LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Get Lit–Words Ignite:
What:
Get Lit’s 3rd Annual Classic Slam! — one of the largest teen poetry competitions in the nation, and the only one to fuse classic poetry recitation with original spoken word performance. The event is three days of dazzling talent. Top teen poets handpick a classic poem to deliver on stage, and slam with their original spoken poetry. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-TU5CRLGO4#t=28. More than 8,000 teens will participate until a few teams duel in the Finals. This event completes a unique 6-12 month in-school program created by LA-based Get Lit–Words Ignite www.GetLit.org. The nationally recognized organization was founded in 2006 by Diane Luby Lane to reach at-risk teens, stem dropout rates, and spark dramatically increased literacy among youth in LA. The Finals attract audiences of thousands. This year, teen poets will come from 40 Southern California schools — largely LAUSD, Title 1 students, alongside a more recent, fast-growing population of Get Lit private high school students. Top scoring poets & their teachers win awards valued at $10,000.
The competition is judged by notable writers, artists and actors, including Actor Richard Roundtree (“Shaft”), Actress Drea de Matteo (“The Sopranos”), Philanthropist Marissa Feruzzi Shriver this year, as well as award-winning poets Francisco X. Alercon, Mayda Del Valle and Shihan (Def Poetry Jam Poet). The 2014 Finals will be hosted by George Watsky, who’s known as the “Fastest Rapper in the World.” Recent event notables include Tim Robbins, Helen Mirren, David Mamet, James Franco & Cheech Marin.
Tickets: www.getlitclassicslam.org
When/Where:
Thursday and Friday, May 22-23, from 10
a.m.-5 p.m. (Quarterfinal & Semifinal)
Los Angeles
Theatre Center, 514 South Spring Street, LA 90013
Saturday, May 24, from 7 p.m.-10 p.m. (Grand Slam Finals)
Wilshire
Ebell Theatre, 4401 W. 8th Street, LA 90005
Why: A staggering 40% of teens don’t graduate high school in LA, with teen literacy rates second lowest in the nation. Bakersfield and Long Beach fall dead last in the U.S. Get Lit fuses the power of classic poetry with the spoken word movement, placing the greatest poets of our time in dialogue with our youth. Get Lit’s approach is a model critically acclaimed by the NEA and The White House, and evaluated highly by UCLA Professor Emeritus, James Catterall, Ph.D. Get Lit’s program fosters cultural understanding, creative self-expression & performance technique. Reaching over 20,000 at-risk teens, students become motivated scholars. As they are empowered, literacy rates climb, students advance, become leaders. The program boosts confidence and skill, and is LAUSD-approved curriculum. Get Lit-inspired poets transform their lives, their families, and their communities.
Follow us on twitter: @GetLit_Org
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