Poetry Slam to Feature Rachel McKibbens

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University Programs Coffee House Committee will host a Student Poetry Slam featuring Rachel McKibbens at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31, at RZ's Coffee house at the Arkansas Union.

Poet Rachel McKibbens is an ex-punk rock chola with five children. Known for her astonishingly visceral stage presence and devotion to craft, McKibbens has become one of the most respected poets in the spoken word community. She is the 2009 Women of the World poetry slam champion, an eight-time National Poetry Slam team member, a three-time NPS finalist, and a 2007 New York Foundation for the Arts poetry fellow and Pushcart nominee. For four years, she co-curated the award-winning louderARTS Project reading series in New York City, coaching its poetry slam team to three consecutive National Poetry Slam final stages. She teaches poetry and creative writing throughout the country, from housing projects and needle exchanges to high schools, hospitals and universities.

This event is sponsored by University Programs Coffeehouse Committee and is free and open to the public. For more information about the Rachel McKibbens show or other poetry events, contact the Coffeehouse Committee at upcoffee@uark.edu or 479-575-5255.