African-American Poet Saul Williams to Visit UNCA February 9

African-American poet Saul Williams will give a reading of his highly acclaimed poetry at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 9, in UNCA’s Highsmith Center Lounge. The event is part of UNCA’s Black History Month celebrations and is free and open to the public.

Williams, a graduate of New York University, has been hailed as "the Bob Marley of American poets." He is credited as being one of a new line of poets responsible for opening up this literary art form to the next generation. Called the "super-nova" of the young Black urban poetry movement, Williams has performed his poetry in the U.S., England, Netherlands and Germany.

Williams is the author of two books of poetry, "She" and "The Seventh Octave." Both will be available for sale and signing after the performance.

In addition to Williams’ poetry, he has received rave reviews for his script and performance as an imprisoned street poet in the Trimark Pictures release "Slam," winner of the Camera d’Or at Cannes and the Grand Jury prize at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival. This film will be shown at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 8, in UNCA’s Highsmith Center Lounge. The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served and a discussion will follow.

Both events are sponsored by Underdog Productions and UNCA’s African-American Student Association.

For more information, contact Barbara Halton, UNCA Assistant Director of Student Activities, at 828/251-6674.

Media Contacts:

• Barbara Halton, UNCA Student Activities Assistant Director, 828/251-6674
• Jill Yarnall, UNCA Public Information Assistant, 828/251-6526