The spirit of poetry, literature and music is always around us, every day, but on Nov. 20, it ignited into a rhythmic flame here at the Downtown Campus, where the Phoenix Literary and Arts Society (PLAS) hosted an Open Mic in the T-Building Auditorium.
Students with something to say had the forum to do so. Freedom of speech is a widely used expression, but these days it seems like the expression itself is used more than the concept behind it.
The truest form of freedom of speech, in cases that aren’t reserved for the revolutionary spirit, takes the infinite form of art, and that’s what this event was about: the spirit behind those who can create, dictate, and define life as we know it through the written word or painted canvas.
Pat Moran, the event’s special guest poet, after describing past life experiences and his highs and lows of breaking into the literary world, read a few original poetic works; notably the first two he read, titled “The Retired Stripper” and “The Retired Drug Lord,” from his series of poems about people who, in his words, “retired from one thing and then became something else.” They were not only thought provoking, but they were remarkably intuitive for someone who is in neither position; uniquely demonstrating the universal nature of struggle and redemption.
When asked about the success of the event, Natasha Hollerup, president of the Phoenix, said, “This has been the most successful, out of all three [Open Mics] that we’ve had here at the Downtown Campus.” Hollerup added for any students who may have missed the event, “For everybody who is creative, keep doing it, because you are being heard. Find us so we can publish your work, because this is definitely for the students.”
“The MATC community came out with great support and voice at the Open Mic event at the Downtown Campus,” said Jason Kolodzyk, advisor of the Phoenix. “We, the Phoenix student organization, were happy to give students, staff and faculty an opportunity to share their hopes, their dreams, their struggles and their concerns in a variety of creative ways. We also saw the success of the event reach out to the community! PLAS has formed a service-learning partnership with the creative students at Pulaski High School and they had a presence at this event.”
“Not only that,” Kolodzyk added, “but a year’s worth of hard work could finally be shared by all: The annual 2012 Phoenix was released to the public at this event. The literary and arts magazine showcases, in many ways, the diverse spirit of MATC.”
If you consider yourself an artist, a poet, a musician, or creative by any means, then submit to the Phoenix, they want all the creativity they can get.
It is for the students and it is for the sake of creation and art, and all of it is for the student with that creative spirit. You just might see your name in print in the next edition of the Phoenix.
(Darin Dubinsky/Times)
(Darin Dubinsky/Times)
(Darin Dubinsky/Times)
(Darin Dubinsky/Times)
(Darin Dubinsky/Times)
(Darin Dubinsky/Times)
