Spoken word poetry will be the emphasis for this year’s 10th annual San Jose Poetry Festival, which opens Thursday, Sept. 5, and runs through the weekend.
“I have put together this year’s festival with the intention of reintroducing the art of spoken word to folks,” said Mighty Mike McGee, programming director for the festival, which is presented by Poetry Center San Jose. “This is why I’ve booked some of the best spoken word artists I know.”
That groups includes RC Weslowski from Vancouver, B.C.; Rachel McKibbens from Rochester, N.Y.; and Bao Phi from Minneapolis.
McGee said he was teaching a literacy program over the past few years in East San Jose and many times would read “A Different Pond,” a children’s book by Bao Phi.
“That’s what sort of got me to ask him to come and perform for us,” McGee said in a social media video. “He’s an incredible spoken word artist and he’s a phenomenal children’s book author.”
Bao Phi will perform in a group Friday night at San Jose Stage Company and will read to families Saturday morning at Central Park Library in Santa Clara.
“I think RC and Rachel are probably my one-two punch when it comes to spoken word,” McGee said of his other two headliners. “I think they are two of the most powerful, evocative spoken word artists I have ever known.”
The opening night event at the First Unitarian Church in downtown San Jose jumps right into the theme with what the festival is calling a “barbershop quartet” of Bay Area performers, known for their spoken word, slam poetry and comedy: Jason Bayani, Jamie DeWolf, Wonder Dave and Lorenz Dumuk.
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The remainder of the festival will have featured performances each night, along with workshops and some daytime events, both in person and streamed online, featuring the headliners and local favorites including Arlene Biala, Sally Ashton and Tshaka Campbell.
Saturday night’s event at the San Jose Jazz Break Room on South First Street will feature a performance by Santa Clara County Poet Laureate Yosimar Reyes as well as the chance to meet the county’s newly appointed — and as yet announced — youth poets laureate and youth poet ambassadors.
Speaking of youth, one tradition returning from last year’s festival is that all performances are free to anyone 19 and under. For everyone else, you can buy a festival pass for $50 or pay for individual events at the door. Get more information and the full schedule at Poetry Center San Jose’s website, www.pcsj.org.