Sigma Tau Delta will be hosting the Edgar Allan Poe-try and Talent Show Oct. 31, at 7:30 p.m. on the first floor of the Hall of Languages.
Students can perform poems, short stories, musical performances, or skits to celebrate Halloween. Extra incentives for attending include giveaways, food, costume contests, face painting, prizes, and tarot readings.
The Upsilon Beta chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, an international organization that promotes the contributions of professional writers and honors English language and literature students, has hosted the Edgar Allan Poe-try Show at Texas A&M University-Commerce since 2003. When the event first took place, Poe’s short stories and poems were recited in an effort to recreate the morbid essence in his writings that suits the Halloween ambience.
“This year we are keeping with the past traditions, but are expanding our event to provide a stage for many diverse artists by making it a poetry and talent show,” Jonathan Taylor, president of Sigma Tau Delta, said. “Everyone from musicians to theatrical performers, poets, short story writers and singers, to ballet dancers and karate students are welcome to come and perform.”
All types of performers can find a venue and a chance to show off their talents at the Edgar Allan Poe-try and Talent Show, provided the act follows the grandma rule. In other words, if a typical grandma would disapprove, then the act probably won’t meet the guidelines.
“As we are wanting this to be a family-friendly event, people are invited to bring as many of their families and friends as they wish,” Taylor said.
Patrons of the show can expect a somewhat spooky-fun environment with the Hall of Languages transformed for Halloween. There will be themed backdrops, hanging ghosts, and plenty of webbing to create the right mood for a reading of “The Raven,” an annual tradition.
“I almost prefer to read it than recite it, so it’s not mechanical. I just like the cadence of the poem, the rhythm of it. The imagery is fantastic; that’s what makes it a classic,” John Howard Smith, assistant professor of history, said.
Smith has been attending the Edgar Allen Poe-try Show for years, and will be a familiar face as it is his third year in a row to read “The Raven.”
Mary K Croft, an English graduate student, will also be prepared to do tarot readings for fun. Those opposed to the practice will not be pressured to participate.
Although face painting could be seen as a childhood pastime, some students plan to use the free designs in an updated way to complete their planned costumes.
“I want to dress up as one of the brothers from the movie ‘The Boondock Saints,'” James Belsher, a sophomore music performance major, said. “He has these specific tattoos on his hand and neck, and hopefully I can get a temporary version.”
People are free to make specific requests for designs, as long as they are not obscene. The officers and members of Sigma Tau Delta encourage prospective performers and friends to show up on Halloween for an event that will “nevermore” be the same.