Poets open space to share thoughts, work
Seneca Wilson wanted a space where he and his peers could share their work. As the assistant director of Syracuse University’s Recreation Services, Wilson’s peers comprise students, faculty and Syracuse community members of all ages. Although they are from different stages of life, all share one important interest: good poetry. So Wilson thought they needed a place to actually come together and created The Underground Poetry Spot in Joe Reddick’s Sports Bar, a place that his dad and uncle own.
‘This is an outside thing, somewhere we can go and all be together in the community and lay down the truth,’ Wilson said.
The Underground Poetry Spot held its first night on Sept. 3, with an audience of about 60 people, and will host its second tonight in Joe Reddick’s Sports Bar, part of the New Fuji Restaurant on Erie Boulevard. Open-mic poetry nights will take place on the first and third Thursday of each month. Students, faculty and Syracuse community members are invited to participate.
‘The first night we had it I couldn’t believe the feeling I had,’ Wilson said. ‘What made it the best thing was the people that came and just enjoyed it and said this is what we want. It was supposed to be over at 9 (p.m.) and we went to 10.’
Wilson and his Underground Poetry team spread the word about their events in local high schools and libraries, as well as on the SU campus and through various SU student clubs.
Wilson said that although the Spot is not directly affiliated with SU, many students came out on the first night to perform and sit in the audience. Chiderah Monde, a junior broadcast journalism major, was one of these students.
‘It’s cool that there’s another spot to be able to go to and share poetry and just hang in Syracuse … off-campus is nice, too,’ said Monde, a member of Verbal Blend, one of the Syracuse University poetry groups affiliated with the Underground Poetry Spot.
The format for the night allows poets to perform with an open-mic for the first hour. Then more well known poets perform poems of their choice. But this schedule is flexible. Wilson said if open-mic performers come onstage and have a good vibe with the audience, they may be invited back as a scheduled poet the next week.
The gig is non-paid, but the Underground Poetry Spot offers novice poets a space to grow their fanbase. The spot also offers promotions to any artist with a book or Web site who performs.
‘It’s in the beginning stage,’ Wilson said. ‘All I hope is to provide a place where we can grow as a community, also a space for SU where people can share their poetry, just have a place that we can all call our own.’
If you go: What: Underground Poetry SpotWhen: The first and third Thursdays of each month Time: 7- 9 p.m.Where: Joe Reddick’s Sports Bar inside the New Fuji Restaurant on Erie Blvd. Interested in performing? Contact Seneca Wilson: stwilson31@gmail.com.
Published on September 16, 2009 at 12:00 pm
