The D.N.S.T.P. Chapter of A.A.C. Presents the 24 Hour Slam

Sixteen slam poets will face off November 23rd when the D.N.S.T.P. Chapter of A.A.C. presents Georgia College’s first ever 24 hour Slam. The event spans three locations and features poetry, live music, and live art. Slam poetry is the competitive art of spoken word which pits teams of poets against each other in a poetic boxing match of epic proportions.

Monica Prince, Org Director of the D.N.S.T.P. Chapter of A.A.C. says, “The event transforms ordinary people into slam poets overnight. This is awesome!”  

The 24 Hour Slam borrows inspiration from Georgia College’s 24 hour plays where participants create and produce plays in 24 hours. Paul Ayo, Director of A.A.C. adds, “This slam will do the same. We’ll write, create, and perform in a 24 hour time period.” The slam begins at 8pm November, 23 in Max Noah Recital Hall. Slam Masters, poets, artists, and musicians begin preparation for the slam Friday, November, 22 at 8pm.

Non-experienced and experienced artists, writers, and poetry enthusiasts are welcome to pre-register for the event while slots last. To pre-register, email us at connect@aacshutdown.org with the subject line, “I want to slam”.

This program is brought to you by the D.N.S.T.P. Chapter of Art as an Agent for Change which works to promote literacy and community engagement through the arts.

Something to Keep Me Vertical

Jamie Walsh and Natalie Sharp prepare for a staged reading of excerpts from "Something to Keep Me Vertical," a choreopoem by Monica Prince. The performance features members of the Georgia College community including: current students, alumni, and members of the Georgia College MFA in creative writing program.

Poetry Jamz is A.A.C.'s monthly open-mic showcase that offers its stage to poets and writers pushing boundaries and using Art as an Agent for Change. Stay tuned as we feature Augusta's Catherine the Great Nov.20 at Blackbird Coffee, Milledgeville

View more photos from our events at our Flickr page.  Also, join us on Facebook and get involved with A.A.C.

A.A.C. 101: Grand Announcement

1. Any new project should start with a grand announcement that makes the focus and purpose of the project clear.

A.A.C. 101 is HERE!!!

A.A.C. 101 offers advice and opportunities to people using their passion (time and talent) to create a positive social impact in their community through the arts. We'll focus on what you're doing and how you're doing it.

Our goal is to experiment, ask the right questions, and solve the right problems. Let's Shut-it-Down!

A.A.C. Presents Something to Keep Me Vertical by Monica Prince

 

Wednesday October, 16 at 8pm Monica Prince presents "Something to Keep Me Vertical" a choreopoem. Choreopoems blend poetry and dance to create an artistic experience unlike any brought to the Poetry Jamz stage before. 

"In an attempt to showcase love at its purest form -- at the very beginning, after years of adoration, and how it transforms into something all-consuming -- this choreopoem includes dance, music, artist renditions, and, of course, performance poetry all blended together. From break-ups to marriages, abusive love to honest love, watch as this multitude of voices come together to try and define what love isn't, what we think it might be, and hopefully, what it really is." 

 Poetry Jamz is a free event brought you by Art as an Agent for Change, Inc.

Miss Haze Takes Center Stage @ A.A.C. Poetry Jamz

Miss Haze snaps a photo with Mike Scott and A.A.C. Founder Paul Ayo at Poetry Jamz. Miss Haze delivered an electrifying performance filled with haiku, history, and stories of phenomenal real-life heroines.

Don't miss next our Poetry Jam at Blackbird Coffee featuring excerpts from Something to Keep Me Vertical, a choreopoem by Monica Prince Wednesday October, 18.

PS: I found the poem that won Miss Haze the first Poetic Notions Poetry Slam "Slam School"

A.A.C.'s September Feature Poet: Miss Haze

Art as an Agent for Change is pleased to present Miss Haze 8pm Wednesday Sept. 18 at Blackbird Coffee.

Miss Haze is an Atlanta based slam and performance poet. In 2012 she ranked top 10 in the Women of the World Poetry Slam and was also the Grand Prize Winner of the Roswell Roots Annual Poetry Slam. She is a 4-time member of Java Monkey Slam Team, 2011 Southern Fried Poetry Slam Champions. She has recently become engaged in the ancient poetry form of Haiku and ranked second in National Poetry Slam Head-to-Head Haiku Slam. A montage of metaphor and real life stories, her poems are intended to enlighten as well as entertain. Warning: Haze is highly addictive so proceed with caution. She is definitely worth the "trip"...

Poetry Jamz is Art as an Agent for Change's monthly collision of culture that serves as an open forum for artists to speak and engage through poetic form. Don't miss this month's Poetry Jam. 

September Feature Poet: Miss Haze

Poetry Jamz is A.A.C.'s longest running community program and we are pleased to feature Slam Champion Miss Haze September 18 at Blackbird Coffee Milledgeville. 



Poetry speaks for itself.

A.A.C.'s D.N.S.T.P. Chapter

A.A.C.'s D.N.S.T.P. Chapter of Art as an Agent for Change kicks off the year with their first meet-up at Georgia College and State University. The group met with aspiring members and gathered input about goals and objectives for the coming year.

The all-new exec board and has a wonderful new A.A.C. program in the works, the 24 Hour-Slam. Stay tuned for more details.

You can still get involved with the D.N.S.T.P. Chapter by visiting their Facebook group and attending a meet-up.

A.A.C. 101: Milk or Wine?

A.A.C. started off mixing drama and poetry together to create a unique theatrical experience for folks who loved theater and poetry.

Overtime we developed a mission that encompasses all of the arts to promote lasting social uplift in all communities.

Not many people will tell you to develop your niche slowly, but A.A.C. will. This may be a world of hurry, go now, start fast, do it cheap, give less, expect more, but we believe you and your art should grow, develop give, and offer more, overtime.

A.A.C. 101: Get Your Student Organization Off to A Good Start

It's the start of another school year and many student organizations are embarking upon another year of ice breakers, team building, and recruitment.

When A.A.C. was founded in 2006 we were a rag-tag group of college students who wanted to change the world and we didn't have a set of guidelines about building our organization. We just kept building and connecting.

We're a bit older, now, and we can offer a little advice on starting your organization.

1. Recruitment never ends. 

There is always a new person who wants to discover more about your organization. Continuously invite new people to join your organization when the moment arrives.

2. Inbound Marketing 

Use your programs as a means to garner support from your base. Use programs as opportunities to build new interest in your cause and to bolster the support of your active members. We caution against hosting too many programs. Instead, create programs that matter.

3. Presentation is Everything

Lights, camera, action. Plan ahead and anticipate the procedures and processes necessary to facilitate your events properly. Go a step further, set-up a mock event and see if your plan works. If it doesn't, try something new to create the perfect presentation.

4. Everyone Isn't Going to Like You

Focus on the people who care about you and your cause. The people who care will tell their friends and garner more support for your org. Wasting your time on the people who don't care may not be as rewarding.

5. Have FUN!!! 

Create the events that make you laugh, smile, and say, "WOW!"

Oak Morse Features @ A.A.C.Poetry Jamz

Atlanta poet Oak Morse embraces the Poetry Jamz stage at Blackbird Coffee in Milledgeville. Oak is a versatile poet who offers a unique perspective about life and love.

Oak writes, "Oak Morse,  a name derived from two separate words, first oak tree which is symbolic for southern strength and deep roots and secondly, Samuel L. Morse  who invented the telegraph, which was the first transmission for messages in a digital era. So hence "deep rooted message."  

Stay tuned for our next Poetry Jam featuring Miss Haze.

Poerty Jamz @ Blackbird Coffee: The Final Season

The final season of A.A.C.'s ground-breaking, open-mic poetry series begins August 18, @ Blackbird Coffee with Oak Morse.

A.A.C. hosts Poetry Jamz @ Blackbird Coffee every third Wednesday August-April. The event is always free and features Milledgeville and Georgia College's finest poets. Patrons enjoy fine poetry and Milledgeville's finest coffee and conversation blended with the riveting spirit of the spoken word.

This season of Poetry Jamz is promised to be the biggest in history with a feature line-up that includes nationally recognized poetry slam champions, musicians, and Poetry Jamz Legendz. Join us for the final season of A.A.C. Poetry Jamz@ Blackbird Coffee. We always SHUT IT DOWN!

A.A.C. Visits Koinonia Farms

This weekend A.A.C. visits Koinonia Farms to present a workshop titled "The Art of Building Peace." The workshop is a part of the two week Peace Builders Camp that teaches students to use their passion for social justice to bring peace and justice to the world. Check out more photoz from the event here. If you'd like to bring an A.A.C.Workshop to your camp, school, or locale click here, and we'll start the conversation. Human connections create a better world!  

2013 Poetic Notions Poetry Festival

A.A.C. presents the 6th annual Poetic Notions Poetry Festival.The two day event spans three separate locations and features a Youth Poetry slam, Literacy and Community Engagement Conference, and Performance Poetry Showcase. 

Winners and participants of the 2013 Middle Georgia Youth Poetry Slam

Conference attendees share at photo at the REACT desk's presentation on creating an active conduit between your community and university. 

Mistafunn, Slam Master of the Java Monkey Slam Team performs at the 2013 Poetic Notions Poetry
 Festival.

The Poetic Notions Poetry festival is the culminating event of  A.A.C.'s yearly efforts to provide solution based arts programs in their community of Milledgeville, GA. If you have what it takes to use your passion for the arts to socially uplift your community, visit our website and find out how to SHUT IT DOWN! 

Harrison Thacker Features at A.A.C. Poetry Jamz @Blackbird Coffee

Harrrison Thacker performs in front of a capacity crowd at the season finale of Poetry Jamz @Blackbird Coffee March 20, 2013. Harrison is a self made poet who links his personal stories, hip-hop, and the stories of others to create a truly meaningful experience for his audience. Want more poetry? Join A.A.C. for the 6th Annual Poetic Notions Poetry Fest. 

The Results: So You Think You Can Dance-- Milledgeville

Nandi Gattis, a senior at Baldwin High school, won this year's inaugural "So You Think You Can Dance — Milledgeville" competition for her liturgical and contemporary performances.

Gattis earned a $500 cash prize and raised the most funds to support charity National Multiple Sclerosis Society."I did this dance for my sister's wedding and wanted to perform it again for the community," said Gattis. "I'm so excited because this money will help me pay for college."

Held at Magnolia Ballroom during the weekend, the competition showcased the dance talents of eight local dancers, who performed for more than 150 community members.

 Sponsored by the nationally recognized nonprofit organization Art as an Agent for Change (A.A.C.), the competition became A.A.C.'s largest community production and fundraiser. Funds support future A.A.C. community arts events.

Meet the Contestants of SYTYCD Milledgeville Part II

A.A.C. present's SYTYCD-Milledgeville's final 4 of 8 contestants for this year's inaugural show. Learn about each's background in dance. You can also watch them perform live for a $500 cash prize at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 9, at the Magnolia Ballroom. Tickets are moving fast! Get your  Tickets today via our secure PayPal link.

LeDwasia Davis

This 19-year-old spiritual, step and hip-hop performer has been dancing for the past 13 years. A senior at Baldwin High School, LeDwasia loves to perform and plans to represent for her classmates and family members. “Dance is what I love,” said LeDwasia, who has danced with group Godly Steps. “It’s my passion, and I plan to give my community an unforgettable performance.” LeDwasia dances in support of charity Chard Wray Food Pantry.

Mollie Speights

This 10-year-old hip-hop star can dance alongside any one and to any music. Incorporating gymnastic abilities and ballet techniques, Mollie compares her moves to those of professional singer/dancer Ciara. A student of Eagle Ridge Elementary School, Mollie has been dancing since age 6 with Cultural Connection. “I have a flow like Ciara,” she said. “I’m a flexible, great dancer, who loves to perform.” Mollie dances in support of charity American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life.

 

Madison French

The 5-year-old dancer is the competition’s youngest contestant. The hip-hopper trains at Cultural Connection and goes to school at Blandy Hills Elementary School. With only one year of experience as a dancer, Madison is a natural. “I’m a quick learner,” she said. Madison dances in support of charity Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

Nandi Gattis

The 18-year-old’s dancing background includes jazz, African, contemporary and liturgical. A senior at Baldwin High School, Nandi has been dancing for the past 16 years. She has trained with dance groups Dance Steps and Rispa in Atlanta. “I love to dance,” she said. “Participating in this competition will help me pay for college.”Nandi dances in support of charity National Multiple Sclerosis Society.