Latest news with #slam
New York Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Andrea Gibson, a Poet of Love, Hope and Gender Identity, Dies at 49
Andrea Gibson, a master of spoken-word poetry who cultivated legions of admirers with intensely personal, often political works exploring gender, love and a personal four-year fight with terminal ovarian cancer, died on Monday in Longmont, Colo. Gibson, who used the pronouns they and them and did not use an honorific, was 49. Megan Falley, their wife, confirmed the death. Gibson was among the leading voices in a resurgence of spoken-word, or slam, poetry in the mid-2000s, centered in cafes and on college campuses around the country. They were prolific, publishing seven books, mostly poetry, along with seven albums, all while touring tirelessly. In 2023, Gov. Jared Polis of Colorado named Gibson the state's poet laureate. Gibson performed shows as long as 90 minutes, even with chronic stage fright — a condition addressed in the poem 'Ode to the Public Panic Attack,' a work that typified Gibson's sardonic yet vulnerably honest approach. The poem, addressed to a panic attack, begins: You find me at the coffee shop, at the movies, buying comfort food in the grocery store. Then, after a long list of the many other banal situations in which the panic finds Gibson, the poem concludes: To step towards the terror. Its promised jaw. To scrape your boots on the welcome mat. To tell yourself fear Is the seat of fearlessness. Even when you're falling through the ice that is never Been weakness. That is the bravest thing I have ever done in my life. Earlier this year, Gibson appeared in the documentary 'Come See Me in the Good Light,' directed by Ryan White, which focused on Gibson and Ms. Falley during Gibson's long struggle with cancer. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January and won the Festival Favorite Award. Gibson's poems were always emotionally freighted, whether they were fiercely political statements or achingly painful odes to lost love that left audiences in tears. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Students are in fine verse as they enjoy a taste of cafe culture to get creative
Students are in fine verse as they enjoy a taste of cafe culture to get creative Students at The Sixth Form Bolton were in fine verse when they composed their own poems to recite. The town centre sixth form held its first poetry slam event which gave students the opportunity to perform their own poetry in front of an audience and an panel of judges. Students performed a poem of their choice that they were proud of. (Image: The Sixth Form Bolton) SHAKQUILLE In the second round, contestants were given prompt words to inspire their writing, including college, student life, growing up, and next steps. READ MORE: A place at a leading university awaits a student of The Sixth Form Bolton ADVERTISEMENT A-LEVEL RESULTS DAY 2020: Top grades equal university place for The Sixth Form Bolton students WATCH: Ribbon-cutting ceremony opens The Sixth Form Bolton's new extension (Image: The Sixth Form Bolton) Samay Joshi The judging panel featured several well-known poets, including Noor_ia, Romina from Natter, Bolton, and former staff member Andy Howard. Members of the alumni also attended, with Amber Berry and Carys Bustard both performing deeply emotive pieces. The competition was described as fierce, and students Jaweriya Chisti, Hannah Cordwell, Isaac Cradden, Samay Joshi, and Tianna Mkandawire each delivered powerful, emotionally resonant poems. After much deliberation, the judges awarded third place to Samay, second place to Isaac, and crowned Tianna as the overall winner. ADVERTISEMENT Mark Goodwin, Assistant Principal of student experience, said:'It was an absolute pleasure to attend the recent Poetry Slam. (Image: The Sixth Form Bolton) SAMAY, ISAAC, JAWERIYA WITH JAVAN "The café-style atmosphere created a relaxed environment in which contestants and guests impressed us with their professional delivery. The audience was certainly given food for thought thanks to a range of insightful poems. Thanks to all involved.' Javan Dawson, Progress Coach and The Sixth Form Rich Coordinator who organised the event, added: 'The first-ever B6 Poetry Slam was absolutely brilliant. Once again, our students showcased incredible talent for spoken word and produced heartfelt, powerful poems. "Congratulations to our Slam Winner, Tianna, and a special thank you to our guest judges Shakquille Millington, Noor Iman, Andrew Howard, and Romina Ramos. Look out for the podcast of this event coming soon to Spotify.' The podcast featuring all of the poems will be released soon.
