By China Boynton
This year the sixth annual Exit 36 Poetry Slam Festival will take place at the Pompano Beach Cultural Center at 50 W. Atlantic Blvd., from December 7 to 9.
On Thursday, December 7, the first and second rounds of competition will take place and Terriona ‘Tank’ Ball from the Grammy-nominated musical group “Tank and the Bangas” will read excerpts from her book of poems, perform a song, and also act as guest judge for the slam contest.
Friday night the festival will host a workshop on how to turn poetry into a screenplay with award-winning poet, screenwriter and spoken word artist Richard Wilson. He is best known for his writing on the OWN series “David Makes Man.”
Sharonda ‘Eccentrich’ Richardson is the founder and director of the Exit 36 Slam Poetry Festival and has partnered with the City of Pompano for this event. She is also a slam poetry artist herself and says poets and the public are excited for the festival this year.
“Spots filled up in four minutes,” said Richardson. Referring to the 20 poets who rapidly signed up to compete in this year’s slam. “This year everything will be at one venue, The Pompano Beach Cultural Center, and we are also adding a side slam and giving away more money.”
Last year’s second and third place winners Freddy ‘Breeze’ Everheart and Eddie Figures will be back competing for the $2500 first place prize money. The second place prize is $1500 and third place will receive $1000.
This year Exit 36 is also hosting a ‘Since you Here Anyway’ side slam poetry contest taking place on Friday night after the artist talk with Terriona Ball. The first 12 people to sign up will get a chance to win $500 in prize money along with a spot in next year’s slam poetry contest.
“The side slam is just a way for us to say thank you for traveling and supporting our event and since you here anyway we appreciate it so try to win some money and a spot on us,” Richardson said.
The festival will close on Saturday with the Southern Fried preview weekend at the Ali Cultural Center along with a “Story Slam” contest themed “Coming of age: Stories Between the ages of 13 and 21.”
Spots are still open, and the grand prize is $250.
The evening will continue with a workshop hosted by Ebony Stewart on using poetry to uncover generational stories.
Festival goers will get a glimpse of last year’s Exit 36 slam poetry contest winner Blaq Wildflower who will be hosting the final poetry brawl where the top 15 poets will take the stage and the 2023 winner will be crowned. Food trucks will be available and festival passes are $30 and can be purchased online at Eventbrite. More info can be found here, https://www.pompanobeacharts.org/exit36.
