EVENT PICS: The SBTF Presents Poetry & More @ Write On!

What do you get when you mix a dozen artists, a couple of dozen art lovers and a group of people determined to expose Shreveport-Bossier to culture? You get the Southern Black Theatre Festival’s Write On! event (held Tuesday night at the Pamoja Cultural Arts Center).

I often accuse this area of being one without culture. Having spent five years in South Louisiana, many a Thanksgiving weekend in New Orleans, and a glorious week in New York City ... I often crave something other than the mundane routine of clubs and casinos.

Being a writer (and former poet) myself, I like being around creative people ... and on this night, I was among my poetic peers – my creative colleagues – who embraced me and shared the deepest part of themselves ... their poetry.

I didn't know most of the poets before that night – with the exception of a phenomenally talented brotha known as Poetic Justice. I really only came to hear him but was pleasantly surprised by the talent of the other artists.

I left refreshed and inspired, enlightened and enamoured ... I left feeling like I’d gotten full from all the knowledge I was fed.

From the politics of hair and the struggles of the Black man to tributes to lovers (past and present), family and friends – the topics of each poem ran the gamut. There was also storytelling (from local favorite Joanna Ballard) featuring the writings of Zora Neale Hurston, and an important message from the spirit of Harriet Tubman.

You’d never know walking the streets of Shreveport that talent like this exists. On this night, under this roof, in this small venue ... culture existed. And not only did it exist – it was shared, accepted and celebrated.

If only things like this existed on a regular basis – maybe I’d come out of the comforts of my apartment more often. Even if it was only for a night, I enjoyed every minute of it (3 hours to be exact) ...

Thank you my fellow artists for enlightening my mind, tickling my funny bone and supplying my spirit.

Here are some photos from the event:

Mocha Blu Blaze addresses the crowd with a song/poem

Poet Bilal shares a poem with the audience.

Playwright Top Cat shares a monologue

Southern Poet

(Above) Author/playwright Mawiyah Bomani addresses the audience before members of the Mahogany Ensemble Theatre premiere her work "Hair Anthem" in a stage reading (below)

Poet/Storyteller Rosalyn Glover-Bryant presents a monologue ... representing the spirit of Harriet Tubman. "Why, my children?" was the question she asked ...

Brother Baruti

MET member Neverlyn Townsel (aka Mama Neverlyn) sings for the crowd (the girl can BLOW): "Southern trees ... they bear strange fruits ... there's blood on the leaves ... and blood at the roots ... "

Poetic Justice graces the crowd ... (the boy is BAD) and exits the stage to a standing ovation.

I didn't get this brother's name but his poem was a powerful tribute to the woman in his life (who was present ... to the left) ... a woman in the audience cried out "You betta hold on that man girl!" (lol)

Poet Craig Lee (he was AMAZING)

Open Mic participant April Reynolds

Probably the youngest poet of the night -- Open Mic participant Danzeria Ferris presents a poem he wrote for an old girlfriend ... he told us he hasn't written a poem since ... the brotha should start doing it again -- it was the sh**

Open Mic participant Isis Fernandez recited a poem celebrating her Afro-Latino heritage

Local favorite .... storyteller Joanna Ballard sits at her vendor's table enjoying the show.

The event was spectacular -- I can't say that enough ... I wish it was a weekly thing instead of just a festival event ...

BUT ....

You can see Poetic Justice (and other local poets and artists) at H & H Lounge every Thursday night for “Poetic Paradise” ... Doors open at 7 pm.



The Southern Black Theatre Festival runs through Sunday. Go to www.southernblacktheatrefest.org for a list of events (and other information).

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL ARTISTS!!!!