BIO |
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Joaquín is a spoken word artist, award-winning teacher, and HBO Def Poet. Joaquin has been called by critics, “one of the most dynamic and passionate performance poets in the country, melding equal parts comedy, poetry, and dramatic monologue into a crowd-pleasing display of verbal fireworks…always thrilling, Joaquín’s hilariously manic presentation is full of compassion and nuance, never sacrificing substance for style, leading many to call him poetry slam’s answer to John Leguizamo.” Joaquin’s work was recently published by Poetry In Motion which publishes beautiful posters that feature the work of young, American poets alongside that of the masters to be placed on trains, light rail, and buses all over the globe. Wordsmith Press has just announced that they will be publishing a new collection of poetry by Joaquin early in 2009. Joaquin recently won the 2008 Individual World Poetry Slam Championship and will be the poet representing the US at The World Cup of Poetry Slam in Paris, France in June 2009. Joaquin has shared a stage with Saul Williams, Alicia Keys, and Maya Angelou among others, leading many to consider him one of the most entertaining and compelling slam poets in the world. |
Joaquin Zihuatanejo
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WRITINGS |
- Barrio Songs, book ©2003 $12.00
- These are the street poems of his youth. In his first collection of poems Joaquin captures a youth that existed somewhere between the streets of the barrio and his grandfather's garden where chiles, children and poems rose form the earth like the twisted arms of la llorona.
- Barrio Songs, CD ©2004 $12.00
- These are the street poems of his youth. In his first collection of poems Joaquin captures a youth that existed somewhere between the streets of the barrio and his grandfather's garden where chiles, children and poems rose form the earth like the twisted arms of la llorona. Included on this CD are three bonus tracks of rare live performances by Joaquin.
- Stand & Be Heard, CD ©2005 $12.00
- For seven years Joaquin was an award winning teacher of English and creative writing in a public high school just north of Dallas, Texas. In these poems Joaquin shares a thing or two that he learned from his students who were as diverse, poetic and brilliant as this collection of poems. A must have for students, teachers and anyone who wants desperately to think, feel and live deeply.
- Live at Longwood, CD ©2006 $12.00
- Joaquin's first ever all live recorded performance. Recorded in front of a live audience at Longwood University during his fall 2006 tour. This CD has it all, new and old, comedic and tragic, poignant and powerful. Nothing is taboo as Joaquin's poems take the audience on a journey through the aisles of his classroom and the streets of his youth.
- Of Fire and Rain, CD ©2007 $12.00
- This collection of poems is a collaboration with poet natasha carrizosa. It is a testimony of life and love that spans from the barrios of East Dallas to the ghettos of The West Indies. If you ask him, Joaquin will tell you that this is his masterpiece, a fact that has everything to do with the powerful and elegant writing of the woman that he calls 'mana. The CD contains 22 breathtaking poems that include "blank page beautiful," "What I would Say to Them," "royal blue," and "Speaking in Tongues."
- Of Fire and Rain, book ©2007 $12.00
- This collection of poems is a collaboration with poet natasha carrizosa. It is a testimony of life and love that spans from the barrios of East Dallas to the ghettos of The West Indies. If you ask him, Joaquin will tell you that this is his masterpiece, a fact that has everything to do with the powerful and elegant writing of the woman that he calls 'mana. The book contains 43 astonishing poems that include "hide and seek," "Speaking in Tongues," "mejiafricana," and "This is a Suit."
- Child of the Hood Days, CD ©2008 $12.00
- In his latest CD, Joaquin returns to his roots, giving us some of his most powerful and personal work to date. Here, the brutal but honest voice of a street poet resonates throughout. Included on this CD is one chapter from his forthcoming novel, Guerro. The CD contains among others "Bringing Back in the Day Back to Today," "Child of Conquest," and "nevermind" a team piece conceptualized and written by natasha carrizosa featuring Joaquin and Xero Skidmore.
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RÉSUMÉ |
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- HBO Def Poet
- National Poetry Slam Finalist
- Grand Slam Spoken Word City Champion 2004 - 05
- Two-time Arkansas Grand Slam Poetry Champion
- Ranked 2nd in the Individual World Poetry Slam 2006
- 2008-2009 Individual World Poetry Slam Champion
- Will be the poet representing the US at The World Cup of Poetry Slam in Paris, France in June 2009
- Shared the stage with Saul Williams, E. Lynn Harris, Alicia Keys, and Maya Angelou among others
- Performances at Penn State University, University of North Texas, University of Texas in Dallas, College of William and Mary, Clemson University, Boise State University and many more
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