Spoken word event offers chance to practice free speech
Unlike Open Mic Nights, you can say anything - but no music, please
Heather Holm / Activities Editor
Issue date: 1/28/09 Section: News
Spoken word is returning to Eastern after a two-year hiatus.
"Speak Or Be Spoken To" will have a free-for-all atmosphere where performers can say anything they would like. The event will be similar to an Open Mic Night, only with a slightly different feel.
In the past, mostly poetry was read at spoken-word events. Poetry, short stories, comedic skits or anything the student has to say can all be read to the audience.
"We have eight people so far," said Lauren Phillips, University Board mainstage coordinator. "It's not a contest, though. People can just get up there (on the stage) and express themselves."
Phillips said more people would probably come to the actual event. "It is open to everyone," she said.
The spoken-word venue "Speak Or Be Spoken To" is different from Open Mic Night because it has more of a poetic feel to it.
"(Spoken word) was not publicized very well in the past," Phillips said. "Since Open Mic Night is more popular now, we thought it would be better to have a separate venue where people could express themselves since not everyone has time to at Open Mic Night."
She said performers could come anytime they wanted and say whatever they wanted. "Performers can come and read poetry they made up, read poetry from books, basically say anything," Phillips said.
The difference from Open Mic Night is that performers at "Speak Or Be Spoken To" cannot have musical accompaniment.
"At Open Mic Night, people can pretty much do anything, while spoken word is more poetic and spiritual," Phillips said.
The reason spoken word has not been done in about two years is because it was not very popular.
"We wanted to have it more open for both events," Phillips said. "This is just a showcase for talent though, while Open Mic Night is more of a competition."
Phillips said the point of "Speak Or Be Spoken To" is to literally "speak or be spoken to."
The Black Student Union is hosting the event and University Board will be running it.
"I think it is going to be a challenge because students compare this to Open Mic Night," said Erika Weaver, mainstage adviser. "Students can at least come and see what it's like, though."
Weaver said that everyone has a voice and something to say. Whether or not this event will continue in the future is still up in the air.
"Hopefully, this is something we can do next year as well," she said. "I think it will start out that way, and we can progress it into something more monthly or bi-monthly."
"Speak Or Be Spoken To" will take place from 8 to 10 p.m. in the 7th Street Underground of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.
Heather Holm can be reached at 581-7942 or haholm@eiu.edu.
"Speak Or Be Spoken To" will have a free-for-all atmosphere where performers can say anything they would like. The event will be similar to an Open Mic Night, only with a slightly different feel.
In the past, mostly poetry was read at spoken-word events. Poetry, short stories, comedic skits or anything the student has to say can all be read to the audience.
"We have eight people so far," said Lauren Phillips, University Board mainstage coordinator. "It's not a contest, though. People can just get up there (on the stage) and express themselves."
Phillips said more people would probably come to the actual event. "It is open to everyone," she said.
The spoken-word venue "Speak Or Be Spoken To" is different from Open Mic Night because it has more of a poetic feel to it.
"(Spoken word) was not publicized very well in the past," Phillips said. "Since Open Mic Night is more popular now, we thought it would be better to have a separate venue where people could express themselves since not everyone has time to at Open Mic Night."
She said performers could come anytime they wanted and say whatever they wanted. "Performers can come and read poetry they made up, read poetry from books, basically say anything," Phillips said.
The difference from Open Mic Night is that performers at "Speak Or Be Spoken To" cannot have musical accompaniment.
"At Open Mic Night, people can pretty much do anything, while spoken word is more poetic and spiritual," Phillips said.
The reason spoken word has not been done in about two years is because it was not very popular.
"We wanted to have it more open for both events," Phillips said. "This is just a showcase for talent though, while Open Mic Night is more of a competition."
Phillips said the point of "Speak Or Be Spoken To" is to literally "speak or be spoken to."
The Black Student Union is hosting the event and University Board will be running it.
"I think it is going to be a challenge because students compare this to Open Mic Night," said Erika Weaver, mainstage adviser. "Students can at least come and see what it's like, though."
Weaver said that everyone has a voice and something to say. Whether or not this event will continue in the future is still up in the air.
"Hopefully, this is something we can do next year as well," she said. "I think it will start out that way, and we can progress it into something more monthly or bi-monthly."
"Speak Or Be Spoken To" will take place from 8 to 10 p.m. in the 7th Street Underground of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.
Heather Holm can be reached at 581-7942 or haholm@eiu.edu.
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