz legends like Rick Gee or the Jeremy Carter Quartet; Don Leoncio Cigar Lounge, where he hosts a monthly Nation of Poetry showcase; the city of Gulfport where he has put on a few shows, including an NoP talent showcase for Gecko Fest; the Safety Harbor Museum in Safety Harbor, FL, performing with various bands and DJ’s at Earth Dance for World Peace; features for different events at the State Theater in St. Pete; 'Arts Alive,' a yearly arts festival in Mobile Alabama; several venues throughout the state of Colorado; and dozens of other collaborations with organizations like the Florida Humanities Council, WMNF 88.5 in Tampa, The Vitale Gallery, the Gala Corina, Third Eye Spoken, Black on Black Rhymes and a few different schools and Colleges, including Eckerd College, where he graduated with a BA in Creative Writing. Pedro is also the President as well as one of the founders of the Nation of Poetry, which he hopes will eventually cross state lines and spread further into the rest of the world.  Currently, Pedro is a Spoken Word Poetry teacher for the Youth Arts Corps, targetting  At Risk Children in St. Pete, Clearwater, and Pinellas County Jail.

Program
Dates & Times

05/10/07 - 05/18/07

Specific times are listed in the program schedule.

Admission

$5.00 - General
(Except as noted in the program schedule.)

$30 - SAY WHAT Pass
(Entry to all events - a $13 savings! Passes are available opening night.)

Program Schedule

May 10, Thursday

8:00 pm
Opening Night:
The “CINCO DE MAYO” After Party
($3 entry)
Featured Artists from near and far: Mathew Bistok, Alexis Caputo,
Renee Little and select Nation of Poetry artists*

May 11, Friday

8:00 pm
Featured Poets:
Asia, from Miami and 13 of Nazareth + Open Mic

May 12, Saturday

1:00 pm
Youth Poetry Workshop
(free to young poets under 19)

2:00 - 4:00 pm
Film: Slam Nation

7:00 - 9:00 pm
Youth Slam, with Featured Poet:
Asia Elliot
(free to young poets under 19)

May 13, Sunday

2:00 pm
“DIA DE LAS MADRES” The Day of the Mothers at Casa Ellis

Pot luck…Bring a dish and something to drink that you can share. Bring a Mother and a Mother’s Day poem. Casa Ellis is located at 1619 Beach Drive SE,
St. Pete. Call 727.365.7598 for directions.

May 15, Tuesday

8:00 pm
Photo Corps meets improv. poets*. Dance performance by Marissa Alma

May 16, Wednesday

8:00 pm
FROM THE SLAMMER TO THE SLAM*
Host Lizz Straight
Film: Slam

May 17, Thursday

8:00 pm
DIA DE LOS MUERTOS” Day of the Dead Party
($7 entry)
Fashion show, LeeLee and her knotty rope art and music by: DJ Metrognome

May 18, Friday

8:00 pm
Tampa Bay Slam Competition
($5 donation requested)

* Nation of Poetry Performers