I know what you're thinking: why, if I'm reviewing HBO's Def Poetry - a TV series featuring performances by Spoken Word artists - am I also reviewing Bum Rush The Stage - a live show featuring performances by Spoken Word artists? As I said in my Def Poetry review of the difference between written poetry and Spoken Word performances, Def Poetry is one thing - Bum Rush The Stage is Something Else. THE STORY (borrowed liberally from the BPS Press Release) Bum Rush The Stage, presented by MSU's Black Poets Society (BPS), featured critically acclaimed poets of today's generation, as well as two guests fondly spoken of by host Ed Garnes as "the elders". The younger artists have been featured in shows like Def Poetry and MTV Road Rules, as well as various poetry slams (contests) and concerts across the country. BPS itself was founded in March of 1998 by a group of Black students who had a vision to unite the talent and minds of MSU's Black poets, writers, and artists. As with far too many primarily-Black student organizations, BPS doesn't get much love from majority-White media outlets [can you say "damn The State News?" I knew you could!] - but as was evident by the packed house, the community stands firmly behind BPS. THE UPSHOT Touches of both old school and the current generation abounded; the beat was from today (including soul-tinged hiphop played too loudly as "background music", and a cute skit by BPS members about brawling with only their words), but there was a definite harking-back to yesterday. This was no doubt influenced by the presence of two of the older poets (Dr. Richard Thomas and Karen Williams) sharing the stage with the younger artists. Even where things got a little too deferential towards the elders (to the point of them being referred to as "The Ancestors". Dag, they weren't that old!), it was cool to see young folks giving honor to the poets that came before them. As a strictly written-word poet myself, I sat in awe of how these artists "did they thang"; even the performers who didn't quite affect me as much as did the others, still have a remarkable talent. Truly, if you think getting up and sharing your soul as these poets do (without the aid of props, bands, backup dancers, and the like), g'head, give it a shot. Long story short, I enjoyed the diverse poetic styles immensely, and look forward to seeing these slammers on TV and live in concert again. Short story long, I'm going to vary a wee bit from my usual reviewing style, and instead just tell you a little about the poets and what they had to Say, in a side note to this review. Read more on the Bum Rush The Stage artists at http://www.3blackchicks.com/2002reviews/lt-bamsbrartists.html BAMMER'S BOTTOM LINE If you like poetry and Spoken Word performances, you'll groove on the artists that made up Bum Rush The Stage; as diverse as the non-Monolith that is Black culture, these poets have something to offer almost everyone. And if you haven't seen these performers on Def Poetry or live in person yet, make it your business to do so soon. BUM RUSH THE STAGE:   back to top And that's the way I see it. Rose "Bams" Cooper 3BlackChicks Review™ Copyright Rose Cooper, 2002 EMAIL: bams@3blackchicks.com    ICQ: 7760005 http://www.3blackchicks.com/