Sewanee Spoken Word Marks 10 Years

Special to the Messenger

They shredded the poem, put the pieces in a beer, and drank the words — or maybe they ate them — or both.

Memories of the early days of Sewanee Spoken Word, originally known as “Community Poetry Night,” are now far enough in the past to be hazy — 10 years in the past. On Jan. 20, 2015, a slate of poets and other writers gave voice to their work at the first Poetry Night. That first night was packed, with people standing shoulder to shoulder, edging into the kitchen at the Blue Chair Café & Tavern.

It was in the first year when a group of people gathered at the bar after a night’s reading and literally consumed a poem. That inaugural year was chocked with memories, along with standing-room only crowds — witnesses to wild, soft, and beautiful words — and a discovery: The community needed this.

Sewanee Spoken Word will mark a decade on Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 7 p.m. in the Blue Chair Café. As always, anyone interested in performing, or just watching, is welcome to join.

More than partly-inspired by artist Ed Carlos’ readings at Iona: Art Sanctuary, journalist Kevin Cummings originally approached Lynn Cimino-Hurt, a poet and teacher, with an idea for a regular poetry reading. Musician and teacher Michael Cimino-Hurt joined with the sound equipment, and Sewanee student and writer Sarah Kachelman became the fourth founding member.

Annemieke Buis, 16-years-old at the time, was one of the early regular performers.

“Community Poetry Night was a safe space where I was able to integrate my authentic self with the chaos of adolescence in spoken word,” Buis said on the cusp of her 26th birthday. “I felt seen and heard reading my poetry in the Blue Chair more than anywhere during my high school years — I was able to take my passions, fears, curiosities, and shames and sing them into something we could all behold without judgement and I could feel whole in it.”

The original format was eight readers, four from the community and four University students, followed by an open mic.

“I’ve participated in many creative writing and spoken word groups and open mics since then, and none has had the same sense of safety and openness that I felt with Sewanee Spoken Word,” Buis added. “It’s what got me through some of the most difficult parts of my life ...”

Multiple people have helped organize the event in the past decade, and longtime investigative journalist Brooks Egerton has helmed Spoken Word for much of its existence. He’s been an organizer since at least 2017.

“Jimmy Wilson and the entire Blue Chair crew have been amazing — they’ve made it possible for us to do this with no budget!” Egerton said. “Sewanee Spoken Word has become one of the few places around here where town and gown regularly meet — I love that.”

Cummings, who still attends occasionally, praised Egerton’s work.

“Brooks is a force for good and he keeps things churning,” Cummings said. “Through his connections and passion, he has welcomed a myriad of different types of people to read, sing, act, and just bare their souls in the café. Michael, Lynn, and Sarah were serendipity personified in founding this event — and Brooks was a perfect person to not only carry the torch but keep it burning strong.”

Egerton notes that Spoken Word is more than poetry, it’s music, prose, dramatic performance, and unscripted storytelling. Attendees recently got a sneak preview of a podcast that’s about to launch.

During the Covid pandemic, Spoken Word stayed alive via Zoom, with writers in their digital squares reading from living rooms, offices, and sometimes cars scattered in multiple states.

A number of accomplished authors have performed at Spoken Word, including the author of a novel that inspired a hit movie with Sandra Bullock and Ashley Judd — but the magic is in the locals — neighbors, bartenders, physical therapists, nurses, professors and others who muster the courage to share personal, funny, and intense work over the hum of the café ice machine or the occasional waitress who cuts in the front of the mic.

Egerton notes that many regulars have published books — books they shared at Spoken Word on the way to completing. Adam Ross, Stephanie McCarter, David Landon, and David Baker are among the most recent examples of those who have published work.

Blue Chair co-owner Wilson and bartender/occasional poet Ellis Mayfield have been integral in providing support and space for the readings.

Wilson, in his gregarious good-hearted style, has told the story many times of how he didn’t believe Spoken Word would get off the ground.

“They want to do what?” he has often recalled as his first response to the idea.

Michael, a talented gentle spirit and constant Spoken Word presence, was less incredulous in the beginning, but expected the gathering would eventually fade … “as things like this often do.”

“Now, 10 years later, I am happy to see how it has thrived and continued for so long,” Michael said. “After all this time, I can count on one hand the number of sessions I have had to miss. Every time we meet, I am amazed to find that I still come away with something beautiful and enlightening. So many voices, so many emotions, and so much wisdom …”

There is usually a suggested theme for readings, which performers are free to ignore, and often do, but it’s uncanny how many times an unplanned collective theme emerges.

“There is a shared energy that hundreds of writers and performers have carried since the birth of this thing,” Cummings said. “I love Spoken Word and how we come together as creative human beings who just want to support one another. Hell, I met my wife there.”

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