An interview with Rajita Jey - Winner of Last Month's Foodarama Slam by Slam Crew - Neha Tehuja7/26/2017 The winner of June's Foodarama Slam was Rajita Jey. As she fervently wished she could eat some birthday cake, she had the audience eating out of her hand. We caught up with her to understand what's behind the delightful poetry she keeps serving up.
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Food. Does it even need an introduction? You can fry it up, boil it down, slice it off, pile it on or spread it thinly on the side of toast. Whether you’re blessed with a sweet tooth, like it salty like every other football team after Leicester City won the Premier League or have a taste for the umami, there was something for everyone at the Foodarama Poetry Slam held at the Blu Jaz Café on June 29.
The slam drew in a rather ravenous crowd (hungry for no rhyme or reason) and a complimentary buffet of slam poets who were rather continental. From well seasoned local flavours like Wei Liang to choice cuts from the UK (Bobby), the US (Neil Basu) and Australia (Rajita Jay). There was also a tasting tray with an assortment of first time - all individually wrapped for easy sharing (myself included). The poets served everything from favourite foods to the sensuality of the act of ravishing - exploring the topic in as much variety as there are jelly bean flavours. Word plays on favourite local foods drew some of the loudest laughs and tales of ramen read like a prayer, Amen. The crowd watched on as the poets took their turn at the stall in the great hawker court. And held their breaths in anticipation of which way the judges' spatula will fall. Eventually, Rajita Jay edged out Neil Basu by a fine popiah skin for the victory. They were followed very narrowly by Joshua Ip, who shone chilli paddi red for the first two rounds. The Foodarama Slam also saw the debut of the Official Singapore Poetry Slam Cocktail and Mocktail, exclusively available at the Blu Jazz Café for the Singapore Poetry Slam – and is best paired with a healthy appetite for poetry. If you couldn’t make the Foodarama Slam, our next slam is only a week away. The theme of the July poetry slam is Animal Crackers. So come on down! We’ll welcome you to the jungle. Come and get advice on your writing and spoken word presentation from the Poetry Slam Crew. This at cost peer-critique session ($5) is designed for those planning to enter the Animal Crackers Poetry Slam on July 27 or the open mic. Others may participate also if thinking about entering a future event. Sign up here
Its time to write some power animal poems. What is your Chinese astrological sign? Can you channel your hamster's inner thoughts? This month you can present poems through animal personae or just write about the animal experience or perspectives including environmental ones. Be Angelina Jolie or Rihanna bearing all with a pet python adorning their necks. Access your animal totem and take us on a vision quest through the shamanic use of the Word.
As usual sign up here on Facebook. If you don't feel the love for animal-centred poems you can still enter the slam or open mic. $50 first, $25 runner up, and $25 for best written poem. For slam guidelines check this blog. |
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