Interview: Derrick Clark, Performing and Promoting Spoken Word

Derrick Clark and his crew have captured the fun and supportive spirit of what a poetry slam should be at their venue LaRouge.   I attended an event of theirs during my recent trip in July to Georgia.  It was so much fun!!  The ambience was gorgeous, the scene was mellow, welcoming, and charged with anticipation for the poet on the floor.  In fact, the crew had so many of us grooving along with Derrick to old school music, clapping, supportive and laughing as Derrick himself performed in between presentations by local poets that I had to approach Derrick for an interview for you.

Derrick has created such a fantastic venue and he shares how this all came about.  I hope you can apply his advice! Below is our interview:

Resident Planning Geek:  How long have you been passionate about poetry?

Derrick Clark: Twelve years.

In HS I wrote the way a creative writer would.  I would experiment with writing and let my thought processes unfold.  I  began writing poetry more often when I turned eighteen.

Resident Planning Geek:  Twelve years later, what brought you to the point of performing?

Derrick Clark: Y-O, a local poet, saw something in me and that was the breakthrough.  She works for a local radio station and has been on the scene for 10 years, and has been trying to get me to perform.

I am a new performer as far as my poetry is concerned and it’s been about 8 months since I’ve performed my first piece.

Resident Planning Geek:  Where do you get your inspiration as a poet?

Derrick Clark: I have the gift of communication.  My grandmother told me this and I’ve used my experiences and the experiences of others to write on different subject matter.  It has been a natural progression.

Resident Planning Geek:  I attended your Thursday Poetry Fest at LaRouge.  Are you getting a greater turnout at your location?

Derrick Clark: Yes. At LaRouge it has picked up quite well.  Folks who are looking to perform or have never done so come out with their group to support the venue.

Resident Planning Geek: You are an entrepreneur as well as a poet. You have a venue for the local scene and you’ve created a place for other poets.  How did this come about?

Derrick Clark: Y-O could no longer continue hosting her own venue locally.  There would not have been a set, a gathering and poets performing locally, anymore.  I took over after her.

It was a natural fit.  I’ve always been able to lead.  I’ve advocated for an upscale location, LaRouge, to be our venue locally.

Resident Planning Geek: What advice do you have for young entrepreneurs who want to host sets and provide a space for poets in their own communities?

Derrick Clark: First, remember that each state is different.  A different location requires you to go about the business in a different way.

If you live in NYC, remember that spoken word/poetry sets exist in and around NYC. Learn where spoken word/poetry sets exist and who to contact to get involved.

Second, observe those who host events to learn the entrepreneurial side.

Finally see what road the hosts take when presenting.  I pride myself on having a different presentation from Y-O.  We are distinctly different because of our personalities.  That’s what attracts people to our sets.  You have to have a different type of presentation.

Remember also that you have to create a spot.  Since it’s such a grassroots effort it may not be an out of pocket expense for you.  Most clubs wont charge you for your set if it’s a new concept

Resident Planning Geek: What if a young entrepreneur can’t access a avenue. Can they host a digital set?

Derrick Clark: Get your voice heard before you create a poetry slam digitally.

Spoken word is so raw.  Poetry is the rawest form of hip-hop and R&B.   You want to get to the root of the art.  I would encourage anyone to visit a set. Get some background on what the art is like.

I am an advocate of the digital age. I have a background in IT and I fully understand about where we are now and where we are going. People put their art on DVDs.  However 99% of those folks perform in venues and they use DVDs to get their work out to the masses.

Resident Planning Geek: What advice would you offer aspiring poets?

Derrick Clark: To the poet, use poetry as a way to externalize how you feel as opposed to internalizing it because it could be damaging. I would suggest using words to describe how you feel.  Use as many words as you can. Put the feelings that you have in your writing.

 

Writing was a way for me to externalize my feelings in a constructive way and not a violent way growing up.  I evolved into a poet as time went on and words came easier to me in the creative process.

With regard to the business, be fascinated by the art if you want to go into the business.  Remember that you have to be your biggest advocate.  It’s all about networking and putting yourself out there.  It’s all about being a serious artist and being passionate about what you do.

 

Resident Planning Geek: Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?

Derrick Clark: I see myself overseeing multiple venues in the area with my crew.  We want to bring poetry to the area and see this as our responsibility. We now have a network of poets, and new poets are coming on board every week.

There is a brand new location that has started up that my crew is responsible for, and I’ll be performing at that venue next week.   Also, different people are now hosting and are as passionate about poetry slams as I am.

The movement is already affecting people and people are grabbing the ball and running with it.

© 2011 W. S. Hughes