The Slammin' Scene Speak your truths: is anyone listening?
By Jessica Chapman, Jayplay writer
The lights dim and a man takes the stage. His tattooed forearms, which he later describes as resembling a bathroom countertop, peek out from under his faded black T-shirt. The man starts to speak with a disclaimer: "The things I'm going to talk about are just the truths I've learned in my life," he says. His eyes squint, as if examining the audience for any sudden movement, ready to lurch out from the stage and attack. After an extended pause, he starts speaking with a diatribe about the hypocrisy of those who are
faithful at church but can be found at topless bars on Sunday nights. He speaks of his old friend who is in jail for killing two gay men and of his roommate in a juvenile detention center who had AIDS.
Jason Carney, who spoke at a SUA poetry slam last month and has been featured on HBO's series Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry, says his motivation for touring the nation's schools and colleges is his knowledge that there is at least one person in each audience who needs to hear what he has to say.
And Carney's message this night is crystal clear: "Silence is worse than active hatred," he says. But Lawrence is anything but silent. From monthly slams and readings to events featuring nationally known poets, the city is a haven for those of the spoken word persuasion.
Cassandre Connolly, active member of the local poetry scene, says it is important for students to utilize the events around Lawrence. Connolly challenges people to push their boundaries by taking advantage of Lawrence's forum of open expression. The New York City senior says her visit to an open-mic poetry night at the Jazzhaus, 926 1/2 Massachusetts St., during a trip to Lawrence during high school was a factor in her decision to move to Kansas for college.
The emcee of the Jazzhaus slams, Steve Fronseca, describes his event as the punk rock of poetry in Lawrence. "If you want to rhyme or spout your Dr. Seuss shit," he says, "this is not the place for you." When introducing himself and welcoming the audience during his March 3 show, he encouraged the audience to actively tell the poet on stage what they think of his work — whether by clapping or booing and hissing. "It's just encouragement to get better," Fronseca says.
Four years later, Connolly remains a familiar face at events such as the Jazzhaus poetry slams, SUA's open-mic poetry nights and Kiosk magazine's
Mickey Cesar, Lawrence junior and nearly 20-year veteran of the local poetry scene, agrees that the bar setting of the Jazzhaus makes the event more about entertainment than the actual poetry. Cesar, moderator of the Aimee's Coffee House monthly open-mic nights, says that the coffee house setting makes the event at Aimee's, 1025 Massachusetts St., more casual and introspective than at the Jazzhaus. But no matter the atmosphere, he says people's poetry develops rapidly when they start performing.
Cesar thinks the biggest myth about slam poetry is that it is just for "stuffy old people" talking about poems irrelevant to the audiences' lives. But, Cesar continues, it is the opposite that is true. He says the poetry is real and relevant to students.
"I never set out to write a certain thing, but I find my poetry is most appealing to divorced men," Cesar says. The sly grin on his face broadens as he belts out a quick laugh. "Nah, just bitter hearts," he adds.
laugh. Nam, just bitter. But Carney sums it up by saying if members of the audience can walk away feeling hopeful, he has succeeded. "You have to keep giving art; otherwise it will just wither away."
And maybe, just maybe, some of Carney's truths spoke to someone in the audience. It is this hope that motivates Carney, Connolly and Cesar to continue sharing their poetry.
Jessica Chapman can be reached at jchapman@kansan.com
semesterly readings. The second-place winner at last month's SUA poetry slam, she says she uses her performances as a way to work through problems in her life. "If I can recite a poem as solid as I'd like, then I become that much closer to closure," she says.
Cassandre Connolly, New York City senior performed at the Jazzhaus Poetry Slam last Wednesday. Connolly, who began performing her poetry in high school, placed second in the SUA Poetry Slam on February 11.
However, Connolly says the minute an organization adds "slam" or "competition" to the title of an open-mic night, such as the Jazzhaus poetry slam, it changes the poetry. She says it becomes intimidating and scary, especially for newcomers.
MONTHLY POETRY EVENTS IN LAWRENCE
- Jazzhaus poetry slam, 926 1/2 Massachusetts, first Wednesdays of the month
·Almee's Coffee House open-mic poetry night, 1025 Massachusetts, first Thursdays
·SUA poetry slam, Hawk's Nest of the Kansas Union, second Wednesdays
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Jayplay 3.11.04