John Roche, Myself and other Poets/Musicians at Bug Jar

To see the poster bigger, you need to click on the image.

On April 30th, from 5-8 Pm, John Roche (featured poet), myself and other poets plus musicians after John's reading will perform at Bug Jar downtown Rochester on 219 Monroe Ave. John Roche will read his work, then other poets will read their work afterwards. I, as one of the poets, will perform using sign language and spoken words simultaneously. I will do 2 or 3 poems during this event. I usually perform my work in pure ASL along my original composed electronic music with recorded voice, but in this event, I will only use sign language while I speak at the same time in front of the microphone. For this kind of performance approach, the sign language may not be completely in American Sign Language structure, but more in English-led format. It is not that easy to do pure ASL and voice the English-structured words simultaneously. Also, if it works out, I may have a bongo or percussion player play along one of my poem at this event. I am looking forward to this fun event.

Audience/Performers, ASL Poetry and Performance at Flying Squirrel Community Space

The top photo is the audience watching the show. The second one is Vicki Nordquist performing her ABC ASL skit. The third is Matt Scwhartz signing in ASL along a song.

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.