
By Jackie Dove-Miller, FCAC
Franklin County Arts Council’s Diversity Team held a poetry workshop the morning of August 27, 2016, titled “Finding the Words-Making Them Work,” designed to covered preparing for spoken word performances and poetry slams.
Despite the early hour, nine eager poets recently gathered at the FCAC building to await the arrival of poet/author Dasan Ahanu, who facilitated the hour and a half workshop. Mr. Ahanu works out of Durham and has a wealth of experience as an artist and workshop facilitator. He carried participants through several activities whose end result was a full blown poem.
Participants did not have to be coaxed into sharing; the prompts were so interesting, everyone was willing to share at least once.
Some of the important skills students learned were how to get past writer’s block, how to deliver a spoken-word piece, and ways to open and close a piece. Mr. Ahanu deposited so much into participants they couldn’t let him just walk away once the workshop was over! It was obvious that participants were both inspired and encouraged by what they learned.
Dasan Ahanu is a public speaker, organizer, workshop facilitator, poet, performance artist, songwriter, playwright, writer, educator, and recording artist born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina. He has performed, spoken, and facilitated workshops across the country and been featured on both radio and TV. More information on Dasan Ahanu and his works may be found at dasanahanu.com.
The Franklin County Arts Council is headquartered in Franklinton NC, where this workshop was held. More information on FCAC may be found at www.fcacarts.org.