Rooted in Poetry
Starting out as a little living room recital, the show has grown into a standing room only event! Read a brief history of our journey below!
Year 1
In Josh’s living room, year one was just a simple poetry recital. Josh recited around 12 poems, badly, and we all had a good laugh. Josh saw this event as mostly just an excuse to get dressed up and have people stare at him for awhile.
Year 2
Year 2 was in Josh’s friends living room. This was the first year where guests were invited to come on the stage and perform. Jeremy was a guest this year and he amazed the crowd with his performance.
Year 3
This was the first year the show took place at the marina, and actually almost didn’t happen. Had it not been for a message from Jeremy asking about the show, it wouldn’t be the incredible production it is today.
Year 4
This was the…lightest… year. The audience was intimate at only around 10. Hosted in the lounge of the marina it proved to still be a fantastic evening with laughs and filled with original works.
Year 5
Josh had finally moved back north to Baltimore, and was able to celebrate hosting year five at the new marina lounge. Josh also proposed to his very surprised girlfriend at this Mardi Gras themed show.
Year 6
The new lounge venue was really starting to feel like home; the stage setup was improved with advancements in lighting and audio. This year also saw lots of new performers with a variety of talents.
Year 7
Usually this show is held right around the first of the year, but this year was a little later than years past, so Josh could celebrate his 30th birthday at his favorite event.
Year 8
Changes this year were subtle: lighting was improved, audio settings were tweaked. Individual acts of the crew ON POINT and it seemed as though many performers were really finding a groove. This is where Josh’s catch phrase of “Best Year Yet!” caught on.
Year 9
Despite Corona, the show must go on! This event was held remotely and live streamed via YouTube. There were some technical difficulties, but lots of people were able to perform (car singalongs, personal stories) that would never have been able to otherwise. Family and friends across the country (Louisiana, Seattle, Arizona!) were able to view the show for the first time. Recently it was described by a friend of Josh’s as “A huge light for me in a very dark time”.
Year 10
Post “C” and our decennial year! We learned a few things from the streaming stage set and really stepped up our stage and lighting game. We also came equipped with a far more advanced sound system to really surround the audience. Josh had a goal of at least hitting year 10 and asked the rest of the crew their thoughts. Everyone agreed the show must and should go on, but some improvements were needed…
Year 11
Year 11 was our first year in a new home, Little Havana. After an exhaustive search and examination of many Baltimore venues, the production put it all on black with Little Havana, and it paid off in dividends! They were such a great host and it allowed the production to really increase capacity and provide a space worthy of the increasing caliber of performances.
Year 12
Second year in Little Havana and we were settling in nicely. We were wowed by some new acts, made to laugh by several great comics, and even inspired staff to join in!