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St. Cloud State University
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Spoken word poet to refresh students
By Regina Eckes
Published:
Monday, February 3, 2003
"Be sobered by fantastic truth- that if you could hold your soul and master your mind, then you can challenge the Mastermind who mastered chance because maybe you have one- and you have to take what's yours..."
The SCSU community should be prepared to enter the world of Christopher Longoria, a spoken word poet who will be performing in the Atwood Quarry Feb. 3 at 7 p.m.
Longoria is a native of Galveston Island, who began writing poetry at the age of six when Hurricane Alicia hit his hometown. Ever since, he has been inspired daily to write meaningful words and phrases that are anything but ordinary.
While writing was a major factor in his growing up, Longoria was also influenced by music and the rhythm and beat it carried. Such pop groups as RUN-DMC and The Jungle Bros coupled with the touching lyrics from Willie Nelson and James Taylor gave Longoria something new to shoot for, a new style of poetry and writing.
Now Longoria is most commonly know as a spoken word poet, something which many people know nothing about.
This type of poetry helps poets feel less restricted by repetitive rhymes and structure. Spoken word poetry deals with performing one's writing in whatever way they choose, either straight up talking, singing, rapping or a mixture of the three. It is a unique style that separates itself from the stereotypes people commonly associate with stuffy, highbrow poetry readings.
"Spoken Word is a mixture of poetry, rap and the flow of words. It's like music but spoken very dynamically. It's more of a performance than rehearsing," said Janice Courtney, assistant director, arts advisor and Public Relations Coordinator for the University Programming Board. "We have brought past authors here before but there is something exciting about spoken word poetry."
Courtney, along with Steve Nichols, UPB's literary arts coordinator, wanted to bring spoken word poetry back to SCSU. Last year, spoken word poet Arrian Pope fascinated students with her poignant words and soulful force of speaking. Her performance went over extremely well with those students who attended and Courtney felt bringing another poet of her type would be successful once again.
Courtney and Nichols searched for another artist to bring by looking at people's biographies to see what kind of experiences have shaped their lives. They were impressed with Longoria and also felt bringing him would be a cultural plus.
"We have had black and Asian poets, and now we have a chance to bring someone from a Latino background," Courtney said. "It is a way to express cultural experience."
Longoria now lives in San Francisco and has also taken up the art of writing prose, short stories, screenplays and putting together a compilation of his poetry. He has traveled and performed all over the country giving people a look at his writing.
He qualified for Chicago's National Slam Team and has won a number of poetry competitions. Longoria is also a showcased headliner at numerous high schools and universities. He is helping young people to find the writer inside them and find creative ways to express themselves.
SCSU students are encouraged to attend Longoria's performance to witness his originality and new perspectives on life.
"Come in with an open mind and be ready to absorb what he's saying. People who attend spoken word poetry tend to get moved and swept away with the words of the poets," Courtney said.
Surely Christopher has much creativity and originality to offer those who are interested in poetry.
For those who are not big in the arts, Longoria's performance is something new and inventive to try. He offers a fresh taste to the old stereotypes and has helped make spoken word poetry more popular than ever. Students may surprise themselves and be swept away after all.
