What: WordSpace Feature Series @ Dallas Poetry Slam
When: Friday, February 20, 8 pm
Where: Heroes, 7402 Greenville Avenue
Hosted by: RockBaby and GNO
Admission: $5, WordSpace Members Free

My government name is Vallerie Birdow. I’m 26 years old. I was born in Fort Worth, raised in Cuney, Texas, and went to school k-12 in Palestine, Texas. I graduated from PHS in 2006, then moved to Houston to attend Texas Southern University. I transferred to UT Tyler after my junior year where I’m currently completing the Bachelors of Arts in psychology degree program.

I got into poetry while going out to open mic venues when I was living in Houston. I was intrigued by the energy in the places. It was always calm, yet exciting. I loved watching artists bare their souls before crowds. I started writing as a way to release stress and tension and decided to perform a personal poem one night at an open mic. I got a great response from the audience and they seemed to like it so I started writing more and releasing on stage at whatever open mics I could find. After an open mic performance at Heroes Lounge for the first time, I was asked to be a feature, and that has been my only breakthrough in poetry thus far but I hope to have more.