Hazlan Da' Slammer feat. Fynn Da' Performer

Saturday, 7th March 2009
Spoken Word Workshop
HS Square

As humble as the event was, it was probably one of the most fulfilling moments that I've had as a newbie lecturer in the department. Looking at how much fun the students were having during the session, and at how loud I laughed throughout the entire workshop I must say that I did good. Oh-kay... Sheena helped too. So WE did good. Poetry in IIUM will never be the same again after this.

Hazlan started out the session with a brief intro on poetry slam. It was 10am so due to the lack of nutrients in my tummy when the session started, my brain refused to compute the fact that I should've snapped a few pics of Hazlan as he was giving his lecture. So thanks to Google, this pic would have to suffice for now. Whoever out there that has a pic of Hazlan on that particular day itself do buzz me. I'd truly appreciate it. Plus Hazlan too would like to have some pics as mementos of that great day.

pic courtesy of thebookaholic.blogspot.com

Then it was Fynn's time. To describe Fynn, I must simply quote from one of the comeback queens of our time, Britney Spears. No other quote could ever describe her best. Spears sang:

There's only two types of people in the world
The ones that entertain, and the ones that observe

I guess I can say that I somehow belong in the second category. Although I don't feel like I belong there 100% but more often than not I find myself nudging the line of this circle rather than the other. But heck, in certain aspects I'm happy being there.

*forgive me for the poor pic quality. I just had my battered old handphone on me then. Am working on an upgrade soon. Wish me luck. Better yet, give me money.

Now Fynn on the other hand, un-doubt-ed-ly, belongs to the type of people who entertain. It's in her blood. And her personality shines brightest when she is in front of her audience doing what she loves most: Performing.

She definitely captured the attention of my students that night. As you can see from this pic, the students were hanging on to her EVERY word. And if they're not doing that, they were either laughing along to her jokes and her antics or simply immersing themselves in the happy spirit that was Fynn. What amazes me the most is the fact that she managed to convinced even the most shy and the most nervous of my students to turn into a full-blown performer of poetry with just an hour of lecture. You gotta give this gal credit, she was definitely born to teach the performing arts.

And I have to seriously figure out what this girl eats to get so much energy! Not only she was talking 100 words/ minute, she was all over the stage; tapping, clapping, jumping, falling (yes, she literally fell to her knees) just to explain the technicalities of performance. Most people would be out of breath by the time she's done with the lecture but noo, she picked up the guitar and started singing. Either this gal is in secret the bionic women or her family OD-ed her with multivitamins and chicken essence when she was growing up or something.

Here Fynn managed to drag Sheena and a student to join her for her freestyle poetry recitation. Sheena instantaneously became the 'cool' lecturer when she showcased her skills on the guitar whereas for that guy, well... he probably gained himself a couple of new fans after that impromptu show. Guys with guitars somehow always get the girls. As for me, well... I was happily nudging the 'observer' line. Poetry is SO not my scene. In my students' eyes I'm probably the 'boring' lecturer.

I wish I could show the going-ons of the first ever mini poetry slam that Hazlan held afterwards but I was too busy enjoying myself that I totally forgot to take pics. But no major loss. Thanks to Hazlan and Fynn, Poetry Night is going to be a bomb!! And with that anticipation in mind I've already acquired the services of a (free!) photographer. Poetry Night will showcase a proper Poetry Slam, and students performing poetry and if nerves don't get the best of me, I may perform too. Sheena talked me into it. She said something about poetry lecturer needing to set an example to their students. Plehh... I hate it when she's right.

But don't let my lack of talent stop you from showing up. It's for a good cause as we're collecting donations for the Gaza cause.

So here are the details:

IIUM Poetry Night
Thursday, 19th March 2009
Main Auditorium, IIUM Gombak
8.30 pm
Fee: RM1

Yeah, there's an entrance fee but it's only RM1 maaa. Takkan tak mampu kot? So come on folks, be there... or be square!!