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Posted: 10/30/03

Juan Antonio Meza-Compean at TAMIU 'Monte' Writers Series Nov. 6

 

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Slam poet Juan Antonio Meza-Compean will be the next professional writer to appear as part of the "Voices in the Monte Writers Series," presented by Texas A&M International University's Writing Center, on Thursday, Nov. 6.

Meza-Compean's visit will include a talk on the craft of writing at 11 a.m. in the Student Center, room 236 as well as a public performance of his work and book signing at 7:30 p.m. in the Western Hemispheric Trade Center, room 103.

Meza-Compean writes his poetry in both Spanish and English. Born in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico, he migrated to the U.S. with his family and grew up on San Antonio's west side.

His collection of poetry, Revolution Reborn, was published by The Orchard Press in 1998. Meza-Compean is a slam poet and recently qualified as the first place member on the 2003 San Antonio National Poetry Slam Team. In August, he represented San Antonio at the National Poetry Slam competition in Chicago.

Slam poetry is a new form of live performance, in which teams of spoken word artists perform in front of an audience, with members sometimes selected as judges. Expression counts as much as the verse, and poets take pride in rousing the audience through passionate performances. Audience members at slams are encouraged to respond to the poet as they like, including cheering or booing.

The 'Voices in the Monte Writers Series' is intended to provide an opportunity for students, members of the University's service community, and the public to visit with local, regional and national writers who will share their personal vision of writing and finding their voice. The Series is made possible by funding provided by TAMIU and a Title V Grant.

Previous presenters have included Jesse G. Herrera, Raquel Valle Sentíes, Oscar Cásares, Tammy Gómez, and Naomi Shihab Nye.

For additional information, please contact Series organizer and Writing Center director Randy Koch by calling 326.2885, visiting Killam Library 218 or e-mailing rkoch@tamiu.

Writing Center hours for the Fall semester are from 8:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday and from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. on Fridays. The Center is closed on Saturdays but open on Sundays from 2-6 p.m.
 


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