IWPS or Educating World Citizens for the 21st Century Conference?

People, I need help.

I know, some of you do NOT regard this as 'news'. :)

I am deciding whether or not I should attend either IWPS or Educating World Citizens for the 21st Century. Both are happening October 8-10. On opposite sides of the country. Both have a lot of prods on THEIR side, the only real CON is cost... and having to CHOOSE!

IWPS, or the Individual World Poetry Slam:
* in the Bay Area.
* specifically in Berkeley
* sure to be one of the BEST COORDINATED AND RUN events in a LOOOONG time
* chance to do outreach in Bay Area schools
* chance to mc? depends on who the tournament director is... and how many other mc's are a foot
* lots of friends
* incredible poetry
* opportunity to come early/stay late for Bay Area fun (HOOPING!!!!)
* airline tickets are hovering around $220
* can probably share a room with a poet or two to cut cost



Educating World Citizens for the 21st Century
* in Washington DC
* can fly and not disrupt Rise Out Loud schedule (workshops at WPB library)
* can drive and VISIT LOTS OF FRIENDS ON THE WAY
* HH the Dalai Lama. Really.
* chance to converge and network with education depts are major universities
* awesome panel discussions
* possible hooping fun in area
* can probably stay with a friend or share a room
* chance to connect/work with Lisa Pegram- DC area youth poetry activist/teacher
* chance to visit with fun Naropa folk


SO... which do I choose?
HELP!

Current Events- Poetry Slam, HoopDance Classes, LW Unschoolers, Rise Out Loud!

So, August has been busy and full of awesome-cake!

(The National Poetry Slam, held a week and a half ago RIGHT HERE in WEST PALM BEACH, totally monopolized my life for the end of July and most of August so far... if you missed it, well... you missed it!)

Yesterday was the icing on the awesome-cake: the 2009 National Poetry Slam MADE THE HUFFINGTON POST!!!

Read and enjoy the video from the Huffington Post here: "Top Performers from the 2009 National Poetry Slam"

Also, there has been a TON of press on NPS 2009 and other ongoing poetry events locally... to get a taste, visit: National Poetry Slam 2009 – Press

There have been a number of NPS Top Ten lists published on blogs and Facebook in the last few weeks. Here's mine:

Ok, even I have a top ten list... and I missed most of Nationals!

10. Hula hoop war in the courtyard. Surprisingly, I did not win.
9. After party DJs Jive Poetic and Greg
8. Workers' struggle poems in finals, particularly from ABQ
7. Pre NPS slumber party/penne party in my kitchen with Dez and Erin
6. Post NPS slumber party
5. Cipher outside the Lounge on Wednesday night
4. Emily's and Tiffany's faces under the tent: entranced by poetry at NUPIC
3. Kevin McCamery (spelling?) sneaking a tequila bottle into finals
2. Devils horns and angel's halos for volunteers- thanks Winnie!
1. My mom's surprise appearance, and her continuous insistence during finals: "I want to hear something funny."

BONUS- OFF THE CHARTS: DECATHALON SLAM!!! A true triumph for humankind!

So... in the shake out after Nationals (AND NUPIC, or what I'm calling 'Undies' which was well worth most of the work I did during the week just to watch and enjoy!...
check one of my fav performances here, from Joshua Bennett).....
WELL:
I'm now, again, fully involved in the "poetry scene"..."Reunited, and it feels so good!"

If only I could find time to WRITE! :)

Oh, I'm writing THIS. Hmmm....

The Poets Anonymous Poetry Slam at DADA in Delray Beach is BACK! First Tuesdays of the month: $100 cash prize for first place! Upcoming slam features AMY STEINBERG- Sept 1! Next slam, Oct. 6: HBO Def Poet ASIA!




In other news... THE HOOP SO FLY SITE IS LIVE!
Hoopdance for Beginners starts Friday August 28 at Downtown Dance in Lake Worth (in the former Klein Dance building: 811 Lake Ave).


Getting together with the Lake Worth Unschoolers this week- pool party on Wednesday! Exciting developments with that... but that news will have to wait a bit. :)

And Rise Out Loud! Youth writing and performance workshops at the West Palm Beach Public Library on Clematis Street (the new building! Oooo... ahhhhh...). Starting Saturday September 12, 1:30 pm.