Poetry Out Loud - Riverside

Young people memorizing poetry from the cannon, rehearsing the presentation of the poem with just the right amount of emotion to capture the poem's intent, perfect dramatic pauses to draw the listener in but finding a well-tuned balance,  not too much emoting to distract from the words and images the poem evokes.
​These students are the conduits of the heart of poetry, keeping the beauty of the oral tradition of the craft vibrantly alive.
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2018 Poetry Out Loud judges in Riverside

2018 Riverside Poetry Out Loud Participants

Last year it was an honor to be invited to be a judge for this event and my response was an eager yes when invited back again this year. 
 The Barbara and Art Culver Center for the Arts  in Riverside should have been packed because the students' presentations were impeccable. As a matter of fact, Jackson Dean, the young man in the center of the photo (to the right) won the competition. According to Patrick Brien's  January 31st article in the Press Enterprise, Jackson Dean will be in Sacramento March 18-19 for the state competi-tion. It is my hope that he will garner first place there as well.