Poetic Release review

Poetic Release Review – Impact 27/05/2012

Impact, the sophomore show of Poetic Release lived up to its promise by delivering an impactful night of spectacular performances. Founded by the wonderfully talented Lena Norman an aspiring writer and poet, and hosted by the ever-exuberant Aj Taylor, the show has shown tremendous growth since its debut back in February. In case you missed it – and shame on you if you did – here’s a quick recap of the night’s standout acts:   

Denis

Playfully dubbed the “resident poet” of Poetic Release, Denis delivered a set of profound pieces about his relationship with God.  It was the perfect opening for the show, setting the tone for what would be a night of deeply personal poetry with a heavy spiritual influence.  

Rebecca

Rebecca performed two poems one of which was a deeply moving piece about the late Shakilus Townsend, the victim of the infamous honeytrap murder in 2008. She recounted his last words of “mum” and speculated upon why this was. It had a thought-provoking message, examining how an absence of a father figure can lead to a pursuit of the ultimate Father.

Open Mike

By far one of the most memorable and captivating performers of the night, Mike gave a personal testimonial piece about intimacy and his relationship with God. He sauntered casually on stage, possessing an unassuming presence which made the profoundness of his poem a pleasant surprise. Peppered with humour and anecdotal insight, Mike’s poem was a refreshingly candid and relatable account about his struggle with his desire for intimacy. Outstanding.

Mamilen (Lena Norman)

The mother of the show, Mamilen, took to the stage to preform two new pieces, The Substitute, a poignant tale about unrequited love, and Turn to Me, an inspirational piece about the difficulty of rejecting your old life and turning to God. They were both deeply personal pieces which tackled issues that relate to many modern Christians today.

Kat Deal

Kat’s bubbliness and warmth made her instantly likeable when she graced the Poetic Release stage. But it was the poignancy of her poem that held the stunned audience’s attention. Kat delivered a thought-provoking piece about her disability. Kat received a well-deserved standing ovation and rapturous applause. Original, stirring and inspirational; an unforgettable act.

                         

Karmie Karmz

Closing the show was the dynamic Karmie Karmz who enchanted the audience with three of her poems. Karmie quickly endeared herself to the audience with her down-to-earth persona and the realness of her words. Her sassiness, humour and rhythmic flow made for captivating listening.

Karmie provided a memorable and satisfying end to a brilliant show.    

Other acts of the night included spoken word performer Leticia, poet Alfred, singer Anderson, poet Azairah, poet Ian and singer Michelle who dazzled the audience with her stunning vocals.

Overall Poetic Release’s second show was a resounding success showcasing an eclectic mix of creative and talented individuals.  If this show is anything to go by, undoubtedly the next Poetic Release show will be even bigger and better and the group will keep going from strength to strength. 

By Junette Norman

Journalist