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Submit your poem or song here to claim a spot on the next Fresh Heat Open Mic line up!
The theme for April’s Fresh Heat is “Reimagining & Retellings" We want you to bring your pieces that take current topics and old stories and look at them through another lens. We want your work that explores: What could be? What would an ideal world be? How would things be better or different if certain conditions of our current (or past) society were changed? Below are some prompts to help inspire you if you get stuck. Whether your poem/song is on theme or not, come out and perform at Fresh Heat! |
Supported by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council, as administered by the RAC. Funding has also been provided by the National Endowment of the Arts
APRIL FRESH HEAT MODELS & PROMPTS
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"Field Trip to the Museum of Human History"
by Franny Choi In “Field Trip to the Museum of Human History” Franny Choi imagines a future world where prisons and policing are a distant memory. Taking inspiration from the poem, imagine a future where a certain system, condition, or issue in our current society no longer exists. What would the future generations think about our current society still dealing with said issue? For instance, imagine what it would be like to explain “poverty” to future generations where no individuals are struggling financially. |
"Dinosaurs in the Hood"
by Danez Smith In “Dinosaurs in the Hood” Danez Smith imagines what it would be like to watch a movie that does not rely on stereotypes about Black people and other people of color or focus on their historical traumas. If you could create your own movie, show, album, book, anime, etc., centered around a community you are a part of, what would it be about? What stereotypes or misconceptions would you want to make sure are not included? |
"Kaiya" by Anna West & "Marin" by Sandra Cisneros
In “Kaiya” by Anna West, the poet honors and shares the story of Kaiya, a young poet from Baton Rouge who passed away unexpectedly. The poem not only shares Kaiya’s story, it also imagines what Kaiya’s legacy will mean in the future. Similarly, In “Marin” by Sandra Cisneros, the poet describes the hopes and dreams of Marin. It talks about what she does and who she is as a person.
Using “Kaiya” and “Marin” as examples: Who is someone in your life who is important to you? This can be someone who is in your life presently or is no longer with you. What is their story? Use your words to paint a portrait of them. What are they like? What do they like to do? What are they hoping and dreaming for? What do you see about them that they may not see about themselves? What do you want them to know?
In “Kaiya” by Anna West, the poet honors and shares the story of Kaiya, a young poet from Baton Rouge who passed away unexpectedly. The poem not only shares Kaiya’s story, it also imagines what Kaiya’s legacy will mean in the future. Similarly, In “Marin” by Sandra Cisneros, the poet describes the hopes and dreams of Marin. It talks about what she does and who she is as a person.
Using “Kaiya” and “Marin” as examples: Who is someone in your life who is important to you? This can be someone who is in your life presently or is no longer with you. What is their story? Use your words to paint a portrait of them. What are they like? What do they like to do? What are they hoping and dreaming for? What do you see about them that they may not see about themselves? What do you want them to know?
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MARCH FRESH HEAT MODELS & PROMPTS
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"Klonopin"
by Imani Sundiata In “Klonopin” by Imani Sundiata, the poet tells the stories of their struggle with mental health as a teenager. In the poem they explore how unaddressed mental health can cause generational trauma, being unheard as a teenager, and the struggles to express what you need to feel better. She explains how various different people and figures in her life react to her sharing her struggles. Using “Klonopin” as an example: What is something about yourself (this can be a trait, a physical characteristic, a memory, a secret, or condition) that is important to you but most people may not know or may be difficult for them to understand? What would it be like to explain this aspect of you to someone you love or someone who you think would be really understanding? This person could be real or imaginary, known or unknown. How would they react to you explaining yourself? |
"For everyone who tried on the slipper before Cinderella"
by Ariana Brown In, "For everyone who tried on the slipper before Cinderella" by Ariana Brown, the poet imagines what happens to the people who did not get their “Happily Ever After” like Cinderella. She imagines what may be the unheard thoughts, feelings, and actions of the unnamed ladies who we do not think about when we think of the fairytale. Using "For everyone who tried on the slipper before Cinderella," write a piece celebrating people who are overlooked, undervalued, or unappreciated in your life, community, or in society as a whole. What advice or encouragement do you have for those people? What are these people doing at the moment you are writing this poem? What are their day to day lives like? Maybe try using a repeated phrase such as “For those who,” |
"Kaiya" by Anna West & "Marin" by Sandra Cisneros
In “Kaiya” by Anna West, the poet honors and shares the story of Kaiya, a young poet from Baton Rouge who passed away unexpectedly. The poem not only shares Kaiya’s story, it also imagines what Kaiya’s legacy will mean in the future. Similarly, In “Marin” by Sandra Cisneros, the poet describes the hopes and dreams of Marin. It talks about what she does and who she is as a person.
Using “Kaiya” and “Marin” as examples: Who is someone in your life who is important to you? This can be someone who is in your life presently or is no longer with you. What is their story? Use your words to paint a portrait of them. What are they like? What do they like to do? What are they hoping and dreaming for? What do you see about them that they may not see about themselves? What do you want them to know?
In “Kaiya” by Anna West, the poet honors and shares the story of Kaiya, a young poet from Baton Rouge who passed away unexpectedly. The poem not only shares Kaiya’s story, it also imagines what Kaiya’s legacy will mean in the future. Similarly, In “Marin” by Sandra Cisneros, the poet describes the hopes and dreams of Marin. It talks about what she does and who she is as a person.
Using “Kaiya” and “Marin” as examples: Who is someone in your life who is important to you? This can be someone who is in your life presently or is no longer with you. What is their story? Use your words to paint a portrait of them. What are they like? What do they like to do? What are they hoping and dreaming for? What do you see about them that they may not see about themselves? What do you want them to know?
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THS SLAM TEAM PROMPT A: "dEAR br" BY ch, km, & js
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In “Dear BR,” the poets talk about what it is like to grow up as teenagers in Baton Rouge. Drawing on their personal memories and using descriptive language, the poets show the good and bad experiences of growing up in “Jigga City.”
Using “Dear BR” as an example, write about what it was like growing up in your hometown or another place that is important to you. What are some of the lessons you learned? What are some of the positive things about the city? What about the not so positive things? Be sure to get descriptive so we can really imagine what it is like to live there! |
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THS SLAM TEAM PROMPT B: "My Name" by Sandra Cisneros
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In “My Name,” the speaker of the poem tells the story of how she got her name. She talks about what it means to her family, what it means to people at school, and also what she would like it to mean. In the poem, she imagines a new name that has a new meaning.
Using “My Name” as an example, write about the meaning of your name. How did you get your name? Is there a family story connected to it? Would you change your name? If so, what would you change it too? |
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THS SLAM TEAM PROMPT C: "Superpower" by Ariana Brown
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In “Superpower,” Ariana Brown writes about how her ability to love even when it is not always valued is her superpower.
What is your superpower? This can be a trait about yourself (smile, ability to see the good in others, etc) or imaginary (ability to read minds, invisibility, etc.) How did you get your superpowers? How do you use them? How do they benefit you? Has anyone tried to use your superpower for their own benefit? |
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