The Slam

A week today, on Thursday 18th May at our ‘Reverb Youth Space‘ after-school drop-in club, we will be having a combo-event; with ‘Karaoke‘ and a ‘Poetry-Slam‘.

Now, I’m sure most people know what ‘Karaoke‘ is. It is a form of entertainment/hobby that comes from Japan. The name Karaoke カラオケ, is a clipped compound of the Japanese kara 空 “empty” and ōkesutora オーケストラ “orchestra”, and is now popular around the world. They even as of 2003 have a ‘Karaoke World Championship‘

Now, what exactly is a ‘poetry slam‘? Is it where people get together to critique poets and poetry? Do they ‘slam’ poetry?!

No.

A ‘poetry slam‘ is a competition at which performance artists read or recite original works of poetry. The first poetry slam took place in Chicago in 1984. American poet Marc Smith designed the first competition to help popularise poetry recitals, and move them from the dusty halls of academia to a more popular setting; such as cafe’s and bars. So it, like Karaoke, is a way in which people can have fun and express themselves in music and rhyme. Being creative and enjoying some time with friends.

When I came up with the title of this post, I couldn’t help but think of Toby Mac’s song ‘The Slam‘; where he calls Jesus Christ ‘The Slam’. This is not a negative connotation, despite the fact that to slam can mean to hit hard. However, in this context, the Slam is from urban slang meaning ‘something awesome’ and ‘something that should catch our attention’. So he is saying that Jesus is awesome and He should catch our attention. You can read the lyrics here. I love the way that Toby Mac is so creative with his lyrics, and that within everything that he does as a songwriter and a performer, he is always pointing back to God.

Jesus is his focus.

Just like the apostle Paul – “The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.” – Colossians 1:15-18

Back to next Thursday. Come along on Thursday 18th of May @ 3:15pm & have some fun. Sing a song or two. We have over 80 songs to choose from on our Karaoke playlist. Write a poem and share it; or share a poem that has impacted you.

It should be a lot of fun.