“The Read”, a performance of poetry, will be held this Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 5:30 p.m. on the 3rd floor of the Library Learning Resources building. Hip hop artist D’Lo will be reciting poetry amongst professors and students like Crystal Salas, Anja Leigh, and Shae Sveniker. “The Read” will be following a workshop held in room 318 of the Library Learning Resources building from 4-5:30 p.m.
Sandra Hunter, founder of The Razor Babes, holds workshops and reads once a month. These workshops assist poets of all ages with better understanding of their own poetry. In 2004, “The Read” would normally consist of only 4-6 people, since funding was so low. Five years later, Associated Students Board now funds half of the program, while writers and poets provide the other half of funds. Thanks to the Moorpark College Associated Students Board and Poets & Writers Inc. in addition to a grant received from The James Irvine Foundation, workshops and reads are able to fulfill their goals by reaching out to more students each month.
“The workshop produces a sense of cohesion, passion for writing and genuine respect for each other’s work. I believe it’s also a significant part of the success of Razor Babes,” said Hunter. “We now have 11 Razor Babes and are open to receive more. Anyone, student, staff or faculty, at Moorpark is welcome to join us. They should be able to attend workshops where they can submit their poems for feedback”.
Shae Sveniker, 24, a radiological technologies major, as well as a poet at Moorpark College welcomed the opportunity. “I liked the content development of her workshop…I found the criticism to be helpful,” said Sveniker. “The thing I enjoy is opening people’s eyes to different points of view. The modern poet has to be part philosopher for them to be any good.”
Moorpark College’s monthly Read has reached out to local members or the community, and not-so-local poets in California. Through The Razor Babes’ travels, they have met many great poets and writers, some of which have even attended “The Read” at Moorpark College.
D’Lo, 31, is a well-known writer, poet, hip hop artist, and music producer. She has written and performed a play in New York and Los Angeles titled, “Ramble-Ations: A One D’Lo Show”. D’Lo’s fans find her to be inspiring, impressive, and most of all, talented.
“I have no idea what to expect from D’Lo, but she sounds intriguing, quirky, contemporary,” said Professor Anja Leigh about D’Lo’s upcoming visit to “The Read”.
“But I’m looking forward to the D’Lo experience”.
Whether students are stimulated to write, or just simply enjoy hearing others recite poetry “The Read” is a great place to experience different styles of poetry.
