Calling all young writers to express yourself

Last Sunday, I took a seat on a maroon theater chair in Spirit Square, waiting to hear young poets take the small stage for a poetry slam.

To be honest, I didn't know what kind of material I would hear from the young poets. I admit that I was expecting topics centered around love, school, sports and family. And I definitely got that, but there was no fluff.

Young artists spilled out rhymes of loneliness, finding love, the economy, suicide and war. Their words were thought provoking and their delivery was passionate.

After being inspired by so many talented youth that night, I went on a search to find more opportunities for young writers in the area.

Here's what I found:

Collegiate Slam
What:1st Annual Carolina Collegiate Slam with Duke University, UNC Charlotte, UNC Chapel Hill, UNC Greensboro, Johnson C. Smith University, and North Carolina A&T
When: Nov. 5.
Time: 8 p.m.
Where: Davidson College in Davidson, Duke Family Performance Hall in the Alvarez Union at 8 p.m.
Cost: Admission for students is free with IDs and non-students cost $3.
More info: Email brkordsmeier@davidson.edu or call 501-993-8532.

Speak Up Youth Poetry Slam
Where: Duke Energy Theater at Spirit Square
345 N. College St.
Charlotte, N.C., 28202
When: Nov. 20
Time: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Cost: $5
Sign up: The list opens up at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday.
More info: Contact Ed Mabrey at edmabrey@gmail.com, or call 704-301-5132.

The Cankerworm
Where: Crossroads Charlotte at UNC Charlotte
What: A free evening of storytelling. The event is inspired by the Levine Museum's Courage exhibit and pays homage to New York City-based nonprofit, The Moth, which is dedicated to the art of storytelling.
When: Nov. 30
Time: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
More info: Interested individuals can contact Arissa El-Amin at arissaelamin11@gmail.com for details. Email subject lines should include "Cankerworm."