Award-winning poets will stretch their vocal cords tomorrow on the Brandeis University campus to raise money for after-school programs for Waltham children.
Brandeis's VOCAL, a student-run group, is hosting VOCAL 2008: Speaking Up for the Future, a spoken-word concert.
Justin Kang, 21, a member of VOCAL, said the idea has been in the works for over a year.
"I've always been interested in spoken word. I always wanted to hold my own show," he said. "This summer, I read an article on how a lot of Massachusetts programs were going to be cut so I wanted to do something for the community.
Kang said with support of faculty and the staff at Brandeis he raised money for the event which will feature performances from internationally recognized poets like Saul Williams, Carlos Andres Gomez and Mayda Del Valle.
Jason Simon-Bierenbaum, a student and event organizer, said in a press release that the concert is a perfect fit with VOCAL's mission because poets are often socially active and able to inspire an audience to action.
"Spoken word has a very moving power," he said in the release. "We chose poets from different backgrounds who all have moving words to share. For example, Carlos Andres Gomez was a social worker and Jared Paul has been coaching youth poets in Providence for over five years."
Kang said Brandeis's student union government, department of student activities and students and enrollment department all chipped in cash to put on the show.
"The concert is important for Brandeis students not only because of all the great artists who will be performing, but because it helps continue to build bridges between the campus community and the wider Waltham community," said Mark Auslander, academic director of the learning program. "Especially linking young people who share a passion for the art of the spoken word."
This year students from several classes involved in the learning program have been revitalizing the Prospect Hill Terrace public housing apartments in Waltham.
Proceeds will help with a new community center at Prospect Hill Terrace, which is expected to offer programs for children and adults.
"It is just wonderful to see Brandeis students stepping forward to raise money to support after school and youth programs in Waltham," Auslander said. "We're really pleased as well that young people and families from Prospect Hill and Chesterbrook will be attending the concert as guests of Brandeis."
University officials said the concert will also benefit other programs selected by Waltham Partnership for Youth.
Students are also working on a letter-writing campaign, asking public officials to examine the need for quality out-of-school programs.
"Students need a way to express themselves," said Simon-Bierenbaum in the press release. "Only so much of what kids learn comes directly from classrooms."
VOCAL members will hold writing and poetry workshops for young people before and after the concert. This event, held at the Spingold Theater Center, is open to the public.
Ticket prices include suggested donations for Brandeis students, $16-21 for general tickets and $36 for VIP tickets to meet the poets after the show.
Tickets are available at http://go.brandeis.edu/BrandeisTickets.
