This is a free event. Seating is on a first-come, first-seated basis and is not guaranteed.

LIFTING VOICES AT DR. PHILLIPS CENTER, SUPPORTED BY

From the cultural expression of Langston Hughes to the Beat Poets of the 1950s to modern rap and hip-hop music, performance poetry follows the trend of rhythmic engagement with listeners. As the name suggests, performance poems are meant to be spoken aloud with expression and movement that reflect their meaning. Beneath the tourism and theme park industries magnetized by year-round great weather in Central Florida lies a hyper talented, yet seldom seen in traditional spaces, cohort of performance poets.

These wordsmiths, also referred to as spoken word artists, from the Latinx community, will join Orlando’s Poet Laureate, Shawn Welcome, and emerging local high school talents for a rarely seen and heard 90-minute interactive showcase that will solidify anyone’s definition of spoken word poetry. These artists will present original works that will help audience’s understand the power of poems as social commentary and gaining perspective on the Latinx experience.

The experience will conclude a weeklong spoken word residency by Shawn Welcome who will have facilitated performance poetry workshops for high school students across central Florida, providing a free writing space, introducing the intricacies of performance, spoken word technique, and presentation. This will be an opportunity for the students and the spoken word community to use their voices in response to the world around them, through the artistry of their unique poetic pieces as it relates to social issues that are worthy of an artistic response. The concluding show on September 29th will amplify the creative voices of the Latinx community giving them a platform to celebrate culture, self-identity, love, perseverance, and family.

By RSVP'ing a seat you are authorizing the Dr. Phillips Center to share your info with show producer. Shows, artists, dates and times are subject to change at any time without notice. The views and opinions expressed within this show are those of the artist(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Dr. Phillips Center.