On March 3rd, Def Meets Deaf Poetry Jam took place at Lovin Cup. I as an MC and also a performer and John Roche, also an MC and performer, ran the show. Hearing poets/performers and deaf/hard of hearing poets/performers took turns on stage to present their work. Two great interpreters: Cindy Gilchrist and Denise Herrera spoke deaf/hard of hearing performers' work in English for the hearing audience who didn't know how to read American Sign Language and also interpreted the hearing performers' work in American Sign Language for the Deaf/hard of hearing audience who couldn't hear the spoken words too well. The interactions among the hearing and deaf worlds during the whole event created a sense of warmth, support, and understanding of one and another. This unique event only occurs every year and this year is the 9th year of the show.
The Jam was a success with great packed crowd. The performers were: (hearing) Collen Powderly, Grace Flores, The Mental Graffiti, Miriam Lerner, Michael Czarneki, John Roche, Nick Eckerson, and Bart White; (deaf/hard of hearing) Dangerous Signs, RH ASL Choir, Matt Schwartz, Vicki Nodquist, Eric Epstein, and Eddie Swayze.
This event was supported by RIT College of Liberal Arts, English Department, and NTID Interpreting Services as co-sponsors.
Here are photos of the event.
Eddie Swayze
Dangerous Signs
Matt Schwartz
Miriam Lerner
Colleen Powderly
John Roche
