The 16th Annual Brave New Voices International Youth Poetry Slam Festival is taking place in Chicago August 7-11, 2013. This years festival is brought to you by Youth Speaks inc., in partnership with Young Chicago Authors, The University of Chicago Logan Center, and a host of other collaborating organizations. You and your organization are invited to be a part of this life changing festival that features youth poets from across the globe. Brave New Voices is a safe place for young people to speak their minds, share their hearts and empower their voices as agents of change.
Chicago area youth groups are invited to be a part of BNV. There are many free opportunities to get involved including attending the free Writing Workshops, attending the rounds of the International Youth Poetry Slam and participating in other events including the Grand Slam Finals on Saturday August 10th, at the Auditorium Theater. These Brave New Voices events are free to youth and will take place on or near the campus of the University of Chicago and in downtown Chicago. The 400 youth from the Brave New Voices Network will get priority seating at all BNV events, however Chicago youth will also receive a priority and will be offered free opportunities to participate. We have aver 500 seats open to Chicago Youth every day of the festival, and we do not intend to charge youth to attend any event except the Grand Slam Finals, and only if they do not make prior arrangements to take advantage of the Free opportunities. Young people and their chaperones get priority for seating but only if you register. To reserve a seat or seats for a group or to volunteer to support the Festival, contact www.youngchicagoauthors.org for information. FREE Brave New Voices On Thursday August 8th we are hosting a day of writing and performance workshops taught by leading poets and writers from across the country. Taking place on the campus of the University of Chicago, these workshops are free for youth 13 – 20 years old. There are limited spaces for local youth to attend, and any youth who has a Festival Pass is welcome to attend. Advanced registration is a requirement. Registration will be available on July 1st. Youth Groups who would like to stay in the dorms are also invited to become full participants in the festival. While slots to compete in the poetry slam will be closed, youth groups can still register to stay at University of Chicago dormitories, and participate in all of the festival activities. Youth groups must be accompanied by at least one responsible adult over the age of 21. This is for youth groups only and not for individuals, as all youth need to have adult chaperones. The cost is $400 per person. Register as a Non Competing Group on this page. .