Quotes
“…Tsai was at once eloquent and intriguing…” – Mary Annaise Hegler, In Solidarity
“…a bundle of poetic ferocity and joy like you’ve never seen.” – Marty McConnell, louderARTS Project
“..humorous, yet painfully poignant…” Rod Bastanmehr, DVD Talk Review
“…ridiculously talented…” – Latoya Petersen, Racialicious.com
“Tsai’s poetry [was] beautiful in its simplicity and approachability. [She] projects an undeniable, youthful energy [and] challenged the audience to not only recognize prejudice, but to work to resolve discrimination.” - Emma Weisser, The Bates Student
“Tsai’s message was distinct and heartfelt. This, I think, is the kind of powerful piece that makes [Def Poetry] work.” – Levi Asher, Literary Kicks
“Kelly totally rocks the mic, and stays true to her style…A great writer who can deliver a political message, that will still hold up on paper. Poems that make you think, with lines that will stand out for days.” – Krystal Ashe, Mental Graffiti
“Kelly walks the walk, talks the talk and captivates the crowd with her poetic prowess.” – Jeanette Johnson-Licon, GLCA Students of Color Conference, DePauw University
“Whether via print or voice, Tsai’s work forges deep connections with the reader or listener; it is by turns lyrical and speculative, intimate & hard-hitting. An eminent practitioner of both composition andperformance, Tsai embodies the spirit of aural poetry as lived experience.” – Elisabeth Frost, Author of The Feminist Avant-Garde in American Poetry (University of Iowa Press, 2003).
“An arresting artist with gravity and sensitivity, Kelly Tsai has demonstrated new turns in the Chicago school of performance poetry throughout her career. She’s trekked from Illinois to New York and back, accumulating new stories and skills along the way…And if you haven’t seen her yet, you’ll remember her for a good long time after her set. Recommended” – Kurt Heintz, E-Poets.net
“Kelly Tsai sweeps clarity into the eye of political storms that have no choice but to disburse. Ms. Tsai makes it plain, does not stutter and is unafraid to drop shield that a vulnerable woman warrior is sometimes compelled to carry. This sister makes you nod in recognition, aching and joy.” –Tara Betts, www.tarabetts.net
“Kelly is a fierce and passionate performer/poet who speaks truth to power. It is an honor to witness the strength, energy, and drive she evokes with her words.” – Diana Lee, Arts Engine, Producer of the Media That Matters Film Festival
“[We] are consistently impressed with Kelly’s awe-inspiring, energetic, and all around amazing work.” — May Lin, Columbia University, Asian Pacific American Awareness Month
“Kelly’s poetry—raw, evocative, insightful—ignites your mind one moment and soothes your soul the next. Spitting out words with fierce lyrical prowess, Kelly challenges us to break free from our passivity to face the truth. She’s a contemporary visionary who is helping to change the world, one poem at a time.” — Celeste Hamilton, Action Without Borders/Idealist.org
“Kelly Zen-Yie Tsai is an amazing lyricist. Her energy and connection with the teen girls was like no other!” — Lisa Rodrigues, Teen Voices
“Experience one of her performances and you will understand that fierce artists do not need to scream to be heard… that the world matters too much to let things just slip by…” – Anida Esguerra, www.atomicshogun.com
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