Mount Pleasant Magazine Sept/Oct 2021

28 www.MountPl easantPodcas t . com | www. ReadMPM. com | www. I LoveMountPl easant . com arts & entertainment H is title alone, poet laureate, conjures up images of a Renaissance man, which in many ways is exactly what Marcus Amaker is, albeit one that meets the current moment and not the past. This October marks the fifth year of the festival he created known as Free Verse: a collection of open mic opportunities, performance art showcases, poetry and jazz pairings and collaborations with businesses and venues to highlight poetry in creative ways. Tell us what it means to be Charleston’s First Poet Laureate? I was granted the title by the mayor in 2016 and the term lasts until 2022. The length varies according to state and city. My duties are to be a voice for the arts community and to spread literary love in schools and beyond. Are you from Charleston? No, I was born in Las Vegas and moved to South Carolina in the early 1990s. In between, I lived in England, Maryland, Japan and Texas. When did you discover your love of words? When I was 10 years old, I discovered the albums Control by Janet Jackson and Sign O’ The Times by Prince. Those albums were turning points in my understanding of graphic design, music and poetry. My love of music transformed me into an artist, and I started writing music at an early age. What does poetry offer you? The chance to express myself in a more pure way than I do in normal conversation. It also offers an opportunity to connect with people on a much deeper level than everyday interactions allow. BY PAMELA JOUAN Free Verse Festival In Conversation with Marcus Amaker, Charleston’s Poet Laureate Photo by Ruta Smi th . Marcus Amaker per forms for students at the Gai l lard Center for the Free Verse fest ival in 2017. Photo by De rek Be r r y.