Tag: arts and culture

Open Chord Brewhouse and Stage hosts poetry slam

Taylor OwensLeave a comment

[Originally posted on the Tennessee Journalist on Feb. 13, 2015]

The Open Chord Brewhouse and Stage hosted a poetry slam in association with Knoxville Poetry Slam on Tuesday night.

The group holds poetry slams and open mic events every month, but Jan. 14 was their first time at the Open Chord. Because of its success, the group decided to head back for another show.

MC’s and spoken word poets Lane Shuler and Courageous, also known as I.N.K., kicked off the event with a poem of their own.

“It all started with the I.N.K.,” said the duo before opening the floor to the public. The open mic was open to all attendees who signed up before the show began. In total, 20 participants came to read their original works about topics such as love, depression and social activism.

Twenty participants participated in the poetry slam and open mic event.

One poet, Saniyah X, was inspired to perform poetry after watching Russell Simmons’ show “Def Jam Poetry” and has been performing since 2007. She performed her slam poem based on her first love called “This Equation.” She also performed an unreleased song called “Our Apocalypse” for the crowd.

“No one outside of my small circle of friends had heard that song before so it was special sharing it with the crowd,” said Saniyah X.

After the open mic portion of the show, five contestants participated in a poetry slam, a contest judged by five audience members to choose the best poet of the night. Participant Black Atticus was crowned the champion.

Freshman Alana Cooper attended the event for her Introduction to Poetry class, and was impressed by the slam.

“I had to write a poem for the class I’m in right now and just trying to follow a form, if you choose to write something more structured, is a lot of work,” said Cooper. “These people just make it look so easy even though it really isn’t.”

This second event proved to be a hit with poets and audience members alike.

“There are a lot of talented poets here and it’s nice to see us all coming together,” said Saniyah X. “I think Courageous and Lane are doing a fantastic job at waking the sleeping giant that is the poetry scene in Knox.”

The next poetry slam will be held on March 10 at the Open Chord Brewhouse and Stage. More information is available on their Facebook page and official website.

International House hosts Indian cooking demonstration

Taylor OwensLeave a comment

[Originally published on the Tennessee Journalist on Feb. 4, 2015]

Students try their hand at making paneer tikka.

The International House hosted an Indian cooking demonstration as part of its India World Showcase Tuesday night.

Members of Manthan, the Indian Student Association, taught participants how to make paneer tikka, a traditional Indian appetizer. The dish contains marinated paneer, a type of fresh cheese and vegetables marinated in spices. All of the ingredients are then placed on a kebab and baked in the oven.

After learning the recipe and more about the ingredients, students headed to the kitchen to make the dish themselves. Sophomore Sabrina Sutherland volunteered to help.

“I helped put the vegetables and paneer on the kebab,” she said. “It’s delicious!”

Senior Jenny Chan, who works at the International House, was also interested by the demonstration.

“My favorite part was learning the ingredients. I didn’t even know what paneer was before,” she said.

After assembling the kebab, students waited for the dish to bake in the oven.

“I really like this henna I got and I loved eating the food,” said Sutherland.

Paneer tikka, a traditional Indian appetizer, features marinated paneer cheese and vegetables.

“It’s spicy, but good,” added Chan.

The International House will host two more World Showcases with cooking demonstrations this semester, one focusing on China later this month, and another focusing on Iran in April.

Chan says anyone interested in more events and activities at the International House should visit their Facebook page,UTK International.