POETRY JAM (Family & Freestyle)
The spoken word. Transformative language that when performed breaks down barries for the performer and the audience. Poetry is moving, therapeutic; a raw, real form of self expression. Sometimes, and more often than not, we need to push our boundaries and step outside our comfort zone. In Poetry Jam we were challenged to do just that. The result was like a geyser of emotion, expression, release and freedom that just would not stop.
It began with a spoken word performance by Ellyn Maybe and her band to inspire us. Next we made a spontaneous group poem in the round to warm up to the poetry and with each other. Then each family worked as a unit to create personification poems where animals and things were given human characteristics. At last we opened the mic and free styled poetry...the band supported us all the way with their whimsical rhythms and musical punctuations.
ELLYN MAYBE & THE BAND (Dave, Jon, Harlan & Tommy)
Ellyn Maybe is an irresistible force. Her work has a wonderful mix of emotions and moods. Listening to her poetry, is to be gently and completely crushed while simultaneously inspired and charmed. The honesty with which she so exquisitely reveals her vulnerabilities, desires and pain is beautiful. Elly has a great sense of humor and reads wonderfully. She has performed her poetry all over the country and Europe, opened for MTV Spoken Wurd Tour in LA, performed at TEDex Conference poetry reading. Writer's Digest named her one of ten poets to watch in the new millennium.
The Ellyn Maybe Band was formed in 2010. Their music melds with the work, providing a smooth rendering, a beautiful landscape to the words. The Elly Maybe Band includes Dave, Jon, Harlan and Tommy.
