Knicks Poetry Slam 2010-2011 Open Audition at Roseland Ballroom

Yesterday, high school students from throughout New York City enjoyed their Columbus Day off by taking part in the New York Knicks Poetry Slam Open Audition & College Fair at Roseland Ballroom in the theater district. Through spoken word and written competitions, students in the 2010-2011 program will have the opportunity to win college grants and prizes totaling almost half a million dollars.

The Knicks Poetry Slam was created in 2003 to reach high school youth by using the popularity of hip-hop and poetry as a vehicle to motivate and inspire expression through the written and spoken word. With the growth of the program, the Knicks and program partner Urban Word NYC have provided greater opportunities for high school students to use their poetic skills and talents to pursue higher education. The program serves over 20,000 students annually through school site visits, the open audition, college fair, workshops and poetry slams.

The line to get in went all the way down the block:

Knicks legend John Starks introduced the program:

Dozens of colleges and training programs set up booths to distribute information:

Each student was given a minute and a half to dazzle the judges in one of several rooms that were set up for poetry auditioning:

Justin Long, last year’s Poetry Slam winner, performed on stage…

…followed by several other acts:

A good time was had by guys…

…and gals alike!