With the city still buzzing from her poem at the public inauguration of Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield, the city’s poet laureate jessica Care moore is calling on Detroiters to tell their version of the city in their own words.
moore’s “Detroit Love Haiku Open Mic + Recording Experience” will be held from 8 p.m.-10 p.m. on March 13 – the official-unofficial 313 Day – at the Love Building at 4731 Grand River in Detroit.
The event looks to stage a celebration of the city through poetry, community, and creative expression, all through haiku. Haiku is a form of poetry originating in Japan that conveys emotion through three lines and 17 syllables; moore’s mandate for the 3/13 event is “only poems about our city,” which attendees can record in an audio booth for a “Detroit Love” project.
On the turntables will be J Sicka and Drake Phifer, while the noted poet and author Joel Fluent Greene will make a special guest appearance.
moore’s open mic day experience will be one of the many events happening on March 13, as people all over the city find exciting ways to show their Detroit pride.
She will follow up on March 15 with a free community poetry workshop for people of all ages, as the Moore Art House takes Haiku to the streets. They’ll travel to different communities around the city and asking the question: “What do love about your city in 17 syllables?”
The citywide project will be a yearlong effort that will include public art, recordings, and performances featuring the many beautiful voices of Detroit.
You can find more information about the Haiku poetry workshop at moore’s Eventbrite page.
