CT Team 2008
Brave New Voices, 2008 – Washington DC

We are pleased this year to be partnering with the

Creative Writing Alliance (Prince George’s Country), the Hip Hop Theater Festival (NYC), Sol y Soul

and DC WritersCorps (DC), the Smithsonian, Robert Redford’s Sundance Preserve, HBO, Simmons-

Lathan Media Group, 24/7TownHall, the US Green Building Council and more.

About the SLAM:

One of the main attractions of Brave New Voices is the International Youth Poetry

Slam. Exclusively for teenagers 13-19 years old, the Youth Poetry Slam oftentimes provides the largest

audiences and the biggest stage these writers have read from. However, we ask all to please remember

that we downplay the competition as much as possible.

Brave New Voices fully embraces and uses

The Youth Poetry Slam as a tool to bring together some top young poets from around the country (and

beyond) to share their work with their peers and a larger audience. We love the slam. It’s always fun. But

this is much more than a slam, so let’s do our best to keep the competitive part at bay. If we adults take it

too seriously, then the youth will too. It’s a poetry party, mostly. So let’s have fun and focus on the art.

PARTICIPATION

Across the land, teenagers participate in poetry slams and other events organized by teachers, schools,

local poets, community organizers and youth workers. Although the slam is a competitive event,

competition is de-emphasized and commitment to craft and growth in the writer as person and community

member are encouraged. From these local events and programs, 4-6 poets (13-19 years old) are selected

to represent their city at Brave New Voices.

More than 400 young poets will participate in this year’s festival held in Washington DC July 2008

representing over 44 parts of the country and globe.  Teams expressing interest to this point include (this is not yet a final list so don’t trip if you don’t see your city listed):

San Francisco, Kansas City, Ann Arbor, New York City

San Jose, Madison/Milwaukee, Seattle, Chicago,

Ypsilanti, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Savannah,

Los Angeles, Connecticut, Honolulu, Austin,

Leeds England, Maryland, Stockton, Houston,

Denver, Detroit, Washington D.C., Taos,

St. Louis, Hampton Roads, Fontana, Providence,

Chapel Hill, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Santa Fe,

Minneapolis/St. Paul, Cleveland, Newark, Amarilllo,

Philadelphia, Rochester, Silver City, Boston,

Worcester, Charlotte, Jacksonville, Trinidad / Tobago

EVENT SCHEDULE 2008

Schedule as of April 1, 2008

Schedule will change based on theater availability, and other

unforeseeable concerns. This draft will be modified accordingly. A finalized schedule will be made

available prior to the festival, and be included in the information packet.

Tuesday, July 15th

11 - 5pm Team Check-in begins @ the Hotel

6 – 8pm Opening Ceremonies Legends + Every City Opens Up

US Capital Building DC

Each team prepares 60 seconds (max) of performance.

10 – 12pm Opening night Open Mic @ GWU

Networking Activity GWU

Teams Practice for Slam

Wednesday, July 16th

9 – 230pm BNV Writing Workshops (Lunch included)

300 – 5pm BNV 1st Annual National Town Hall Meeting

Open dialog about issues facing young people today.

6 – 730pm Sundance – Brave New Voices Speak Green – presenting the winners of the Global

Warming Spoken Word Contest

Live on two stages at the Kennedy Center

9 – 1030pm Coaches Open Mic @ the Hotel

1030 – 12pm Reciting Circles Poetry Share / Read (New Works Networking)

Thursday, July 17th

10 - 6pm. Quarter Final Rounds of the International Youth Poetry Slam

(Lunch served between Bout Rounds. Each team performs in two bouts this day)

The Atlas Performing Arts Center Downtown Washington DC

8 – 10pm Hip-Hop Theater Festival Presents: (Professional Theater Presentation)

The Clarice Smith Center for Performing Arts, Maryland

Performance / Meet and Greet with artists.

1030 – 12am BNV Peoples Championship Individual Slam Semi’s @ GWU

Film Festival @ GWU Theater

Friday, July 18th

11 – 1pm Semifinals of National Youth Poetry Slam (8-10teams)

Two separate Theaters simultaneously.

The Smithsonian Institute Museum Theaters

The Smithsonian Museum Theaters

6 – 10pm Bring the Noise Benefit Show

Hodge/Watsky’08 BNV Campaign Rally and live concert

1030 – 12am BNV People’s Championship Individual Slam Finals @ GWU

Film Festival @ GWU Theater

Saturday, July 19th

12– 4pm Youth Speaks and the Hip-Hop Theater Festival Presents:

BNV Future Aesthetics Workshops @ Howard University

5 – 630pm BNV Green Dinner and Celebration

7 – 10pm Grand Slam Finals @ the Lincoln Theater

11 – 1am Official After Party @ GWU