FAD Verbal Libations 102310 Part 1

Paul Herring, Arian Muhammad and Flint Odyssey House have taken on a challenge inspired by the principle of Ujamma, one of the seven tenets of Kwanzaa meaning cooperative economics.

"I wanted a nice space for aspiring artists to mingle, write and perform," said Muhammad, a self-styled poet and director of CHANGE, a spoken word and self-esteem program for girls. "I think it's a great addition to the budding poetry scene which is wide open for innovative ideas."

Odyssey House saw a way to help the poets and give its people something to videotape in its video production program.

This is great, said Herring, a 20-year event producer. "The poets had a need and Odyssey House had the space and a need. It is the prefect partnership."

"We want to emulate ujamma cooperative economics. People are encouraged to sell tickets to friends and family. Each $5 ticket sold gets the seller $3 — ujamma," he said.

Eventually, Herrings wants to see a program similar to the Good Beans Cafe's Good Stock where the performer who sells the most tickets gets the headliner spot.

The group is planning event every 4th Tuesday from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. its next is Nov. 23 at the place it is calling "Verbal Libation — The Spot for Poetry and Culture", 529 Martin Luther King Blvd.

Verbal Libation is a project supported by the Flint Odyssey House, CHANGE, the Genesee County Media Center, The Flint Apple Club, The Kwanzaa Committee and Spectacle Productions.

People can participate by reciting a poem, telling a short story or singing a song. Call (810) 239-2901 for information.

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