Fayette County Public Library continues its poetry month celebration with the third in a series of four events, the first annual Teen Spoken Word Café: Open Mic/Poetry Slam will take place Thursday, April 26, from 5–8 p.m., in Fayetteville, at the Fayette County Public Library, 1821 Heritage Park Way.

Registration for the event is required. A panel of judges will select 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners and present awards. Special guest speaker, Dr. Brigitte Byrd, will give a brief talk on “Poetry in the College Years.” The event is free and open to the public, and light refreshments will be served.

Christy Dyson, public services librarian, has created this premier show with verve and vitality to match the scene. “We have planned an informal but intimate café atmosphere with a nightclub effect, using café-style tables with candles and tables dressed with checkered tablecloths, all embraced with dim lighting - to get you in the mood,” said Dyson. “We have several teens already signed up and welcome many more. To participate, just come into the library, or call, and register to perform. We expect it to be an exciting and fun evening.”

As in all competitions there are rules to establish an equal basis for judging. There are to be no props, costumes or musical events; the reading is to be three minutes with a 10-second grace period – anything over will cost points against one’s final score – and the material must be PG-rated. Scoring is to be from 0 to 10 and based on content and performance.

Judging the performance will be published and performed poets and writers.

“We invite the community to come and be the audience for this burgeoning group of spoken word entertainers. Who knows? You may hear the next super star of the spoken word. Everyone is welcome,” said library director Chris Snell.

The event is sponsored by the Fayette County Public Library and the Friends of the Fayette County Public Library. For additional info, call 770-461-8841.

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