UKNOW University of Kentucky News

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 13, 2012) — Hip-hop is much more than just music. Open Mic Night, hosted by slam poetry duo Free Verse from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, in the Student Center Small Ballroom, is a free event and part of the "Why We Love Hip-Hop" series sponsored by the Student Activities Board Multicultural Affairs Committee.

Free Verse, a professional slam poetry group composed of Ayinde Russell and Dominique Ashaheed, slammed the competition to earn the title of the 2011 National Poetry Slam champions. The duo pushes the boundaries of normal poetry, incorporating vocal arrangements and topics ranging from global multicultural issues to organic, localized issues. The Open Mic Night will also allow artists from the University of Kentucky and Lexington communities to showcase their poetic talents.

“This event highlights the poetic aspect of hip-hop and focuses on how poetry and literature have inspired the genre,” said RaeVonna Mitchell, Student Activities Board director of multicultural affairs. “It also gives students a chance to work on their presentation skills in a non-formal way.”

Multicultural Affairs Committee's Why We Love Hip-Hop series aims to highlight the positive and beneficial aspects of hip-hop and educate the Lexington and University of Kentucky community about the encompassing genre.

SAB brings more than 100 entertaining educational and enriching programs that are reflective of contemporary issues and trends to the University of Kentucky annually. These programs are designed to enhance the college experience for students, faculty, staff, and the greater Lexington community.

Connect with SAB at http://www.uksab.org, follow them on Twitter at http://twitter.com/UKSAB, or like them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/UKSAB/ For more information about SAB and events, email contact@uksab.org or text a question beginning with SABQ, followed by your question or comment, to 411-247.

MEDIA CONTACT: Katy Bennett, katy.bennett@uky.edu, (859) 257-1909