Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Poetry Night at the White House May 12








Check back, 6 more performance videos to come!
Update: See Eric Lewis' performance here.
Update: See Maya del Valle's performance here.
Update: See Jamaica Osorio's performance
here.
The Obamas hosted a night of poetry and spoken word that focused on theme of dialogue and communication. Performers included: Joshua Bennett, James Earl Jones, Eric Lewis, Jamaica Heolimeleikalani Osorio, Mayda Del Valle and Esperanza Spalding.

Students from the following universities also participated: American, Galludet, Georgetown, and Howard Universities.
Read some of Obama's poetry here.
Guest list:
POETRY, MUSIC AND THE SPOKEN WORK ATTENDEES MAY 12, 2009
President Obama and First Lady Michelle
Mr. Alexander Naro Abenchuchan
Yohannes Abrahams
Mr. Jordan Acker, Huntington Woods, MI
Yamiche Alcindor
Kurt Alexander
Ms. Tatiana Ali, Encino, CA
Ms. Anastacia Ali (Guest)
Chief Allen
Ms. Jessica Anderson, Stillwater, MN
Sekou Andrews
Ms. Jayde Ashford, Dallas, TX
Erica Austin
Ms. Maude L. Baggetto
Mr. Timothy Bainum, Washington, DC
Ms. Teal Baker, Washington, DC
Ms. Hilary Baltimore, Potomac, MD
Mr. Thomas Baltimore, Potomac, MD
Mr. Josh Bartell, GWU
Mr. Ian Bassin
Mr. Emmett Beliveau
Mr. Ashley Bell
The Honorable (Vice President) Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Vice President of the United States
Dr. Jill Biden, Spouse of the Vice President of the United States
Ms. Sara Blaisdell, American University
Mr. Richard F Bland
Ms. LaShondra Booker, Howard University
Ms. Natalie Bookey, Staff Assistant, Office of the First Lady
Mr. Joe Boswell, Executive Assistant to Jackie Norris, Office of the First Lady
Mr. Zach Braff, Los Angeles, CA
Mr. Joshua Radin (Guest)
Mr. Xavier Briggs, Associate Director, Office of Management and Budget
Cynthia Briggs
Joe Brings Plenty, Chairman of Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe
Ms. Kendall Burman
Mrs. Angela Burt-Murray, Editor-in-Chief, Essence Magazine
Mr. Leonard Murray
Mr. Will Butler, Quebec, CA
Mrs. Jenny Shore Butler, Quebec, CA
Mr. Win Butler, Quebec, CA
Mrs. Regine Chassagne, Quebec, CA
Ms. Cassandra Butts, Office of the White House Counsel
Mr. Calvin Cafritz
Mrs. Jane Cafritz
Ms. Ali Campoverdi
Mr. Shawn Carter
Ms. Amilee (Shaila) Cattouse
Ms. Corrine Charity, Chicago, IL
Mr. Elvin Charity, Chicago, IL
Ms. Debra Martin Chase, Burbank, CA
Ms. Alexandra Kathleen Chema
Mr. Franklin Chi, Washington, DC
Ms. Emma Christman, President-Elect, Howard College Democrats, Bowie, MD
Mr. Jamie Citron, Washington, DC
Mr. Jared Clark
Ms. Maura Clark, GWU
Mr. Joshua Cohen
Mr. Steve Connell
Mr. Daniel P. Crawford, Washington, DC
Ms. Danielle Crutchfield
Ms. Ann Dailey, Washington, DC
Mr. Ian Davis, Austin, TX
Mr. Matthew Delligatti, Mayor of Fairmont, WV
Mr. Joshua Dubois
Mr. Mark Eleveld, Joliet, IL
The Honorable (Mr.) Rahm Emanuel, Chief of Staff to the President
Ms. Elisabeth Evans
Mr. Shepard Fairey, Los Angeles, CA Read the rest here