The Philly Youth Poetry Movement (PYPM) will kick off its first “Friday Night Live” Workshop & Poetry Showcase series on Friday, Oct. 1, 2010. This free event will feature a writing workshop in The Kimmel Center’s Merk Arts Education Center at 4:15 p.m., led by PYPM Founder Greg Corbin, open to students in the Philadelphia and surrounding areas between the ages of 13-19. The workshop will be followed by an open mic and poetry showcase in the Kimmel Center Plaza from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., which is open to the public.

PYPM is excited to collaborate with the Kimmel Center for Performing Arts to further showcase some of Philadelphia’s young rising stars. The support of the City of Philadelphia and area organizations has helped these young poets exhibit their talents as writers, performers and upcoming leaders in their community.

Thirteen teenagers from Philadelphia recently traveled with PYPM to Los Angeles, CA, in July, for the Brave New Voices (BNV) International Teen Poetry Slam and Festival. The Philadelphia team, comprised of six high school students, competed in the slam placing second in their semi-final bout. PYPM has continued to grow exponentially, and is eager for more of Philadelphia’s youth to be exposed to the art of spoken word and expression through performance, discovering the power of their voices.

Advance registration is required to guarantee a spot at the writing workshop. Click here to register. The next “Friday Night Live” event is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 3, 2010.