[NEohioPAL] PLAYHOUSE SQUARE CAPS POETRY MONTH WITH “SLAM 101”

[Poetickel at aol.com]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Michael Salinger, 440 255-1124
         Lisa Buscani, 216 621-5442


PLAYHOUSE SQUARE CAPS POETRY MONTH WITH “SLAM 101”

Playhouse Square gathers together some of Cleveland’s most notable poets to cap off National Poetry month with “Slam 101”, on April 27, 2003 at 8 pm in the Hanna Theater, 2067 E. 14th Street. This is the theatrical mainstay’s first foray into presenting performance poetry and it promises to be an exciting event.

“Slam 101” will showcase the high-energy, high-impact performance poetry that the Cleveland community has become nationally known for.  Eight prominent local poets will present their pieces in a rapid-fire round robin guaranteed to entertain. “Cleveland’s performance poetry scene has been well known and well respected for years on the national circuit.  I think it’s great that Playhouse Square is giving it a night in the spotlight,” says poet and co-producer Lisa Buscani. 

The poets in “Slam 101” have honed their chops at the National Poetry Slam, an annual competition where performance poets from across the nation gather to rock the mic for prizes and bragging rights. It’s a rowdy, raucous, romp that has single-handedly revived and restored America’s love of poetry. Poets featured in “Slam 101” have made over 15 appearances on the national poetry Slam’s Final stage and include:

Lisa Buscani: Buscani is a former National Poetry Slam champion whose work has been featured on HBO, NPR, CNN, PBS, and Much Music. She has published one book of poetry, Jangle, (Tia Chucha Press) and has been featured in such anthologies as “Alive: Live from the Nuyorican Poets Café” (Henry Holt). She has written two critically and popularly acclaimed solo shows, “Carnivale Animale,” and “At That Time.” Based in Brooklyn, NY, she is currently starring in “Late Nite Catechism” at the Hanna.

Katie Daley: Daley has performed her poetry and songs all over Europe and America in theaters, radio stations, junkyards and subway platforms. From 1999-2001 she performed at the national poetry slam representing Ithaca, NY and on Cleveland’s team in 2002. She has published one book of poetry, Breaking Bread at the Venus Diner, and one chapbook, Red Hot Mangoes and Voodoo Juice.  Her work has been featured in numerous theatrical productions, including “Friends” At Cleveland’s Karamu Theater and “Dreams” at the Ithaca Music Hall in Ithaca, NY. Daley is currently touring with her well-received solo show, “Fully Blast Alive: Live from the Ruby Side.”

Daniel Gray Kontar: Is a poet and columnist from Cleveland. He is currently the editor/publisher of Urban Dialect. Kontar was a member of the 1995 Cleveland poetry Slam team that won the national championship. He is also the co-founder of Cleveland’s seminal poetry performance ensemble, the Black Poetic Society.

Kelly Harris: Kent State graduate Harris is the current MC of the Cleveland Classic Open Mike Series at the Beachland Ballroom. She has published two chapbooks, Native Tongue and Sanctuary, and is featured on the local poetry anthology, “Live from the Beachland Ballroom,” (Collinwood Media). Harris was also a 2002 honoree of the Poet’s and Writer’s League of Greater Cleveland’s annual Writers and Their Friends literary showcase. She has appeared at universities and arts programs all over Ohio, including the Arts in Prison series, in conjunction with Cleveland State University and Grafton Correctional Facility.

Sara Holbrook: Holbrook is the author of eleven poetry books for adults, children and teens, including Chicks Up Front (Cleveland State University Press) and Isn’t she Ladylike (Collinwood Media). Her poetry book for teens, Walking on the Boundaries of Change won the Parents Choice Award. She represented Cleveland on its National Slam Team and has been featured in such anthologies as “Slam” and the “Outlaw Bible of American Poetry.”  She also appeared in the poetry documentary, “SlamNation.”

Ray McNiece: Poet and actor McNiece has appeared on CNN, PBS and NPR and is the author of three books of poetry, Dis-Voices from a Shelter (Burning Press), The Bone Orchard Conga (Poetry Alive Press), The Road That Carried Me Here (Bottom Dog Press), as well as critically and two popularly acclaimed solo shows, “US? Talking Across America,” and “Dis: Voices from a Shelter.” Also a local actor, McNiece has appeared in numerous theatrical productions, including “Rustbowl Hootenanny” and “Baby Prints” at the Cleveland Public Theater and “Steelbound,” with the Ensemble Theater.  He is currently appearing at “Flanagan’s Wake” in Playhouse Square.

Kevin “Kaoz” Moore:  Poet, actor and educator Moore represented Cleveland on 2002 National Poetry Slam.  He is the author of two books of poetry, The Y2Kaoz Project and Deaf Revolution. Moore has appeared in numerous local theater productions such as “On the Hills of Black America”, “Wilberforce” and “Underground Griot” at the Cleveland Public Theater; as well as the feature films, “Rock Robbers” and “Venus.” Moore is currently a consultant for the Cleveland School District Department of Arts.

Michael Salinger:  Cleveland performance poetry mainstay Salinger is the long-standing host of the Classic Cleveland Poetry Slam at the Beachland Ballroom; He has captained or coached all of Cleveland’s National Poetry Slam teams since 1992. . He is the author of two books, Sunday Morning (Burning Press) and Neon (Bottom Dog Press); the Cleveland Public Theater produced his play “Baby Prints” in 2001.  He is the founder and director of Nova Lizard, a seminal performance troupe. His work has appeared in numerous publications including Poetry magazine, Taproot, Sapphire magazine and Detroit Metro Times.  

Tickets are $15, $12 for students with ID. Tickets can be purchased at the Hanna box office or by calling 216 771-8403. For more information, contact Lisa Buscani at 216 621-5442 or Michael Salinger at 440 255-1124.