BY KATIE BAUSLER

For the UAS Whalesong

The 2016 Woosh K Poetry Slam at UAS was a rousing success. The monthly event was held Friday, March 25, 2016 at the Egan Lecture Hall as part of the Sound and Motion spring arts and culture series. The competition was well attended by a diverse group of community members and included a full slate of spoken word poets. Vibrant commentary and fluidity was provided by veteran emcee Conor Lendrum, who was joined by student and actor Austin Tagaban.

Professional spoken word and improv poet Jesse Parent held the audience spellbound with a 15 minute performance between sets. Parent was in town for a show at the Hangar Ballroom the following evening sponsored by a grant through local improvisational comedy enthusiasts.

Competitors arrived armed with three original poems. Long time Woosh K slam star, UAS student and Iraq war veteran Nathan Block was the runner up. His trio of poetry included the powerful Moons of Neptune.

The winner was Juneau native Ryan Carrillo, who performed spoken word versions of his recorded hiphop rap songs: The Colors in Truth, The Pretender and Lecture. “I want to transcend hip hop for listeners,” he said. Carrillo was very appreciative of the Sound and Motion audience. “They were able to process the lyrical layers of my songs. That’s what I enjoyed most about the poetry slam.” Carrillo’s music can be heard on YouTube at these links:

The Pretender https://youtu.be/LWWPeiaGGhg

The Colors In Truth https://youtu.be/IEfQreERb_o

Editor’s Note: For more pictures of the event by our very own Darin Donohue, check out our media gallery tab up top.