August 11, 2004
Teens step up to the mic at art night
Third Level sponsors Poetry Slam/Art Exhibit for area teenagers at Art Center
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
"The mic is on and this is your time to shine!"
From songs and stories to poetry and paintings, the Poetry Slam/Art Exhibit was a hit.
Hosted by Third Level and held at the Art Center Friday evening, the event drew approximately 30 teens and family members to share artistic creations and inspiration.
Some poets or storytellers had to overcome some shyness before stepping up to the microphone. They were gently and encouraged by Sabre, one of Third Level's peer outreach workers who also shared a number of her poems.
Meghan Babcock was one of these reluctant poets. A 2004 graduate of the Forest Area Schools, Babcock brought a folder filled with her work and a helping of shyness. She read one poem before taking a long break, her nerve giving way. Finally, Sabre's invitations to the audience to 'shine' encouraged her to return to the mic and read a few more.
"It was fun, I was nervous but it was fun," she said. "I've read poetry to my friends and in poetry class before and my uncle has me on a compact disc at the end."
The audience was very receptive and supportive of the teens' efforts, something that Babcock appreciated despite her self-consciousness.
"It's actually good to have this kind of event where you're not judged by your peers," she said.
A prolific writer, Babcock aspires to be a professional poet. She also found the evening helpful because she was inspired artistically by the other presenters.
"Other poems actually gave me ideas for my work," she noted.
Third Level created the Poetry Slam/Art Exhibit to give teens a fun and safe place to gather and express themselves. Many high school and college age students complain there are not many interesting activities geared to their age group so Third Level decided to help.
"I think that Traverse City is desolate and there's not a lot for them to do," said Sabre, a communications student at Northwestern Michigan College. "This is a safe way to get together and that way their not like, 'Let's do drugs or drink.'¡"
"Especially here in Traverse City there's not a lot to do if you don't have money," she added.
Sabre and some other peer outreach workers got the evening rolling by performing 'fluids,' which are skits acting out emotions and stories. Taking situations gleaned from audience members, they portrayed everything from waking up or being bored to a wedding dress fitting gone awry or a challenging babysitting situation.
The artwork displayed on portable walls at the Art Center included photos, paintings, drawings and collages.
Sabre brought a number of her works, including paintings, drawings and photographs. The event was her first art show and she was excited to exhibit her work. She finds an outlet for her thoughts, moods and creativity in the arts, be it theater, painting or writing.
"The paintings can talk for you sometimes," she said.
The evening's overall theme was celebrating the creativity of young people in northern Michigan, noted Niki Dunwidd-Kiss of Third Level.
"We wanted to get the youth out for something safe and hopefully fun to do," said Dunwidd-Kiss, noting the organization plan another event in the fall. "We're hoping that this will give them an alternative to house parties, and a safe environment."