Hampton Roads youth poets, and the adults who support them, will gather on Saturday, April 29 for the finale of “ImmortALL,” a performance poetry program where oral history shared by elders is translated into original youth spoken word art. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required (below). The event will also be livestreamed for free on the TWP YouTube and Facebook accounts, as well as the Virginia Beach Arts Facebook page, starting at 11 a.m. on April 29.
This program, now in its third season, is the result of a partnership between the Virginia Beach Cultural Affairs Department and Teens With a Purpose (TWP), inviting Hampton Roads teens to learn about local Black history while learning the lively art of performance poetry. This year’s event includes announcements from the Hampton Roads Youth Poet Laureate, as well as the inaugural Virginia Youth Poet Laureate 2023, with performances by the finalists.
During the April 29 program, TWP will also announce the 2023 Hampton Roads Youth Poet Laureate. TWP accepted submissions from young poets, rappers, leaders, and activists ages 14-19 from across Hampton Roads who were interested in representing the region as the Hampton Roads Youth Poet Laureate and are making a difference in their community. The Hampton Roads Youth Poet Laureate is part of the National Youth Poet Laureate Network.
