National Poetry Month: FREE Movie Night! The Last Poets

April is National Poetry Month! Come enjoy a free movie and stay for the open mic! Tonight’s film will highlight the groundbreakers and trailblazers of what is today’s hip-hop and spoken word–The Last Poets!

A little about The Last Poets:

The Last Poets are several groups of poets and musicians who arose from the late 1960s African-American civil rights movement’s black nationalism. The name is taken from a poem by the South African revolutionary poet Keorapetse Kgositsile, who believed he was in the last era of poetry before guns would take over. The original users of that name were the trio of Abiodun Oyewole, Gylan Kain, and David Nelson.

The versions of the group led by Jalaluddin Mansur Nuriddin and Umar Bin Hassan had the largest impact on popular culture. The Last Poets were one of the earliest influences on hip-hop music. Critic Jason Ankeny wrote: “With their politically charged raps, taut rhythms, and dedication to raising African-American consciousness, the Last Poets almost single-handedly laid the groundwork for the emergence of hip-hop.”[2] The British music magazine NME stated, “Serious spokesmen like Gil Scott-Heron, The Last Poets, and later Gary Byrd, paved the way for the many socially committed Black [emcees] a decade later.”[3]

**Following the film, there will be an intermission and those who would like, can discuss the film. Also during intermission, there will be sign-ups for the poetry open-mic. Suggested donation for open mic is $10.00.**

Event Schedule (Times are approximate):

6:00 PM – Doors Open

6:30 PM – Film Starts/Doors Close*

8:00PM – Doors Open/Discussion/Intermission/Open Mic Sign-Ups

8:30 PM – Open Mic/Doors Close*

9:45 PM – Wrap-up

*Doors will be closed/locked during these times. We would love for you to attend, but please do your best to arrive before doors lock, as there will be no guarantee that someone will be able to let you in.

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About your host:

La Toya A. Hampton, MSW, artistically known as The Poet Lady Rose. Lady Rose has been a recognized spoken word poet since 2008 and has performed throughout Portland, Oregon and Los Angeles. Her work has been featured in numerous publications, songs and the acclaimed documentary Black Girl in Suburbia. In June 2022, she was one of four artists selected by Portland Playhouse to each produce their own short film. Her completed project, “Petals and Thorns: A Spoken Word Journey,” which followed the experience of four (4) Black Portland teens while going through an intensive one-week writing and spoken word camp, culminating in their first spoken word performance, debuted in September 2022. She has served as an educator for more than 20 years to all ages and ability levels.

Check Out The Poet Lady Rose’s Website! Click Here