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HBO DEF Poet to perform at PLU
HBO DEF Poet to perform at PLU
Critically-acclaimed slam poet and performer Carlos Andrés Gómez, star of HBO’s “Def Poetry” and Spike Lee’s #1 movie “Inside Man” with Denzel Washington, will perform on April 2 at 7pm in the PLU Anderson University Center Chris Knutson (CK) Hall as part of his Provoke Freedom College Tour.
Gómez will be signing copies of his book “Man Up: Cracking the Code of Modern Manhood” following his performance.
Hailing from his native New York City, Gómez has performed at over 200 colleges and universities since 2006. In the past year, he wowed students at the Campus Progress National Conference in Washington, DC., was a headline performer at Central Park SummerStage, and, most recently, showcased his talent in MTV’s first ever poetry slam alongside hip hop luminary Talib Kweli.
A former social worker and public school teacher, Carlos first made a name for himself by winning at the Apollo Theater’s infamous Amateur Night and later as a member of the renowned Nuyorican Poets Café’s slam team. In 2008, he collaborated with Tony Award-winning tap dance legend Savion Glover on Broadway.
(Photo by Emily Noelle Ignacio)
“It’s amazing to connect with such diverse audiences along this journey,” says Gómez,“ from a working-class neighborhood in San Antonio to a rural town in Indiana to the beach breezes of Miami to a theater on Broadway. It’s the ultimate testament to creativity bringing people together, building a new vision for our world. This is why I do art.”
The tour’s title, inspired by what Carlos strives to achieve through his work, encourages each person to recognize the powerful agent for change she or he might be.
As Carlos states, “It’s not that one person can make a difference, each one of us on this earth does make a difference – for better or for worse. The only question is: which one will you be?”
The event will consist of a full performance set by the artist followed by a book signing and photo opportunity for audience members. Admission is free.