My Poetry Slam Experience Part II
After I had left the Shattered Thought team to get my own lunch I was kind of in my own world for a little bit. Inside the mind of this nerd I was already pondering what to do with the videos, how frequently I should put them up, looking at pictures I had taken and how I would put those up and which ones I would throw away.
The next bout was not scheduled for a few hours so when I finished eating I debated if I should stay or head back to the hotel. My mind was made up as I left the restaurant and met the Shattered Thought team again. They were looking for a spot to relax, practice and be prepared for there next bout. We made our way to a nearby park where the team sat down, talked about there previous performance and what they need to do in the next performance. This was easier said than done as food was still on there mind.
Apparently the free lunch they got was not so great so many of the team members were still hungry. It was decided they would get something to eat after they had practiced for a while, so that is what they did. Peanut practiced and did a great piece yet the team had a discussion about his piece. It was
decided not to be done as the subject material would have been too risky. I saw DTyme rehearse a piece that he would later do to great applause. Asia had some difficulty practicing. Although she is not nervous on stage, she did say she was intimidated to rehearse in front of Cuban and DTyme. Asia, Shelell and DTyme practiced a piece as well that was not performed. Cuban offered his advice to the team as they practiced and got ready. A short while later the team was ready to eat and perform.
The team made their way to the next venue ready to compete against teams from Compton, Maryland and Chicago. All teams did really well in this small, well lit venue. Yet I feel I must apologize for something that you will soon see. In my decision not to go back to the hotel I was not able to charge my camera. So although I was able to take pictures, I had only enough power to record one performance only. This was the first one done by the Shattered Thought team by Cuban and DTyme called “Running.” A great piece that got the crowd pumped and excited. Yet I missed some more remarkable pieces by Asia, DTyme and a team piece with Cuban and Peanut.
Asia’s piece, completely free-styled and made up on the spot, got great points,
and won the admiration of everyone in the room. That it was free-styled I didn’t learn about until the train ride home. DTyme did a piece that he had practiced in the park earlier to loud applause. The team ended it with Cuban and Peanut who’s piece was very well done in timing, performance, and expression. The crowd erupted in applause and this competition was a no brainer. Team Shattered thought won this bout followed by Chicago, Compton and Maryland.
After this venue the teams hung around outside, talked with one another and showed love and respect to all the competing poets. A film crew from London came around to talk to the Shattered Thought team. They have been filming
the event for a documentary to be released there. They got an amazing freestyle by Peanut and Cuban. All team members were talked to and of course, promoted their cd’s and web pages. I tried to get the email address of the filmmakers but I was unable to do so. So if you guys are reading this, get in touch with me!!!
After this was done we had a quick short ride on the train back to the hotel where the team got ready for the next days competition and I got ready to document some more events.
I woke up the next morning, checked out of the hotel and proceeded to the
venue. At least I thought I went to the right spot. I arrived early knowing when the team was set to compete and took some pictures. What I didn’t know is that I was in the wrong spot. When the team was set to compete in ten minutes and had not arrived, I knew I was in the wrong spot because not only had they not arrived, but none of the other teams had came either. I called Cuban and found out I was at the place of the Finals, not the quarter finals. I made my way to the event where Cuban got me a wristband to make sure I could get in.
I went inside took my seat ready to watch the teams compete. Shattered Thought was set to compete against teams from Hawaii, Denver, New York and Seattle. The first team to go up in the first round was Shattered Thought. Cuban and DTyme did their piece “Running” which got a good reception but did not impress the judges as much. Next to go up for the Shattered Thought team was Asia who did her piece “He Loves Me.” This got a great reception the first time she did it, but at the quarter finals the roof came off the building. People stood and started a chant of “Ten! Ten!” She was rewarded with a few tens for her poem. DTyme went
up next and performed a solo piece that was also well received by the crowd. Last was Cuban, who did “Blue, Brown, Green Eyes.” The love story was received well by the crowd but alas team Shattered Thought would not win this bout. New York would win this one again sending them to the finals and the Shattered Thought team to the sidelines to watch and cheer.
Because I had already checked out of the hotel, had a three hour drive, and had to work the next day, I said my goodbyes to the group. I took the train to the hotel and made my way home. My head was already filled with what I would do with the videos, images and what I would write.
I wanted to talk about my experience and that is what I did (am doing). It was a great atmosphere, full of tension, drama, excitement and laughter. The people were great, the poets were amazing, and the experience was nothing but positive. It was a pleasure to watch the Shattered Thought team do what they do first hand. It was a pleasure to watch a live performance of theirs, and to see the crowds react to their thought shattering poetry. My experience was a great one, one that I can’t wait to experience again.
Abel Garcia
http://www.shatteredthought.com
Author and Web Designer
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