Poetry lovers rave about 3-day festival

Performances, workshops draw poets of all ages

A roaring crowd on its feet and poets stepping onstage to improvise were common scenes at the first “Sacramento International Poetry Festival,” which attracted around 300 participants last weekend — poets, poetry lovers and the curious from Sacramento and throughout California.

“This is an exciting thing. Sacramento is getting in general a better reputation because of the festival,” said Africa Eldridge, a CSUS counseling graduate.

“I’m glad it happened. Sacramento has a growing poetry scene. This creates an opportunity for established, upcoming poets to share what they’ve already known,” said Mario Ellis Hill, poet and director of Mario Ellis Hill Poetry Machine, whose performance “Space between Words” garnered thunderous applause.

Presented by the CSUS Multi-Cultural Center, CSUS Foundation, Tower Books and Fairytale Town in William Land Park, this three-day festival explored educational, entertaining, and inspirational themes.

“I’m the chauffeur today and drove four kids here,” said Toni Colley-Perry, a parent advisor for the Sacramento City Unified School District. Her children found several workshops in which to participate. Even Colley-Perry’s 5-year-old son enjoyed sharing moments with Mother Goose and listening to storytelling at the workshop specially designed for children.

“This has been really good. Poetry allows a person to express openly, to improve self-esteem and balance one’s life. I’m happy that my kids enjoy it,” Colley-Perry said.

Novice poets and poetry lovers got advice from recognized poets at Saturday’s workshops on how to write different types of poems, how to get their works published, and how to combine poetic verse with classical jazz.

In addition to the educational aspect, some workshops emphasized that poetry, as an art form, is a tool for positive self-imaging and cultural awareness.

“Poetry is not only writing, but living. Poetry comes from your own humanity. People accept you when you give them your heart. I don’t believe in religion, but I believe in life,” said Max Schwartz, who has been an internationally-honored poet and photographer for 33 years.

Performances by two guest poets Saturday night were highlights of the festival.

Jessica Care Moore is a Detroit native who has won the Apollo competition five times in a row. Her vocal inflection accentuating the spiritual easily captured the audience’s hearts.

“You were born writing little girl/but you will learn to wait/the lines will appear as currents/events to fool you into submission — this is where you will find poetry/screaming between the air inside your walk.”

As the lead actor and co-writer of the film “Slam,” Saul Williams showcased his talents and unique views while reading poems collected in his recently-published book “She.” Williams explained the title of the book. “I put a square root in there because it means a man can find a place in the matriarchy. So many of my female friends found a sense of power, a sense of self that I’ve never witnessed.”

After hearing Moore and Williams’ poetry readings, Kristee Goward, a CSUS psychology junior, said, “I had narrow, closed views in poetry. Hearing different artists expands my knowledge.”

On Sunday night, six poets received the “Sacramento Hall of Fame Recognition Awards.” Also, some participants provided their suggestions for next year’s poetry festival. Colley-Perry hoped to see more ethnic groups get involved.

“These workshops are non-paid. Why don’t they spread out the amount to those hard-working poets who do valuable service to our community,” said Robert Lozano, a computer technician and a member of the local “Say Yes” poetic publishing group.