About the Author

Jayton Okada is the founder of the Guam Musicians Initiative and a computer science major at the University of Guam. He is a huge supporter of the various local art mediums from music to film. He also works as a computer and musical equipment technician. An avid guitarist and fan of music and comic books, you can find him reading or writing songs and poetry in his spare time.

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Sinangan-ta Presents: Power to the Poet Youth Slam

August 6th, 2009 • Related • Filed Under

• Help the Sinangan-ta Youth Team Get to Brave New Voices 2009
• Sinangån-ta Poetry Collective – Monthly Slams @ The Venue
• Sinangån-ta Outreach – “The Last Word” Poetry Slam
• Sinangån-ta Outreach – The Last Word Poetry Slam March 27th.
• Sinangan-ta Outreach Fundraiser

Filed Under: Press Release

Tags: sinangån-ta • sinanganta

Sinangan-ta Outreach/Poetry Collective is presenting their monthly Power To The Poet Youth Poetry Slam this Saturday, August 08th, at The Buzz Cafe in Hagatna.

Come support local youth poets (ages 19 and under), as they speak up and speak out on different topics. Whether it be a piece on art, family, love, social issues, militarization, politics, family violence, or dealing with long distance phone charges or impatient customers… be sure to see some of Guam’s youth stepping up to the mic to speak up, speak out, and let their voices be heard.

2nd Saturday of each month @ The Buzz Cafe in Hagatna

There Are 4 Responses So Far. »

1. 

   Comment by Joseph Certeza on 7 August 2009:

   ill be there for the September event, I cannot wait to check the activism through the spoken arts.

   Much Love!
2. 

   Comment by Jayton Okada on 8 August 2009:

   Hope you enjoy.

   One must remember that the greatest part of doing these poetry slams is that it isn’t just about social activism, or talking about ongoing issues.

   It’s an artform, while people think it’s an offshoot of hiphop or its a place where poets badmouth the military and government…

   it’s more than that.

   These poetry slams are a place for people to express themselves.
   The last youth slam, I won 2nd place.
   My poetry was nothing about social activism, I did a piece on a family dealing with an Alzheimer’s affected matriarch, and a piece on identity crisis.

   Another poet talked about dealing with customers as an employee at coldstone, another a love poem, another a poem on how we as a society are too dependent on technology.

   The slams are known for the social activism, but it’s more than that. Way more.

   A place where a person can speak to a room full of people without having to worry about watching his words or opinions. There’s not just freedoms of speech, but freedom of thoughts and ideals without the worry of being accosted or ridiculed for ones opinions.
3. 

   Comment by Jayton Okada on 8 August 2009:

   Full write up coming soon to be posted on guamology.com and guamartists.com

   Results –
   1st – Jayton Okada (Me! it was dedicated to Dr. Mike Bevacqua and his daughter Sumahi!)
   2nd – Bernard (I always forget his last name, I believe it’s Bansil)
   3rd – Channis Guevara
   Runners-up: Jessica V., Ivan “ColdStone”
4. 

   Comment by Kel Muna on 13 August 2009:

   Congratulations to you, Reggaton and to all the poets!

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