Volunteers prepare for Ypsi PRIDE Day
May. 13, 2010 · 7:09 a.m.
Each year, residents in and around the city of Ypsilanti carry on a tradition started by a group of community members enrolled in a city leadership program, a sort...read more
Bicycles zoom as flowers bloom
Apr. 30, 2010 · 2:11 p.m.
The weather has turned, the trees are budding and the flowers are popping out of the ground; time for a cruise through town. But don’t be so quick to hop in the...read more
Sheriff Clayton visits Ypsilanti Township
Apr. 29, 2010 · 12:59 p.m.
About 50 Ypsilanti Township residents gave the Washtenaw County Sheriff Office their input about law enforcement in the community Tuesday evening.
The information...read more
Local photographer raising funds for Ypsi Project exhibit
Apr. 20, 2010 · 2:20 a.m.
Ypsilanti has many faces, and Erica Hampton wants to share a few of them with you.
Over the past year, Hampton created the The Ypsi Project, a series of portraits...read more
Savoy taking shape as live music venue
Apr. 17, 2010 · 2:38 p.m.
Ypsilanti's newest concert venue is preparing for its grand opening weekend April 23, more than a month after its soft opening March 13.
Formerly Club Divine,...read more
Six teenage poets were chosen as the 2009 Ypsi Slam Team after competing in the Ypsilanti Area Youth Poetry Slam Friday. The group will go on a free trip to Chicago, where they will compete in a poetry competition.
Team to represent Ypsilanti in Chicago competition
Mar. 18, 2009 · 1:56 a.m.
Six teenage poets were chosen as the 2009 Ypsi Slam Team after competing in the Ypsilanti Area Youth Poetry Slam Friday.
Contestants Thad Daddy Cash, Emily Berry, Montez, Ebony, Moshii Moss and Cynthia “Sin City” Aguirre won a free trip to Chicago, where they will compete in a poetry competition hosted by Brave New Voices.
The new slam team was chosen when they emerged with the most points after a two round battle. The judges, who were a mix of staff members at the Ozone House and local musicians, scored each poet on a point scale of 1 to 10. Poets couldn’t use any music or props in their performance, just their words.
“Swang,” a staff member at the Ozone House Drop-In center, was the MC at the event, keeping the almost packed house at the Eastern Michigan University’s Business school auditorium entertained.
As the poets prepared for battle, the audience was shown video footage of last year’s slam team on their trip to San Jose, Mexico. They also showed a video of testimonies from various teenagers speaking about their love for Ozone House and how they have benefited from the center.
The music that was played in both videos was performed by teenagers who regularly visit Ozone House.
Once everyone settled in their seats, the Poetry Slam began. The coach for the slam team, who actually was apart of the first annual slam team in 2001—B.M.C., introduced the judges, stated the rules and called upon the first contestant.
Thad Daddy Cash, a regular at Ozone House, performed his piece “Jack and Jill.” His story of Jack and Jill was nothing like the nursery rhyme. Instead, it spoke about the relationship of a drug addict and her supplier.
Emily Berry came up to the mic next and recited her poem, “The Apartment.” Montez followed with his poem “Glock 19.”
Ebony, who performed “Did You Know,” held the longest applause and highest score in the first round.
After all the pictures were taken, winners and other teenagers from the audience came to the mic and began a free style battle.
Related story:
Teens to compete in poetry slam Friday
© 2010 The Mojo News Group - Ypsilanti Citizen Home - About Ypsilanti Citizen - Contact Us - Advertising - Calendar - Archives - Terms of Use
