“Joaquín and Natasha, your poems are like a satisfying summer rain replenishing a thirsty landscape. They are engrossing, thoughtful, deep with knowledge, and rich in poetic rhythms. As I read I felt in the presence of two old souls penning the red and black ink, awakening to life the wisdom of our ancestors. I rejoiced, knowing that you two represent a new generation of multicultural poets, willing to reveal your intimate lives, your joys and tragedies, and also sharing a profound empathy with the lives of los de abajo, those who have suffered the iniquities of history. I felt freedom and justice ringing in your poems, and I trust many readers will feel the same sense of liberation.” (on the book of fire and rain by Natasha Carrizosa and Joaquin Zihuatanejo)
Joaquin Zihuatanejo: Press
“The poetry is lush and green and rich. One turns from inside the heart's thorny and parched landscape and encounters the poetic word to redeem the salt in the wound, the long-for kiss, to cool the burning-- these poems do just this.”
(on the book of fire and rain by Natasha Carrizosa and Joaquin Zihuatanejo)
“Natasha & Joaquin write passionate, potent poems―their voices unafraid of questioning and reckoning―here's a cheer for their full hearts, vivid hopes & soulful journeys—”
(on the book of fire and rain by Natasha Carrizosa and Joaquin Zihuatanejo)
“Joaquín Zihuatanejo’s inspirational pieces about high school teaching still echo in my mind.”
“As someone whose been on both sides of the curtain, a performer and a person who books talent for our university, I can honestly say as long as I’ve been around, I’ve seen it all. I’ve seen them come and go, I’ve seen the good, the bad, the ugly, and everything in between. In spoken word, performance poetry, and slam, there is Joaquin Zihuatanejo, and then there is everyone else. He is simply the best poet writing/performing today, there is no one that does it as well as he does, and I cannot recall of anyone back in the day who did it as well as he does today. If you’re lucky enough to see him perform, then you have just witnessed the best in the business. It’s no wonder he’s the Individual World Poetry Slam Champion of North America and the European World Cup of Poetry Slam Champion…hell, if they ever hold an intergalactic poetry slam championship on some remote moon of Saturn, we’re sending him.”
“Joaquín, by day an award-winning schoolteacher, has lit the performance poetry scene on fire in the past 12 months, winning awards and slam honors from coast to coast; he recently opened a reading for Maya Angelou and shared a stage with young rhythm & blues princess Alicia Keys, taping segments for the upcoming season of Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry for HBO in New York City.”
“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.”
“The true treat of the evening was Joaquín Zihuatanejo, winner of the top prize. He added an extra touch of pizzazz and a definite rhythm to his poetry that made it electrifying. No stranger to the world of competitive poetry, his fluid and energetic delivery had every eye glued on him. His poem about random thoughts that occur while being stuck in a supermarket during a blackout was truly hilarious and had the entire audience laughing openly.”
“The feature was from Dallas named Joaquín Zihuatanejo. It was my first time experiencing his work. It’s hard for me to describe his work. His poems ranged in subject matter covering gardens, abuse, love, and Latino pride. It was absolutely beautiful. Remarkable work that must be spread far and wide.”
“That evening was the AIPF Slam, which was a highlight of last year's festival, so I wanted to get to Ruta Maya early and find a good seat. The place was packed! Some of the best poets in the world were competing, but one immediately stood out above the others: Joaquín Zihuatanejo. He's a ninth grade English teacher from Dallas, and all I can say is those are some damn lucky kids. His work was passionate and his love of teaching was obvious. I'm sure every one of his students—male and female—has a crush on him. Hell...I have a crush on him. He's gorgeous, smart, and loves poetry. His wife is a very lucky woman. Sigh.”
“Last night I went to the Poetry Slam and the special guest was Buddy Wakefield, alongside was Joaquín Zihuatanejo. Wow, both of them are funny as hell and their words were so strong, I damn near cried. Joaquín was so sexy and poetic I was like damn…can a sista’ get a holla?! But it wasn’t about the guys, I was actually there for the words.”
Finally the time for RTR Poetry Slam’s pièce de résistance had arrived, as famed poets Joaquin Zihautanejo and Natasha Carrizosa took center stage…or center park. I feel that attempting to describe in my own words the profound talent the two possess may only cheapen the whole experience. These are not mere street performers we’re talking about. These are sage poets, artists, musicians, dancers, and actors who are not acting. Both Joaquin and Natasha can passionately command your attention and cause you to simultaneously cry and laugh while forming plans to become a better person. We all remained rooted to our spots fighting the urge to dance along with the flowing words spilling out into the atmosphere for fear of not absorbing every single one of them. We stayed there until 2am and reluctantly dispersed after Joaquin and Natasha had drained themselves of their poetry and gifted it to us.