"We're here to celebrate the power of words" was the statement uttered by President Obama himself a best-selling author, during last night's Spoken Word/ Poetry Jam event held at the White House. A statement also used to describe the diverse, multi-cultural gathering of Fine Arts professionals invited to perform.
The event was in fact a Poetry Jam not a Poetry Slam. Poetry Slams are competitions at which poets read or recite original work (or, more rarely, that of others). Poetry Jams are simply affairs (public/ private) where Poets and Writers read or speak excerpts from either original works or that of other creative, skilled spoken word Connoisseurs.
After explaining to the audience how "words help us appreciate beauty, understand pain and inspire us to action", he then introduced First Lady Michelle Obama as his Poet.
Included in the audience was the president's mother-in-law, Mrs. Marian Robinson.
The first White House Poetry Jam in history took place in the residence's East Room.
A 1920's Harlem Renaissance atmosphere appeared to be the theme as Poets and playwrights, actors and musicians filled the room, showcasing their talents in the form of Music and Poetry.
From actor James Earl Jones reading "Othello" excerpts to musicians Esperanza Spalding (Gershwin Prize recipient for Lifetime Achievement awarded by the Library of Congress) and pianist Eric Lewis (a.k.a. ELEW) performing "Love Letters", the energy and artistic camaraderie was unmistakable.
White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers and television talk show mogul Oprah Winfrey are huge fans of Lewis' compositions.
Per Ms. Rogers the purpose of last night's special event was to expose all Americans to other backgrounds by their brilliant works.
Also invited to attend the Poetry Jam was Director Spike Lee, Television Broadcaster George Stephanopoulos, Tony-award winning creator of salsa/hip-hop-inspired musical "In the Heights" Lin-Manuel Miranda, Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Michael Chabon Essayist Ayelet Waldman, Poetry slam champion Mayda del Valle, who hails from the First Lady's native Southside Chicago, Poet Joshua Brandon Bennett and Youth Speaks Hawaii slam poet Jamaica Heolimeleikalani Osorio.
During the gathering Michelle Obama commented, "I have wanted to do this from day one."
"The notion of standing in this room and hearing some Poetry."
Since President Obama's inauguration the White House has previously hosted Fergie, Stevie Wonder, Sweet Honey in the Rock, Earth Wind & Fire, Tony Bennett, Pulitzer-Prize winning Poet from Northern Ireland Paul Muldoon, Sheryl Crow and Alicia Keys.
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Sources: Whitehouse.gov, Washington Post, Politico, NY Times, The Root, ABC's New York News, Reuters, Daily Beast, Honolulu Advertiser, Youtube, Google Maps
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