Java Jives contest features student poetry

Java Jives returned this semester and opened the mic to UCF's creative poets and rhythmic speakers in the Pegasus Ballroom on Feb. 11.

Each contestant had five minutes to perform a piece of their choice for the chance to win a Kindle e-reader as the grand prize.

This was the first Java Jives to feature only student performers. The CAB Culture and Fine Arts committee usually invites poets and spoken-word artists to perform at the event.

The committee hosted the event and had students sign up beforehand to compete for the grand prize.

Only student competitors were eligible for prizes. Performances could incorporate music, dance, instruments, or props to enhance their verbal performance. Monologues, songs, poetry and instrumentals were all part of the event.

Three students from the CAB Culture and Fine Arts committee judged the performances.

"We were judging on how rich the content was, how steady was their pace, how creative the piece was and whether they stayed within the time limit," said Edwin Williams, a molecular biology and microbiology major and judge for the event.

Senior theater major Ryan Grajo was the first to perform and recited two poems he wrote.

"It's great getting my poetry out there," Grajo said. "I want to be a professional a capella singer, so this is a great venue for me to get my work into reality."

Java Jives is typically hosted each semester.

After the scheduled performances, Maggie Perez, the director of CAB's Culture and Fine Arts committee, opened the stage to impromptu performances.

Grajo took the stage once again, bringing part of his collegiate a cappella group, the Crescendudes, to the stage. They sang their own renditions of the 1970s hit Up the Ladder to the Roof and Black Horse & The Cherry Tree by KT Tunstall.

Sophomore Sara Sohn, a communication sciences and disorders major, went on stage to sing a Swahili poem that inspired her.

Other students followed, though they were not eligible for the grand prize and were received with a snapping applause from the audience.

"Even though people usually stick to slam poetry, every performance is different," Perez said.

Performances are unique and usually resemble their folk music, jazz, and hip hop influences.

Joffrey's Coffee & Tea Company provided refreshments for Java Jives' guests. The CAB Culture and Fine Arts committee also gave away ten Snuggies to random audience members.

The judges awarded the Kindle E-Reader to Derek Estevez. Even though he has never performed in a spoken-word competition before, Estevez practices his slam poetry at Meridian Hookah Lounge.

Estevez encourages any aspiring artists to go to the lounge's new Slam Poetry night every Thursday at 9:30 p.m.

For  students interested in joining the CAB Culture and Fine Arts committee and participate in these events, contact Perez at cabards@mail.ucf.edu.