Matthew Kay Public Feed

​SLA Poetry Team Qualifies for Championships

Posted by Matthew Kay on

This past Friday, the SLA Poetry Team was rewarded with a trip to Slam League Championships: an Elite 8 on Friday May 17th at Franklin Theater. This victory was a team effort. Bella Mezzaroba kicked off the first round with a silky love poem that swept both judges and audience into a trance. Her mastery of language drew from the audience a steady rainfall of snaps. In the second round, Josh Melendez rocked his now-famous “Hallelujah” piece where he switches seamlessly between the character of a gay male and the bigot that kills his lover.

 The third and final round began with Veronica Nocella alone on stage, words poring forth in her customary velvety waves; when all of a sudden a shout rang out from what seemed like the heavens – Soledad Alfaro-Allah was beckoning from the balcony! This was the ghost of Veronica’s murdered partner. The crowd wasn’t ready! These young ladies spun out their story, then brought a hush over the crowd with a stunning and horrific conclusion.

Thanks to Team SLA for their continued hard work throughout the season.

                                        -- Coach Marchella Baldwin

Also, if you ever miss a slam, you can check Team SLA’s YouTube Channel http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVGXphRYY9ELDGuJjq5Gn-w
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SLA home to one of Philly's top poets

Posted by Matthew Kay on
Congratulations to SLA Junior Joshua Melendez for being one of only six poets in the city to make Philadelphia's youth poetry team. 

Josh will be representing Philly this summer at the International Brave New Voices Festival in Chicago, Illinois.


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SLA Poets Claim Victory

Posted by Matthew Kay on
From Coach Marchella Baldwin - 

​SLA's Poetry Team took Friday's slam by storm with a combination of wit and poise. Our lineup included a hilariously truthful piece by Kaboni Bailey and Josh Melendez about how to appropriately talk to a girl that riled up the audience. Mia Weathers-Fowler was up next performing a piece that asked her fellow poets how she should feel about about the concept of love - which had the audience snapping in appreciation, and helped get into the 3rd round. Then our closer, Soledad Alfaro-Allah, sealed the win for us in the sudden death round. An awesome team effort lead to our first win of the season. Thanks to Team SLA for their continued hard work. 
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