Simsbury Union of Slam Poets

What Happens Next?

simsburyusp — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 21:19:57 +0000

Today was the last day of high school for the Simsbury Union of Slam Poets, and as we disband, we want to thank everyone for their help and support. Union leader Aaron Burrick will continue to post poems and updates on his new site, which will be available soon under this page’s links. Have a great summer everyone, it’s been a wonderful year of learning and growth.

SUSP out, 6.15.2010.

I Refuse to Let This Die

simsburyusp — Wed, 05 May 2010 22:38:30 +0000

Check out the ill William Lloyd Garrison quote. Though it originally pertained to slaves, secession, and national turmoil, it is still relevant to the art of slam poetry.

SUSP prevails.

“I will be as harsh as truth and as uncompromising as justice. On this subject, I do not wish to speak, or think, or write with moderation. I am in earnest. I will not equivocate, I will not excuse, I will not retreat a single inch, and I will be heard.”

New Meeting Times

simsburyusp — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 01:52:21 +0000

The Simsbury Union of Slam Poets will now be meeting at their home base of Simsbury Public Library on Wednesdays, not Tuesdays, at six o’clock. Feel free to come share your poems, get inspired, or generally admire SUSP for all that it is worth.

SUSP at Real Art Ways, Night of 1,000 Stars

simsburyusp — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 02:52:12 +0000

I just spent the last forty-five minutes typing this great review of last night’s performance at Real Art Ways in Hartford, CT. In my hurried typing, I pressed backspace, which is probably one of the dumbest keyboard shortcuts in Mozilla Firefox. I lost it all, and I will not attempt to rewrite it. I apologize, massive group of readers anticipating my next witty post. Hopefully you’ll all stick around.

In other news, I have been selected to read in Simsbury’s Night of 1,000 Stars, where local “celebrities” share an influential passage from their favorite book. It should be an awesome time, and events like these are always super interesting.

What Happened to SUSP?

simsburyusp — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:03:32 +0000

The short answer is: nothing.

The longer answer is, courtesy of Mr. Michael Kim, only one word longer. It is: Mental constipation. Living every day with the trials and tribulations of being a high school senior, the Union has been faced with a severe lack of ideas and inspiration. But we endure. We continue to meet up, unwind and discuss ideas, and search for inspiration in the world around us.

As desperate as this may seem, there couldn’t be anything better for a poet to do. By finding inspiration in our ordinary surroundings, we can take usual, innocuous themes and events and turn them into epic poems. We can simultaneously renew our abilities as poets and people, constantly refreshing our view on the earth. There is nothing better than challenging your mind, NYC poet Taylor Mali said it is one of the only ways to prove “that you still have one”. But I’m starting to rely on extensive clauses and commas, so hopefully that speculation wasn’t too pretentious. A poetic example of what I just attempted to explain…

Burned (3-1-2010)

To blame the coffee or the soup, that is the lingering question

the piping-hot black elixer that cures me from last nights recklessness

or the soul-warming vegetable soup that mother prepared

steaming and scalding when the spoon comes to my lips

both equally potent and capable of inducing three to eight days of pain

three to eight days of taste receptor hell

and a startling inability to enjoy Sour Patch Kids

News From the Front

simsburyusp — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 22:45:54 +0000

The first SUSP performance, held on the 10th at the Simsbury Public Library, was a huge success. We extend our thanks to the (double digit) crowd we hosted and hope to see all of them again in February.

After a brief creative hiatus, the Union will continue its weekly meetings tomorrow night at the library, kicking off a busy winter. Keep your eyes open for a performance in East Hampton’s Epoch Arts, a great night that is currently in the works, thanks to math teacher and real world liaison Mr. Sanderson.

Upcoming Performance

simsburyusp — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 20:57:34 +0000

This Thursday, December 10, The Simsbury Union of Slam Poets will be holding its first performance at the Simsbury Public Library. The best part of this rhythmic, musical, and possibly “foodful” affair is that it’s FREE. Oh right, the poets are pretty good too. Need I say more?

Tommy J, 11/17/09

simsburyusp — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:59:40 +0000

Slamming poems outside

Words and cars whip by my ears

Rhythm of the street

Circle in square of brick

I react to words with tears

With silent Laughter

Cold hands shake my paper

Syllables floating through space

Through minds to reach souls

The union listens

Poems litter the autumn air

Rhymes fill canvas pages

Tom slams a haiku

For poetic symmetry

And written justice

Of spoken words

By a union of poets

From here, Simsbury

Updated Touring Info!

simsburyusp — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:15:04 +0000

Good news from the touring front, The Simsbury Public Library has changed our show dates to allow us use of the PROGRAM ROOM. This room, much larger, fancier, and slightly less colorful than our previous venue, holds a ton of people, so make sure to be there! All shows are held in the Program Room, starting at 6:00 PM. New dates have been updated onto our Live page and are listed below:

AUTHENTIC TEEN VOICES, hosted by Simsbury Public Library

Thursday, 12/10/2009

Thursday, 2/11/2010

Thursday, 4/8/2010

SUSP in Your Neighborhood

simsburyusp — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:31:50 +0000

Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, we are proud to present the first set of SUSP performances. Based out of the Simsbury Public Library’s Discovery Room, these shows will feature our poets and their creations. Centered around the theme of “authentic teen voice”, these performances may not be appropriate for all ages. Even so, there will be many poems that everyone can enjoy, so don’t hesitate to stop by! Check out the new “SUSP Live” page for more touring and booking information.

NEW TOUR DATES:

Authentic Teen Voices

Simsbury Public Library’s Discovery Room

Tuesday, December 1, 2009.

Tuesday, February 2, 2009.

Tuesday, April 6, 2009.

Tuesday, June 8, 2009.