Knicks Poetry Slam was created in 2003 to reach today's high school youth by using the popularity of hip-hop
and poetry as a vehicle to motivate and inspire expression through the written and spoken word. During
the 2006-07 season, the Knicks and program partner Urban Word NYC, decided to create greater opportunities
for high school students to use their poetic skills and talents to pursue higher education. The program
has served over 6,000 students through school site visits, a Poetry Open Audition, a College Fair,
workshops and Poetry Slams. It has also provided the winners of the program with educational grants for
college.
This year the program has an even greater focus on education. The Knicks, Urban Word NYC and Knicks
sponsors are dedicated to creating a college bound culture within the urban community by providing
educational workshops and over $100,000 in grants and scholarships to college for participating students.
Check out the Knicks Poetry Slam blog at www.knickspoetryslam.com.
Click here to see a video of last year’s competition.
Just think – this year’s competition features BIGGER prizes, more entertainment and a guaranteed slammin’ good time!
Special thanks to:
Hymowitz Children's Educational Foundation, Inc.
The Knicks Poetry Slam Program is conducting two contests.
Knicks Poetry Slam Competition
So you’ve got this hot one-minute poem, and you’re looking for the chance to win some big prizes…welcome
to the Knicks Poetry Slam. Check out the goods and read on for how the contest works:
Prizes:
1st Place winner: $10,000 educational grant plus laptop & printer
2nd Place winner: $7,500 educational grant plus laptop & printer
3rd Place winner: $5,000 educational grant plus laptop & printer
4th Place winner: $3,500 educational grant plus laptop & printer
5th Place winner: $1,500 educational grant plus laptop & printer
1. Show up November 3rd at Open Auditions held at the Hammerstein Ballroom.
2. Perform your one-minute poem
3. If judges think you’ve got the goods to win, you’ll advance to the poetry workshops. BUT, we’re only taking the top 150 contestants, so if you’re motivated and ready to give it your all…this is YOUR chance!
4. The Knicks and Urban Word NYC will have 5 exclusive workshop site locations throughout the NYC area. These workshops are designed to sharpen your skillz…so basically we’re giving you the chance to bring your best game to the semi-finals! You’ll get one-on-one attention from a master artist who will assist you in creating new material, editing and performing. Each of the 5 site locations will host 6 unique workshops to make sure you’ve got it down pat before the big performance. After attending at least 4 of the 6 workshops held from November to January, you’ll have the chance to compete in the Knicks semi-final slam in January. Workshop locations and dates TBA.
5. At semi-finals, each contestant will perform a 3-minute poem and have the chance to advance to the Finals in February (only 15 of the 150 will make it to the Finals) where 5 winners will be chosen. Semi-final locations TBA.
6. HOLD UP…before you begin step 1, ya gotta
Register.
In addition to performing at Open Auditions, you’ll have the chance to talk with reps from over 50 colleges.
Yeah, that’s right…there will be tons of college info in the main ballroom for you to check out, so bring
your friends. Door open at 10 am.
Smith Barney “Reason I Write” Essay Contest
If you’re a high school senior…this could be your chance to win a 4-year scholarship to the University of
Wisconsin-Madison. Valued at $80,000, read on to see if you’ve got what it takes:
1. Show up November 3rd at Open Auditions held at the Hammerstein Ballroom.
2. Perform your one-minute poem
3. Pick up a University of Wisconsin-Madison application at the Open Audition and submit it to Urban Word NYC by Nov. 15th. Contact Urban Word NYC by phone (212) 352-3495 or email info@urbanwordnyc.org if you want to apply.
4. On Dec. 15th University of Wisconsin-Madison will send acceptance letters
5. If you’ve been accepted to UW, you must submit an essay entitled “Reason I Write” by Jan. 7th.
Creatively College Bound
workshops will be held Dec. 15th – Jan. 1 to help you prepare your essay. You must attend at least 3 workshops. During this time, representatives from the Knicks, Urban Word NYC and Smith Barney will meet with you for an interview.
6. Once the essays are reviewed by contest officials, the top 3 students will be asked to perform at the Final Knicks Poetry Slam. Finalists will be judged on 2 criteria: essay and interview performance.
7. One deserving student will earn a FREE college education!
And by the way…it’s possible to win the “Reason I Write” Essay Contest and the Knicks Poetry Slam Contest.
So don’t hesitate to give both contests all you’ve got!
Please click here for Official Rules for Smith Barney "Reason I Write" Essay Contest.
Creatively College Bound Course
This year the Knicks and Urban Word NYC have also added a new series of workshops for participants in the
program called the Smith Barney Creatively College Bound Course. The goal is to help students use the skills
they honed in the poetry program and apply them to the college application process. The Knicks, Urban Word
NYC and Smith Barney are committed to helping students get into college by providing workshops and grants
to students. The course will also offer advice concerning various financial issues including SAT and
application fee waivers, creating professional resumes for grants and scholarships, preparation and
practice for the college interview and ways for students to academically and artistically mold themselves
into the optimum candidates for college acceptance. For more information contact Urban Word at (212) 352-3495
or www.urbanwordnyc.org.
Urban Word NYC
Wednesdays November 14th – December 19th
4:30-6:30
Mentor: Willie Perdomo
|
Bronx: Citizen’s Advice Bureau
[1130 Grand Concourse]
Wednesdays November 14th – December 19th
6 – 8PM
Mentor: Fish Vargas
Contact: fishdawg28@gmail.com
|
Urban Word NYC [Saturday drop-ins]
Saturdays November 17th (off Nov. 24th)–Dec.22nd
2-4PM
Mentor: Erica Miriam Fabri
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Queens: August Martin High School
Mondays November 12th – December 17th
4:30-6:30
Mentor: Fish Vargas
Contact: Erica Ford lifecampinc@aol.com
|
Brooklyn: Bed Stuy’s Project Re-Generation, Inc. (PR-G)
Wednesdays November 14th – December 19th
4:30-6
Mentor: Mahogany Browne
Contact: Barnabas Shakur communitystarts@pr-g.org
|
Newark: Fuld Center
[165 Court St., Newark 01702]
Sundays November 18th – December 23rd
12-2PM
Mentor: Divad Sanders
Contact: Divad dtheschiz@aol.com
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Add these dates to your calendar!
October 27, 2007 - Black College Expo
Jacob Javits Convention Center, New York City
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (Expo)
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM (Aftershow)
Admission: $10.00
The Expo features a very informative college fair, representing well over 50 Historical Black Colleges &
Universities, as well as, additional educational organizations and institutions. At this year's Expo, the
New York Knicks will have a booth containing information on the Knicks Poetry Slam Program and several
other Knicks community programs. The Knicks will also provide entertainment-featuring participants in the
Knicks Poetry Slam Program.
Visit www.blackcollegeexpo.com for more information!
November 3, 2007 – Knicks Poetry Slam Open Audition & College Expo
Manhattan Center, Hammerstein Ballroom, New York City
311 W 34th St (between 8th and 9th Ave.)
New York, NY 10001
Doors Open 10am
Come to audition your one-minute poem to enter contests, find out more information on the University of Wisconsin's
"Reason I Write" Essay Contest (for more details check out contest descriptions above) and chat with
college representatives from all over the country. The Open Audition will also feature give-aways, live
performances and an appearance by a New York Knicks player or alumni (subject to change).
If you plan to attend the Knicks College Expo, you must download this
release form
and complete it to attend. If you are under 18, you must have your parent or legal guardian’s signature
to participate. MSG Network will be filming the event and footage from the event may be used in-arena and
on television.
November 11, 2007 - Application Intensive for University of Wisconsin
Sunday 12-2PM
November 30, 2007 - DEADLINE for University of Wisconsin Applications
FRIDAY
December 14-16, 2007 - Smith Barney “Reasons I Write” Essay Contest Workshops
December 14th, Friday 4-6PM
December 15th, Saturday 12-2PM
December 16th, Sunday 12-2PM
January, 2008 – Knicks Poetry Slam Preliminary Slams
Locations throughout the Tri State area
Check back soon for more information
January 11-13, 2008 - SEMIFINAL SLAMS:
January 11th, Friday 6-9PM @ The Point
January 12th, Saturday 3-6PM @ Nuyorican Poets Café
January 13th, Sunday 4-7PM @ Bowery Poetry Club
February, 2008 – Knicks Poetry Slam Finals
New York City
Check back soon for more information
February 5, 12, & 19, 2008 - Slam Finalist Intensives @ Urban Word NYC
Tuesdays 4:30-6:30
February 26, 2008 - KNICKS POETRY SLAM FINAL
Hammerstein Grand Ballroom
| KNICKS POETRY SLAM REGISTRATION FORM |
