By Aries Franklin Ortiz
The City of Reading witnessed an unforgettable night on Saturday, June 14, as ThePoetSmiley’s Inaugural Bless the Mic Slam Poetry Contest lit up the WCR Center for the Arts. The sold-out event drew poets and audiences from across Lancaster, Pottstown, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, New Jersey, New York, and Delaware, creating a powerful showcase of spoken word talent that left a lasting mark on the city’s cultural landscape.
The high-energy competition brought together current and former Poet Laureates, alongside rising stars of the slam poetry scene. The poets delivered raw, passionate performances that captivated both judges and attendees, demonstrating the transformative power of the spoken word.
At the end of an intense evening of lyrical battles, the top honors went to:
1st place: @chiina_bloodmire (Tiara Baines)
2nd place: @handy.man609 (Alonzo Harris)
3rd place: @glyph_poetry (Anthony Orozco)
In addition to the poetry, the event featured live painting and local vendors, creating an immersive arts experience that blended visual, literary, and community expression. Organizers and participants alike hope that the success of Bless the Mic will inspire continued collaboration and growth within Reading’s creative community and beyond.
The contest was judged by a distinguished panel, including award-winning author Lizette Epps, Councilman Jaime Baez, Seleda Simmons of The Real Deal 610, Tiffany The Poet Fairy (NJ), Brad Waples of CustomIT, and poet Jay Smoov (NJ).
The event was made possible thanks to the generosity of Queens Cafe, the Diamond Sponsor, as well as the artists, vendors, photographers, a DJ, and a community that came together to celebrate the arts in all its forms.
Plans are already underway to make Bless the Mic an annual tradition, promising more opportunities for poets, artists, and audiences to connect through creativity.
The post Bless the Mic Slam Poetry Contest Ignites Reading’s Arts Scene appeared first on BCTV.
Source: bctv
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