Dear Detroit...

[linzm]

THANK YOU.  Phoenix, Cassie, Aricka, you put on an amazing show once again.  I know I don't know how much work and devotion went into it, but I appreciate it anyway.  Columbus is gonna have some big (and stylish) shoes to fill!


My WoW top ten:

1.  Dee Matthews ran one of the coolest workshops I've ever attended, two years in a row.  She created an environment where women who were competing against each other offered honest, constructive feedback and helped each other grow.  That's a damn impressive feat.

2.  Will Evans's poem at Beauty vs. Brawn.

3.  Janis Joplin singalong on the top floor before the security guards made us move.

4.  The Youth Slam winner TORE IT UP.  Can someone remind me what her name was?  Everyone needs to watch out for her in the years to come.

5.  Chair trolley racing.  Which I am never allowed to do again.  Nuff said.

6.  Those were MY red cowboy boots on the finals stage!

7.  Working poems in the hotel room with Dane, Jo, Lauren, and Michelle.  Not to get too "sisterhood is powerful" on y'all, but I adore how supportive WoWPS as a whole is.  Everyone wanted everyone else to do well, which is why the bouts were so hot, every time.

8.  The endless patience, love, and willingness to give rides that ALL the Detroit crew showed.

9.  Electric slide!

10.  Pretty much every piece at finals, but especially Dee's New Orleans piece, Gypsee Yo's last poem, and the winning piece from Rachel McKibbens.  That was one beautiful slam.

[Evan]

YES to 2, 8 and 10

HELL YEA to 4....i got it ALL on video but not sure if it can be used because my cheering!

[linzm]

Oh, I meant to say, I'd love it if other people posted their top 10 as well!

[dlhoratio]

In really no order:

7)  The Detroit organizing team - Cassie, Aricka, Phoenix, all of you guys were welcoming, heartfelt, accommodating and cheerful.  Thank you so much for a job well done.

9) My roomates, who could not have been been more fun, or less dramaful.

3) A cypher on Friday night, before it was busted up by security.

4) A cypher on Saturday night, before it was busted up by exhaustion.

2) Finding out that Emily Kagan (and others) can sing.

6) Being told "Tell them you come from LouderARTS."

1) Watching the final 3 be exactly who I wanted them to be.

Dee's workshop, and its magic.

10) Ela Barton's inscription in the copy of her chapbook she gave me. 

5) Killing my 3-minute, getting awful scores, feeling prouder than G-d.

[BeverlyWilkinson]

#5 - A man needs to be dropped on his ass once in a while.

[Arrian]

The youth poet's name was Rhiana, unfortunately I wasn't given her last name when I was 'kitty-cat wrangling' (keeping track of poets backstage).

[BeverlyWilkinson]

My comment about #5 is directed at Lindsay.

[linzm]

Beverly, yeah, I think he learned and grew from the experience.  He's a better man now because of it. 

[mscassiepoet@yahoo.com]

I missed such a thing as Chair Trolley Racing!?!  OMG!  This is unexceptable!!  We must have this in Columbus as I have to understand what it is.  Not to mention ... I must participate!

I am sooooo glad you guys had such a good time.  Out of the many concerns we had, and there were many, that was always priority number one.  Thank you so much for coming and sharing yourselves with us. 

Mad love,

Cassie