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the louderARTS Project |
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louderMONDAYS |
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louderEDGE |
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In July 2002, muMs approached us about his upcoming feature at louderMONDAYS. He wanted to know if we’d be cool with his performing all new work – none of his signature pieces. Of course we said yes, and he showed up that Monday with what looked like a ream of paper in hand, chock full of strange brilliance no audience had heard yet. We couldn’t believe he thought that he had to ask. This is supposed to be what we’re all about – trying new things, experimenting, pushing the envelope and all that. But as performers – and perfectionists – we want to get it Right. We want to give the audience what they came for, so often we stick to what we know works, to the detriment of our own artistic processes. So we created louderEDGE, a format where established poets, people whose work we know and love, are not just allowed but REQUIRED to share new and/or rarely-heard work. Our first official louderEDGE feature, Taylor Mali, wrote an entire set of new work in the month prior to his show. Jeffrey McDaniel shared a work of fiction in progress, demonstrating a side of his talent that even those of us who’d known him for years had never seen. The list goes on. Poets now ask to feature in the louderEDGE format, because it gives them that extra impetus and safe space to venture out onto unfamiliar ice – and take us with them. A new addition to the format is the 10-minute interview by a louderARTS Project member, focusing on the featured poet’s writing process, craft, and poetic intent. The other and equally important aspect of louderEDGE is that on the open mic, poets can choose to receive immediate, public feedback on their writing and performance. In this way, the series becomes an extension of the workshop experience – challenging both the poet receiving critique and the poets offering it to deliver new levels of attention and care to the open mic. louderEDGE not only allows featured poets to take chances, explore new ground, and (imagine this) have fun with their work, but also establishes within the larger louderARTS community a commitment to and an embracing attitude toward growth and change, as opposed to stasis and resting on one’s metaphorical laurels. louderEDGE features have included muMs tha Schemer, Taylor Mali, Maria Mazziotia Gillan, Jeffrey McDaniel, Willie Perdomo, Hal Sirowitz, and Shane Koyczan. louderEDGE is hosted by Roger Bonair-Agard.
Mondays @ 7:00 pm
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