UA Poetry Slam draws a crowd

Thirteen rubber bands lined his left arm, and his Bob Marley shirt fluttered as he began his performance. He oscillated back and forth on the makeshift stage in the Anderson Room of the Ferguson Center Thursday night. The energy shown during his performance quickly diminished as he collapsed into one of 11 chairs behind the stage set up for the poets.

Jonathon Barclay, a junior majoring in journalism, was just one of the 11 competitors at the first Poetry Slam sponsored by University Programs and the Ferguson Center.

Competitors were allotted three minutes to perform their own poem in front of the crowd and four judges.

"I thought it was good, it showed the diversity of the UA poetry side and the support for the fine arts," host Anthony Thompson said. "The talent of the competition was great and the judges and crowd really got into it."

Out of the 11 competitors that performed, only four were chosen as winners by the judges, who will move on to represent the University at the Poetry Slam finals in the University of New Mexico from April 2 to 6.

Robert Crowl, a senior majoring in English; Tereshia Huffman, a senior majoring in public relations and creative writing; Brenetta Deloach, a junior majoring in theatre and psychology; and Jackie White, a senior majoring political science and history, were all chosen by the judges as the top competitors.

"I thought it went great, it was one of my best performances," Crowl said. "I didn't even expect to be picked."

Huffman said the show went well and he is enthusiastic for the national finals.

"It went really well; everyone had a good time," Huffman said. "I hope I do good, and am feeling really blessed."

Deloach said she had a great time and thought the crowd deserved its own round of applause, she said.

"It was wonderful, I think the people in the competition were wonderful. We really had a great audience," Deloach said.

The three minutes that competitors were given had no real content constraints, and the competitors were judged on technique, delivery and memorization of their written poem.

Poems included comedic observations, racial relations, historical perspectives, and a love/comedy.

Often times, the crowd got involved in the performances, clapping, cheering and even shouting to show support during the oratory.

"It's like a lyrical buffet up in here," Thompson said.

Lashara Barnes, a junior majoring in fashion retail, said she had nothing but thanks for the parties who helped put on the show.

"I think it went well considering it rained tonight," Barnes said. "University Programs is a wonderful organization to be involved in this, and I would like to thank everyone who came out."