The Poetry on the Hill festival was the first of its kind this weekend in downtown Chapel Hill – but it definitely won’t be the last! Created by members of the Sacrificial Poets and co-sponsored by the Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership, the all-day festival offered poetry and spoken word workshops and performances in Franklin Street businesses and organizations. The festival finished with an open mic – for participants to perform what they had created in the workshops – and the March Youth Slam event.  

Not even the pounding day-long rain or hail could stop the poets, and audience from turning out – we moved it all inside to the Street Scene Teen Center, a seemingly more fitting venue for the young poets.

I was hesitant to judge the competition but knowing nothing about slam poetry or the contestants turned out to be useful. I had no preconceived notions as to what to expect and I am still tingling with what I experienced.

I was blow away by the young performers, particularly the girls. At an age when standing in front of anyone to discuss intense, raw thoughts is not easily done – these young ladies stole the show. 

Ironically, words here will never do justice to what embodies a slam poetry event. Seeing is believing …and feeling. Mark your calendars now – the next open mic night is on April 4 at 6:30PM at Flyleaf Books…..AND GO! For more Sacrificial Poets events – click here. 

A HUGE thank you to Alyssa DeCaulp – the Sacrificial Poets Administrative Director, for her hard work and vision in creating, organizing, and putting-on this festival! 

And thank you to all the businesses downtown that hosted workshops – Ackland Art Museum, FRANK Gallery, Caribou Coffee, R&R Grill, and Street Scene Teen Center.

Before the night was over we had already begun to discuss holding another Poetry on the Hill festival in the fall. We don’t want to wait to build on something this powerful and successful!   A complete set of photos from the event can be viewed on our Facebook page.

~Meg

From their mission statement: our mission at aveda is to care for the world we live in, from the products we make to the ways in which we give back to society...  

That first line alone draws me in – they put caring about the world first. So, it’s not surprising that Aveda does a significant amount of fundraising for worthwhile causes. Currently they have a world-wide goal to raise $4.5 million for the protection of clean water — a basic human right that nearly 900 million people worldwide fight for daily.

Our local Aveda Institute of Chapel Hill is no exception to this standard of supporting meaningful causes. During the months of March, April and May, they have a goal to raise $25,000 to benefit its Earth Month partner, Triangle Land Conservancy (TLC), through a variety of student-focused activities. Specifically they are raising money for TLC’s Clean Water Campaign which helps to protect the drinking water of six counties, located in the Triangle region.

On Wednesday, March 21 from 9:30AM to 5PM – Aveda will be doing a FREE SERVICES DAY offering free haircuts, express facials, and polish changes. These services are free – but donations will be accepted for the Triangle Land Conservancy.

Other activities include:

FASHION NIGHT BENEFIT -Hauns Korpela of Scott J Salon, NY, NY, together with the Aveda Institute Chapel Hill Student/Educator Team, will sponsor a Fashion Night Benefit Tuesday, April 24, from 6:30-10 pm at the University of North Carolina William & Ida Friday Center for Continuing Education, 100 Friday Center Drive. Institute students and Korpela will present a runway show that will showcase the “Colors of Life.” General admission and VIP tickets are available for the annual event.

JEANS FOR GREEN- For a $5 donation, Institute students and staff wear jeans during March, April, and May to raise funds for our Earth Month partner. Guests may also purchase a variety of Earth Month items, including a Light the Way candle. All donations benefit Triangle Land Conservancy.

TIP FOR A CAUSE- Donations in lieu of tips for services at the Aveda Institute Chapel Hill will be accepted in any amount to benefit our Earth Month partner.

BEAUTY FOR THE EARTH -On March 21, the Aveda Institute Chapel Hill will hold its annual “Beauty for the Earth” fundraising event, during which guests receive complimentary hair, face and nail services. Donations of any amount will be accepted for the free services offered this day. 

For more information about the Aveda Institute Chapel Hill Earth Month activities, call 919.869.8031, or visit us at www.avedainstitutechapehill.com. For more information about Triangle Land Conservancy, visit their website at www.triangleland.org.  

~Meg