The 9th Annual Verbal Blend Spoken Word Poetry Institute will honor internationally renowned spoken word poet Shihan Van Clief, a seven-time Tony Award-winning HBO Def Jam Poet, with the Poetic Icon Award. The Institute will also celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Nu Rho Poetic Society.
Shihan Van Clief
Van Clief will be recognized for his contributions to the art of spoken word poetry and his long-standing commitment as an artist, activist, educator and honorary member of Nu Rho Poetic Society. Van Clief is noted as a dynamic spoken word artist of this generation, winning multiple individual and group national poetry slam competitions. He has been featured on a variety of media outlets and his talent on the international stage transcends cultural and generational boundaries, capturing the attention of people worldwide.
The Spoken Word Poetry Institute, which runs Thursday, Sept. 23, through Saturday, Sept. 25, will consist of live performances from members of the Nu Rho Poetic Society and Van Clief on Sept. 23 at 7:30 p.m. in Schine Student Center, Suite 304ABC, an informational with Nu Rho Poetic Society on Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. in 132 Schine Student Center, and a writing workshop on Saturday, Sept. 25, beginning at noon in Schine Student Center, Suite 228. Pre-registration is required for the workshop.
“Having the opportunity to engage and interact with professional spoken word poets helps students learn firsthand how they can give voice to social issues through spoken-word poetry and contribute to greater society,” says Cedric T. Bolton, coordinator of student engagement in the Office of Multicultural Affairs. “Through the Spoken Word Poetry Institute and the incredible poets we bring to campus like Shihan, our community sees how scholarship and arts intersect and have no boundaries. We hope that through the weekend’s activities, student performers will stretch their imagination and create a new world through dramatic wordplay.”
For more information or to register for the workshop, contact Cedric Bolton.
About Verbal Blend
Verbal Blend, Syracuse University’s premier spoken word poetry program, is designed to enhance students’ confidence in writing and performing original poems. Coordinated by the Office of Multicultural Affairs, Verbal Blend members participate in a writer’s workshop series, performances and peer reviews.
