Photo of Performers, Interpreters, and Owner for ASL Poetry and Performance at Flying Squirrel Community Space

On April 9th, four performers presented their ASL work at the Flying Squirrel Community Space downtown Rochester. Vicki Nordquist performed her ABC ASL sign language skits, Susan Smith performed "The Flood" from Vagina Monologue, one of her daughter's poem titled "Modern Day Media" and her own titled "True Love". Matt Schwartz performed one song (can't remember what is the name of song) and also performed with his high school student, Taylor Rodwell, along Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" song. I, Eddie Swayze, performed his 3 poems/electronic music pieces: "Blade Grey Sky", "Every Man for Himself", and "Night Life". Chad Edmonds, Dawn Zuppelli, and I voiced Susan's and Vicki's work. Dawn Zuppelli, the owner of Flying Squirrel Community, allowed me to provide this great ASL Poetry and Performance show at her facility. The crowd was great in almost full capacity, and I didn't expect that.

ASL Poetry and Performance at Flying Squirrel Community Space

On April 9th, four deaf and hard of hearing poets/performers will present their work at the Flying Squirrel Community Space. They are Vicki Nordquist, a well-respected comedian/actress/mime performer/performing artist/theatre director in Rochester, Matt Schwartz, a former renown drag queen performer in Rochester and a signing-to-song performer, Susan Smith, a skilled ASL poet, and Eddie Swayze, an ASL poet with original composed electronic music, actor, performing artist, and visual artist. These performers will be voice-interpreted for the audience who do not know American Sign Language. This is made possible by ASL Poetry Society (Facebook group) and in support by the Flying Squirrel Community Space downtown Rochester, an unique space that fosters and supports artists and performers. The show will start at 7 PM and it is free to the public. This performance event gives the Rochester community an opportunity to get exposed to the deaf and hard of hearing artists' ASL work and gain appreciation upon the beauty of American Sign Language as a language that can be used for creative purposes such as poetry, theatrical productions, and so forth.

Come on down and see what the performers have to offer, their unique and creative work, all presented with the use of American Sign Language (ASL).

ASL Poetry at Flying Squirrel Community

The Flying Squirrel Community located on 285 Clarissa Street, Rochester, NY just approved my proposal to present an ASL poetry show with deaf/hard of hearing performers. This event will happen on April 9th at 7 PM, free to the public. I am currently seeking for performers and interpreters. Flying Squirrel Community is a place that provides a welcoming space that will cultivate and sustain long lasting relationships between artists, activists, and community members in Rochester so that we may work together to create positive social change.

I will keep you all posted on the progress of this exciting plan.

Videos of Def Meets Deaf Poetry Jam 3

I received a website with videos of Def Meets Deaf Poetry Jam 3 for you to see. The videos show deaf/hard of hearing and hearing poets/performers doing their stuff at Lovin' Cup on Januaray 22nd, 2011. The show turned out a success with good crowd. I would like to thank Paulette Swartzfager for video-taping and uploading them into the website.

Here is the website address, high-lighted, for you to click on and see the videos.

http://pswartz.blip.tv/posts?view=archive&nsfw=dc

Vicki Nordquist, Jeremy Quiorga, three NTID students (Edgar, Jojo, and Holly), Matt Schwartz, and myself - Eddie Swayze- performed American Sign Language poetry or performances. John Roche, Lori Nolasco, Paulette Swartzfager, Grace Flores and more hearing poets/performers read their work in English. Lastly, Luane Davis Haggerty presented an activity and encouraged many to do the hand-shape group participation.

Def Meets Deaf Poetry Jam 3 Flyer

I and John Roche, RIT Liberal Arts professor, are setting up another hearing and deaf/hard of hearing poetry/performing arts show at Lovin' Cup as our third year. I and John completed our search for the performers and they are listed on the flyer. I completed the flyer design and here it is for you to see. In order to read the performers' names, you will need to click on the image of the flyer and it will become bigger for you to read their names. This event will happen on January 22nd from 2 to 4:30 PM, free to the public.

The show will consist of hearing and deaf/hard of hearing poets/performers taking turns on stage, entertaining the audience the hearing world's English poetry/performance work and the deaf world's American Sign Language (ASL) poetry/performance work. There will be deaf/hard of hearing NTID (National Technical Institute for the Deaf) students, well-known local deaf/hard of hearing poets/performers, hearing RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology) students, and well-known local hearing poets/performers. John Roche will read his work. I, Eddie Swayze, will perform his original composed electronic music/recorded poems in American Sign Language.

Come on down and see the show and spread the word.

Pictures of My "Joey" ASL Poetry Performance for World AIDS Day Benefit Concert

I got photos of my ASL poetry performance with the dancers for World AIDS Benefit Concert on December 1st, 2010. The performance took place at the Hochstein Music Performance Hall in Rochester, NY. The poem is titled "Joey". I played the electronic music I composed with my voice recorded. I translated my voice into ASL while the work was played. The dancers joined and danced around me. It was a lot of fun and it was also powerful.

You can read this poem, "Joey", to get an idea with what was being said.

“Joey”

My name is Joey -

Cute face and beautiful my skin.

Collecting money from the men is my bliss.

I wear tight jeans and t-shirts out on the streets,

Then I strip myself nude under the silky sheets.

My hair is a beauty and I’m young -

Green eyes and my body strong.

I’ve seen men come then go.

I’ve heard them flirt on the phones.

Oh god, life isn’t always kind.

Men having fun then dying.

Yet I see there are illness untold.

My soul will soon must go.

My name is Joey -

Grayed eyes and my body underweight.

Shed tears through heartache and pain.

I gradually turn ill in the shadow of grief,

Then I slowly close my eyes under the white sheets.

My name is Joey. Can you remember me?

My name is Joey. Can you pray for me?

Poem and Song for NTID's International Holiday Show

I will perform a song from PJ Harvey titled "You Came Through" in ASL and my ASL poem titled "Bright Red" for NTID's International Holiday Show this Friday, December 10th, at 1 PM in the Panara Theatre in bldg. 60 (LBJ). It's free to the public. Other performers will do their skits who are staff, students, or faculty, and will share the holiday spirit on stage.

Here is PJ Harvey's song that I will translate into ASL and my ASL "Bright Red" poem that I will perform.

"You Come Through" PJ Harvey

We are waiting


For the summer.

The sun will bring back


Treasures for us.

Come on my friend


Drink to good times.

Golden wishes


To your health and mine.

You come through


For me.

You come true


For me.

You be well


For me.

You come through


For me.

I'll be lifted


On this our holiday.

I'll take you my friend.

I'll take you with me.

You come through


For me.

You come true


For me.

You be well


For me.

You come through


For me.

"Bright Red" Eddie Swayze

Snow and cloud-ridden skies

Bathe us in calm soft light.

Welcome our dreams and wishes

Upon our holidays in delight.

Cheer along with glasses of wine

And our sweet serenades.

Hear violins ringing

Through chilled winds.

Glistening lights dance in pine trees.

Fancy presents wait below for children.

Flames radiate upon candles in gold.

Silver bells create sweet melodies.

We return upon our reunion

And celebrate in deep jubilance.

We come for peace and remembrance

For our precious traditions.

Love grows in our hearts warm

Where hollies

Glow their berries

Bright red.