By Shannon David
Carrboro Commons Writer

Carrboro observed National Poetry Month last weekend with a multimedia performance at the ArtsCenter titled, “Black Poetry: Performance Meets Theatre.”

The performance was held daily at 8 p.m. from Friday, April 4 through Sunday, April 6.

National Poetry Month, according to the Academy of American Poets’ Web site, was established “to achieve an increase in the visibility, presence, and accessibility of poetry in our culture.” The ArtsCenter does just that with its Black Poetry performance.

Carrboro ArtsCenter celebrates Poetry Month with a performance of “Black Poetry: Performance Meets Theatre.” Pictured left to right: Dasan Ahanu, Sherita Young and Bernadine Fields.
Staff photo by Shannon David

The show included a combination of music, dance and poetry. It was performed half in light and half in complete darkness.

“We decided to do a play on words with the ‘Black Poetry,’” said co-producer of “Black Poetry: Performance Poetry Meets Theatre,” Leigh Lester Holmes. “The first half of the show is in darkness with a few spotlights, and the artists are moving around the space so your ears start to play tricks on you.”

The performance was split into two parts to complement the lighting. “The first half is in all darkness so the content is heavier and deeper,” said Holmes. “The second half of the show is more upbeat with full light and dancing. It is more exciting, almost like each poem tells a different story. The second half is also more uplifting.”

Each of the pieces was original and written by the artists who perform them with music interspersed throughout the performance.

The show included local and national spoken word artists and poets. “Spoken word is different than just poetry, “said Holmes. “Part of it is in the performance of it. Some of it is rhythmical and some of it is storytelling; that is what makes it spoken word.”

According to the Spoken Word and Performance Poetry’s Web site, the spoken word movement is said to have begun in the early 1990s and “refers to a form of poetry where the speaker recites a poem or story aloud.” The performance can then be enhanced by music or choreography. Spoken word is characterized by its power and entertainment.

“Black Poetry: Performance Poetry Meets Theatre” is only one of the many performances in the ‘OffCenter’ series at the ArtsCenter. According to the ArtsCenter’s Web site, “OffCenter showcases our international festival of ten-minute plays, ‘10 by 10 in the Triangle,’ Transactors Improv, short performance pieces, spoken word and our annual PlaySlam.”

To learn more about what the ArtsCenter is hosting this month, visit its Web site.