October 28, 2004,

by Jarvis Slacks

Olson Recites on the mic

word power: Spoken-word artist, musician and poet Alix Olson returns to Wilmington for a show at Ibiza in downtown Wilmington tonight.

For some reason, spoken word is often a bit angry. Is it the dark clothes? The smoky venues? Or is it that, sometimes, there are things worth screaming about?

Alix Olson, whose writing ranges from rageful to meditative to cute, would probably say that emotional spoken word is good. The critically acclaimed poet will be performing at Ibiza tonight. She's performed all over the world, headlined HBO's Def Poetry Jam and spoken in front of a million people at The March for Women's Lives in D.C.

Lyrics from her most recent album, Built Like That, reflect pretty clearly how she feels about the status quo. "And they say, you've made progress, girls/ Take a rest in-between/ But see while you're resting, someone else is progressing/ It's what I've seen."

I e-mailed Alix Olson, who's set to release a new DVD in November, a few quick questions about tonight's show.

How would you describe your show to someone, if they've never seen a spoken word performance?

My hope is that my shows incite the sleepy, empower the active, and make us all laugh together – both at ourselves and at everything standing in the way of us being ourselves. I hope people come out for the show, because I think in the pre-election countdown, we can all use a little company!

How receptive have the audiences been, considering the tense and emotional election year?

I have felt a strong camaraderie with my audience(s). I've heard many stories of community actions, even battles and rebellions, across the country.

Details: 9 p.m. tonight at Ibiza, 118 Market St. 251-1301 or ibizawilmington.com.

Jarvis Slacks