Category Archives: Uncategorized

Let me start by thanking you for making the 2013 – 2014 year a great one thus far for The Fountain City Teen Poetry Slam. It is because of people like you—either through monetary donations, volunteering or simply moral support that we have experienced noticeable growth this year. As you know, The FC Slam is open to youth of all backgrounds in the tri-city area. We use creative writing and the performing arts as a means of self expression and exploration. Students have experienced the benefits of this auxiliary arts education in their intellectual, personal, and social development since our inception in 2012. Through weekly workshops, poetry slams, national/regional/local performance opportunities, and community service, we’re watching the future take shape one word at a time.

Our after school writing workshop offerings have expanded this year, having conducted monthly and bi-monthly workshops at Spencer High School, Northside High School, Kendrick High School, Shaw High School, and Lonnie Jackson Academy, St. Mary’s Road Magnet Academy, and Fort Middle School. We also engaged parents in the fun with special writing and performance workshops conducted during family reading nights at Martin Luther King Elementary, St. Mary’s Road Magnet Academy, and Lonnie Jackson Academy.

We also launched a monthly Arts, Crafts, & Community series, open to families across the FountainCity, where they bring in gently used items and repurpose them creatively while incorporating literacy in the fun. This is in addition to our weekly family-friendly open mic at Fountain City Coffee in downtown Columbus that encourages youth to express themselves through the creative arts. We have also volunteered our talents and time with the Muscogee County Juvenile Drug Court and Twin Cedars Youth and Family Services, Inc. The response has been so great that we’ve been compiling works for our first ever anthology entitled Sticks & Stones. The Sticks & Stones anthology is a collection and celebration of the talented young people from all around Columbus – their poetry, artwork, and short stories.

Columbus Area Teens Are Speaking Their Minds

Local High School Students Advance to Fountain City Poetry Slam Finals

The Fountain City Teen Poetry Slam began an exciting season of creative expression on Saturday, October 25^th. Young poets from across the valley area took the spotlight as they competed to represent the city at the 2015 Brave New Voices conference, an international youth poetry festival, to be held in Atlanta. Convening the top young poets and spoken word artists from across the United States and internationally, Brave New Voices 2015 will feature a diverse group of young writers, trendsetters and community and cultural leaders, as well as world-class workshops led by renowned poets and artists.

The top 3 high scoring poets advance from the October qualifier to the March 2015 Grand Slam Finals.

The October Winner’s Circle is:

1^st – Michaela Brown, sophomore, Central High School (PC)

2^nd – Gabriel Ossa, senior, Northside High School

3^rd – Hayley Maine, sophomore, Early College Academy

The Fountain City Slam is open to youth of all backgrounds as a safe house to use poetry as a means of self expression and exploration. Students have experienced the benefits of this auxiliary arts education in their intellectual, personal, and social development. Through weekly workshops, poetry slams, national/regional/local performance opportunities, and community service, we’re watching the future take shape one word at a time. The Fountain City Slam is embarking on yet another fun-filled and enriching year of self expression. The open mic/slam takes place monthly at Fountain City Coffee, 1007 Broadway, 31901. Please see the below upcoming events that the entire family can enjoy:

Fountain City Slam Youth Poetry Slam Competition & Open Mic

November 22^nd, this event is open to area youth (9^th – 12 grades). A poetry slam is a competitive event in which poets perform their work and are judged by members of the audience. Those interested in slamming should come prepared with at least 3 original poems, no longer than 3 minutes in length. At least one of the pieces must be on the subject of “innovation”. The first 12 slammers to sign up will be allowed to compete. The top 3 from each preliminary slam will advance to the finals to be held in March. Local young artists are also invited to take part in the open mic portion of the slam. Whether you’re a poet, singer, comedian, or rapper, we welcome all talent to the mic. Sign-up for the open mic and poetry slam starts at 5 PM. Material must be 5 minutes or less. Please visit www.fountaincityslam.wordpress.com for official rules.

Saturday, November 22nd @ 5:30 – 7:30 PM

Admission: FREE

Fountain City Coffee, 1007 Broadway, 31901

This critical work for area teens is entirely dependent upon community support. Please consider the positive impact it will make in the community we live in. Donations can be sent to the below:
Fountain City Poetry Slam
P.O. BOX 12073
COLUMBUS, GEORGIA 31917
For additional information:
http://www.fountaincityslam.wordpress.com
fountaincityslam@gmail.com

Jonathan S.E. Perkins, executive director/coach

Chiara Richardson, family and children programming director/coach

Rubye Stafford, community engagement director/coach

Questions? Comments?

You Can Reach Us At The Below!