LAST POET STANDING III Featured by 'The Signature: A Poetic Medley Show'

Oral Funk Poetry Productions is taking the show on the road! Last Poet Standing III is a head-to-head spoken word competition which will be featured as a part of the ninth season of the Off-Broadway Theatrical Revue, The Signature: A Poetic Medley Show. See some of the greatest talent from across the Midwest perform at the Aronoff Center's intimate Jarson-Kaplan Theater in downtown Cincinnati at 650 Walnut Street on Friday, August 19 from 8:00 - 11:00 PM. The Signature Lounge opens in the lobby at 7:30 PM, featuring live music and a full bar.

Tickets are $25.00 and are on sale now at www.CincinnatiArts.org, (513) 621-ARTS [2787], or at the Aronoff Center Ticket Office. STUDENT DISCOUNT (on sale now): $15.00 with a valid student I.D. Limit (1) discount ticket per student. Available only in person at the Aronoff Center Ticket Office.

The winner of Last Poet Standing III will receive a grand prize of $1,000 and the second-place winner will be featured during the 2017 season of The Signature. This event is designed to spotlight the word-play, story-telling, fiery aesthetic of spoken word and will be hosted by DJ Vader and nationally-renowned performing artist "Just Greg."

"Artist often want to experience and participate in diverse projects. Last Poet Standing III is a universal platform that crosses generational and cultural divides," said Sierra Leone of Oral Funk Poetry Productions. "It opens the door for everyone to come together and share the same space. It takes a lot of heart to be a part of this. Past years' competitions have been amazing and even featured two high school students from Stivers School for the Arts [Dayton , OH]. The production serves as an homage to the spoken word genre and will be a night of exciting, fast-paced, engaging and spontaneous fun."

Host for the evening, Greg "Just Greg" Corbin, is a poet, writer, teacher, hip hop artist and community activist. He has performed across the globe from England to South Africa and shared stages with India Arie, Mos Def, Nikki Giovanni , and Saul Williams, among others. Founder of the Philadelphia Youth Poetry Movement (featured on the HBO program "Brave New Voices"), Greg is a socially and politically engaged artist, frequently conducting workshops in prisons and schools and tackling controversial topics including religion, the politics of education and love, bullying, racism, and parenting in today's world.

Music will be provided by Cincinnati-based DJ Vader, who has been recognized as "Best DJ/Radio Personality" by Best of Black Cincinnati. You can hear him spinning your Old School favorites on Cincinnati's 100.3, or on his podcast, WTFU Radio.

"Last Poet Standing III is a great opportunity for the community to support Urban Creative Arts and Midwest performing artists," Leone said. "It is a wonderful theatrical experience for those who love the arts and appreciate all the genres within spoken word and poetry."

FREE WORKSHOP: The Art of Word - Friday, August 19, 4:00- 5:30 PM

Whether you are starting out as an amateur artist or you are a professional that wants more out of your craft, it all starts with a thought for success. This workshop will demonstrate how to turn those thoughts into tangible things. In this dynamic visual concepts and imagination workshop, participants will apply concept-imaging for creativity that focuses on innovative tactics to revolutionize the way artist think, create, and perform. This creative art-themed holistic system provides the foundation necessary for artists of all genres to transcend from amateur to professional. The holistic approach will help artists reach their full potential. Today, more artists are learning the four elements of the human personality - body, mind, soul, and spirit - and the Natural Laws under which these artists operate to produce achievement in their craft rather than failure. Transform your creative world with the power of ideas and application. Attendees will be able to demonstrate artistic restructuring and concept -imaging techniques used to build a positive foundation of thought and action easily applied to everyday life for success in business, personal development, and relationships. This interactive session, featuring Just Greg among the panel of presenters, will offer expert advice from those seasoned in the fields of performance & spoken word as well as DJ/radio hosting. Professionals are welcome to attend as well, and encouraged to contribute their experiences to the conversation.

The Signature: A Poetic Medley Show has earned a reputation across the Midwest for being edgy, thought provoking, groundbreaking, funny, engaging, sexy, diverse, and spontaneous. More information and details are available online at www.tripplecroxxent.org, the home of Urban Creative Arts.

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