Poets on Poets

A sight to behold! Three very different poets interviewing each other about their poetic practice. In Poets on Poets, they take the lead in the conversation which could end up, well, wherever they want it to. With pre-prepared prompts and unexpected connections, we hope to get to know these poets better outside of their stage presence and the words from their books. Our moderator Geoffrey van der Ven will guide the conversation.  

Host: Geoffrey van der Ven
Guests: Mason Granger, Merel van Slobbe and Stryder

 
Originally from Philadelphia PA, Mason Granger is a spoken word artist who has captivated audiences at home and abroad with his deft language and preternaturally engaging performances for 20+ years. In 2014, he created SlamFind, the first digital platform to connect fans of poetry videos with poets and live poetry venues across the US & Canada, and this connecting of the poetry community to itself and to the rest of the world continues to be the foundation of his work to this day.   

From 2017-2019, Mason hosted & curated the weekly PoetNY open mic at Bowery Poetry Club in NYC while also serving as Executive Director through 2019. It was in this capacity that he, in collaboration with the Romanian Cultural Institute, spearheaded the creation of the Poezie 4x4 Poetry Exchange between New York City and Bucharest, Romania, giving poets from both cities an unforgettable first hand artistic and cultural experience.   

Now as a Los Angeles resident and Deputy Director at the youth literacy non-profit organization Get Lit–Words Ignite, Mason continues to pursue creative projects while helping to shape the future of spoken word poetry education in California and beyond. His debut full length poetry collection is slated for publication in Fall 2024. 

Merel van Slobbe (1992) is a writer and poet. She studied philosophy at Radboud University Nijmegen. In 2018, she won second prize at De Gedichtenwedstrijd (The Poetry Competition) and in 2019 she published Aan de rand van een lichaam, a chapbook published by Wintertuin. The moon shines brighter in the metaverse is her debut collection.

Stryder is a poet and narrowly a child of the 1980s. Through hip-hop, he learned early on the power of words. Stryder does not see himself as a word artist, but as someone who possesses the art of pain and translates it into a rawness that is rare beauty. Stryder also performs as a rapper and made a mixtape The Voice Of with Gaza. This was a critical reflection on society and world politics. Nowadays, he is part of the hip-hop collective Camp Rauw, with which he released the debut album ‘More than music’. 

Geoffrey Van der Ven (host) looks at the world with a curious eye. He experiences, listens and puts stories on the table. His pieces are sharp, critical and often activist. Readings are personal, built around queer and BIPOC identity. With his effervescent energy, he holds the audience and - between plays - gives them space to breathe and reflect.  

As a spoken word artist and theatre maker, he tells the stories that have gone unheard for too long. Geoffrey is currently on tour with his solo performance ‘It's not new’, in which he highlights Africa's queer history. Previously, he won the ‘Poet of the Year’ Award at Queer & Feminist Poetry Awards, his reading was featured at the Eurovision Song Festival, and he performed at major well-known venues and events, such as the New Luxor Theatre, Rotterdam Pride and Museum Night.