Expressing the Rural West: Poetry of the Next Generation

[manfredvijars]

I remember trying to get a similar programme running a few years ago.

I believe that this is the area The ABPA should be looking for it's growth AND longevity.


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Expressing the Rural West: Poetry of the Next Generation
2nd annual YouTube poetry competition for the next generation of western poets
The Western Folklife Center is again hosting a spoken word poetry contest for the next generation of western poets.
Expressing the Rural West: Poetry of the Next Generation is a friendly competition for poets between the ages of 18 and 35 from 17 western states.

Participants are invited to upload videos of themselves reciting original poetry, with a short introduction or artist's statement at the beginning of the video. A more detailed list of competition guidelines can be found on the Poetry Contest's YouTube Channel and on the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering website. To submit your video, upload it to your own YouTube page and tag it with "2015 Cowboy Poetry Competition." For more information and to see and vote on the tagged videos, visit the contest's YouTube channel.

We hope to inspire people in this age group to write about rural life in the West and to share their words with others at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada. There will be both a public competition (you can vote on your favorite by clicking the thumbs up button under the video), and a juried competition. The winner of the public contest will receive two 3-Day Deluxe Passes to the 31st Gathering and a Gathering poster. The winner of the juried competition will be invited to perform at the Gathering in January 2015, and travel and lodging will be paid by the Western Folklife Center.

You have until December 21 to submit your video for consideration. Judging will take place on the 22nd and winners will be announced on the 23rd. If you have questions or want more information, contact Darcy Minter, Western Folklife Center Communications Director at (775) 340-4240 or dminter@westernfolklife.org.

[Bob Pacey]

Ok we have the expertise so lets do it ?


Bob.

[warooa]

The ABPA should look to our west or their west?

[Neville Briggs]

What sort of prize would you suggest the ABPA could come up with, Mannie.

[Bob Pacey]

Why does it need to be for a prize Nev ?


Bob

[Neville Briggs]

If it is presented as a competition usually people expect some sort of prize.
The example here is a competition with a prize.

[manfredvijars]

Yes, we do have the expertise Bob. I ran this idea by the committee and membership for almost a year with no response. Maybe it's time hadn't yet come.

My thoughts were a little more encompassing Marty, but that might not be a bad place to start, given that there were just on 400 performances at the Junior Swaggies in Winton this year.

My thoughts were a cash prize and trophy, going to the individuals Nev.

I still believe that this is the way forward for our culture AND the ABPA ...

What are your thoughts?

[Bob Pacey]

Ran it past both my grandsons 16 and 14 and the answer was yes . Manny



Bob

[manfredvijars]

Thanks Bob ... I get similar responses too ... Still working on it ..

[Bob Pacey]

Anything that involves technology Manny, they were videoing themselves and their mates play boxing at the time I asked.

Bob