poet's society

Buddy Wakefield along with several other poets and performance artists came to my university to give a presentation last week. At first, I was hesitant to go. I didn't know who they were or what message they were trying to send (we get lots of crazy speakers and preachers; afterall, this is a public campus, they have the right to do or say whatever they want as long as they dont physically harm anyone). Anyway, these guys turned out to be great. They tour under the moniker Elephant Engine High Dive Revival, composed of Anis Mojgani (2-time Individual National Poetry Slam Champion), Derrick Brown (invited to open for The Whites Stripes, Cold War Kids), Buddy Wakefield (2-time Individual World Poetry Slam Champion), Shira Erlichman (Pushcart Prize Nominee; mesmerizing 1-woman band) and 10 nationally recognized rotating 5th members.

This was taken off of their facebook page:

Born to inspire, these poetic acrobats have been engaging international audiences for over a decade from San Quentin State Penitentiary and House of Blues all the way to HBO and The Tonight Show. Their individual successes are many but together they have struck an undeniable power chord with North American audiences for the past three years. Unpack that trapeze and tightwire, take off your seatbelt and climb up. This year’s Revival is their biggest show ever!

Expect wide open eyes, cannonball surprises and the belly laughs returned to your balloon animal faces. With uproarious crowd participation, unwavering honesty, human condition truth activism and respect for the lives we lead, the Elephant Engine High Dive Revival charges the hearts of all they meet.

So, in due order, I'd like to share with you a little clip of Buddy Wakefield performing at NYU back in 2009. It really strikes a nerve: