Def Poetry Jam Reunion Coming To The Billie Holiday Theatre

RestorationART at Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation launches its 2018 - 2019 season with Def Poetry Jam Reunion, curated by Danny Simmons on Saturday, September 15, 2018 for two shows only at 3PM and 7PM at The Billie Holiday Theatre, 1368 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NY 11216.

The advent of Def Poetry on HBO was years in the making. Through the efforts of Bruce George, Deborah Pointer and Danny Simmons, the Def Poetry Jam concept was presented at venues across the country, like the Billie Holiday Theatre, advancing the cultural importance of spoken word poetry. With Stan Lathan and Russell Simmons joining forces with this collective, HBO presented Def Poetry Jam to homes across America. Def Poetry Jam went on to garner a Peabody Award and a Tony Award. Danny Simmons, who made Central Brooklyn his home for decades, is bringing this reunion home to RestorationART, artistic home to the largest African American community in the nation. The two shows will feature a dynamic, diverse and renowned group of poets and spoken word artists, including poetic legend whose work shaped the Black Arts Movement, Sonia Sanchez, as well as Liza Jessie Peterson, Steve Colman, Ursula Rucker, Bonafide Rojas, Derick Cross with Host, Craig SirmuMsila Grant aka "muMs da Schemer".

"From the beginning, we knew our poetic voices could make a huge difference on the cultural landscape of America," stated Danny Simmons, Co-Creator and Executive Producer Def Poetry Jam.

"Representing some of our strongest voices out of seven seasons, this reunion at RestorationART will bring the word and deliver the message."

"We launch the RestorationART season, understanding and affirming the power of the spoken word.

Our poets have always been our prophets," stated Dr. Indira Etwaroo, Executive Director, RestorationART. "We open the sacred space of theater to these extraordinary artists to speak truth to power and to build bridges - not walls - to connect us as a human race from all walks of life."

Def Poetry Jam Reunion will run for two shows only on Saturday, September 15, 2018 at 3PM and 7PM at The Billie Holiday Theatre, 1368 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NY 11216 | Transportation: A/C Trains to Nostrand Stop or B25 to Fulton Ave and Marcy St. Tickets $30 and can be found at (866) 811-4111, www.restorationart.org or www.thebillieholiday.org.

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