PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Knicks Poetry Slam Program is broken up into two contests, Spoken Word and Written. Participants have the option of performing poetry live, competing online through www.KnicksPoetrySlam.com or by submitting a portfolio of their original work. The 2009-2010 Program will provide winners with more than $350,000 in college grants and prizes.
The deadline to enter the Written and Spoken Word Competitions have passed. Stay tuned for more information on how to register for next year's competition.
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2010-2011 KPS Program Key Dates
NY Knicks Creatively College Bound Program
September 25-December 18
This program is geared towards HS juniors & seniors who want their creative critical voice to soar over the tedium of the college application process. Using spoken word and hip-hop as inspiration, we will write high-quality college application essays and explore numerous scholarship opportunities. This workshop puts students on track to get into college, and GET MONEY.
- MANHATTAN: September 27-December 13
- BROOKLYN: September 29-December 15
- BRONX: October 9-December 11
- CCB directly serves over 100 students with all aspects of their college bound process, applications, scholarship and financial aid applications, and essays.
- CCB sends over 95% to 4-year college
- Over the past four years CCB students have garnered over $2.5 million in scholarship money
- Creatively College Bound is developing a volunteer program that allows adult professionals to be paired with students to help mentor them through the college bound process, edit essays and identify scholarships.
- CCB VOLUNTEER Trainings SEPT. 18 & 24
- FRI. DEC. 3 ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SENT (to Wisconsin, Adelphi, Mercy)
Monday October 11, 10AM-3PM College Fair & Open Audition
College Fair & Open Audition features over 75 colleges represented, informational workshops for financial aid and college prep, as well as all day entertainment and open poetry audition.
Metropolitan Pavilion 10AM-3PM
- 2010 College Fair expects 75 colleges represented
- 2010 College Fair expects 2,500-5,000 students attending—making it the largest FREE college fair in New York City and the Tri-state Area
- 2010 Open Poetry Audition expects 400-500 poets performing one-minute poems "Idol" style
- 150+ poets from the Open Poetry Audition will advance to creative writing/spoken word and performance workshops and the Preliminary Slams
- Informational workshops include FAFSA, Creatively College Bound, SAT Prep and more
- All day entertainment includes poetry, spoken word, hip-hop, dance crews, step teams, acrobatics, Knicks players and legends appearances
- Partners represented from Hot 97, KISS FM, NIKE, Sports & Arts in Schools, Univ. of Wisconsin, Mercy College and Adelphi University, The Hymowitz Children's Foundation and the Joan Goldstein Foundation
Oct. 18-Dec. 3 Spoken Word/Creative Writing Workshops
Over 150 of the top poets from the Open Audition will advance to spoken word/creative writing workshops at Urban Word NYC sites across the city. Urban Word NYC workshops provide students the platform to express their powerful voices through low-risk, high-impact, writing and performance exercises. Students will work with NYC's top poets and mentors to engage their own narratives, and learn effective tools to enhance their performance for the Preliminary Slams.
- Urban Word MANHATTAN: Wednesdays Oct. 20-Dec. 1 (4:30-6:30)
- Urban Word MANHATTAN: Saturdays Oct. 23-Nov. 27 (4:30-6:30)
- Urban Word BROOKLYN @ Crown Heights Live: Tuesdays/Fridays Oct. 19/22-Nov. 30/Dec. 3 (4:30-6:30)
- Urban Word BRONX @ The Point: Thursdays Oct. 28-Dec. 2 (4:30-6:30)
- York College QUEENS: TBD
- BEDSTUY PR-G: TBD
Nov. 6-7 Creatively College Bound "Knicks Camp"
The Creatively College Bound program manages the full scholarships that the Knicks Poetry Slam Program awards each year. Through this program we have secured full 4-year tuition scholarships at University of Wisconsin's First Wave Program (2 full rides), Mercy College and Adelphi University. The "Knicks Camp" allows us to invite other students across the city, who may have not taken the CCB workshop classes, to apply for these important resources. The kicks camp will engage the application process, essay writing and portfolio building for the Reason I Write Essay contest (see below).
- High School Seniors are invited to an orientation session at a preseason Knicks game at Madison Sq. Garden on October 13
- Students will be given a checklist and all information regarding the remaining CCB workshops as well as the CCB Kicks Camp
- These sessions will be another opportunity to match CCB Volunteers with students
Friday Nov. 19 Reason I Write Essay Contest Deadline
The "Reason I Write" Essay contest determines which students will receive a full four-year scholarship to University of WI (2 scholarships), Mercy College & Adelphi University.
- ALL CCB workshop students, and "Application Kicks Camp" students will submit their final application materials, including the "Reason I Write Essay" and creative sample/poetry portfolio
- CCB Volunteers will coordinate with their student matches to finalize all college materials
- Once notified by each school which students are admitted, a panel of judges representing the schools and our partners will score each essay and creative sample/poetry portfolio
- Winners will be notified prior to the Knicks Poetry Slam Final and will be awarded on stage at the New Amsterdam Theater and on court during a Knicks game
Dec. 3-Dec. 12 Preliminary & Semifinal Slams
Over 150 of the top poets from the Open Audition compete to advance to the Semifinal and Final rounds of the Knicks Poetry Slam at the New Amsterdam Theater on Broadway! Poets will perform original poems to packed audiences, while judges advance the top poets. Finalists will compete for over $30,000 in scholarships money to the school of their choice.
- PRELIM #1: Fri. Oct. 3, 6-9PM @ The Point
- PRELIM #2: Sat. Oct. 4, 3-6PM @ The Nuyorican Poets Café
- PRELIM #3: Sun. Oct. 5, 3-6PM @ The Bowery Poetry Club
- SEMI #1: Fri. Oct. 10, 6-9PM @ The Point
- SEMI #2: Sat. Oct. 11, 3-6PM @ The Nuyorican Poets Café
- SEMI #3: Sun. Oct. 12, 3-6PM @ The Bowery Poetry Club
- Top 25-30 poets from each Preliminary round advances to Semifinals
- Top four poets from each Semifinal round advance to Finals
- Next two poets from Semifinal round get place online and entered into the Digital Poet Competition where viewers from across the country can watch their performances to vote for which poet they want added to the final slam
- Digital Poet advancement date TBD
Knicks Poetry Slam Finals at New Amsterdam Theater TBD
The Knicks Poetry Slam is the first program to bring a poetry slam to a Broadway stage. Last year's finals were standing room only with over 1,900 fans and supporters in attendance.
- Top 13 poets compete for over $30,000 in scholarship money to the school of their choice
- Prior to event, the 13 finalists work with a professional director and choreographer to create an opening ensemble piece that begins the Broadway show
- Pre-show VIP reception and meet & greet with finalist poets
- University of Wisconsin First Wave Ensemble performs a short hip-hop theater piece
- Reason I Write Essay contest winners awarded their scholarships from Univ. of WI, Mercy and Adelphi representatives
NY Knicks On Court Presentations TBD
Winning poets receive a fully catered private suite with their families and are honored at half court during a NY Knicks game.
For a list to all the colleges and universities that attended the Open Audition and College Fair, please click here.
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