William Fernandes
Anchor Contributor
Last Wednesday, Feb. 8, members of the Rhode Island College community were treated to an outstanding, live spoken word performance by Ashlee Haze. Haze is an award-winning, poet and spoken word artist, who was born in Chicago, Illinois and now lives in Atlanta Georgia. She has mastered her craft as a spoken word and poet artist for over a decade, started doing it full-time in 2016 and earned a number of accolades in the process. These achievements include:
Grand prize for V-103’s “Got Word” Youth Poetry Slam.
Winning three Queen of the South Poetry Slams.
Being a finalist in two Women of the World Poetry Slams.
Being a semi-finalist in two National Poetry Slams.
The show took place in the Student Union Ballroom from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and was both free and open to the public.
Haze performed a series of her own poems from her book “Smoke.” All who listened to her were amazed and inspired as she spoke from the heart and lit up the room with her confidence, self-love, humor, soul and dazzling presence.
Haze spoke of lived experience, courage, healing, empowerment and community in many of her works. She also told the story of when she met one of her idols, Missy Elliot. A series of positive feedback from the audience were expressed with snapping fingers and applause, even a few exclamations of, “Amen,” and “Hallelujah.”
Attendees in the Student Union Ballroom were also treated with a very nicely set up and relaxing atmosphere, excellent lighting and soothing background music coming from a DJ station. The event’s overall vibe accompanying free ice cream from a buffet table during Haze’s performance ensured this show hit all the nails on the head.
A book signing and T-shirt give away took place after the performance had concluded. Overall, this was a wonderful and memorable evening.
Those who would like to learn more about Haze and her work can do so using this link.
This performance was one of several RIC-featured events that were organized for the semester. The next event on the calendar is on Monday, April 17, when RIC students will get a chance to watch comedian Nico Carney perform in the Student Union Ballroom at 6 p.m.